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At least 397 records · Page 22

The Application B3LYP to Large Systems

The application of density functional theory (DFT), using the B3LYP functional, to a series of chemical problems is described. The first involves the calculation of silica-adsorbate bond energies, including both chemical bonds and weak hydrogen bonding. The calculation of vibrational frequencies for large organic systems is discussed. For the closed shell neutral systems, the B3LYP results are similar to the self- consistent- field results, however, for the positive ions, only the B3LYP level of theory is accurate and sufficiently inexpensive to allow the study of large systems. The final application involves the calculation of successive metal-ligand bond energies. The B3LYP bond energies and entropies are shown to be in good agreement with experiment.

Bauschlicher, Charles W.↗

Proton-bound cluster ions in ion mobility spectrometry

Gaseous oxygen and nitrogen bases, both singly and as binary mixtures, have been introduced into ion mobility spectrometers to study the appearance of protonated molecules, and proton-bound dimers and trimers. At ambient temperature it was possible to simultaneously observe, following the introduction of molecule A, comparable intensities of peaks ascribable to the reactant ion (H2O)nH+, the protonated molecule AH+ and AH+ H2O, and the symmetrical proton bound dimer A2H+. Mass spectral identification confirmed the identifications and also showed that the majority of the protonated molecules were hydrated and that the proton-bound dimers were hydrated to a much lesser extent. No significant peaks ascribable to proton-bound trimers were obtained no matter how high the sample concentration. Binary mixtures containing molecules A and B, in some cases gave not only the peaks unique to the individual compounds but also peaks due to asymmetrical proton bound dimers AHB+. Such ions were always present in the spectra of mixtures of oxygen bases but were not observed for several mixtures of oxygen and nitrogen bases. The dimers, which were not observable, notable for their low hydrogen bond strengths, must have decomposed in their passage from the ion source to the detector, i.e. in a time less than approximately 5 ms. When the temperature was lowered to -20 degrees C, trimers, both homogeneous and mixed, were observed with mixtures of alcohols. The importance of hydrogen bond energy, and hence operating temperature, in determining the degree of solvation of the ions that will be observed in an ion mobility spectrometer is stressed. The possibility is discussed that a displacement reaction involving ambient water plays a role in the dissociation.

Non-NASA Center↗

Tuning the Properties of Lignin‐Derived Deep Eutectic Solvents for Biomass Processing

Lignin-derived deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been investigated as sustainable green media for biomass processing. However, the properties and processability of DESs have not been fully understood with the chemical structures of their constituents for biomass fractionation. Here, in this article, the properties of the phenolic DESs are discussed with different numbers of functional groups, such as –OCH 3 and –CHO in their hydrogen bond donor (HBD) structures. The formation of DES is significantly related to the hydrogen bond between its constituents, identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and density functional theory calculation (DFT). Lower viscosity and net basicity of DES are achieved with fewer –OCH 3 on HBD structures, resulting in enhanced processability and fractionation efficiency. The thermal stability of the DES is also influenced by the –OCH 3 and –CHO of HBD, as indicated by its onset temperature. The recyclability of the phenolic DES is confirmed by the fractionation performance of the recycled DES. Understanding the structural impacts of DES constituents on the properties and performance is crucial for designing solvents in biorefinery applications.

Ryu, Jiae [State University of New York (SUNY), Sy↗

Crystal structure of haloxon, C 14 H 14 C l3 O 6 P

The crystal structure of haloxon has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Haloxon crystallizes in space group P2 1 /n (#14) with a = 19.60382(6), b = 10.05473(3), c = 8.73591(2) Å, β = 92.6617(2)°, V = 1720.088(11) Å 3 , and Z = 4. The structure consists of discrete molecules. The mean planes of the fused ring systems are approximately 0–11 and 011. The rings form staggered stacks perpendicular to these planes. There are no traditional hydrogen bonds in the structure, but several C–H∙∙∙O and C–H∙∙∙Cl hydrogen bonds contribute to the crystal energy. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Crystal structure of butenafine hydrochloride, C 23 H 28 NCl

The crystal structure of butenafine hydrochloride has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Butenafine hydrochloride crystallizes in space group P2 1 (#4) with a = 13.94807(5), b = 9.10722(2), c = 16.46676(6) Å, β = 93.9663(5)°, V = 2086.733(8) Å 3 , and Z = 4. Butenafine hydrochloride occurs as a racemic co-crystal of R and S enantiomers of the cation. The crystal structure is characterized by parallel stacks of aromatic rings along the b-axis. Each cation forms a strong discrete N–H∙∙∙Cl hydrogen bond. The chloride anions also act as acceptors in several C–H∙∙∙Cl hydrogen bonds from methylene, methyl, and aromatic groups. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

