Electron capture of tetracyanoethylene oxide in the gas phase. Rearrangement of the parent radical anion to form [(NC)(3)C](-). A joint experimental and ab initio study

Capture of an electron by tetracyanoethylene oxide can initiate a number of decomposition pathways. One of these decompositions yields [(NC)3C]− as the ionic product. Ab initio calculations (at the B3LYP/6-31+G∗ level of theory) indicate that the formation of [(NC)3C]− is initiated by capture of an electron into the LUMO of tetracyanoethylene oxide to yield the anion radical [(NC)2C–O–C(CN)2]−· that undergoes internal nucleophilic substitution to form intermediate [(NC)3C–OCCN]−·. This intermediate dissociates to form [(NC)3C]− (m/z 90) as the ionic product. The radical (NC)3C· has an electron affinity of 4.0 eV (385 kJ mol−1). Ab initio calculations show that [(NC)3C]− is trigonal planar with the negative charge mainly on the nitrogens. A pictorial representation of this structure is the resonance structure formed from three degenerate contributing structures (NC)2–CCN−. The other product of the reaction is nominally (NCCO)·, but there is no definitive experimental evidence to indicate whether this radical survives intact, or decomposes to NC· and CO. The overall process [(NC)2C–O–C(CN)2]−· → [(NC)3C]− + (NCCO)· is calculated to be endothermic by 21 kJ mol−1 with an overall barrier of 268 kJ mol−1.

Electronic Structure of Vacancy Ordered Spinels, $GaMo_{4}S_{8}$ and $GaV_{4}S_{8}$, from ab Initio Calculations

We report ab initio calculations for the band dispersions and total as well as partial densities of states for vacancy ordered, clustered spinels, GaMo4S8 and GaV4S8. Results are presented for the high temperature cubic phase for both compounds. Additionally, we discuss results of similar calculations for GaMo4S8 in an idealized cubic structure, as well as the nonmagnetic and the ferromagnetic states of the low temperature rhombohedral structure. Comparison of these results allows us to discuss the unusual aspects of the electronic structure of this interesting class of compounds, and provide estimates of the crystal-field and exchange splitting strengths.

Structure of the benzene center dot center dot center dot ICI complex: A UVPES and ab initio molecular orbital study

UVPES studies and ab initio and DFT computations have been done on the benzene...ICl complex; electron spectral data and computed orbital energies show that donor orbitals are stabilized and acceptor orbitals are destabilized due to complexation. Calculations predict an oblique structure for the complex in which the interacting site is a C=C bond center in the donor and iodine atom in the acceptor, in full agreement with earlier experimental reports. BSSE-corrected binding energies closely match the enthalpy of complexation reported, and the NBO analysis clearly reveals the involvement of the pi orbital of benzene and the sigma* orbital of ICl in the complex.

Ground and Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer in Salicylic Acid: an Ab Initio Electronic Structure Investigation

Energetics of the ground and excited state intramolecular proton transfer in salicylic acid have been studied by ab initio molecular orbital calculations using the 6-31G** basis set at the restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) and configuration interaction-single excitation (CIS) levels and also using the semiempirical method AM1 at the RHF level as well as with single and pair doubles excitation configuration interaction spanning eight frontier orbitals (PECI = 8). The ab initio potential energy profile for intramolecular proton transfer in the ground state reveals a single minimum corresponding to the primary form, in the first excited singlet state, however, there are two minima corresponding to the primary and tautomeric forms, separated by a barrier of similar to 6 kcal/mol, thus accounting for dual emission in salicylic acid. Electron density changes with electronic excitation and tautomerism indicate no zwitterion formation. Changes in spectral characteristics with change in pH, due to protonation and deprotonation of salicylic acid, are also accounted for, qualitatively. Although the AM1 calculations suggest a substantial barrier for proton transfer in the ground as well as the first excited state of SA, it predicts the transition wavelength in near quantitative accord with the experimental results for salicylic acid and its protonated and deprotonated forms.

Carbon nanodot decorated graphitic carbon nitride: New insights into the enhanced photocatalytic water splitting from ab initio studies

Interfacing carbon nanodots (C-dots) with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) produces a metal-free system that has recently demonstrated significant enhancement of photo-catalytic performance for water splitting into hydrogen [Science, 2015, 347, 970–974]. However, the underlying photo-catalytic mechanism is not fully established. Herein, we have carried out density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the interactions between g-C3N4 and trigonal/hexagonal shaped C-dots. We find that hybrid C-dots/g-C3N4 can form a type-II van der Waals heterojunction, leading to significant reduction of band gap. The C-dot decorated g-C3N4 enhances the separation of photogenerated electron and hole pairs and the composite's visible light response. Interestingly, the band alignment of C-dots and g-C3N4 calculated by the hybrid functional method indicates that C-dots act as a spectral sensitizer in hybrid C-dots/g-C3N4 for water splitting. Our results offer new theoretical insights into this metal-free photocatalyst for water splitting.

