Biomedical subjects

Nikolas Kaltsoyannis

Publications and source records attributed to Nikolas Kaltsoyannis.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Density functional theory-based prediction of some aqueous-phase chemistry of superheavy element 111. Roentgenium(I) is the "softest" metal ion.

A previous approach (Hancock, R. D.; Bartolotti, L. J. Inorg. Chem. 2005, 44, 7175) using DFT calculations to predict log K1 (formation constant) values for complexes of NH3 in aqueous solution was used to examine the solution chemistry of Rg(I) (element 111), which is a congener of Cu(I), Ag(I), and Au(I) in Group 1B. Rg(I) has as its most stable presently known isotope a t(1/2) of 3.6 s, so that its solution chemistry is not easily accessible. LFER (Linear free energy relationships) were established between DeltaE(g) calculated by DFT for the formation of monoamine complexes from the aquo ions in the gas phase, and DeltaG(aq) for the formation of the corresponding complexes in aqueous solution. For M2+, M3+, and M4+ ions, the gas-phase reaction was [M(H2O)6]n+(g) + NH3(g) = [M(H2O)5NH3]n+(g) + H2O(g) (1), while for M+ ions, the reaction was [M(H2O)2]+(g) + NH3(g) = [M(H2O)NH3]+(g) + H2O(g) (2). A value for DeltaG(aq) and for DeltaE for the formation of M = Cu2+ in reaction 1, not obtained previously, was calculated by DFT and shown to correlate well with the LFER obtained previously for other M2+ ions, supporting the LFER approach used here. The simpler use of DeltaE values instead of DeltaG(aq) values calculated by DFT for formation of monoamine complexes in the gas phase leads to LFER as good as the DeltaG-based correlations. Values of DeltaE were calculated by DFT to construct LFER with M+ = H+, and the Group 1B metal ions Cu+, Ag+, Au+, and Rg+, and with L = NH3, H2S, and PH3 in reaction 3: [M(H2O)2]+(g) + L(g) = [M(H2O)L]+g) + H2O(g) (3). Correlations involving DeltaE calculated by DMol3 for H+, Cu+, Ag+, and Au+ could reliably be used to construct LFER and estimate unknown log K1 values for Rg(I) complexes of NH3, PH3, and H2S calculated using the ADF (Amsterdam Density Functional) code. Log K1 values for Rg(I) complexes are predicted that suggest the Rg(I) ion to be a very strong Lewis acid that is extremely "soft" in the Pearson hard and soft acids and bases sense.

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PubMed2006

Planar trimethylenemethane dianion chemistry of lanthanide metallocenes: synthesis, structure, density functional theory analysis, and reactivity of [(C5Me5)2Ln]2[mu-eta3:eta3-C(CH2)(3] Complexes.

The unusual formation of planar trimethylenemethane (TMM) dianion complexes of lanthanide metallocenes, [(C5Me5)2Ln]2[mu-eta3:eta3-C(CH2)3] (Ln = Sm, 1; La, 2; Pr, 3; Nd, 4; Y, 5) has been examined by synthesizing examples with metals from La to Y to examine the effects of radial size on structure and to provide closed shell examples for direct comparison with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Synthetic routes to 1-4 have been expanded from the [(C5Me5)2Ln][(mu-Ph)2BPh2]/neopentyl lithium reaction involving beta-methyl elimination to a [(C5Me5)2Ln][(mu-Ph)2BPh2]/isobutyl lithium route. The synthetic pathways are sensitive to metal radius. To obtain 5, the methylallyl complex, (C5Me5)2Y[CH2C(Me)CH2], 6, was synthesized and treated with [(C5Me5)2YH]x. In the Lu case, the neopentyl complex [(C5Me5)2LuCH2C(CH3)3]x, 7, was isolated instead of the TMM product. X-ray crystallography showed that the metrical parameters of the planar TMM dianions in each complex are similar. The structural data have been compared with DFT calculations on the closed-shell lanthanum and lutetium complexes that suggest only limited covalent interactions with the lanthanide ion. Benzophenone (2 equiv) reacts with 1 to expand the original four-carbon TMM skeleton to a dianionic bis(alkoxide) ligand containing a symmetrically substituted C=CH2 moiety in [(C5Me5)2Sm]2[mu-(OCPh2CH2)2C=CH2], 8. In this reaction, the TMM complex reacts as a bifunctional bisallylic reagent that generates an organic framework containing a central vinyl group.

