Quadrupole Coupling Constants Research Articles

Chemical Trends in Solid Alkali Pertechnetates.

Insight into the solid-state chemistry of pure technetium-99 (99Tc) oxides is required in the development of a robust immobilization and disposal system for nuclear waste stemming from the radiopharmaceutical industry, from the production of nuclear weapons, and from spent nuclear fuel. However, because of its radiotoxicity and the subsequent requirement of special facilities and handling procedures for research, only a few studies have been completed, many of which are over 20 years old. In this study, we report the synthesis of pure alkali pertechnetates (sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium) and analysis of these compounds by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES and EXAFS), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (static and magic angle spinning), and neutron diffraction. The structures and spectral signatures of these compounds will aid in refining the understanding of 99Tc incorporation into and release from nuclear waste glasses. NaTcO4 shows aspects of the relatively higher electronegativity of the Na atom, resulting in large distortions of the pertechnetate tetrahedron and deshielding of the 99Tc nucleus relative to the aqueous TcO4-. At the other extreme, the large Cs and Rb atoms interact only weakly with the pertechnetate, have closer to perfect tetrahedral symmetry at the Tc atom, and have very similar vibrational spectra, even though the crystal structure of CsTcO4 is orthorhombic while that of RbTcO4 is tetragonal. Further trends are observed in the cell volume and quadrupolar coupling constant.

Recoupling dipolar interactions with multiple I=1 quadrupolar nuclei: A 11B{6Li} and 31P{6Li} rotational echo double resonance study of lithium borophosphate glasses

The case of rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) experiments on the observe nuclei 11B and 31P interacting with multiple I=1 quadrupolar nuclei is analyzed in detail by SIMPSON simulations and experimental studies. The simulations define the region within the parameter space spanned by nutation frequency, quadrupolar coupling constant and spinning frequency where the parabolic analysis of the initial REDOR curve in terms of dipolar second moments has validity. The predictions are tested by experimental studies on the crystalline model compounds lithium diborate and lithium pyrophosphate, which are subsequently extended to measure dipolar second moments M2(11B{6Li}) and M2(31P{6Li}) in three borophosphate glasses. The data indicate that the lithium cations interact significantly more strongly with the phosphate than with the borate species, despite the formally anionic character of four-coordinate boron and the formally neutral character of the ultraphosphate (P(3)) units to which they are linked.

Intermolecular interactions in AST zeolites through 14N NMR and DFT calculations

The structure of the silica AST zeolites (octadecasil) synthesized in fluoride medium using tetramethylammonium (TMA) as the organic structure-directing agent has been reinvestigated using 14N NMR quadrupolar parameters and DFT calculations. The value of the experimental 14N quadrupolar coupling constant (CQ = 27 kHz) is larger than expected for a TMA cation possessing a high degree of motion. The analysis of a DFT-optimized octadecasil cluster along with the comparison between measured and calculated 14N NMR parameters demonstrate the presence of weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds between the TMA in the [46612] cages and the silica skeleton. These intermolecular interactions can be related to the presence of Si...F tetrel bonds within the [46] cages. These new results provide additional information with regard to the formation mechanisms and structure of the octadecasil zeolites.

Ab initio crystal structure prediction of magnesium (poly)sulfides and calculation of their NMR parameters.

Ab initio prediction of sensible crystal structures can be regarded as a crucial task in the quickly-developing methodology of NMR crystallography. In this contribution, an evolutionary algorithm was used for the prediction of magnesium (poly)sulfide crystal structures with various compositions. The employed approach successfully identified all three experimentally detected forms of MgS, i.e. the stable rocksalt form and the metastable wurtzite and zincblende forms. Among magnesium polysulfides with a higher content of sulfur, the most probable structure with the lowest formation energy was found to be MgS2, exhibiting a modified rocksalt structure, in which S2- anions were replaced by S22- dianions. Magnesium polysulfides with even larger fractions of sulfur were not predicted to be stable. For the lowest-energy structures, 25Mg quadrupolar coupling constants and chemical shift parameters were calculated using the density functional theory approach. The calculated NMR parameters could be well rationalized by the symmetries of the local magnesium environments, by the coordination of magnesium cations and by the nature of the surrounding anions. In the future, these parameters could serve as a reference for the experimentally determined 25Mg NMR parameters of magnesium sulfide species.

