Three-Dimensional-Printed Device for In Situ Monitoring of an Organic Redox-Flow Battery via NMR/MRI.

A mini organic redox-flow battery pluggable on the basis of a high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance probehead has been conceived and built mainly by 3D printing. This device allows the realization of all modern spectroscopy experiments as well as imaging experiments. It has been tested for the real-time monitoring of redox cycling of 9,10-anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonic acid disodium salt (2,7-AQDS) in acidic conditions, which has revealed the preponderant role of dimerization in the processes of oxidation and reduction. Determination of the thermodynamic properties of homo- and heterodimer formation through quantum chemical, multilevel modeling workflows confirms our hypotheses about the molecular processes occurring during charge and discharge.

Determining nuclear quadrupole moments of Bi and Sb from molecular data.

An independent value of -422(3) millibarn (mb) is obtained for the nuclear quadrupole moment Q(209Bi) using experimental coupling constants for diatomic BiN, BiP, BiF, BiCl, and BiI, combined with full-Dirac CCSD-T calculations of the electric field gradient q. This value lies close to two other recently published molecular results, and a full-triplet CCSDT atomic result. Based on the same approach, we obtained Q(121Sb) = -541.7(0.8) mb and Q(123Sb) = -690.6( 1.0) mb, in agreement with one recently published molecular result.

Reaction Mechanisms of the Degradation of Fluoroethylene Carbonate, an Additive of Lithium-Ion Batteries, Unraveled by Radiation Chemistry.

Numerous additives are used in the electrolytes of lithium-ion batteries, especially for the formation of an efficient solid electrolyte interphase at the surface of the electrodes. Understanding the degradation processes of these compounds is thus important; they can be seen through radiolysis. In the case of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), picosecond pulse radiolysis experiments evidenced the formation of FEC.- . This radical is stabilized in neat FEC, whereas the ring opens to form more stable radical anions when FEC is a solute in other solvents, as confirmed by quantum chemistry calculations. In neat FEC, pre-solvated electrons primarily undergo attachment rather than solvation. On long timescales, the gases produced (H2 , CO, and CO2 ) were quantified. A reaction scheme for both the oxidizing and reducing pathways at stake in irradiated FEC is proposed. This work shows that the nature of the primary species formed in FEC depends on the amount of FEC in the solution.

Maximizing Chiral Perturbation on Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Emitters and Elaboration of the First Top-Emission Circularly Polarized OLED.

Molecular designs merging circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (CP-TADF) using the concept of chiral perturbation appeared recently as a cornerstone for the development of efficient CP-organic light emitting diodes (CP-OLED). Such devices could strongly increase the energy efficiency and performances of conventional OLED displays, in which 50% of the emitted light is often lost due to the use of antiglare filters. In this context, herein, ten couples of enantiomers derived from novel chiral emitter designs are reported, exhibiting CPL, TADF, and aggregation induced enhancement emission properties (AIEE). Representing the first structure properties relationship investigation for CP-TADF materials, this thorough experimental and theoretical work highlights crucial findings on the key structural and electronic parameters (isomerism, nature of the carbazole substituents) governing the synergy between CPL and TADF properties. To conclude this study, the first top emission CP-OLED is elaborated as a new approach of generating CP light in comparison with classical bottom-emission CP-OLED architecture. Indeed, the top-emission configuration represents the only relevant device architecture for future microdisplay applications. Thereby, in addition to offer molecular guidelines to combine efficiently TADF and CPL properties, this study opens new avenues toward practical applications for CP-OLEDs.

Functionalization of Bambusurils by a Thiol-Ene Click Reaction and a Facile Method for the Preparation of Anion-Free Bambus[6]urils.

Sulfide-functionalized bambus[4]urils ((RS)8 BU[4]) and bambus[6]urils ((RS)12 BU[6]) were synthesized through thiol-ene click coupling reactions (TEC) of allylbambus[n]urils. Thiosugars were grafted to BU[4] and BU[6]. Synthesis of BU[6] derivatives always requires the use of a template anion (iodide, chloride, or bromide), which is enclosed in the cavity of BU[6]. We show that this anion influences the reactivity of bambus[6]urils. An encapsulated iodide makes allyl functions of allyl12 BU[6] less reactive towards TEC and hydrogenation reactions in comparison to the corresponding chloride or bromide inclusion complexes. This is critical for the chemical reactivity of BU[6] and even more to determine their anion-binding properties. We report a new, facile and fast method using AgSbF6 to prepare anion-free BU[6]. NMR spectroscopic methods were used to estimate association constants of these new empty BU[6] with different anions. Quantum chemical calculations were employed to rationalize the observed results. These new functionalized bambusuril scaffolds in alternate conformations could find applications as multivalent binders.

Accurate pH Sensing using Hyperpolarized 129 Xe†NMR Spectroscopy.