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PubMed2006

Trivalent [(C5Me5)2(THF)Ln]2(mu-eta2:eta2-N2) complexes as reducing agents including the reductive homologation of CO to a ketene carboxylate, (mu-eta4-O2C-C=C=O)2-.

The [Z(2)Ln(THF)](2)(mu-eta(2)():eta(2)()-N(2)) complexes (Z = monoanionic ligand) generated by reduction of dinitrogen with trivalent lanthanide salts and alkali metals are strong reductants in their own right and provide another option in reductive lanthanide chemistry. Hence, lanthanide-based reduction chemistry can be effected in a diamagnetic trivalent system using the dinitrogen reduction product, [(C(5)Me(5))(2)(THF)La](2)(mu-eta(2)():eta(2)()-N(2)), 1, readily obtained from [(C(5)Me(5))(2)La][BPh(4)], KC(8), and N(2). Complex 1 reduces phenazine, cyclooctatetraene, anthracene, and azobenzene to form [(C(5)Me(5))(2)La](2)[mu-eta(3):eta(3)-(C(12)H(8)N(2))], 2, (C(5)Me(5))La(C(8)H(8)), 3, [(C(5)Me(5))(2)La](2)[mu-eta(3):eta(3)-(C(14)H(10))], 4, and [(C(5)Me(5))La(mu-eta(2)-(PhNNPh)(THF)](2), 5, respectively. Neither stilbene nor naphthalene are reduced by 1, but 1 reduces CO to make the ketene carboxylate complex {[(C(5)Me(5))(2)La](2)[mu-eta(4)-O(2)C-C=C=O](THF)}(2), 6, that contains CO-derived carbon atoms completely free of oxygen.

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PubMed2006

Metal-metal bonding in molecular actinide compounds: electronic structure of [M2X8](2-) (M = U, Np, Pu; X = Cl, Br, I) complexes and comparison with d-block analogues.

Density functional and multiconfigurational (ab initio) calculations have been performed on [M(2)X(8)](2-) (X = Cl, Br, I) complexes of 4d (Mo, Tc, Ru), 5d (W, Re, Os), and 5f (U, Np, Pu) metals in order to investigate general trends, similarities and differences in the electronic structure and metal-metal bonding between f-block and d-block elements. Multiple metal-metal bonds consisting of a combination of sigma and pi interactions have been found in all species investigated, with delta-like interactions also occurring in the complexes of Tc, Re, Np, Ru, Os, and Pu. The molecular orbital analysis indicates that these metal-metal interactions possess predominantly d(z2) (sigma), d(xz) and d(yz) (pi), or d(xy) and d(x2-y2) (delta) character in the d-block species, and f(z3) (sigma), f(z2x) and f(z2y) (pi), or f(xyz) and f(z) (delta) character in the actinide systems. In the latter, all three (sigma, pi, delta) types of interaction exhibit bonding character, irrespective of whether the molecular symmetry is D(4h) or D(4d). By contrast, although the nature and properties of the sigma and pi bonds are largely similar for the D(4h) and D(4d) forms of the d-block complexes, the two most relevant metal-metal delta-like orbitals occur as a bonding and antibonding combination in D(4h) symmetry but as a nonbonding level in D(4d) symmetry. Multiconfigurational calculations have been performed on a subset of the actinide complexes, and show that a single electronic configuration plays a dominant role and corresponds to the lowest-energy configuration obtained using density functional theory.

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PubMed2006

On the paucity of molecular actinide complexes with unsupported metal-metal bonds: a comparative investigation of the electronic structure and metal-metal bonding in U2X6 (X = Cl, F, OH, NH2, CH3) complexes and d-block analogues.

