Oxane dendrimers of tetravalent elements as models for their dioxide polymorphs

Oxides of tetravalent elements are well known to have a lot of crystalline modifications. For example, most of silica polymorphs are characterized by tetrahedral coordination environment of silicon atoms. On the contrary, crystals of stishovite and of some silicate minerals have their silicon atoms in octahedral coordination spheres. It has been found experimentally that the phase transitions between silica polymorphs accompanied by a rearrangement of silica-oxygen tetrahedrons into octahedra require an energy income (preference energy) of 54 kJ/mol. When increasing the atomic mass of the oxide forming element, the former decreases extremely and for tin dioxide is equal to -59 kJ/mol. These values can be reproduced in a theoretical way, within the frameworks of modern quantum chemical methods and periodic models. High disperse silica nanoparticles (as well as those for other oxides) have only the nearest order of atomic stationing, so that theoretical approaches developed for crystals cannot be applied to small particles. These particles can be transformed into stishovite form under hydrothermal conditions. Such a process can be simulated within cluster approximation by use of molecular models. This work is devoted to quantum chemical simulation of formation of the fragments with hexa-coordinated atoms of silicon and of its analogs in the structure of oxane dendrimers. A row of high symmetry models was examined containing two, three, five, and seventeen atoms of silicon and of germanium, titanium and tin, terminated with hydroxyl groups. These structures can be rearranged into another ones including oxide forming atoms with elevated (equal to 5 or 6) coordination number, so mimicking the rutile-like structure. Such models let it possible to fulfill the procedure of transformation without rupturing siloxane bonds, so remaining within a deformation approach. Another advantage is the exclusion of the basis set superposition error due to use of molecular models of the same total formula for all the coordination states. All calculations were carried out by Hartree-Fock and density functional theory methods with the all-electron (3-21G*) and valent (SBKJC) basis sets by means of the GAMESS program. Models of various size have been examined, in particular, disiloxane (HO)3Si-O-Si(OH)3 witch can be transformed into a self-coordinated form where one of silicon atoms becomes a five-coordinated; trisiloxane (HO)3Si-O-Si(OH)2-O-Si(OH)3 can be rearranged into symmetric isomer with one hexa-coordinated silicon atom. Pentasiloxane with neo-structure of [(HO)3Si-O]4Si forms three coordination structures, the most stable of them mimicking the stishovite crystal; it contains one 6-coordinated and two 5-coordinated silicon atoms. Siloxane containing 17 silicon atoms has a super-neo-structure of {[(HO)3Si-O]3Si-O}4Si; it includes seven six-coordinated and four five-coordinated silicon atoms. Relative models for silicon analogs have been also examined. When analyzing a dependence of the energy differences between open and coordinated oxane structures on the number of atoms of the oxide forming element in the cluster, one can jump to the conclusion that the specific value of this characteristic monotonously decreases with the increase in the number of atoms of the molecular model, so becoming close to the experimental data.

Halogen Interactions in Halogenated Oxindoles: Crystallographic and Computational Investigations of Intermolecular Interactions

X-ray structural determinations and computational studies were used to investigate halogen interactions in two halogenated oxindoles. Comparative analyses of the interaction energy and the interaction properties were carried out for Br···Br, C-H···Br, C-H···O and N-H···O interactions. Employing Møller–Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2) and density functional theory (DFT), the basis set superposition error (BSSE) corrected interaction energy (Eint(BSSE)) was determined using a supramolecular approach. The Eint(BSSE) results were compared with interaction energies obtained by Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM)-based methods. Reduced Density Gradient (RDG), QTAIM and Natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations provided insight into possible pathways for the intermolecular interactions examined. Comparative analysis employing the electron density at the bond critical points (BCP) and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) showed that the interaction energies and the relative orientations of the monomers in the dimers may in part be understood in light of charge redistribution in these two compounds.

Distinctive Supramolecular Features of β-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes with Antidepressants Protriptyline and Maprotiline: A Comprehensive Structural Investigation

Depression, a global mental illness, is worsened due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-2019) pandemic. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are efficacious for the treatment of depression, even though they have more side effects. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are powerful encapsulating agents for improving molecular stability, water solubility, and lessening the undesired effects of drugs. Because the atomic-level understanding of the β-CD–TCA inclusion complexes remains elusive, we carried out a comprehensive structural study via single-crystal X-ray diffraction and density functional theory (DFT) full-geometry optimization. Here, we focus on two complexes lining on the opposite side of the β-CD–TCA stability spectrum based on binding constants (Kas) in solution, β-CD–protriptyline (PRT) 1—most stable and β-CD–maprotiline (MPL) and 2—least stable. X-ray crystallography unveiled that in the β-CD cavity, the PRT B-ring and MPL A-ring are aligned at a nearly perfect right angle against the O4 plane and primarily maintained in position by intermolecular C–H···π interactions. The increased rigidity of the tricyclic cores is arising from the PRT -CH=CH- bridge widens, and the MPL -CH2–CH2- flexure narrows the butterfly angles, facilitating the deepest and shallower insertions of PRT B-ring (1) and MPL A-ring (2) in the distorted round β-CD cavity for better complexation. This is indicated by the DFT-derived complex stabilization energies (ΔEstbs), although the complex stability orders based on Kas and ΔEstbs are different. The dispersion and the basis set superposition error (BSSE) corrections were considered to improve the DFT results. Plus, the distinctive 3D arrangements of 1 and 2 are discussed. This work provides the first crystallographic evidence of PRT and MPL stabilized in the β-CD cavity, suggesting the potential application of CDs for efficient drug delivery.