An extensive assessment of the performance of pairwise and many-body interaction potentials in reproducing ab initio benchmark binding energies for water clusters n = 2–25

We assess the performance of 7 pairwise additive (TIP3P, TIP4P, TIP4P-ice, TIP5P, OPC, SPC, SPC/E) and 8 families of many-body potentials (q-AQUA, HIPPO, AMOEBA, EFP, TTM, WHBB, MB-pol, MB-UCB) in reproducing high-level ab initio benchmark values, CCSD(T) or MP2 at the complete basis set (CBS) limit for the binding energy and the many-body expansion (MBE) of water clusters n = 2–11, 16–17, 20, 25. By including a large range of cluster sizes having dissimilar hydrogen bonding networks, we obtain an understanding of how these potentials perform for different hydrogen bonding arrangements that are mostly outside of their parameterization range. While it is appropriate to compare the results of ab initio based many-body potentials directly to the electronic binding energies (D e 's), the pairwise additive ones are compared to the enthalpies at T = 298 K, ΔH(298 K), as the latter class of force fields are parametrized to reproduce enthalpies (implicitly accounting for zero-point energy corrections) rather than binding energies. We find that all pairwise additive potentials considered overestimate the reference ΔH values for the n = 2–25 clusters by >13%. For the water dimer (n = 2) in particular, the errors are in the range 83–119% for the pairwise additive potentials studied since these are based on an effective rather than the true 2-body interaction specifically designed as a means of partially accounting for the missing many-body terms. This stronger 2-body interaction is achieved by an enhanced monomer dipole moment that mimics its increase from the gas phase monomer to the condensed phase value. Indeed, for cluster sizes n ≥ 4 the percent deviations become slightly smaller (albeit all exceeding 13%). In contrast, we find that the many-body potentials perform more accurately in reproducing the electronic binding energies (D e 's) throughout the entire cluster range (n = 2–25), all reproducing the ab initio benchmark binding energies within ±7% of the respective CBS values. We further assess the ability of a subset of the many-body potentials (MB-UCB, q-AQUA, MB-pol, and TTM2.1-F) to also reproduce the magnitude of the ab initio many-body energy terms for water cluster sizes n = 7, 10, 16 and 17. The potentials show an overall good agreement with the available benchmark values. However, we identify characteristic differences upon comparing the many-body terms at both the ab initio-optimized geometries and the respective potential-optimized geometries to the reference ab initio values. Additionally, by applying this analysis to a wide range of cluster sizes, trends in the MBE of the potentials with increasing cluster size can be identified. Finally, in an attempt to draw a parallel between the pairwise additive and many-body potentials, we report the analysis of the individual molecular dipole moments for water clusters with 1 to ~4 solvation shells with the TTM2.1-F potential. We find that the internally solvated water molecules have in general a larger molecular dipole moment ranging from 2.6–3.0 D. This justifies the use of an enhanced, with respect to the gas-phase value, molecular dipole moment for the pairwise additive potentials, which is intended to fold in the many body terms into an effective (enhanced) pairwise interaction through the choice of the charges. These results have important implications for the development of future generations of efficient, transferable, and highly accurate classical interaction potentials in both the pairwise additive and many-body categories.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Glycerol Binding at the Narrow Channel of Photosystem II Stabilizes the Low-Spin S 2 State of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex

The oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II (PSII) cycles through redox intermediate states S i (i = 0–4) during the photochemical oxidation of water. The S 2 state involves an equilibrium of two isomers including the low-spin S 2 (LS-S 2 ) state with its characteristic electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) multiline signal centered at g = 2.0, and a high-spin S 2 (HS-S 2 ) state with its g = 4.1 EPR signal. The relative intensities of the two EPR signals change under experimental conditions that shift the HS-S 2 /LS-S 2 state equilibrium. Here, we analyze the effect of glycerol on the relative stability of the LS-S 2 and HS-S 2 states when bound at the narrow channel of PSII, as reported in an X-ray crystal structure of cyanobacterial PSII. Our quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) hybrid models of cyanobacterial PSII show that the glycerol molecule perturbs the hydrogen-bond network in the narrow channel, increasing the pK a of D1-Asp61 and stabilizing the LS-S 2 state relative to the HS-S 2 state. Here, the reported results are consistent with the absence of the HS-S 2 state EPR signal in native cyanobacterial PSII EPR spectra and suggest that the narrow water channel hydrogen-bond network regulates the relative stability of OEC catalytic intermediates during water oxidation.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Influence of Charge Block Length on Conformation and Solution Behavior of Polyampholytes