Density functional calculations have been performed on M2X6 complexes (where M = U, W, and Mo and X = Cl, F, OH, NH2, and CH3) to investigate general aspects of their electronic structures and explore the similarities and differences in metal-metal bonding between f-block and d-block elements. A detailed analysis of the metal-metal interactions has been conducted using molecular orbital theory and energy decomposition methods. Multiple (sigma and pi) bonding is predicted for all species investigated, with predominant f-f and d-d metal orbital character, respectively, for U and W or Mo complexes. The energy decomposition analysis involves contributions from orbital interactions (mixing of occupied and unoccupied orbitals), electrostatic effects (Coulombic attraction and repulsion), and Pauli repulsion (associated with four-electron two-orbital interactions). The general results suggest that the overall metal-metal interaction is stronger in the Mo and W species, relative to the U analogues, as a consequence of a significantly less destabilizing contribution from the combined Pauli and electrostatic ("pre-relaxation") effects. Although the orbital-mixing ("post-relaxation") contribution to the total bonding energy is predicted to have a larger magnitude in the U complexes, this is not sufficiently strong to compensate for the comparatively greater destabilization that originates from the Pauli-plus-electrostatic effects. Of the pre-relaxation terms, the Pauli repulsion is comparable in analogous U and d-block compounds, contrary to the electrostatic term, which is (much) less favorable in the U systems than in the W and Mo systems. This generally weak electrostatic stabilization accounts for the large pre-relaxation destabilization in the U complexes and, ultimately, for the relative weakness of the U-U bonds. The origin of the small electrostatic term in the U compounds is traced primarily to MX(3) fragment overlap effects.

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PubMed2006

Density functional theory investigation of the geometric and electronic structures of [UO2(H2O)m(OH)n](2 - n) (n + m = 5).

Gradient corrected density functional theory has been used to calculate the geometric and electronic structures of the family of molecules [UO2(H2O)m(OH)n](2 - n) (n + m = 5). Comparisons are made with previous experimental and theoretical structural and spectroscopic data. r(U-O(yl)) is found to lengthen as water molecules are replaced by hydroxides in the equatorial plane, and the nu(sym) and nu(asym) uranyl vibrational wavenumbers decrease correspondingly. GGA functionals (BP86, PW91 and PBE) are generally found to perform better for the cationic complexes than for the anions. The inclusion of solvent effects using continuum models leads to spurious low frequency imaginary vibrational modes and overall poorer agreement with experimental data for nu(sym) and nu(asym). Analysis of the molecular orbital structure is performed in order to trace the origin of the lengthening and weakening of the U-O(yl) bond as waters are replaced by hydroxides. No evidence is found to support previous suggestions of a competition for U 6d atomic orbitals in U-O(yl) and U-O(hydroxide)pi bonding. Rather, the lengthening and weakening of U-O(yl) is attributed to reduced ionic bonding generated in part by the sigma-donating ability of the hydroxide ligands.

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PubMed2006

Bond-forming reactions of dications with molecules: a computational and experimental study of the mechanisms for the formation of HCF2+ from CF3(2+) and H2.

