scholarly journals Critical computational analysis illuminates the reductive-elimination mechanism that activates nitrogenase for N2reduction

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (45) ◽  
pp. E10521-E10530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Raugei ◽  
Lance C. Seefeldt ◽  
Brian M. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Computational Analysis ◽  
Reductive Elimination ◽  
Water Molecules ◽  
Computational Investigation ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Elimination Mechanism ◽  
Femo Cofactor

Recent spectroscopic, kinetic, photophysical, and thermodynamic measurements show activation of nitrogenase for N2→ 2NH3reduction involves the reductive elimination (re) of H2from two [Fe–H–Fe] bridging hydrides bound to the catalytic [7Fe–9S–Mo–C–homocitrate] FeMo-cofactor (FeMo-co). These studies rationalize the Lowe–Thorneley kinetic scheme’s proposal of mechanistically obligatory formation of one H2for each N2reduced. They also provide an overall framework for understanding the mechanism of nitrogen fixation by nitrogenase. However, they directly pose fundamental questions addressed computationally here. We here report an extensive computational investigation of the structure and energetics of possible nitrogenase intermediates using structural models for the active site with a broad range in complexity, while evaluating a diverse set of density functional theory flavors. (i) This shows that to prevent spurious disruption of FeMo-co having accumulated 4[e−/H+] it is necessary to include: all residues (and water molecules) interacting directly with FeMo-co via specific H-bond interactions; nonspecific local electrostatic interactions; and steric confinement. (ii) These calculations indicate an important role of sulfide hemilability in the overall conversion ofE0to a diazene-level intermediate. (iii) Perhaps most importantly, they explain (iiia) how the enzyme mechanistically couples exothermic H2formation to endothermic cleavage of the N≡N triple bond in a nearly thermoneutralre/oxidative-addition equilibrium, (iiib) while preventing the “futile” generation of two H2without N2reduction: hydrideregenerates an H2complex, but H2is only lost when displaced by N2, to form an end-on N2complex that proceeds to a diazene-level intermediate.

scholarly journals Role of Basic Surface Groups of Activated Carbon in Chlordecone and β-Hexachlorocyclohexane Adsorption: A Molecular Modelling Study

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (22) ◽  
pp. 6969
Author(s):  
Kenia Melchor-Rodríguez ◽  
Chayan Carmenate-Rodríguez ◽  
Anthuan Ferino-Pérez ◽  
Sarra Gaspard ◽  
Ulises J. Jáuregui-Haza
Keyword(s):  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Molecular Modelling ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Water Molecules ◽  
Surface Groups ◽  
Hydration Effect ◽  
Multiple Minima ◽  
Modelling Study

The influence of nitrogen-containing surface groups (SGs) onto activated carbon (AC) over the adsorption of chlordecone (CLD) and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) was characterized by a molecular modelling study, considering pH (single protonated SGs) and hydration effect (up to three water molecules). The interactions of both pollutants with amines and pyridine as basic SGs of AC were studied, applying the multiple minima hypersurface (MMH) methodology and using PM7 semiempirical Hamiltonian. Representative structures from MMH were reoptimized using the M06-2X density functional theory. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was used to characterize the interaction types in order understanding the adsorption process. A favorable association of both pesticides with the amines and pyridine SGs onto AC was observed at all pH ranges, both in the absence and presence of water molecules. However, a greater association of both pollutants with the primary amine was found under an acidic pH condition. QTAIM results show that the interactions of CLD and β-HCH with the SGs onto AC are governed by Cl···C interactions of chlorine atoms of both pesticides with the graphitic surface. Electrostatic interactions (H-bonds) were observed when water molecules were added to the systems. A physisorption mechanism is suggested for CLD and β-HCH adsorption on nitrogen-containing SGs of AC.

scholarly journals Two Faces of Water in the Formation and Stabilization of Multicomponent Crystals of Zwitterionic Drug-Like Compounds

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 425
Author(s):  
Artem O. Surov ◽  
Nikita A. Vasilev ◽  
Andrei V. Churakov ◽  
Olga D. Parashchuk ◽  
Sergei V. Artobolevskii ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Density Functional ◽  
General Scheme ◽  
Density Functional Theory Calculations ◽  
Cooh Group ◽  
Water Molecules ◽  
Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonds ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Bader Analysis ◽  
Empirical Approaches