APPLICATION OF PIEZOSENSORS BASED ON THE MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYIMIDE FOR DETERMI-NATION OF CAFFEINE IN TEA

In this article the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been synthesized on the surface of piezosensors. The starting polymer for MIPs production was polyamic acid, which is a copolymer of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether. The caffeine served as the template. The quantum-chemical simulation was performed by the Gaussian 09 software using the DFT method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level with the basis set superposition error (BSSE) at the preliminary stage of the synthesis of the MIP for caffeine. The prepolymerization complexes were calculated to establish intermolecular interactions and obtain the optimum molar ratio between the template and polyamiс acid. It is shown that the constitutional repeating units of polyamic acid interact with the caffeine by forming H-bonds via carboxyl groups. The interaction energy first increases and then decreases with increasing the molar ratio of imprinting. Based on the quantum-chemical calculations, the optimal ratio of the reagents in prepolymerization mixture was set to 1 : 3 with the highest interaction energy (96.7 kJ/mol). Applying thermal imidization of solution of polyamic acid in the presence of a template, the molecularly imprinted polyimide has been synthesized by the non-covalent imprinting method. The ability of the obtained piezosensors to recognize the tempalte in model mixtures was experimentally evaluated. It was found that the range of detectable concentrations of caffeine is 3.1.10-6-10-1 mol/dm3 and the detection limit is 10-6 mol/dm3. Correctness of the caffeine determination in model solutions was verified in the spike/recovery tests. Piezosensors based on MIP were approved for the determination of the caffeine in tea varieties. It is shown that the concentration of caffeine in the aqueous solution increases with increasing brewing time. The relative standard deviation is less than 8%.

r2SCAN-3c: An Efficient “Swiss Army Knife” Composite Electronic-Structure Method

The recently proposed second revision of the SCAN meta-GGA density-functional approximation (DFA) {Furness et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2020, 11, 8208-8215, termed r²SCAN} is used to construct an efficient composite electronic-structure method termed r²SCAN-3c, expanding the "3c'' series (hybrid: HSE/PBEh-3c, GGA: B97-3c, HF: HF-3c) to themGGA level. To this end, the unaltered r²SCAN functional is combined with a tailor-made <br>triple-zeta Gaussian AO-basis as well as with refitted D4 and gCP corrections for London-dispersion and basis-set superposition error. The performance of the new method is evaluated for the GMTKN55 thermochemical database covering large parts of chemical space with about 1500 <br>data points, as well as additional benchmarks for noncovalent interactions, organometallic reactions, lattice energies of organic molecules and ices, as well as for the adsorption on polar salt and non-polar coinage-metal surfaces. These comprehensive tests reveal a spectacular performance and robustness of r²SCAN-3c for reaction energies and noncovalent interactions in molecular and periodic systems, as well as outstanding conformational energies, and consistent structures. At just one tenth of the cost, r²SCAN-3c provides one of the best results of all semi-local DFT/QZ methods ever tested for the GMTKN55 benchmark database. Specifically for reaction and conformational energies as well as for noncovalent interactions, the new method outperforms hybrid-DFT/QZ approaches, compared to which the computational savings are even larger (factor 100-1000).<br>In relation to other "3c'' methods, r²SCAN-3c by far surpasses the accuracy of its predecessor B97-3c at only about twice the cost. The perhaps most relevant remaining systematic deviation of r²SCAN-3c is due to self-interaction-error, owing to its mGGA nature. However, SIE is notably reduced compared to other (m)GGAs, as is demonstrated for several examples. After all, this remarkably efficient and robust method is chosen as our new group default, replacing previous low-level DFT and partially even expensive high-level methods in most standard applications for systems with up to several hundreds of atoms.<br><br>