The QCISD and QCISD(T) quantum chemical methods have been used to characterize the energetics of various possible mechanisms for the formation of HCF2+ from the bond-forming reaction of CF3(2+) with H2. The stationary points on four different pathways leading to the product combinations HCF2+ + H+ + F and HCF2+ + HF+ have been calculated. All four pathways begin with the formation of a collision complex [H2-CF3]2+, followed by an internal hydrogen atom migration to give HC(FH)F2(2+). In two of the mechanisms, immediate charge separation of HC(FH)F2(2+) via loss of either HF+ or a proton, followed by loss of an F atom, yields the experimentally observed bond-forming product HCF2+. For the other two mechanisms, internal hydrogen rearrangement of HC(FH)F2(2+) to give C(FH)2F(2+), followed by charge separation, yields the product CF2H+. This product can then overcome a 2.04 eV barrier to rearrange to the HCF2+ isomer, which is 1.80 eV more stable. All four calculated mechanisms are in agreement with the isotope effects and collision energy dependencies of the product ion cross sections that have been previously observed experimentally following collisions between CF3(2+) and H2/D2. We find that in this open-shell system, CCSD(T) and QCISD(T) T1-diagnostic values of up to 0.04 are acceptable. A series of angularly resolved crossed-beam scattering experiments on collisions of CF3(2+) with D2 have also been performed. These experiments show two distinct channels leading to the formation of DCF2+. One channel appears to correspond to the pathway leading to the ground state 1DCF2+ + D+ + F product asymptote and the other to the 3DCF2+ + D+ + F product asymptote, which is 5.76 eV higher in energy. The experimental kinetic energy releases for these channels, 7.55 and 1.55 eV respectively, have been determined from the velocities of the DCF2+ product ion and are in agreement with the reaction mechanisms calculated quantum chemically. We suggest that both of these observed experimental channels are governed by the reaction mechanism we calculate in which charge separation occurs first by loss of a proton, without further hydrogen atom rearrangement, followed by loss of an F atom to give the final products 1DCF2+ + D+ + F or 3DCF2+ + D+ + F.

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PubMed2006

An ab initio study of the electronic structure of BCl3(2+) and its decomposition pathways.

Ab initio methods have been used to characterise the lowest energy potential energy surfaces of 1BCl3(2+) and 3BCl3(2+). The methods used are MP2, CCSD, CCSD(T) and MCSCF with 6-311G(d), cc-pVTZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. While the singlet surface is relatively straight-forward, the triplet surface is very complicated, with many stationary points in close energetic proximity. The singlet surface can fragment to the following products (1BCl + 1Cl+ + 1Cl+), (1Cl+ + 1B+ + 1Cl2), (2BCl+ + 2Cl), while the triplet surface can fragment to (1BCl2+ + 3Cl+) and (2BCl2(2+) + 2Cl). 2BCl2(2+) can further fragment to (1Cl+ + 2BCl+). These results are in good agreement with previous experimental data from coincidence mass spectroscopy. [symbol: see text]1 diagnostic values have been calculated for all of the stationary points of BCl3(2+), using the method of Lee and Taylor. These data, together with CCSD/CCSD(T) energy differences and MCSCF calculations, are used to conclude that most of the stationary points on the singlet surface are well represented using single reference methods. The stationary points of the triplet system have [symbol: see text]1 diagnostic values greater than those for the singlet system, as expected when using the closed-shell [symbol: see text]1 diagnostic method of Lee and Taylor. However, all of the structures have acceptable single reference wavefunctions if the open-shell upper limit of Rienstra-Kiracofe et al. (0.045) is used, a conclusion fully supported by CCSD/CCSD(T) energy differences. CCSD(T) energies determined for the fragmentation asymptotes have been compared with experimental data collated from the NIST Theoretical and Scientific Data website, and the generally very good agreement between theory and experiment reinforces the reliability of the CCSD(T) method.

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PubMed2005

Hole localization in [AlO4]0 defects in silica materials.