In this paper, we investigate the effect of charge block length on polyampholyte chain conformation and phase behavior using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and implicit-solvent molecular simulations. To this end, we use solid phase peptide synthesis to precision-tailor a series of polyampholytes consisting of l-glutamic acid (E) and l-lysine (K) monomers arranged in alternating blocks from 2 to 16 monomers. We observe that the polyampholytes tend to phase separate as block size increases. With addition of NaCl, phase separated polyampholytes exhibit a salting-in effect dependent on charge block length. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy reveals the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonds that are disrupted upon the addition of NaCl, implicating both electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding in the phase behavior. SAXS spectra at no-added salt conditions show minimal dependence of charge block length on the radius of gyration (R g ) for soluble polyampholytes, but local chain stiffening is found to be dependent on charge block length. With increasing NaCl, consistent with electrostatic screening, all polyampholytes expand and behave as neutral or swollen chains in good solvent conditions. Molecular simulations are qualitatively consistent with experiments. Implications for understanding intracellular condensates and material design are noted.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Unusual Base Pair between Two 2-Thiouridines and Its Implication for Nonenzymatic RNA Copying

2-Thiouridine (s 2 U) is a nucleobase modification that confers enhanced efficiency and fidelity both on modern tRNA codon translation and on nonenzymatic and ribozyme-catalyzed RNA copying. We have discovered an unusual base pair between two 2-thiouridines that stabilizes an RNA duplex to a degree that is comparable to that of a native A:U base pair. High-resolution crystal structures indicate similar base-pairing geometry and stacking interactions in duplexes containing s 2 U:s 2 U compared to those with U:U pairs. Notably, the C=O···H–N hydrogen bond in the U:U pair is replaced with a C=S···H–N hydrogen bond in the s 2 U:s 2 U base pair. The thermodynamic stability of the s 2 U:s 2 U base pair suggested that this self-pairing might lead to an increased error frequency during nonenzymatic RNA copying. However, competition experiments show that s 2 U:s 2 U base-pairing induces only a low level of misincorporation during nonenzymatic RNA template copying because the correct A:s 2 U base pair outcompetes the slightly weaker s 2 U:s 2 U base pair. In addition, even if an s 2 U is incorrectly incorporated, the addition of the next base is greatly hindered. This strong stalling effect would further increase the effective fidelity of nonenzymatic RNA copying with s 2 U. Our findings suggest that s 2 U may enhance the rate and extent of nonenzymatic copying with only a minimal cost in fidelity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Equation of State and Spin Crossover of (Al, Fe)–Phase H

The transport of hydrogen into Earth's deep interior may have an impact on lower mantle dynamics as well as on the seismic signature of subducted material. Due to the stability of the hydrous phases δ-AlOOH (delta phase), MgSiO 2 (OH) 2 (phase H), and ε-FeOOH at high temperatures and pressures, their solid solutions may transport significant amounts of hydrogen as deep as the core-mantle boundary. Here we have constrained the equation of state, including the effects of a spin crossover in the Fe 3+ atoms, of (Al, Fe)-phase H: Al 0.84 Fe 3+ 0.07 Mg 0.02 Si 0.06 OOH, using powder X-ray diffraction measurements to 125 GPa, supported by synchrotron Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements on (Al, Fe)-phase H and δ-(Al, Fe)OOH. The changes in spin state of Fe 3+ in (Al, Fe)-phase H results in a significant decrease in bulk sound velocity and occurs over a different pressure range (48–62 GPa) compared with δ-(Al, Fe)OOH (32–40 GPa). Changes in axial compressibilities indicate a decrease in the compressibility of hydrogen bonds in (Al, Fe)-phase H near 30 GPa, which may be associated with hydrogen bond symmetrization. The formation of (Al, Fe)-phase H in subducted oceanic crust may contribute to scattering of seismic waves in the mid-lower mantle (~1,100–1,550 km). Accumulation of 1–4 wt.% (Al, Fe)-phase H could reproduce some of the seismic signatures of large, low seismic-velocity provinces. Our results suggest that changes in the electronic structure of phases in the (δ-AlOOH)-(MgSiO 2 (OH) 2 )-(ε-FeOOH) solid solution are sensitive to composition and that the presence of these phases in subducted oceanic crust could be seismically detectable throughout the lower mantle.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Topology induced crossover between Langevin, subdiffusion, and Brownian diffusion regimes in supercooled water