Two new hydrated multicomponent crystals of zwitterionic 2-aminonicotinic acid with maleic and fumaric acids have been obtained and thoroughly characterized by a variety of experimental (X-ray analysis and terahertz Raman spectroscopy) and theoretical periodic density functional theory calculations, followed by Bader analysis of the crystalline electron density) techniques. It has been found that the Raman-active band in the region of 300 cm−1 is due to the vibrations of the intramolecular O-H...O bond in the maleate anion. The energy/enthalpy of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds was estimated by several empirical approaches. An analysis of the interaction networks reflects the structure-directing role of the water molecule in the examined multicomponent crystals. A general scheme has been proposed to explain the proton transfer between the components during the formation of multicomponent crystals in water. Water molecules were found to play the key role in this process, forming a “water wire” between the COOH group of the dicarboxylic acid and the COO– group of the zwitterion and the rendering crystal lattice of the considered multicomponent crystals.

scholarly journals The Role of (H2O)1-2 in the CH2O + ClO Gas-Phase Reaction

Molecules ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 2240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junyao Li ◽  
Narcisse Tsona ◽  
Lin Du
Keyword(s):  
Rate Constant ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Hydrogen Transfer ◽  
Kinetic Studies ◽  
Water Molecules ◽  
Phase Reaction ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Molecule Reaction ◽  
Catalytic Role

Mechanism and kinetic studies have been carried out to investigate whether one and two water molecules could play a possible catalytic role on the CH2O + ClO reaction. Density functional theory combined with the coupled cluster theory were employed to explore the potential energy surface and the thermodynamics of this radical-molecule reaction. The reaction proceeded through four different paths without water and eleven paths with water, producing H + HCO(O)Cl, Cl + HC(O)OH, HCOO + HCl, and HCO + HOCl. Results indicate that the formation of HCO + HOCl is predominant both in the water-free and water-involved cases. In the absence of water, all the reaction paths proceed through the formation of a transition state, while for some reactions in the presence of water, the products were directly formed via barrierless hydrogen transfer. The rate constant for the formation of HCO + HOCl without water is 2.6 × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 298.15 K. This rate constant is decreased by 9−12 orders of magnitude in the presence of water. The current calculations hence demonstrate that the CH2O + ClO reaction is impeded by water.

Intrinsic Stacking Interactions of Natural and Artificial Nucleobases

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Drew P. Harding ◽  
Laura J. Kingsley ◽  
Glen Spraggon ◽  
Steven Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Gas Phase ◽  
Electrostatic Interactions ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Molecular Descriptors ◽  
Stacking Interactions ◽  
Interaction Energies ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Binding Partner ◽  
Heavy Atoms ◽  
Wide Range

The intrinsic (gas-phase) stacking energies of natural and artificial nucleobases were explored using density functional theory (DFT) and correlated ab initio methods. Ranking the stacking strength of natural nucleobase dimers revealed a preference in binding partner similar to that seen from experiments, namely G > C > A > T > U. Decomposition of these interaction energies using symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) showed that these dispersion dominated interactions are modulated by electrostatics. Artificial nucleobases showed a similar stacking preference for natural nucleobases and were also modulated by electrostatic interactions. A robust predictive multivariate model was developed that quantitively predicts the maximum stacking interaction between natural and a wide range of artificial nucleobases using molecular descriptors based on computed electrostatic potentials (ESPs) and the number of heavy atoms. This model should find utility in designing artificial nucleobase analogs that exhibit stacking interactions comparable to those of natural nucleobases. Further analysis of the descriptors in this model unveil the origin of superior stacking abilities of certain nucleobases, including cytosine and guanine.