First-principles calculations based on cluster models have been performed to investigate the ground state and the optically excited states of the [AlO(4)](0) hole in alpha-quartz and in the siliceous zeolite ZSM-5. The structure and spectroscopic properties of this defect have been studied using the recently developed Becke88-Becke95 one-parameter model for kinetics (BB1K) functional of Zhao et al., [J. Phys. Chem. A 108, 2715 (2004)]. Our results show that the BB1K method is significantly more reliable and more accurate than the standard density-functional theory (DFT) functionals at reproducing the localized spin density on one oxygen atom and the hyperfine coupling constants associated with the hole. Furthermore, we find that the BB1K results are in close agreement with experiments, and with the self-interaction-free unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) and unrestricted second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (UMP2) calculations. For the first time, we present results of the ground-state paramagnetic properties of the Al defect in ZSM-5. Similar to the theoretical work for defective alpha-quartz, we find that the BB1K, UHF, UHFLee-Yang-Parr, and UMP2 calculations show a localized hole on one oxygen neighboring the Al, while even the best to date thermochemically derived hybrid generalized gradient approximation density-functional, B97-2, predicts a different model where the hole is distributed over two oxygen. We have further considered the optical transitions of the [AlO(4)](0) center in alpha-quartz and ZSM-5. In both systems, our BB1K time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) and configuration interaction singles (CIS) calculations predict that the most likely transition involves electron transfer from the hole-bearing oxygen to other neighboring oxygen ions. This reinforces the experimental conclusions obtained for defective alpha-quartz. Notably, the two lowest, most dominant excitation energies calculated by BB1K-TDDFT (1.99 and 3.03 eV) show excellent agreement with experiment (1.96 and 2.85 eV [B. K. Meyer, J.M. Spaeth, and J.A. Weil, J. Phys. C: Solid State Phys. 17, L31 (1987)]) clearly outperforming the CIS method and other DFT calculations available in the literature.

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PubMed2004

Structure, reactivity, and density functional theory analysis of the six-electron reductant, [(C5Me5)2U]2(mu-eta6:eta6-C6H6), synthesized via a new mode of (C5Me5)3M reactivity.

The sterically crowded (C(5)Me(5))(3)U complex reacts with KC(8) or K/(18-crown-6) in benzene to form [(C(5)Me(5))(2)U](2)(mu-eta(6):eta(6)-C(6)H(6)), 1, and KC(5)Me(5). These reactions suggested that (C(5)Me(5))(3)U could be susceptible to (C(5)Me(5))(1-) substitution by benzene anions via ionic salt metathesis. To test this idea in the synthesis of a more conventional product, (C(5)Me(5))(3)U was treated with KN(SiMe(3))(2) to form (C(5)Me(5))(2)U[N(SiMe(3))(2)] and KC(5)Me(5). 1 has long U-C(C(5)Me(5)) bond distances comparable to (C(5)Me(5))(3)U, and it too is susceptible to (C(5)Me(5))(1-) substitution via ionic metathesis: 1 reacts with KN(SiMe(3))(2) to make its amide-substituted analogue [[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](C(5)Me(5))U](2)(mu-eta(6):eta(6)-C(6)H(6)), 2. Complexes 1 and 2 have nonplanar C(6)H(6)-derived ligands sandwiched between the two uranium ions. 1 and 2 were examined by reactivity studies, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations. [(C(5)Me(5))(2)U](2)(mu-eta(6):eta(6)-C(6)H(6)) functions as a six-electron reductant in its reaction with 3 equiv of cyclooctatetraene to form [(C(5)Me(5))(C(8)H(8))U](2)(mu-eta(3):eta(3)-C(8)H(8)), (C(5)Me(5))(2), and benzene. This multielectron transformation can be formally attributed to three different sources: two electrons from two U(III) centers, two electrons from sterically induced reduction by two (C(5)Me(5))(1-) ligands, and two electrons from a bridging (C(6)H(6))(2-) moiety.

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PubMed2004

The bond-forming reactions of atomic dications with neutral molecules: formation of ArNH+ and ArN+ from collisions of Ar2+ with NH3.

An experimental and computational study has been performed to investigate the bond-forming reactivity between Ar(2+) and NH(3). Experimentally, we detect two previously unobserved bond-forming reactions between Ar(2+) and NH(3) forming ArN(+) and ArNH(+). This is the first experimental observation of a triatomic product ion (ArNH(+)) following a chemical reaction of a rare gas dication with a neutral. The intensity of ArNH(+) was found to decrease with increasing collision energy, with a corresponding increase in the intensity of ArN(+), indicating that ArN(+) is formed by the dissociation of ArNH(+). Key features on the potential energy surface for the reaction were calculated quantum chemically using CASSCF and MRCI methods. The calculated reaction mechanism, which takes place on a singlet surface, involves the initial formation of an Ar-N bond to give Ar-NH(3)(2+). This complexation is followed by proton loss via a transition state, and then loss of the two remaining hydrogen atoms in two subsequent activationless steps to give the products (3)ArN(+) + H(+) + 2H. This calculated pathway supports the sequential formation of ArN(+) from ArNH(+), as suggested by the experimental data. The calculations also indicate that no bond-forming pathway exists on the ground triplet surface for this system.

