Electric field gradients of transition metal complexes from density functional theory: assessment of functionals, geometries and basis sets

Multinuclear Residual Quadrupolar Couplings for Structure and Assignment

Most stable isotopes have a nuclear spin >1/2, but the quadrupole interaction poses challenge on their detection by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). On the other hand, the quadrupole interaction is a rich source of structural information that may be exploited for solution NMR in the form of residual quadrupolar couplings (RQCs) of weakly oriented samples. While 2H RQCs are now well established for structure verification and enantiomeric discrimination of organic molecules, we will in this article highlight some recent work on RQCs of other nuclei (especially 7Li and 11B).

Resonance and structural assignment in (car)borane clusters using 11B residual quadrupolar couplings

A new NMR method for structural verification and 11B resonance assignment in (car)borane clusters is presented, based on the measurement of 11B residual quadrupolar couplings (RQCs) in a stretched polystyrene (PS) gel. The method was applied to ortho-carborane (B10C2H12), a derivative thereof with reduced symmetry, meta-carborane and decaborane (B10H14).

Paper-Strip-Based Sensors for H2S Detection: A Proof-of-Principle Study

In this work, the authors explored the interaction of a suite of fluorescent zinc complexes with H₂S. The authors provide evidence that HS⁻ binds the zinc center of all the complexes under investigation, allowing them to possibly function as sensors by a ‘coordinative-based’ approach. Naked-eye color changes occur when treating the systems with HS⁻, so the fluorescence responses are modulated by the presence of HS⁻, which has been related to a change in the energy level and coupling of excited states through a computational study. The results show the potential of the systems to function as HS⁻/H₂S colorimetric and fluorescent sensors. Paper-strip-based sensing experiments foresee the potential of using this family of complexes as chemosensors of HS⁻ in more complex biological fluids.

Permanganyl Fluoride: A Brief History of the Molecule MnO3 F and of Those Who Cared For It

Permanganyl fluoride's existence at the stability threshold in the series of oxides and oxide fluorides of the late 3d transition metals is reflected by its experimentally challenging properties and by the difficulties posed in the theoretical description of its bonding characteristics. The history of this molecule is reviewed from early qualitative observations and the growing scattered information on its chemical and physical properties to the accurate determination and interpretation of its molecular structure and spectral features. The still problematic theoretical models for MnO4 - and MnO3 F are briefly presented in the broader context of the chemistry of elements in high oxidation states. Short biographies of the scientists engaged in these studies are offered. Related technetium and rhenium compounds are briefly considered for comparison.

Fluorescent salen-type Zn(II) Complexes As Probes for Detecting Hydrogen Sulfide and Its Anion: Bioimaging Applications

In this work, we investigate the mode of interaction of a family of fluorescent zinc complexes with HS- and H2S. Different experiments, performed by diverse spectroscopic techniques, provide evidence that HS- binds the zinc center of all the complexes under investigation. Treatment with neutral H2S exhibits a markedly different reactivity which indicates selectivity for HS- over H2S of the systems under investigation. Striking color changes, visible to the naked eye, occur when treating the systems with HS- or by an H2S flow. Accordingly, also the fluorescence is modulated by the presence of HS-, with the possible formation of multiple adducts. The results highlight the potential of the devised systems to be implemented as HS-/H2S colorimetric and fluorescent sensors. Bioimaging experiments indicate the potential of using this class of compounds as probes for the detection of H2S in living cells.

New density functional parameterizations to accurate calculations of electric field gradient variations among compounds

This research provides a performance investigation of density functional theory and also proposes new functional parameterizations to deal with electric field gradient (EFG) calculations at nuclear positions. The entire procedure is conducted within the four-component formalism. First, we noticed that traditional hybrid and long-range corrected functionals are more efficient in the description of EFG variations for a set of elements (indium, antimony, iodine, lutetium, and hafnium) among linear molecules. Thus, we selected the PBE0, B3LYP, and CAM-B3LYP functionals and promoted a reoptimization of their parameters for a better description of these EFG changes. The PBE0q variant developed here showed an overall promising performance in a validation test conducted with potassium, iodine, copper, and gold. In general, the correlation coefficients found in linear regressions between experimental nuclear quadrupole coupling constants and calculated EFGs are improved while the systematic EFG errors also decrease as a result of this reparameterization.

Density-functional computation of ⁹³Nb NMR chemical shifts

93Nb chemical shifts of [NbX6](-) (X = Cl, F, CO), [NbXCl4](-) (X = O, S), Nb2(OMe)10, Cp*2Nb(κ2-BH4), (Cp*Nb)2(µ-B2H6)2, CpNb(CO)4, and Cp2NbH3 are computed at the GIAO (gauge-including atomic orbitals)-, BPW91- and B3LYP-, and CSGT (continuous set of gauge transformations)-CAM-B3LYP, -ωB97, and -ωB97X levels, using BP86-optimized or experimental (X-ray) geometries. Experimental chemical shifts are best reproduced at the GIAO-BPW91 level when δ(93Nb) values of inorganic complexes are referenced directly relative to [NbCl6](-) and those of organometallic species are first calculated relative to [Nb(CO)6](-). An inadvertent error in the reported δ(93Nb) values of cyclopentadiene borane complexes (H. Brunner et al., J. Organomet. Chem.1992, 436, 313) is corrected. Trends in the observed 93Nb NMR linewidths for anionic niobates [Nb(CO)5](3-), [Nb(CO)5H](2-), and [Nb(CO)5(NH3)](-) are rationalized in terms of computed electric field gradients at the metal.