r2SCAN-3c: An Efficient “Swiss Army Knife” Composite Electronic-Structure Method

The recently proposed second revision of the SCAN meta-GGA density-functional approximation (DFA) {Furness et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2020, 11, 8208-8215, termed r²SCAN} is used to construct an efficient composite electronic-structure method termed r²SCAN-3c, expanding the "3c'' series (hybrid: HSE/PBEh-3c, GGA: B97-3c, HF: HF-3c) to themGGA level. To this end, the unaltered r²SCAN functional is combined with a tailor-made <br>triple-zeta Gaussian AO-basis as well as with refitted D4 and gCP corrections for London-dispersion and basis-set superposition error. The performance of the new method is evaluated for the GMTKN55 thermochemical database covering large parts of chemical space with about 1500 <br>data points, as well as additional benchmarks for noncovalent interactions, organometallic reactions, lattice energies of organic molecules and ices, as well as for the adsorption on polar salt and non-polar coinage-metal surfaces. These comprehensive tests reveal a spectacular performance and robustness of r²SCAN-3c for reaction energies and noncovalent interactions in molecular and periodic systems, as well as outstanding conformational energies, and consistent structures. At just one tenth of the cost, r²SCAN-3c provides one of the best results of all semi-local DFT/QZ methods ever tested for the GMTKN55 benchmark database. Specifically for reaction and conformational energies as well as for noncovalent interactions, the new method outperforms hybrid-DFT/QZ approaches, compared to which the computational savings are even larger (factor 100-1000).<br>In relation to other "3c'' methods, r²SCAN-3c by far surpasses the accuracy of its predecessor B97-3c at only about twice the cost. The perhaps most relevant remaining systematic deviation of r²SCAN-3c is due to self-interaction-error, owing to its mGGA nature. However, SIE is notably reduced compared to other (m)GGAs, as is demonstrated for several examples. After all, this remarkably efficient and robust method is chosen as our new group default, replacing previous low-level DFT and partially even expensive high-level methods in most standard applications for systems with up to several hundreds of atoms.<br><br>

r2SCAN-3c: An Efficient “Swiss Army Knife” Composite Electronic-Structure Method

The recently proposed second revision of the SCAN meta-GGA density-functional approximation (DFA) {Furness et al., J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 2020, 11, 8208-8215, termed r²SCAN} is used to construct an efficient composite electronic-structure method termed r²SCAN-3c, expanding the "3c'' series (hybrid: HSE/PBEh-3c, GGA: B97-3c, HF: HF-3c) to themGGA level. To this end, the unaltered r²SCAN functional is combined with a tailor-made <br>triple-zeta Gaussian AO-basis as well as with refitted D4 and gCP corrections for London-dispersion and basis-set superposition error. The performance of the new method is evaluated for the GMTKN55 thermochemical database covering large parts of chemical space with about 1500 <br>data points, as well as additional benchmarks for noncovalent interactions, organometallic reactions, lattice energies of organic molecules and ices, as well as for the adsorption on polar salt and non-polar coinage-metal surfaces. These comprehensive tests reveal a spectacular performance and robustness of r²SCAN-3c for reaction energies and noncovalent interactions in molecular and periodic systems, as well as outstanding conformational energies, and consistent structures. At just one tenth of the cost, r²SCAN-3c provides one of the best results of all semi-local DFT/QZ methods ever tested for the GMTKN55 benchmark database. Specifically for reaction and conformational energies as well as for noncovalent interactions, the new method outperforms hybrid-DFT/QZ approaches, compared to which the computational savings are even larger (factor 100-1000).<br>In relation to other "3c'' methods, r²SCAN-3c by far surpasses the accuracy of its predecessor B97-3c at only about twice the cost. The perhaps most relevant remaining systematic deviation of r²SCAN-3c is due to self-interaction-error, owing to its mGGA nature. However, SIE is notably reduced compared to other (m)GGAs, as is demonstrated for several examples. After all, this remarkably efficient and robust method is chosen as our new group default, replacing previous low-level DFT and partially even expensive high-level methods in most standard applications for systems with up to several hundreds of atoms.<br><br>

Possibility of Complexation of the Calix[4]Arene Molecule with the Polluting Gases: DFT and NCI-RDG Theory

The calix[4]arenes (abbreviated as CX[4]) are characterized by a specific hydrophobic cavity formed by a four cyclically phenol groups to encapsulate a gas or small molecules. Recently, the CX[4] molecule is used in a specific media and in pharmaceutical drug delivery. The pollution problem will be a vital subject in the future because the increase of the explosions of the gaseous pollutants in the environment. In this report, we have encapsulated the polluting gases NO3, NO2, CO2 and N2 by the calix[4]arene molecule. In this work, The binding energies of the CX[4]-gas has been calculated including the BSSE (Basis Set Superposition Error) counterpoise (CP). The red-shift of the O-H bonding interactions obtained by adding the gas in the sensitive area of calix[4]arene is clearly explained by the infrared spectrum analysis. The Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of the stable CX[4]-gas complexes have been investigated in the endo-vs. exo-cavity regions. Finally, the non-covalent interactions analyses of the stable host-guests complexes have been estimated by using DFT calculations.

Double-Hybrid DFT Functionals for the Condensed Phase: Gaussian and Plane Waves Implementation and Evaluation

Intermolecular interactions play an important role for the understanding of catalysis, biochemistry and pharmacy. Double-hybrid density functionals (DHDFs) combine the proper treatment of short-range interactions of common density functionals with the correct description of long-range interactions of wave-function correlation methods. Up to now, there are only a few benchmark studies available examining the performance of DHDFs in condensed phase. We studied the performance of a small but diverse selection of DHDFs implemented within Gaussian and plane waves formalism on cohesive energies of four representative dispersion interaction dominated crystal structures. We found that the PWRB95 and ωB97X-2 functionals provide an excellent description of long-ranged interactions in solids. In addition, we identified numerical issues due to the extreme grid dependence of the underlying density functional for PWRB95. The basis set superposition error (BSSE) and convergence with respect to the super cell size are discussed for two different large basis sets.