In the search for powerful non-invasive methods for pH measurement, NMR usually suffers from biases, especially for heterogeneous samples or tissues. In this Communication, using the signals of hyperpolarized 129 Xe encapsulated in a pair of water-soluble cryptophanes, we show that a differential pH measurement can be achieved, free from most of these biases, by monitoring the difference between their chemical shifts.

Chemistry of the 5g Elements: Relativistic Calculations on Hexafluorides.

A Periodic System was proposed for the elements 1-172 by Pyykkö on the basis of atomic and ionic calculations. In it, the elements 121-138 were nominally assigned to a 5g row. We now perform molecular, relativistic four-component DFT calculations and find that the hexafluorides of the elements 125-129 indeed enjoy occupied 5g states.

Vibrational mode assignment of finite temperature infrared spectra using the AMOEBA polarizable force field.

The calculation of infrared spectra by molecular dynamics simulations based on the AMOEBA polarizable force field has recently been demonstrated [Semrouni et al., J. Chem. Theory Comput., 2014, 10, 3190]. While this approach allows access to temperature and anharmonicity effects, band assignment requires additional tools, which we describe in this paper. The Driven Molecular Dynamics approach, originally developed by Bowman, Kaledin et al. [Bowman et al. J. Chem. Phys., 2003, 119, 646, Kaledin et al. J. Chem. Phys., 2004, 121, 5646] has been adapted and associated with AMOEBA. Its advantages and limitations are described. The IR spectrum of the Ac-Phe-Ala-NH2 model peptide is analyzed in detail. In addition to differentiation of conformations by reproducing frequency shifts due to non-covalent interactions, DMD allows visualizing the temperature-dependent vibrational modes.

Hydration Gibbs free energies of open and closed shell trivalent lanthanide and actinide cations from polarizable molecular dynamics.

The hydration free energies, structures, and dynamics of open- and closed-shell trivalent lanthanide and actinide metal cations are studied using molecular dynamics simulations (MD) based on a polarizable force field. Parameters for the metal cations are derived from an ab initio bottom-up strategy. MD simulations of six cations solvated in bulk water are subsequently performed with the AMOEBA polarizable force field. The calculated first-and second shell hydration numbers, water residence times, and free energies of hydration are consistent with experimental/theoretical values leading to a predictive modeling of f-elements compounds.

Understanding a host-guest model system through ¹²9Xe†NMR spectroscopic experiments and theoretical studies.

Gaining an understanding of the nature of host-guest interactions in supramolecular complexes involving heavy atoms is a difficult task. Described herein is a robust simulation method applied to complexes between xenon and members of a cryptophane family. The calculated chemical shift of xenon caged in a H2O2 probe, as modeled by quantum chemistry with complementary-orbital, topological, and energy-decomposition analyses, is in excellent agreement with that observed in hyperpolarized (129)Xe NMR spectra. This approach can be extended to other van der Waals complexes involving heavy atoms.

Finite Temperature Infrared Spectra from Polarizable Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Infrared spectra of biomolecules are obtained from molecular dynamics simulations at finite temperature using the AMOEBA force field. Diverse examples are presented such as N-methylacetamide and its derivatives and a helical peptide. The computed spectra from polarizable molecular dynamics are compared in each case to experimental ones at various temperatures. The role of high-level electrostatic treatment and explicit polarization, including parameters improvements, is highlighted for obtaining spectral sensitivity to the environment including hydrogen bonds and water molecules and a better understanding of the observed experimental bands.

Revisiting the chemistry of the actinocenes [(η8-C8H8)2An] (An = U, Th) with neutral Lewis bases. Access to the bent sandwich complexes [(η8-C8H8)2An(L)] with thorium (L = py, 4,4'-bipy, tBuNC, R4phen).

In stark contrast to uranocene, (Cot)2Th reacts with neutral mono- or bidentate Lewis bases to give the bent sandwich complexes (Cot)2Th(L) (L = py, 4,4'-bipy, tBuNC, phen, Me4phen). DFT calculations in the gas phase show that, for both U and Th, formation of the bent compound (Cot)2An(L) should be facile, the linear and bent forms being close in energy.

Ab Initio Extension of the AMOEBA Polarizable Force Field to Fe(2.).

We extend the AMOEBA polarizable molecular mechanics force field to the Fe(2+) cation in its singlet, triplet, and quintet spin states. Required parameters are obtained either directly from first principles calculations or optimized so as to reproduce corresponding interaction energy components in a hexaaquo environment derived from quantum mechanical energy decomposition analyses. We assess the importance of the damping of point-dipole polarization at short distance as well as the influence of charge-transfer for metal-water interactions in hydrated Fe(2+); this analysis informs the selection of model systems employed for parametrization. We validate our final Fe(2+) model through comparison of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to available experimental data for aqueous ferrous ion in its quintet electronic ground state.

Design and synthesis of new cryptophanes with intermediate cavity sizes.

