Mahesh Sundararajan

The geometric structures, vibrational frequencies and redox properties of the actinyl coordination complexes ([AnO2(L)n]m; An = U, Pu, Np; L = H2O, Cl−, CO32−, CH3CO2−, OH−) in aqueous solution, studied by density functional theory methods

The geometric and electronic structures of the aqua, chloro, acetato, hydroxo and carbonato complexes of U, Np and Pu in both their (VI) and (V) oxidation states, and in an aqueous environment, have been studied using density functional theory methods. We have obtained micro-solvated structures derived from molecular dynamics simulations and included the bulk solvent using a continuum model. We find that two different hydrogen bonding patterns involving the axial actinyl oxygen atoms are sometimes possible, and may give rise to different An-O bond lengths and vibrational frequencies. These alternative structures are reflected in the experimental An-O bond lengths of the aqua and carbonato complexes. The variation of the redox potential of the uranyl complexes with the different ligands has been studied using both BP86 and B3LYP functionals. The relative values for the four uranium complexes having anionic ligands are in surprisingly good agreement with experiment, although the absolute values are in error by approximately 1 eV. The absolute error for the aqua species is much less, leading to an incorrect order of the redox potentials of the aqua and chloro species.

Can Functionalized Cucurbituril Bind Actinyl Cations Efficiently? A Density Functional Theory Based Investigation

The feasibility of using cucurbituril host molecule as a probable actinyl cation binders candidate is investigated through density functional theory based calculations. Various possible binding sites of the cucurbit[5]uril host molecule to uranyl are analyzed and based on the binding energy evaluations, μ(5)-binding is predicted to be favored. For this coordination, the structure, vibrational spectra, and binding energies are evaluated for the binding of three actinyls in hexa-valent and penta-valent oxidation states with functionalized cucurbiturils. Functionalizing cucurbituril with methyl and cyclohexyl groups increases the binding affinities of actinyls, whereas fluorination decreases the binding affinities as compared to the native host molecule. Surprisingly hydroxylation of the host molecule does not distinguish the oxidation state of the three actinyls.

Which density functional should be used to study actinyl complexes

The new M06 functional of Truhlar and co-workers is found to be competitive with high level ab initio methods in the study of the water exchange mechanism of the [UO(2)(OH(2))(5)](2+) ion, and of the redox potentials of the aqua complexes of [AnO(2)](2+) (An = U, Np and Pu).

Catalytic Cycles for the Reduction of [UO2]2+ by Cytochrome c7 Proteins Proposed from DFT Calculations

The mechanism of the reduction of the hydrated uranyl cation, [UO2](2+), by the cytochromes G. sulfurreducens and D. acetoxidans has been studied using density functional theory calculations. We propose that the initial electron transfer step from the heme is to a cation-cation complex in the case of D. acetoxidans, but for G. sulfurreducens, it is to a single uranyl cation, which then forms a U(V)-U(VI) complex with a second uranyl cation. For both enzymes, the subsequent catalytic pathways are very similar. A U(V)-U(V) complex is formed, which then undergoes disproportionation via two successive protonation steps of one uranyl group, to give a U(VI)-U(IV) complex which dissociates to individual U(VI) and U(IV) species, the former being bound at the enzyme active site. Intermediate structures along the catalytic pathway are consistent with EXAFS data.

Synergistic Effect of Intramolecular Charge Transfer toward Supramolecular pKa Shift in Cucurbit[7]uril Encapsulated Coumarin Dyes

This article presents the process and mechanism of supramolecular pKa shift in two bichromophoric coumarin laser dyes, namely, coumarin 7 (C7), (ΔpK(a) = 4.6) and coumarin 30 (C30), (ΔpK(a) = 3.0), achieved by introducing a synthetic macrocyclic receptor, cucurbit[7]uril (CB7), in aqueous media. The intramolecular charge transfer, from the diethylamino coumarin moiety toward the benzimidazolyl moiety and its protonation, even at pH ∼8, is facilitated by the interaction of the cucurbituril host in a 2:1 (CB7/dye) stoichiometric ratio. The CB7 macrocycle interacts with C7/C30 dyes in a stepwise manner with binding constants of the order of K(1) ≅10(5) M(-1), K2 ≅10(4) M(-1) for both C7 and C30 dyes. This study underlines a structure-property relationship to explain the host induced changes in the stereoelectronic distributions in the guest dyes supporting the supramolecular pK(a) shifts and is appropriately established by both experimental and theoretical considerations. On the other hand, the increased solubility (>250 times) and enhancement in fluorescence intensity (>13-fold) of the coumarin dyes in the presence of CB7 also find applications for developing aqueous dye laser systems where this supramolecular strategy will largely suppress the disadvantages of low solubility, aggregation, lower emission, or low stability of the dye in aqueous medium.

Designing Novel Materials through Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes for Application in Nuclear Waste Management: Speciation of Uranyl

Understanding the behavior of radioactive nuclide elements in different environmental conditions is an active area of research. In this work, we have investigated the possible interaction mechanism between carbon nanotubes and uranyl using density functional theory. It is shown that functionalized carbon nanotubes can be used to bind uranyl ions much more efficiently as compared to their unfunctionalized counterpart. The uranyl binding energies are sensitive to the nature of the functional groups rather than the carbon nanotube itself. The binding takes place preferably at the functionalized sites, although pH could determine the strength of uranyl binding. Our predicted results correlate well with the recent experimental uranyl sorption studies on carbon nanotubes. These finding are new and can open up a new era for actinide speciation and separation chemistry using carbon nanotubes.

