Da-Zhi Li

Planar dicyclic B6S6, B6S6−, and B6S62− clusters: Boron sulfide analogues of naphthalene

Inorganic analogues of hydrocarbons or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of current interest in chemistry. Based upon global structural searches and B3LYP and CCSD(T) calculations, we present herein the perfectly planar dicyclic boron sulfide clusters: D2h B6S6 (1, (1)Ag), D2h B6S6(-) (2, (2)B3u), and D2h B6S6(2-) (3, (1)Ag). These are the global minima of the systems, being at least 0.73, 0.81, and 0.53 eV lower in energy, respectively, than their alternative isomers at the CCSD(T) level. The D2h structures feature twin B3S2 five-membered rings, which are fused together via a B2 unit and terminated by two BS groups. Bonding analyses show that the closed-shell B6S6(2-) (3) cluster possesses 10 delocalized π electrons, closely analogous to the bonding pattern of the aromatic naphthalene C10H8. The B6S6(-) (2) and B6S6 (1) species are readily obtained upon removal of one or two π electrons from B6S6(2-) (3). The results build a new analogous relationship between boron sulfide clusters and their PAH counterparts. The B6S6(-) (2) monoanion and B6S6(2-) (3) dianion can be effectively stabilized in neutral LiB6S6 and Li2B6S6 salts, respectively.

[Sb4Au4Sb4]2−: A designer all-metal aromatic sandwich

We report on the computational design of an all-metal aromatic sandwich, [Sb4Au4Sb4](2-). The triple-layered, square-prismatic sandwich complex is the global minimum of the system from Coalescence Kick and Minima Hopping structural searches. Following a standard, qualitative chemical bonding analysis via canonical molecular orbitals, the sandwich complex can be formally described as [Sb4](+)[Au4](4-)[Sb4](+), showing ionic bonding characters with electron transfers in between the Sb4/Au4/Sb4 layers. For an in-depth understanding of the system, one needs to go beyond the above picture. Significant Sb → Au donation and Sb ← Au back-donation occur, redistributing electrons from the Sb4/Au4/Sb4 layers to the interlayer Sb-Au-Sb edges, which effectively lead to four Sb-Au-Sb three-center two-electron bonds. The complex is a system with 30 valence electrons, excluding the Sb 5s and Au 5d lone-pairs. The two [Sb4](+) ligands constitute an unusual three-fold (π and σ) aromatic system with all 22 electrons being delocalized. An energy gap of ∼1.6 eV is predicted for this all-metal sandwich. The complex is a rare example for rational design of cluster compounds and invites forth-coming synthetic efforts.

The Stability of the Micelle Formed by Chain Branch Surfactants and Polymer Under Salt and Shear Force: Insight from Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation

The influence of salt and shear force on the stability of the micelle formed by surfactants and polymer are studied using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation method. The research system mainly includes four types of surfactants with different hydrophilic/hydrophobic chain branches and two kinds of polymers with hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties, respectively. The stability of the micelle is studied based on the analyses of the density peak and root mean square (RMS) of polymer chain under different salt and shear force. The calculated results show that the density peak reduced and RMS increased for all surfactants with the salt concentration and shear force increasing, and then indicate that the micelle has a certain degree of deformation. Whereas, the surfactant chain branch has important influence on the deformation extent of the micelle. For hydrophobic polymer, surfactants containing hydrophobic chain branch (T2H2T2) are beneficial to the stability of the micelle. On the contrary, for hydrophilic polymer, the micelle formed by surfactants with stronger hydrophilic nature such as the hydrophilic groups located in the both ends of the molecule (H1T4H1) have the best salt and shear resistance. The results have certain theoretical significance and can provide theoretical support for the selection of surfactants and polymers in practical application. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Planar Tricyclic B8O8 and B8O8– Clusters: Boron Oxide Analogues of s-Indacene C12H8

Boron clusters and their oxides are electron-deficient species with (π and σ) aromaticity and antiaromaticity, enabling a structural and bonding analogy between them and the aromatic hydrocarbons. s-Indacene C12H8 is normally considered as a border system between the classes of aromatic and antiaromatic hydrocarbons. We show herein, via computer global-minimum searches and B3LYP and single-point CCSD(T) calculations, that boron oxide clusters D2h B8O8 (1, 1Ag) and D2h B8O8- (2, 2B2g) adopt planar tricyclic structures, which feature fused heterocyclic B3O2/B4O2/B3O2 rings and two boronyl (BO) terminals, a structural pattern analogous to the C5/C6/C5 rings in s-indacene. Bonding analyses indicate that B8O8 (1) is a formally antiaromatic 12π system, the molecular orbitals of which are largely similar to those of s-indacene. Infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectra of B8O8 (1) neutral, as well as the photoelectron spectrum of B8O8- (2) anion, are predicted computationally. The latter spectrum shows a sizable energy gap of 3.5 eV for 2, demonstrating the electronic robustness of 1. Our bonding analyses also shed critical light on the nature of bonding in s-indacene.