Theoretical study addressing the effects of tautomerism and explicit/implicit water molecules on NQR and NMR parameters of tetrazole-5-thione.

DFT/B3LYP calculations were employed to study the effects of tautomerism and explicit/implicit water molecules on Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) tensors of nitrogen nuclei in tetrazole-5-thione structure. The obtained results revealed that nuclear quadrupole coupling constant (χ) and isotropic chemical shielding (σiso ) values of nitrogen nuclei in tetrazole ring of five possible tautomeric forms of tetrazole-5-thione, i.e. two thione forms called tautomers A and E and three thiol forms called tautomers B, C, and D, were functions of resonance energy(E2 ) values of nitrogen lone pairs. Furthermore, it was observed that by increasing participation of lone pairs of nitrogen atoms in the ring resonance interactions, the σiso values around them were increased, while their χ and qzz values were decreased. However, the results indicated that with exception of tautomer B, the order of qzz and χ values of nitrogen nuclei in tetrazole ring was exactly opposite of the order of resonance energy values for the same nitrogen nuclei in all tautomers and their mono-hydrated complexes. In addition, a significant decrease was noticed in χ and qzz values when a water molecule was put in different positions near the tetrazole ring in tautomers A-E. The mentioned result can be attributed to hydrogen bond formation between nitrogen nuclei and the oxygen of water. In mono-hydrated complexes, the σiso values around nitrogen atoms acting as hydrogen donors in hydrogen bond formation (N-H….OH2 ) were decreased, while its values were increased for nitrogen atoms acting as hydrogen acceptors in hydrogen bond formation(N….H-OH). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Supersonic jet cooled rotational spectrum of 2,4-difluorophenol

The microwave spectrum of the cis form of aromatic 2,4-difluorophenol (DFP) has been recorded and analyzed in the frequency range of 5–25GHz using a pulsed-jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Rotational transitions were measured for the parent and all unique single 13C substituted isotopologues and 18O in natural abundance and on enriched deuterium species on the hydroxyl group. The rotational (MHz), centrifugal distortion (kHz), and quadrupole coupling constants (MHz) in deuterium species were determined. The rotational constants for the parent species are obtained as A=3125.04158(43)MHz, B=1290.154481(54)MHz, C=913.197424(36)MHz, DJ = 0.020899(162)kHz, DK=0.9456(100)kHz, DJK=0.09273(65)kHz, d1=−0.00794(14)kHz, d2=−0.002356(93)kHz and for the deuterated species A=3125.38579(44)MHz, B=1261.749784(48)MHz, C=898.927184(27)MHz, DJ = 0.02096(19)kHz, DK=0.379(74)kHz, DJK=0.0880(11)kHz, d1=−0.00691(11)kHz, d2=−0.00183(11)kHz. The deuterium quadrupole coupling constants are χaa=−0.0109(33)MHz, and (χbb−χcc)=0.2985(59)MHz. The rs substitution structure was determined using the measured rotational constants of the isotopologues, a nonlinear least squares fit was performed to obtain the best fit gas phase r0 effective structure.Supporting ab initio (MP2) and density functional calculations provided consistent values for the rotational parameters, and molecular structure.

Determination of the hyperfine coupling constants of the 5D5/2 state of 85Rb atoms by using high signal-to-noise ratio electromagnetically-induced transparency spectra

We report the hyperfine splitting measurement of the 85Rb 5D5/2 state by electromagnetically induced transparency spectroscopy with high signal-to-noise ratio in the 85Rb 5S1/2-5P3/2-5D5/2 ladder-type system (m 780 nm + 776 nm). The frequency calibration is performed by employing a phase-type electro-optic modulator with a confocal Fabry-Perot cavity. From the measured hyperfine splittings among the manifolds of (F=5), (F=4) and (F=3) of the 85Rb 5D5/2 state, we determine the magnetic dipole hyperfine coupling constant (A= (-2.222 0.019) MHz) and the quadrupole coupling constant (B= (2.664 0.130) MHz) of 5D5/2 state of 85Rb atoms.