Supramolecular host-guest interactions of oxazine-1 dye with β- and γ-cyclodextrins: a photophysical and quantum chemical study.

Supramolecular host-guest interactions of oxazine-1 dye with β- and γ-cyclodextrins (βCD and γCD, respectively) have been investigated in neutral aqueous solution (pH ∼ 7) at ambient temperature (∼25 °C) following absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism measurements. The dye forms inclusion complexes with both CDs, causing significant changes in its photophysical properties. Whereas fluorescence titration data for lower dye concentrations fit well with 1:1 stoichiometric complexes, the time-resolved fluorescence results indicate formation of a small extent of 1:2 (dye-host) complexes as well, especially at higher CD concentrations. The moderate range of the binding constant values for the present systems indicates the weaker hydrophobic interaction as responsible for the inclusion complex formation in these systems. It has also been observed that γCD facilitates dimerization of the dye, prominently indicated at the higher dye concentrations. On the contrary, βCD always assists deaggregation of the dye, even at very high dye concentrations. Time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy results qualitatively support the inclusion complex formation in the present systems. Results from quantum chemical calculations also nicely corroborate with the inferences drawn from photophysical studies. Observed results demonstrate that the size compatibility of the guest and the host cavity mainly determines the host-guest interaction in the present systems, much similar to the substrate-catalyst binding in many biological systems.

QM/MM studies of Ni-Fe hydrogenases: the effect of enzyme environment on the structure and energies of the inactive and active states

The catalytically active (Ni-SI and Ni-R) and inactive states (Ni-A and Ni-B) of Ni-Fe hydrogenases have been studied using density functional theory (DFT) methods. Both isolated clusters and clusters embedded in the enzyme have been used to model the Ni-A, Ni-B, Ni-SI and Ni-R states. The BP86 and B3LYP functionals were employed, and hybrid quantum mechanical (QM)/molecular mechanical (MM) methods were used for the embedded calculations. The QM/MM studies, rather than the isolated cluster calculations, were generally found to give structures which correlated better with X-ray data. The structure of the unready state (Ni-A), was correctly predicted by the QM/MM, but not by the isolated cluster calculation. Comparison with the observed crystal structure favoured the catalytically active state, Ni-SI, to be the protonated (Ni-SI(II)), rather than the unprotonated state (Ni-SI(I)). In the QM/MM studies, the binding of H(2) to Ni-SI(II) is preferred at the Ni (Ni-R(Ni)), rather than at the Fe centre (Ni-R(Fe)), in agreement with xenon binding studies, and in contrast to isolated cluster studies. These calculations cannot say with certainty which functional should be favoured, nor the preferred spin state of the catalytically active species. However, the lack of any predicted structure in which H(2) binds to the Fe centre, does favour a low spin state for Ni-SI(II), and the use of the BP86 functional. This is in agreement with recent high level ab initio calculations of a model of the Ni-SI(I) state.

Investigations on preferential Pu(IV) extraction over U(VI) by N,N-dihexyloctanamide versus tri-n-butyl phosphate: evidence through small angle neutron scattering and DFT studies.

Straight chain amide N,N-dihexyloctanamide (DHOA) has been found to be a promising alternative extractant to tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) for the reprocessing of irradiated uranium- and thorium-based fuels. Unlike TBP, DHOA displays preferential extraction of Pu(IV) over U(VI) at higher acidities (≥3 M HNO3) and poor extraction at lower acidities. Density functional theory (DFT) based calculations have been carried out on the structures and relative binding energies of U(VI) and Pu(IV) with the extractant molecules. These calculations suggest that the differential hardness of the two extractants is responsible for the preferential binding/complexation of TBP to uranyl, whereas the softer DHOA and the bulky nature of the extractant lead to stronger binding/complexation of DHOA to Pu(IV). In conjunction with quantum chemical calculations, small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements have also been performed for understanding the stoichiometry of the complex formed that leads to relatively lower extraction of Th(IV) (a model for Pu(IV)) as compared to U(VI) using DHOA and TBP as the extractants. The combined experimental and theoretical studies helped us to understand the superior complexation/extraction behavior of Pu(IV) over U(VI) with DHOA.

Elucidating the structures and binding of halide ions bound to cucurbit[6]uril, hemi-cucurbit[6]uril and bambus[6]uril using DFT calculations

Understanding the binding and nature of the interactions present in host–guest complexes are central to supramolecular chemistry. In this paper, we tried to understand the nature of bonding between halides and three related host molecules using density functional theory. We have addressed a number of issues such as the role of solvation, the role of cations and the use of appropriate density functional calculations that are crucial for modeling host–guest complexes. Calculations show that the binding of halides in cucurbit-[6]-uril is assisted by a cation, whereas in hemi-cucurbit-[6]-uril, it is assisted by solvents. AIM calculations reveal the nature of non-bonded interactions present in these host–guest complexes and in particular brings out the two types of hydrogen bonding present in hm-CB-[6] and BU-[6] complexes.