The development of molecular imaging using hyperpolarized xenon MRI needs highly optimized biosensors. Cryptophane-111 and cryptophane-222 are promising candidates that show complementary encapsulation properties although they only differ by the length of the three alkane linkers joining two cyclotriphenolene units. Cryptophanes containing both methoxy and ethoxy linkers have never been synthesized. Here we synthesize two new cages with intermediate internal volumes, in two steps from cyclotriphenolene.

Toward the limits of sandwich immunoassay of very low molecular weight molecules.

A model study aiming at exploring the limits of sandwich immunoassays of very small molecules is described. Combinatorial association of antibody couples to detect small molecules constituted by two small epitopes connected via different linear spacers was used to investigate the minimum size of compounds susceptible to be simultaneously bound by two distinct antibodies. The results clearly indicated that despite the fact that below 10 carbon atoms unfavorable interactions between antibodies took place, molecules bearing two epitopes separated by only 5 carbon atoms might be directly detected by sandwich immunoassays.

Electronic spectrum of tryptophan-phenylalanine. A correlated ab initio and time-dependent density functional theory study.

The theoretical electronic spectrum of the tryptophan-phenylalanine bichromophoric dipeptide was obtained for one of the lowest-energy conformer by various high-level computational methods such as complete active space with second order perturbation theory, second-order approximate coupled-cluster theory, and time-dependent density functional theory. The results show that the first excited state is located on the tryptophan residue and called L(b) state in the amino-acid. The second and third excited states correspond respectively to the L(a) state of Trp and the excited state in the Phe residue. Time-dependent density functional methods appeared to be not efficient to calculate the excited states of such a peptide (except the first one) due to the inclusion of charge transfer states.

A predicted organometallic series following a 32-electron principle: An@C28 (An = Th, Pa+, U2+, Pu4+).

The spectroscopic and thermodynamic properties of the molecules M@C28 (M = Ce, Th, Pa+, U2+, Pu4+) are calculated using density functional theory. The systems have considerable energetic stability. It is shown that the actinide cases can be classified as "32-electron" systems, using the bonding s-, p-, d-, and f-type orbitals of the central metal. The rest of the valence molecular orbitals have purely carbon character.

Sterically congested uranyl complexes with seven-coordination of the UO2 unit: the peculiar ligation mode of nitrate in [UO2(NO3)2(Rbtp)] complexes.

Addition of 1 or 2 molar equiv of Rbtp [Rbtp = 2,6-bis(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine; R = Me, Pr ( n )] to UO 2(OTf) 2 in anhydrous acetonitrile gave the neutral compounds [UO 2(OTf) 2(Rbtp)] [R = Me ( 1), ( n )Pr ( 2)] and the cationic complexes [UO 2(Rbtp) 2][OTf] 2 [R = Me ( 3), Pr ( n ) ( 4)], respectively. No equilibrium between the mono and bis(Rbtp) complexes or between [UO 2(Rbtp) 2][OTf] 2 and free Rbtp in acetonitrile was detected by NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of 1 and 3 resemble those of their terpyridine analogues, and 3 is another example of a uranyl complex with the uranium atom in the unusual rhombohedral environment. In the presence of 1 molar equiv of Rbtp in acetonitrile, UO 2(NO 3) 2 was in equilibrium with [UO 2(NO 3) 2(Rbtp)] and the formation of the bis adduct was not observed, even with an excess of Rbtp. The X-ray crystal structures of [UO 2(NO 3) 2(Rbtp)] [R = Me ( 5), Pr ( n ) ( 6)] reveal a particular coordination geometry with seven coordinating atoms around the UO 2 fragment. The large steric crowding in the equatorial girdle forces the bidentate nitrate ligands to be almost perpendicular to the mean equatorial plane, inducing bending of the UO 2 fragment. The dinuclear oxo compound [U(CyMe 4btbp) 2(mu-O)UO 2(NO 3) 3][OTf] ( 7), which was obtained fortuitously from a 1:2:1 mixture of U(OTf) 4, CyMe 4btbp, and UO 2(NO 3) 2 [CyMe 4btbp = 6,6'-bis-(3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-cyclohexane-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine] is a very rare example of a mixed valence complex involving covalently bound U (IV) and U (VI) ions; its crystal structure also exhibits a seven coordinate uranyl moiety, with one bidentate nitrate group almost parallel to the UO 2 fragment. The distinct structural features of [UO 2(kappa (2)-NO 3) 2(Mebtp)], with its high coordination number and a noticeable bending of the UO 2 fragment, and of [UO 2(kappa (2)-NO 3)(kappa (1)-NO 3)(terpy)], which displays a classical geometry, were analyzed by Density Functional Theory, considering the bonding energy components and the molecular orbitals involved in the interaction between the uranyl, nitrate, and Mebtp or terpy moieties. The unusual geometry of the Mebtp derivative with the seven coordinating atoms around the UO 2 fragment was found very stable. In both the Mebtp and terpy complexes, the origin of the interaction appears to be primarily steric (Pauli repulsion and electrostatic); this term represents 62-63% of the total bonding energy while the orbital term contributes to about 37-38%.