The design and assembly of mechanically interlocked molecules, such as catenanes and rotaxanes, are dictated by various types of noncovalent interactions. In particular, [C-H⋯O] hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions in these supramolecular complexes have been identified as important noncovalent interactions. With this in mind, we examined the [3] catenane 2·4PF6 using molecular mechanics (MM3), ab initio methods (HF, MP2), several versions of density functional theory (DFT) (B3LYP, M0X), and the dispersion-corrected method DFT-D3. Symmetry adapted perturbation theory (DFT-SAPT) provides the highest level of theory considered, and we use the DFT-SAPT results both to calibrate the other electronic structure methods, and the empirical potential MM3 force field that is often used to describe larger catenane and rotaxane structures where [C-H⋯O] hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions play a role. Our results indicate that the MM3 calculated complexation energies agree qualitatively with the energetic ordering from DFT-SAPT calculations with an aug-cc-pVTZ basis, both for structures dominated by [C-H⋯O] hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions. When the DFT-SAPT energies are decomposed into components, and we find that electrostatic interactions dominate the [C-H⋯O] hydrogen-bonding interactions while dispersion makes a significant contribution to π-π stacking. Another important conclusion is that DFT-D3 based on M06 or M06-2X provides interactions energies that are in near-quantitative agreement with DFT-SAPT. DFT results without the D3 correct have important differences compared to DFT-SAPT while HF and even MP2 results are in poor agreement with DFT-SAPT.

The structure and properties of the electron donor-acceptor complexes formed between methyl viologen (MV) and purine nucleosides and nucleotides in water and the solid state have been investigated using a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. Solution studies were performed using UV-vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations were performed within the framework of density functional theory (DFT). Energy decomposition analysis indicates that dispersion and induction (charge-transfer) interactions dominate the total binding energy, whereas electrostatic interactions are largely repulsive. The appearance of charge transfer bands in the absorption spectra of the complexes are well described by time-dependent (TD) DFT and are further explained in terms of the redox properties of purine monomers and solvation effects. Crystal structures are reported for complexes of methyl viologen with the purines 2′-deoxyguanosine 3′-monophosphate GMP (DAD′DAD′ type) and 7-deazaguanosine zG (DAD′ADAD′ type). Comparison of the structures determined in the solid state and by theoretical methods in solution provides valuable insights into the nature of charge-transfer interactions involving purine bases as electron donors.

ABSTRACT:This article presents the results of systematic ab initio quantum chemical study of charged and neutral analogues of fullerene molecules: C 59 X[XASi, Ge, Sn], C 59 X Ϫ [XAB, Al, Ga, In], and C 59 X ϩ [XAN, P, As, Sb]. Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) levels of theory with Stuttgart-Dresden basis set were used to investigate the structure and properties of substituted fullerene molecules. A replacement of fullerene carbon atom with a heteroatom results in a unique chemical site on the fullerene surface, which may be used as a reactive center or to modify the electronic properties. We show the possibility of utilization of substituted fullerenes as atom-like building units. Heteroatom substitution allows the tuning of the physical and chemical properties of original molecule for different material science and nanotechnology applications.

ABSTRACT:The interactions of linear hydrocarbons C 2n H 4 and C 2n H 2 (n ϭ 1-4) with a finite-length armchair (5,5) single-walled carbon nanotube have been investigated using HF and MP2 methods in conjunction with 6-31G(d) basis set, and molecular mechanics (MM) with MM2 force field. In all cases, the results obtained at MP2/6-31G(d) level show stabilization of these supramolecular systems, contrary to the repulsive interactions obtained with the HF method. The interaction energies computed using MM with MM2 force field are in close agreement with the results obtained using the MP2/6-31G(d) level. They increase gradually as the length of linear hydrocarbon chain increases. The present study indicates that cumulative -interaction is the origin for the exceptionally high stabilization of the long nanotube-hydrocarbon complexes. Mulliken population analysis reveals a very small charge transfer between the nanotube and the guest. Essentially there is no change in HOMO-LUMO energy gap by the insertion of linear hydrocarbons.

ABSTRACT:The results of an ab initio quantum chemical study of the Sc 3 N@C 80 endohedral complex are reported. The Hartree-Fock (HF) and B3LYP levels of theory were employed in conjunction with STO-3G and 6-31G(d) basis sets to determine the geometry and properties of the local minima conformations of Sc 3 N cluster inside the C 80 cage. Weak bonding between the Sc 3 N and C 80 molecule and a number of very close geometry and nearly identical by energy local minima structures can explain the large mobility of the endohedral cluster, but complicate determination of the global minimum structure. The effect of the endohedral cluster on the vibrational spectrum of Sc 3 N@C 80 is revealed. Based on the theoretical infrared (IR) spectra, the experimental method to distinguish local minima structures of Sc 3 N@C 80 is proposed.