Marco Campetella

Two Different Models to Predict Ionic-Liquid Diffraction Patterns: Fixed-Charge versus Polarizable Potentials

This study reports the performance of classical molecular dynamics (MD) in predicting the X-ray diffraction patterns of butylammonium nitrate (BAN) and two derivatives, 4-hydroxybutan-1-ammonium nitrate (4-HOBAN) and 4-methoxybutan-1-ammonium nitrate (4-MeOBAN). The structure functions and radial distribution functions obtained from energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction spectra, recorded newly for BAN and for the first time for 4-MeOBAN and 4-HOBAN, are compared with the corresponding quantities calculated from MD trajectories, to access information on the morphology of these liquids. The different behavior of two force fields, a polarizable multipole force field and a fixed-charge one supplemented by an explicit three-body term, is shown. The three-body force field proves to be superior in reproducing the intermediate q range, for which the polarizable force field gives the wrong peak position and intensities. In addition, both models can correctly account for the presence or absence of a low q peak in the scattering patterns.

Conformational isomerisms and nano-aggregation in substituted alkylammonium nitrates ionic liquids: An x-ray and computational study of 2-methoxyethylammonium nitrate

In this study, we discuss, using molecular dynamics simulations and energy-dispersive x-ray diffraction data, how a conformational isomerism can dramatically alter the nanosegregation phenomena that take place in a prototypical ionic liquid. The diffraction patterns of liquid 2-methoxyethylammonium nitrate are compared with the results from molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations conditions and force field parameters have been varied producing different charge models and different populations of conformers of the cation. We show that, while the short range structure is relatively unchanged in the models, the long range aggregation phenomena deemed responsible for the appearance of low Q peaks in the X-ray patterns strongly depend on the choice of the charge model. In the title compound, the best agreement with the experiment, where no low Q peaks appear, occurs if the point charges are calculated using the gauche conformation of the cation, which is characterized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond between ammonium and ether groups.

Interaction and dynamics of ionic liquids based on choline and amino acid anions

The combination of amino acid anions with the choline cation gives origin to a new and potentially important class of organic ionic liquids that might represent a viable and bio-compatible alternative with respect to the traditional ones. We present here a detailed study of the bulk phase of the prototype system composed of the simplest amino acid (alanine) anion and the choline cation, based on ab initio and classical molecular dynamics. Theoretical findings have been validated by comparing with accurate experimental X-ray diffraction data and infrared spectra. We find that hydrogen bonding (HB) features in these systems are crucial in establishing their local geometric structure. We have also found that these HBs once formed are persistent and that the proton resides exclusively on the choline cation. In addition, we show that a classical force field description for this particular ionic liquid can be accurately performed by using a slightly modified version of the generalized AMBER force field.

Theoretical study of ionic liquids based on the cholinium cation. Ab initio simulations of their condensed phases

We have explored by means of ab initio molecular dynamics the homologue series of 11 different ionic liquids based on the combination of the cholinium cation with deprotonated amino acid anions. We present a structural analysis of the liquid states of these compounds as revealed by accurate ab initio computations of the forces. We highlight the persistent structural motifs that see the ionic couple as the basic building block of the liquid whereby a strong hydrogen bonding network substantially determines the short range structural behavior of the bulk state. Other minor docking features of the interaction network are also discovered and described. Special cases along the series such as Cysteine and Phenylalanine are discussed in the view of their peculiar properties due to zwitterion formation and additional long-range structural organization.

Is a medium-range order pre-peak possible for ionic liquids without an aliphatic chain?

The combination of amino acids anions with a choline cation gives origin to a new and potentially important class of organic ionic liquids that might represent a viable and bio-compatible alternative with respect to the traditional ones. We present here a combined experimental and theoretical study of a choline–proline ionic liquid, using both large and small angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS–SAXS), and classical and ab initio molecular dynamics calculations, in which we are able to point out for the first time the existence of a low Q peak in the X-ray patterns in the absence of linear or branched alkyl chains. From the calculations, we can obtain theoretical scattering patterns that reproduce very nicely the experimental spectra in all Q ranges, and from detailed analysis of the radial distribution functions (RDFs) and hydrogen bond patterns, we can state that very strong ion pairs are established in the liquid and the observed pre-peak can be ascribed to the interactions between atoms belonging to different ion pairs.

Structural studies on choline-carboxylate bio-ionic liquids by x-ray scattering and molecular dynamics.