The role of amino acid side chains in stabilizing dipeptides: the laser ablation Fourier transform microwave spectrum of Ac-Val-NH2.

The steric effects imposed by the isopropyl group of valine in the conformational stabilization of the capped dipeptide N-acetyl-l-valinamide (Ac-Val-NH2) have been studied by laser ablation molecular beam Fourier transform microwave (LA-MB-FTMW) spectroscopy. The rotational and quadrupole coupling constants of the two 14N nuclei determined in this work show that this dipeptide exists as a mixture of C7 and C5 conformers in the supersonic expansion. The conformers are stabilized by a C[double bond, length as m-dash]OH-N intramolecular hydrogen bond closing a seven- or a five-membered ring, respectively. The observation of both conformers is in good agreement with previous results on the related dipeptides containing different residues, confirming that the polarity/non-polarity of the side chains of the amino acid is responsible for the conformational locking/unlocking. The voluminous isopropyl group is not able to prevent the less stable C5 conformer from forming but it destabilizes the C[double bond, length as m-dash]OH-N interaction.

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Properties of Bi3 TeBO9 or Bi3 (TeO6 )(BO3 ): A Non-Centrosymmetric Borate-Tellurate(VI) of Bismuth.

Pale-yellow single crystals of the new borate tellurate(VI) Bi3 TeBO9 were obtained by reaction of stoichiometric amounts of Bi2 O3 , B2 O3 , and Te(OH)6 at 780 °C. The non-centrosymmetric crystal structure (P63 , Z=2, a=8.7454(16), c=5.8911(11) Å, 738 refl., 43 param, R1=0.037, wR2=0.093) contains isolated trigonal-planar BO3 units and nearly undistorted TeO6 octahedra. The Bi3+ cations are located in between in octahedral voids. The BiO6 octahedra are significantly distorted to a [3+3] pattern (2.25/2.50 Å) due to the ns2 configuration. According to the structural features, the formula can be written as Bi3 (TeO6 )(BO3 ). Alternatively, the structure can also be described as hcp of oxygen with TeVI and BiIII in octahedral voids and BIII in trigonal- planar voids. The vibrational spectra show the typical features of BO3 and TeO6 units with a significant 10 B/11 B isotopic splitting of the IR-active B-O valence mode (1248 and 1282 cm-1 ). The UV/Vis spectrum shows an optical band edge with an onset around 480 nm (2.6 eV). MAS-NMR spectra of 11 B show an anisotropic signal with a quadrupole coupling constant of CQ =2.55 MHz. and a very small deviation from rotational symmetry (η=0.2). The isotropic chemical shift is 20.1 ppm. The second harmonic generation (SHG) test was positive with an activity comparable to potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP). Bi3 TeBO9 decomposes in air at 825 °C to Bi2 TeO5 .

Multinuclear solid-state magnetic resonance study of oxo-bridged diniobium and quadruply-bonded dimolybdenum carboxylate clusters

Carboxylate paddlewheels and their oxo-bridged analogues constitute ideal building blocks for the assembly of two- and three-dimensional framework materials. Here, we present a multinuclear (1H, 13C, 93Nb, 95Mo) magnetic resonance study of solid samples of Nb2OCl6(O2Ph)2 (1), Mo2(O2CMe)4 (2), and Mo2(O2CCHF2)4 (3). High-resolution proton and 13C CP/MAS NMR spectra provide valuable information on structure and crystal symmetry and on cocrystallized solvent. 93Nb solid-state NMR spectra of 1 provide quadrupolar coupling constants and chemical shift tensors which are characteristic of the axially asymmetric Nb-O-Nb bridging environment. 95Mo solid-state NMR spectra of 2 and 3 provide quadrupolar coupling constants and chemical shift tensors which are directly characteristic of the molybdenum-molybdenum quadruple bonds in these compounds. The quadruple bonds are characterized by particularly large 95Mo chemical shift tensor spans on the order of 5500ppm. Density functional theoretical computations provide good agreement with the 93Nb and 95Mo experimental data, with some exceptions noted. This work demonstrates possible NMR approaches to characterize more complex framework materials and provides key insight into the Mo-Mo quadruple bond.

