The highest bond order between heavier main-group elements in an isolated compound? Energetics and vibrational spectroscopy of S2I4(MF6)2 (M = As, Sb)

The vibrational spectra of S2I4(MF6)2(s) (M = As, Sb), a normal coordinate analysis of S2I4(2+), and a redetermination of the X-ray structure of S2I4(AsF6)2 at low temperature show that the S-S bond in S2I4(2+) has an experimentally based bond order of 2.2-2.4, not distinguishably different from bond orders, based on calculations, of the Si-Si bonds in the proposed triply bonded disilyne of the isolated [(Me3Si)2 CH]2 (iPr)SiSiSiSi(iPr)[CH(SiMe3)2]2 and the hypothetical trans-RSiSiR (R = H, Me, Ph). Therefore, both S2I4(2+) and [(Me3Si)2 CH]2 (iPr)SiSiSiSi(iPr)[CH(SiMe3)2]2 have the highest bond orders between heavier main-group elements in an isolated compound, given a lack of the general acceptance of a bond order > 2 for the Ga-Ga bond in Na2[{Ga(C6H3Trip2-2,6)}2] (Trip = C6H2Pr(i)3-2,4,6) and the fact that the reported bond orders for the heavier group 14 alkyne analogues of formula REER [E = Ge, Sn, or Pb; R = bulky organic group] are ca. 2 or less. The redetermination of the X-ray structure gave a higher accuracy for the short S-S [1.842(4) A, Pauling bond order (BO) = 2.4] and I-I [2.6026(9) A, BO = 1.3] bonds and allowed the correct modeling of the AsF6- anions, the determination of the cation-anion contacts, and thus an empirical estimate of the positive charge on the sulfur and iodine atoms. FT-Raman and IR spectra of both salts, obtained for the first time, were assigned with the aid of density functional theory calculations and gave a stretching frequency of 734 cm(-1) for the S-S bond and 227 cm(-1) for the I-I bond, implying bond orders of 2.2 and 1.3, respectively. A normal-coordinate analysis showed that no mixing occurs and yielded force constants for the S-S (5.08 mdyn/A) and I-I bonds (1.95 mdyn/A), with corresponding bond orders of 2.2 for the S-S bond and 1.3 for the I-I bond, showing that S2I4(2+) maximizes pi bond formation. The stability of S2I4(2+) in the gas phase, in SO2 and HSO3F solutions, and in the solid state as its AsF6- salts was established by calculations using different methods and basis sets, estimating lattice enthalpies, and calculating solvation energies. Dissociation reactions of S2I4(2+) into various small monocations in the gas phase are favored [e.g., S2I4(2+)(g) --> 2SI2(+)(g), deltaH = -200 kJ/mol], as are reactions with I2 [S2I4(2+)(g) + I2(g) --> 2SI3(+)(g), deltaH = -285 kJ/mol). However, the corresponding reactions in the solid state are endothermic [S2I4(AsF6)2(s) --> 2SI2(AsF6)(s), deltaH = +224 kJ/mol; S2I4(AsF6)2 + I2(s) -->2SI3(AsF6)(s), deltaH = +287 kJ/mol). Thus, S2I4(2+) and its multiple bonds are lattice stabilized in the solid state. Computational and FT-Raman results for solution behavior are less clear cut; however, S2I4(2+) was observed by FT-Raman spectroscopy in a solution of HSO3F/AsF5, consistent with the calculated small, positive free energies of dissociation in HSO3F.     

Mass analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of o-, m-, and p-dichlorobenzenes. Influence of the chlorine position on vibrational spectra and ionization energy

For the first time, vibrational spectra of the 35Cl2 and 35Cl37Cl isotopomers of o-, m-, and p-dichlorobenzene cations in the electronic ground state have been measured via S1 intermediate states by mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy. Additionally, ab initio calculations at DFT (density functional theory), CIS (configuration interaction singles), and CASSCF (complete active space self-consistent field) levels of theory have been conducted to compare experimental findings with theory. From the MATI spectra, adiabatic ionization energies of the ortho, meta, and para isomers have been determined to be the same for each pair of investigated isotopomers to 73,237 +/- 6, 72,191 +/- 6, and 73,776 +/- 6 cm(-1), respectively. Several vibrational modes, including fundamentals, combinations, and progressions have been assigned by comparing the experimental and theoretical results. The appearance of overtone progressions involving the 7a mode could be explained by a geometry change of all three isomers during ionization in the direction of this mode by retraining the symmetry of the molecules. Although the general spectral features of the investigated isotopomers are similar, frequencies of some vibrations are slightly different up to a few wavenumbers depending on the involvement of the chlorine atoms in the molecular motion.     