A First-Principles Computational Comparison of the Aqueous Anatase TiO2 (001) Interface and the Disordered, Fluorinated TiO2 Interface

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Reeves ◽  
Damien Dambournet ◽  
Christel Laberty-Robert ◽  
Rodolphe Vuilleumier ◽  
Mathieu Salanne
Keyword(s):  
Density Of States ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Water Dissociation ◽  
Water Molecules ◽  
Chemical Doping ◽  
Charge Balance ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Adsorption Of Water ◽  
Properties Of Materials ◽  
Computational Comparison

Chemical doping and other surface modifications have been used to engineer the bulk properties of materials, but their influence on the surface structure and consequently the surface chemistry are often unknown. Previous work has been successful in fluorinating anatase TiO<sub>2</sub> with charge balance achieved via the introduction of Ti vacancies rather than the reduction of Ti. Our work here investigates the interface between this fluorinated titanate with cationic vacancies and a<br>monolayer of water via density functional theory based molecular dynamics. We compute the projected density of states for only those atoms at the interface and for those states that fall within 1eV of the Fermi energy for various steps throughout the simulation, and we determine that the<br>variation in this representation of the density of states serves as a reasonable tool to anticipate where surfaces are most likely to be reactive. In particular, we conclude that water dissociation at the surface is the main mechanism that influences the anatase (001) surface whereas the change in<br>the density of states at the surface of the fluorinated structure is influenced primarily through the adsorption of water molecules at the surface.

A First-Principles Computational Comparison of the Aqueous Anatase TiO2 (001) Interface and the Disordered, Fluorinated TiO2 Interface

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Reeves ◽  
Damien Dambournet ◽  
Christel Laberty-Robert ◽  
Rodolphe Vuilleumier ◽  
Mathieu Salanne
Keyword(s):  
Density Of States ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Water Dissociation ◽  
Water Molecules ◽  
Chemical Doping ◽  
Charge Balance ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Adsorption Of Water ◽  
Properties Of Materials ◽  
Computational Comparison

Chemical doping and other surface modifications have been used to engineer the bulk properties of materials, but their influence on the surface structure and consequently the surface chemistry are often unknown. Previous work has been successful in fluorinating anatase TiO<sub>2</sub> with charge balance achieved via the introduction of Ti vacancies rather than the reduction of Ti. Our work here investigates the interface between this fluorinated titanate with cationic vacancies and a<br>monolayer of water via density functional theory based molecular dynamics. We compute the projected density of states for only those atoms at the interface and for those states that fall within 1eV of the Fermi energy for various steps throughout the simulation, and we determine that the<br>variation in this representation of the density of states serves as a reasonable tool to anticipate where surfaces are most likely to be reactive. In particular, we conclude that water dissociation at the surface is the main mechanism that influences the anatase (001) surface whereas the change in<br>the density of states at the surface of the fluorinated structure is influenced primarily through the adsorption of water molecules at the surface.

The Nature of S-N Bonding in Sulfonamides and Related Compounds: Insights into π-Bonding Contributions from Sulfur K-Edge XAS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tulin Okbinoglu ◽  
Pierre Kennepohl
Keyword(s):  
Density Functional ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Rotational Barriers ◽  
Td Dft ◽  
Nitrogen Bonds ◽  
X Ray Absorption ◽  
Related Compounds ◽  
And Chemical Properties

Molecules containing sulfur-nitrogen bonds, like sulfonamides, have long been of interest due to their many uses and chemical properties. Understanding the factors that cause sulfonamide reactivity is important, yet their continues to be controversy regarding the relevance of S-N π bonding in describing these species. In this paper, we use sulfur K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) to explore the role of S<sub>3p</sub> contributions to π-bonding in sulfonamides, sulfinamides and sulfenamides. We explore the nature of electron distribution of the sulfur atom and its nearest neighbors and extend the scope to explore the effects on rotational barriers along the sulfur-nitrogen axis. The experimental XAS data together with TD-DFT calculations confirm that sulfonamides, and the other sulfinated amides in this series, have essentially no S-N π bonding involving S<sub>3p</sub> contributions and that electron repulsion and is the dominant force that affect rotational barriers.

γ-Valerolactone-Introduced Controlled-Isomerization of Glucose for Lactic Acid Production over Sn-Beta Catalyst

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinpeng Zhao ◽  
Zhimin Zhou ◽  
hu luo ◽  
Yanfei Zhang ◽  
Wang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Density Functional Theory ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Dft Calculations ◽  
Acid Production ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Lactic Acid Production ◽  
Hydrothermal Conversion ◽  
Functional Theory ◽  
Environment Friendly

Combined experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided insights into the role of the environment-friendly γ-valerolactone (GVL) as a solvent in the hydrothermal conversion of glucose into lactic acid...

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