Combining 27Al Solid-State NMR and First-Principles Simulations To Explore Crystal Structure in Disordered Aluminum Oxynitride.

The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique gives insight into the local information in a crystal structure, while Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) sketches out the framework of a crystal lattice. In this work, first-principles calculations were combined with the solid-state NMR technique and Rietveld refinement to explore the crystal structure of a disordered aluminum oxynitride (γ-alon). The theoretical NMR parameters (chemical shift, δiso, quadrupolar coupling constants, CQ, and asymmetry parameter, η) of Al22.5O28.5N3.5, predicted by the gauge-including projector augmented wave (GIPAW) algorithm, were used to facilitate the analytical investigation of the 27Al magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra of the as-prepared sample, whose formula was confirmed to be Al2.811O3.565N0.435 by quantitative analysis. The experimental δiso, CQ, and η of 27Al showed a small discrepancy compared with theoretical models. The ratio of aluminum located at the 8a to 16d sites was calculated to be 0.531 from the relative integration of peaks in the 27Al NMR spectra. The occupancies of aluminum at the 8a and 16d positions were determined through NMR investigations to be 0.9755 and 0.9178, respectively, and were used in the Rietveld refinement to obtain the lattice parameter and anion parameter of Al2.811O3.565N0.435. The results from 27Al NMR investigations and PXRD structural refinement complemented each other. This work provides a powerful and accessible strategy to precisely understand the crystal structure of novel oxynitride materials with multiple disorder.

Density functional explorations of quadrupole coupling constants for BN, BP, AlN, and AlP graphene–like structures

Stabilizations and atomic level quadrupole coupling constant (CQ) properties have been investigated for graphene–like monolayers (G–monolayers) of boron nitride (BN), boron phosphide (BP), aluminum nitride (AlN), and aluminum phosphide (AlP) structures. To this aim, density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to optimize the model structures and also to evaluate the CQ parameters. The results of optimizations indicated that the formations, polarities, and semiconducting properties of BN G–monolayer are more favorable than other investigated G–monolayers. Moreover, the atomic level CQ parameters also indicated that the atoms at the tips of monolayers have the most activities among other atoms and different properties have been seen for the atoms at different positions of monolayers. Differences of electronegativities are also important for the magnitudes of CQ properties as could be seen by larger values of CQ parameters for B and Al atoms in the BN and AlN G–monolayers in comparison with BP and AlP G–monolayers.

Solid-State 27Al NMR Spectroscopy of the γ-Al13 Keggin Containing Al Coordinated by a Terminal Hydroxyl Ligand.

We report solid-state 27Al NMR spectroscopic results for the sulfate salt of the γ-Al13 Keggin cluster, γ-[AlO4Al12(OH)25(OH2)11][SO4]3·[H2O]14, that provide a spectroscopic signature for partial hydrolysis of this Keggin-type cluster. In 27Al multiple-quantum magic-angle spinning NMR spectra, all 13 Al positions of the cluster are at least partially resolved and assigned with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the 27Al electric field gradients. The isotropic chemical shift of the single tetrahedral site, 75.7 ppm, is nearly identical to that reported for solutions from which the cluster crystallizes. Reflecting broadly similar coordination environments, the octahedral Al show mostly small variations in isotropic chemical shift (+7 to +11 ppm) and quadrupolar coupling constant (CQ; 6-7.5 MHz), except for one resonance that exhibits a much smaller CQ and another site with a larger value. DFT calculations show that deprotonation of a terminal water ligand, to form an η-OH group, causes a large reduction in the 27Al CQ, allowing assignment of a distinct, narrow peak for octahedral Al to this hydroxyl-terminated site. This result suggests a relationship between octahedral 27Al NMR line width and hydrolysis for solids prepared from Keggin-type clusters.

Geometries of H2S⋯MI (M = Cu, Ag, Au) complexes studied by rotational spectroscopy: The effect of the metal atom.