NMR (1H, 13C) and MO (ab initio, CNDO/2, EHT) studies on basic and N-protonated hydrazinecarbothioamide

The conformational preferences of hydrazinecarbothioamide (HCTA, H2NNHCSNH2) in its basic and N-protonated (PHCTA, H3NNNHCSNH2) forms have been studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and by theoretical LCAO-MO methods (ab initio, CNDO/2 and EHT). The hindered rotation around the C---N bond has been investigated by a total line shape analysis for the thioamide protons and by the three MO methods. Changes in the molecular conformation and electronic structure on protonation are briefly discussed.

A comparison of the molecular orbital (ab initio, CNDO and EHT) methods applied to the conformational study of thiocarbonohydrazide in its basic and diprotonated forms

Conformational preferences of thiocarbonohydrazide (H2NNHCSNHNH2) in its basic and N,N′-diprotonated forms are examined by calculating the barrier to internal rotation around the C---N bonds, using the theoretical LCAO—MO (ab initio and semiempirical CNDO and EHT) methods. The calculated and experimental results are compared with each other and also with values for N,N′-dimethylthiourea which is isoelectronic with thiocarbonohydrazide. The suitability of these methods for studying rotational isomerism seems suspect when lone pair interactions are present.

Anomeric effect in sulfur-containing systems: An Ab-initio study

The anomeric effect in S---C---S and O---C---S systems was studied by using closed-shell Hartree-Fock theory. A comparison of the STO-3G level with the 4–31G and 6–31G* levels was performed for the O---C---O system, and the STO-3G level found adequate for study of the anomeric effect. Optimization of bond lengths and angles was conducted at the STO-3G level and limited studies were made at the 4–31G level. The nature of the torsional potential curves is compared for the O---C---O, O---C---S, and S---C---S systems. The possible reasons for the decreased anomeric effect in sulfur systems are discussed.

Application of ab initio molecular orbital calculations to the structural moieties of carbohydrates. 3

Ab initio RHF/4-31G level molecular orbital calculations have been carried out on dimethoxymethane as a model compound for the acetal moiety in methyl pyranosides. The calculations are consistent with the predictions of the anomeric effect and the exo-anomeric effect. They reproduce very successfully the differences in molecular geometry observed by x-ray and neutron diffraction of single crystals of the methyl cy-D- and methyl 0-D-pyranosides. Calculations carried out at the 6-3 1G* level for methanediol confirm the earlier calculations at the 4-31G level, with smaller energy differences between the four staggered conformations.

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of excited hydrogen halides and methyl halides

Using excited-state ab initio molecular dynamics simulations employing the complete-active-space self-consistent-field approach, we study the mechanism of photodissociation in terms of time evolution of structure, kinetic energy, charges and potential energy for the first excited state of hydrogen halides and methyl halides. Although the hydrogen halides and methyl halides are similar in the photodissociation mechanism, their dynamics are slightly different. The presence of the methyl group causes delay in photodissociation as compared to hydrogen halides.

Ab initio electronic structures of rhombohedral and cubic HgXO3 (X = Ti, Pb)

First-principles calculations were performed for orthorhombic HgO, rhombohedral and cubic phases of HgTiO3 (HTO) and HgPbO3 (HPO). The calculations show that in the rhombohedral phase HTO is a direct gap insulator with a gap of ~1.6 eV. The rhombohedral phase of HPO, on the other hand, shows a weak metallic character. The results provide an explanation for the electrical properties of these compounds. The cubic phases of HTO and HPO are invariably metallic in nature, thereby suggesting that for HTO the rhombohedral–cubic transition must also be accompanied by a change in the electrical state. Examination of the electronic density of states of these systems revealed no significant on-site mixing of Hg 5d and Hg 6s states in any of these materials.

Ab initio studies on proton transfer involving Schiff base and related nitrogen compounds

Proton transfer across cationic hydrogen bonds involving Schiff base, ammonia and related compounds has been studied at the 4-31G level. Proton transfer characteristics are correlated to the proton affinities of the species involved. Hydrogen bond strengths of these hydrogen bonds are correlated to the differences in the proton affinity of the donor and the acceptor. Influence of a neighbouring hydrogen bond on the proton transfer from Schiff base to ammonia and Schiff base to water is also discussed.