Surfactant and hydrocarbon aggregates on defective graphite surface: structure and dynamics

We have simulated the structure and aggregation kinetics of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecane (C 12) on a graphite surface in the presence of point and line defects. We find that while vacancies do not affect the orientational bias of the molecules, they interfere with aggregate formation. Specifically, they disrupt the formation of extended aggregates. Line defects in the form of surface steps, on the other hand, tend to localize the aggregates in their vicinity and induce specific orientations along the step edges. We demonstrate that this orientational bias can be tuned by manipulating the terrace widths. These results suggest that extended defects could be employed to localize and orient surfactant aggregates on the basal plane of graphite, thus providing a means to create patterned aggregate domains.     

Crystal structures and thermal properties of Ba(1,2,4-t-Bu3C5H2)2 and Sr(1,2,4-t-Bu3C5H2)2: Precursors for atomic layer deposition

Sterically hindered Lewis base free bis(1,2,4-tri-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)strontium (1) and bis(1,2,4-tri-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl)barium (2) were synthesized using the common metathesis route and characterized with NMR, MS, TGA/SDTA and XRD. Compound 1 crystallized as a monomer with typical bent structure. Asymmetric unit contains two independent slightly different Sr(t-Bu₃C₅H₂)₂ molecules with Cp(centroid)-Sr-Cp(centroid) angles of 165.1° and 169.4°. Depending on the way of crystallization two polymorphs (2a and 2b) were observed for Ba(t-Bu₃C₅H₂)₂. On sublimation Ba(t-Bu₃C₅H₂)₂ crystallizes as chains in which one methyl group of each Ba(t-Bu₃C₅H₂)₂ unit interacts with neighboring Ba(t-Bu₃C₅H₂)₂ unit’s barium atom. Slow crystallization of waxy evaporation residue of toluene solution results in monoclinic crystals (2b) whose asymmetric unit contains four slightly different individual Ba(t-Bu₃C₅H₂)₂ molecules with Cp(centroid)-Ba-Cp(centroid) angles of 161.3-164.9°. Both compounds prepared are volatile, thermally stable and reactive and thus suitable precursors for atomic layer deposition of thin films.     

Lateral diffusion in lipid membranes through collective flows

There is no comprehensive model for the dynamics of cellular membranes. Even mechanisms of basic dynamic processes, such as lateral diffusion of lipids, are poorly understood. Our atomic-scale molecular dynamics simulations support a novel, concerted mechanism for lipid diffusion. We find that a lipid and its nearest neighbors move in unison, forming loosely defined clusters. What is more, the motions of lipids are correlated over tens of nanometers: the lateral displacements of lipids in a given monolayer produce striking two-dimensional flow patterns. These flow patterns should have wide implications, affecting, for example, the formation of membrane domains, protein functionality, and action of lipases and drugs on membranes.     

Ionization of Cp2ZrMe2 and Lewis Bases by Methylaluminoxane: Computational Insights

The interactions of the Lewis bases CO, octamethyltrisiloxane (OMTS) and 2,2’-bipyridine (bipy) with a sheet model for the principal activator (MeAlO)₁₆(Me₃Al)₆ (16,6) in hydrolytic methylaluminoxane (MAO) were investigated by DFT. These studies reveal that OMTS and bipy form adducts with Me₃Al prior to methide abstraction by 16,6 to form the ion-pairs [Me₂Al(κ²-L)][ 16,6 ] ( 5 : L=OMTS, 6 : L=bipy, [ 16,6 ]⁻=[(MeAlO)₁₆(Me₃Al)₆ Me]⁻) while CO simply binds to a reactive edge site without ionization. The binding and activation of Cp₂ZrMe₂ with 16,6 to form both neutral adducts 1 Cp₂ZrMe₂ ⋅ 16,6 and contact ion-pairs 4 and 7 , both with formula [Cp₂ZrMe][μ-Me(MeAlO)₁₆(Me₃Al)₆], featuring terminal and chelated MAO-anions, respectively was studied by DFT. The displacement of the anion with either excess Cp₂ZrMe₂ or Me₃Al was also studied, forming outer-sphere ion-pairs [(Cp₂ZrMe)₂μ-Me][ 16,6 ] ( 2 ) and [Cp₂Zr(μ-Me)₂AlMe₂][ 16,6 ] ( 3 ). The theoretical NMR spectra of these species were compared to experimental spectra of MAO and Cp₂ZrMe₂ and found to be in good agreement with the reported data and assignments. These studies confirm that 16,6 is a very suitable model for the activators present in MAO but highlight the difficulty in accurately calculating thermodynamic quantities for molecules in this size regime.     

Atomic Force Microscopy Studies of SnO2 Thin Film Microstruc tures Deposited by Atomic Layer Epitaxy

 ALE-grown, rutile-type SnO₂ thin films and gas sensor structures based thereupon were studied by AFM with main emphasis on cross-sectional investigations (X-AFM). On glass substrates the polycrystalline films showed a preferred orientation which depended on the film thickness and growth temperature while on single crystal sapphire () the growth was heteroepitaxial. For the X-AFM studies various sample preparation techniques were investigated but only ion beam etching gave satisfactory results and revealed substructures in the sensor structure consisting of Pt and SnO₂ layers on a silicon substrate.