Despite extensive studies of supercooled water, it remains challenging to understand its peculiar dynamic anomalous properties. In this work, we integrated full atomistic simulations of supercooled water over the temperature range of room temperature to 200 K using a quantum-mechanics-based polarizable force field with the dressed dynamics method that couples fast collision events and slow reorganization dynamics of hydrogen-bond networks. Our analysis unveils the salient multiscale features in the transient relaxation dynamics of supercooled water. A classical Langevin behavior dominates at fast timescales, while long-time relaxations unveil two different activation barriers in two temperature regions: below and above 230 K. The modulation of the entropy spectrum by temperature is elucidated in terms of a three-state model underlined by the complexity of the water dynamics associated with a topological transition of a strong hydrogen-bond network. This state-dependent network topology is quantitatively characterized by power-law exponents of inverse network connectivity from 200 to 298 K. Finally, this work provides valuable guidance for further studies on the transient relaxation dynamics of supercooled water.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Influence of intermolecular interactions on the infrared complex indices of refraction for binary liquid mixtures

This paper investigates the accuracy of deriving the composite optical constants of binary mixtures from only the complex indices of refraction of the neat materials. These optical constants enable the reflectance spectra of the binary mixtures to be modeled for multiple scenarios (e.g., different substrates, thicknesses, volume ratios), which is important for contact and standoff chemical detection. Using volume fractions, each mixture's complex index of refraction was approximated via three different mixing rules. To explore the impact of intermolecular interactions, these predictions are tested by experimental measurements for two representative sets of binary mixtures: (1) tributyl phosphate combined with n-dodecane, a non-polar medium, to represent mixtures which primarily interact via dispersion forces and (2) tributyl phosphate and 1-butanol to represent mixtures with polar functional groups that can also interact via dipole–dipole interactions, including hydrogen bonding. The residuals and the root-mean-square error between the experimental and calculated index values are computed and demonstrate that for miscible liquids in which the average geometry of the cross-interactions can be considered isotropic (e.g., dispersion), the refractive indices of the mixtures can be modeled using composite n and k values derived from volume fractions of the neat liquids. Conversely, in spectral regions where the geometry of the cross-interactions is more restricted and anisotropic (e.g., hydrogen bonding), the calculated n and k values vary from the measured values. The impact of these interactions on the reflectance spectra are then compared by modeling a thin film of the binary mixtures on an aluminum substrate using both the measured and the mathematically computed indices of refraction.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Selective acetate recognition and sensing using SWCNTs functionalized with croconamides

Croconamides are a new class of dual-hydrogen bond donors that have attracted interest in anion recognition and sensing applications due to their strong H-bond donation capability. In this work, we report chemiresistive sensors for the detection of anions based on poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP)-wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) functionalized with croconamide-based selectors. Model structures of asymmetric N,N-substituted croconamide selectors with N,N-substitutional groups of alkyl cationic pyridinium and electron-withdrawing moieties such as aniline (6) and 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (7) groups were synthesized and their binding affinities for various anions were characterized using UV–vis and 1 H NMR titrations. Switchable binding of oxoanions was observed with selector 7, wherein HSO 4 – formed hydrogen bonding interactions and acetate (AcO – ) induced deprotonation of the NH- protons of the croconamide. Large sensitivity transitions were obtained toward AcO – for both P4VP-6-SWCNT (S = 95.68 ± 2.11 %) and P4VP-7-SWCNT (S = 140.91 ± 3.68 %) at 83.33 mM, which was attributed to deprotonation of the croconamide selectors upon addition of AcO – . In conclusion, three serial sensors were assembled in a sensor array that rapid and selective screening of AcO – was demonstrated against other oxoanions such as HSO 4 – and H 2 PO 4 – in real-time.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Arene Substitution Design for Controlled Conformational Changes of Dibenzocycloocta-1,5-dienes

We report that the agile eight-mernbered cycloalkane can be stabilized by fusing two rigid benzene rings, substituted with proper functional groups. The conformational change of dibenzocycloocta-1,S-diene (DBCOD), a rigid-flexible-rigidorganic moiety, from Boat to Chair conformation requires an activation energy of 42 kJ/mol that is substantially lower than that of existing submolecular shape-changing unit. Experimental data corroborated by theory calculations demonstrate that intramolecular hydrogen bonding can stabilize Boat whereas electron repulsive interaction from opposing ester substituents favors Chair. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding, formed by 1,10-diamide substitution stabilizes Boat, spiking the temperature at which Boat and Chair can readily interchange from -60 °C to 60 °C. Concomitantly this intramolecular attraction raises the energy barrier from 42 kJ/mol of unsubstituted DBCOD to 68 kJ/mol of diamide-substituted DBCOD. Remarkably, this value falls within the range of the activation energy of highly efficient enzyme catalyzed biological reactions. With shape changes once considered only possible with high-energy, our work reveals a potential pathway exemplified by a specific submolecular structure to achieve low-energy driven shape changes for the first time. Together with intrinsic cycle stability and high energy output systems that would have incurred damage under high-energy stimuli, could particularly benefit from this new kind of low-energy driven shape-changing mechanism. This work has laid the basis to construct systems for low-energy driven stimuli-responsive applications, hitherto a challenge to overcome.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Fragment-based drug nanoaggregation reveals drivers of self-assembly