We report a X-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics study on three choline-based bio-ionic liquids, choline formate, [Ch] [For], choline propanoate, [Ch][Pro], and choline butanoate, [Ch][But]. For the first time, this class of ionic liquids has been investigated by X-ray diffraction. Experimental and theoretical structure factors have been compared for each term of the series. Local structural organization has been obtained from ab initio calculations through static models of isolated ion pairs and dynamic simulations of small portions of liquids through twelve, ten, and nine ion pairs for [Ch][For], [Ch][Pro], and [Ch][But], respectively. All the theoretical models indicate that cations and anions are connected by strong hydrogen bonding and form stable ion pairs in the liquid that are reminiscent of the static ab initio ion pairs. Different structural aspects may affect the radial distribution function, like the local structure of ion pairs and the conformation of choline. When small portions of liquids have been simulated by dynamic quantum chemical methods, some key structural features of the X-ray radial distribution function were well reproduced whereas the classical force fields here applied did not entirely reproduce all the observed structural features.

Effect of alkyl chain length in protic ionic liquids: an AIMD perspective

ABSTRACT In this study we have explored, by means of ab initio molecular dynamics, a subset of three different protic ionic liquids (ILs). We present both structural and dynamical information of the liquid state of these compounds as revealed by accurate ab initio computations of the interactions. Our analysis figures out the presence of a strong hydrogen bond network in the bulk state, that is more stable in those ILs characterised by a longer alkyl side chain. Indeed it becomes more long-lasting passing from ethyl ammonium to butyl ammonium, owing to the hydrophobic effects stemming from alkyl chain contacts. Furthermore, the relative free energy landscape of the cation–anion interaction exhibits a progressively deeper well as the side chain of the cation gets longer. The hydrogen bond interaction, as already mentioned in previous works, leads to loss of degeneracy of the asymmetric stretching vibrations of the nitrate anions. The resulting frequency splitting between the two normal modes is about 90 cm−1.

Structural and vibrational study of 2-MethoxyEthylAmmonium Nitrate (2-OMeEAN): Interpretation of experimental results with ab initio molecular dynamics

In this work we report an analysis of the bulk phase of 2-methoxyethylammonium nitrate based on ab initio molecular dynamics. The structural and dynamical features of the ionic liquid have been characterized and the computational findings have been compared with the experimental X-ray diffraction patterns, with infrared spectroscopy data, and with the results obtained from molecular dynamics simulations. The experimental infrared spectrum was interpreted with the support of calculated vibrational density of states as well as harmonic frequency calculations of selected gas phase clusters. Particular attention was addressed to the high frequency region of the cation (ω > 2000 cm(-1)), where the vibrational motions involve the NH3+ group responsible for hydrogen bond formation, and to the frequency range 1200-1400 cm(-1) where the antisymmetric stretching mode (ν3) of nitrate is found. Its multiple absorption lines in the liquid arise from the removal of the degeneracy present in the D3h symmetry of the isolated ion. Our ab initio molecular dynamics leads to a rationalization of the frequency shifts and splittings, which are inextricably related to the structural modifications induced by a hydrogen bonding environment. The DFT calculations lead to an inhomogeneous environment.

Hydration of diazoles in water solution: pyrazole. A theoretical and X-ray diffraction study

The local structure of the hydration of pyrazole has been analysed through static and dynamical microsolvation models described by quantum mechanical methods. Then, a reliable classical force field of pyrazole has been obtained on the basis of the quantum mechanical results and the dynamical properties of aqueous pyrazole solutions have been studied by molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, the structure of pyrazole-water solutions at different concentrations has been investigated by energy dispersive X-ray diffraction and experimental results have been compared to calculations. This comparison provides both a tool for interpretation of experiments and a way to validate the computational protocol.

Bio ionic liquids and water mixtures: a structural study

In this study we have explored, by means of ab initio molecular dynamics, a subset of three different water/cho+–phe− mixtures. We present both structural and dynamical information of these mixtures as revealed by accurate ab initio computations of the forces acting on the atoms. We highlight the presence of a strong hydrogen bond network between the anions, and the persistence of such interaction even at very high water concentration. Furthermore, we show that the water molecules favour the establishment of hydrogen bond contacts with IL ions, up to 1 : 1.5 IL/water molar ratio. Finally we point out the possible bridging role of a water molecule, namely it can insert between a cation and an anion and give rise to a three-body adduct.