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PubMed2003

Recent developments in computational actinide chemistry.

This review describes recent computational investigations into the electronic and geometric structures of molecular actinide compounds. Following brief introductions to (i) the effects of relativity in chemistry and (ii) ab initio and density functional quantum chemical methods, four areas of contemporary research are discussed. These are pi backbonding in uranium complexes, the geometric structures of bis benzene actinide compounds, the valence electronic structure of the uranyl ion, and the inverse trans influence in pseudo-octahedral [AnOX5]n-. Comparisons are made with experimental studies, and similarities and differences between d- and f-block chemistry are highlighted.

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PubMed2002

Molecular structures of two metal tetrakis(tetrahydroborates), Zr(BH4)(4) and U(BH4)(4): equilibrium conformations and barriers to internal rotation of the triply bridging BH4 groups.

The molecular structures of Zr[(mu-H)(3)BH](4) and U[(mu-H)(3)BH](4) have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and gas electron diffraction (GED). The triply bridged bonding mode of the tetrahydroborate groups in the former is confirmed, but both DFT calculations and GED structure refinements indicate that the BH(4) groups are rotated some 12 degrees away from the orientation in which the three bridging B-H bonds are staggered with respect to the opposing ZrB(3) fragment. As a result the symmetry of the equilibrium conformation is reduced from T(d) to T. Bond distances and valence angles are as follows (DFT/GED): Zr-B = 232.2/232.4(5) pm; Zr-H(b) = 214.8/214.4(6) pm; B-H(b) = 125.3/127.8(8) pm; B-H(t) = 119.4/118.8(17) pm; angle ZrBH(b) = 66.2/65.6(3) degrees; the smallest dihedral angle of type tau(BZrBH(b)) = 48/45(2) degrees. DFT calculations on Hf(BH(4))(4) indicate that the structure of this molecule is very similar to that of the Zr analogue. Matrix-isolation IR spectroscopy and DFT calculations on U(BH(4))(4) show that while the polymeric solid-state structure is characterized by terminal triply bridging and metal-metal bridging bidentate BH(4) groups, all BH(4) groups are triply bridging in the gaseous monomer. Calculations with one of the two nonbonding 5f electrons on U occupying an a(1) and the other distributed equally among the three t(2) orbitals indicate that the equilibrium conformation has T(d) symmetry, i.e. that the three B-H(b) bonds of each tetrahydroborate group are exactly staggered with respect to the opposing UB(3) fragment with tau(BUBH(b)) = 60 degrees. Calculations including spin-orbit interactions indicate that Jahn-Teller distortions from T(d) symmetry are either absent or very small. The best agreement between observed and calculated GED intensity data was obtained for a model of T(d) symmetry, but models of T symmetry with dihedral angles tau(BUBH(b)) > 42 degrees cannot be ruled out. Bond distances and valence angles are as follows (DFT/GED): U-B = 248.8/251.2(4) pm; U-H(b) = 227.7/231.5(6) pm; B-H(b) = 126.0/131.6(5) pm, B-H(t) = 119.5/117.8(11) pm; angle UBH(b) = 65.6/63.1(3) degrees. It is suggested that the different equilibrium conformations of the three molecules are determined primarily by repulsion between bridging H atoms in different tetrahydroborate groups.

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PubMed2002

Are metal alkoxides linear owing to electrostatic repulsion?

Density functional theory calculations on [LnCp2APh] (Ln = La, Lu; Cp = eta 5-C5H5; A = O, S; Ph = C6H5) suggest that the linearity of the Ln-O-C vectors arises largely as a result of electrostatic repulsion between the alpha carbon and the trivalent metal centre.

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