Drug nanoaggregates are particles that can deleteriously cause false positive results during drug screening efforts, but alternatively, they may be used to improve pharmacokinetics when developed for drug delivery purposes. The structural features of molecules that drive nanoaggregate formation remain elusive, however, and the prediction of intracellular aggregation and rational design of nanoaggregate-based carriers are still challenging. We investigate nanoaggregate self-assembly mechanisms using small molecule fragments to identify the critical molecular forces that contribute to self-assembly. We find that aromatic groups and hydrogen bond acceptors/donors are essential for nanoaggregate formation, suggesting that both π-π stacking and hydrogen bonding are drivers of nanoaggregation. We apply structure-assembly-relationship analysis to the drug sorafenib and discover that nanoaggregate formation can be predicted entirely using drug fragment substructures. We also find that drug nanoaggregates are stabilized in an amorphous core-shell structure. These findings demonstrate that rational design can address intracellular aggregation and pharmacologic/delivery challenges in conventional and fragment-based drug development processes.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Synergistic Density Functional Theory and Molecular Dynamics Approach to Elucidate PNIPAM–Water Interaction Mechanisms

This study employs Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate interactions between water molecules and Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). DFT reveals preferential water binding sites, with enhanced binding energy observed in the linker zone. Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and electron localization function (ELF) analyses highlight the roles of hydrogen bonding and steric hindrance. MD simulations unveil temperature-dependent hydration dynamics, with structural transitions marked by changes in the radius of gyration (Rg) and the radial distribution function (RDF), aligning with DFT findings. Our work goes beyond prior studies by combining a DFT, QTAIM and MD simulations approach across different PNIPAM monomer-to-30mer structures. It introduces a systematic quantification of pseudo-saturation thresholds and explores water clustering dynamics with structural specificity, which have not been previously reported in the literature. These novel insights establish a more complete molecular-level picture of PNIPAM hydration behavior and temperature responsiveness, emphasizing the importance of amide hydrogen and carbonyl oxygen sites in hydrogen bonding, which weakens above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST), resulting in increased hydrophobicity and paving the way for understanding water sorption mechanisms, offering guidance for future applications such as dehumidification and atmospheric water harvesting.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Folding and translocation of the undecamer of poly-L-leucine across the water-hexane interface. A molecular dynamics study

The undecamer of poly-L-leucine at the water-hexane interface is studied by molecular dynamics simulations. This represents a simple model relevant to folding and insertion of hydrophobic peptides into membranes. The peptide, initially placed in a random coil conformation on the aqueous side of the system, rapidly translocates toward the hexane phase and undergoes interfacial folding into an alpha-helix in the subsequent 36 ns. Folding is nonsequential and highly dynamic. The initially formed helical segment at the N-terminus of the undecamer becomes transiently broken and, subsequently, reforms before the remainder of the peptide folds from the C-terminus. The formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds during the folding of the peptide is preceded by a dehydration of the participating polar groups, as they become immersed in hexane. Folding proceeds through a short-lived intermediate, a 3(10)-helix, which rapidly interconverts to an alpha-helix. Both helices contribute to the equilibrium ensemble of folded structures. The helical peptide is largely buried in hexane, yet remains adsorbed at the interface. Its preferred orientation is parallel to the interface, although the perpendicular arrangement with the N-terminus immersed in hexane is only slightly less favorable. In contrast, the reversed orientation is highly unfavorable, because it would require dehydration of C-terminus carbonyl groups that do not participate in intramolecular hydrogen bonding. For the same reason, the transfer of the undecamer from the interface to the bulk hexane is also unfavorable. The results suggest that hydrophobic peptides fold in the interfacial region and, simultaneously, translocate into the nonpolar side of the interface. It is further implied that peptide insertion into the membrane is accomplished by rotating from the parallel to the perpendicular orientation, most likely in such a way that the N-terminus penetrates the bilayer.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