Complexes formed between H2S and each of CuI, AgI, and AuI have been isolated and structurally characterised in the gas phase. The H2S⋯MI complexes (where M is the metal atom) are generated through laser vaporisation of a metal rod in the presence of a low concentration of H2S and CF3I in a buffer gas of argon undergoing supersonic expansion. The microwave spectra of six isotopologues of each of H2S⋯CuI, H2S⋯AgI and three isotopologues of H2S⋯AuI have been measured by chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The spectra are interpreted to determine geometries for the complexes and to establish the values of structural parameters. The complexes have Cs symmetry at equilibrium and have a pyramidal configuration about the sulfur atom. The local C2 axis of the hydrogen sulfide molecule intersects the linear axis defined by the three heavy atoms at an angle, ϕ = 75.00(47)° for M = Cu, ϕ = 78.43(76)° for M = Ag, and ϕ = 71.587(13)° for M = Au. The trend in the molecular geometries is consistent with significant relativistic effects in the gold-containing complex. The force constant describing the interaction between the H2S and MI sub-units is determined from the measured centrifugal distortion constant, ΔJ, of each complex. Nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, χaa(M) and χaa(I) (where M denotes the metal atom), are determined for H2S⋯CuI and H2S⋯AuI for the first time.

A theoretical study of high-pressure-induced phases of LiAlH4 using calculated NQCC parameters

Quadrupolar parameters of nuclei can be used as a tool to understand the electronic structure of compounds. Lithium alanate (LiAlH4) is a potential hydrogen storage material because of its high capacity of 10.5 wt % H2. However, the drawbacks of its dehydrogenation process are the relatively high temperatures and the slow dehydrogenation kinetics; furthermore, its reversibility is rather poor. Understanding the bonding nature of Al and H is essential for improving its dehydrogenation performance. In this work the charge density distribution in LiAlH4 is studied. Thus using calculated nuclear quadrupole coupling constants of hydrogens (2H-NQCCs), the electronic structure of α-LiAlH4 with high pressure forms of LiAlH4, (β- and γ-LiAlH4) were compared. The results show that easier condition for dehydrogenation is expected in β-LiAlH4. Comparison of calculated dehydrogenation enthalpies of LiAlH4 phases verifies this prediction. The electric field gradient (EFG) of quadrupolar nuclei were calculated to obtain NQCC parameters. All calculations performed using Gaussian 03 at B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory.

Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance and nuclear quadrupole resonance as complementary tools to study quadrupolar nuclei in solids

AbstractSolid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy has largely overtaken nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) spectroscopy for the study of quadrupolar nuclei. In addition to information on the electric field gradient, SSNMR spectra may offer additional information concerning other NMR interactions such as magnetic shielding. With continued technological advances contributing to developments such as higher magnetic fields, SSNMR boasts several practical advantages over NQR. However, NQR is still a relevant technique, as it may often be the most practical approach in cases of extremely large quadrupolar coupling constants. Here, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of SSNMR and NQR spectroscopies, with the quadrupolar halogens serving as examples. The purpose of this article is to serve as a guide on using SSNMR and NQR as complementary tools, covering some of their practicalities, limitations, and experimental challenges.

14 N Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy of Amino Acids.

14 N ultra-wideline solid-state NMR (SSNMR) spectra were obtained for 16 naturally occurring amino acids and four related derivatives by using the WURST-CPMG (wideband, uniform rate, and smooth truncation Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill) pulse sequence and frequency-stepped techniques. The 14 N quadrupolar parameters were measured for the sp3 nitrogen moieties (quadrupolar coupling constant, CQ , values ranged from 0.8 to 1.5 MHz). With the aid of plane-wave DFT calculations of the 14 N electric-field gradient tensor parameters and orientations, the moieties were grouped into three categories according to the values of the quadrupolar asymmetry parameter, ηQ : low (≤0.3), intermediate (0.31-0.7), and high (≥0.71). For RNH3+ moieties, greater variation in N-H bond lengths was observed for systems with intermediate ηQ values than for those with low ηQ values (this variation arose from different intermolecular hydrogen-bonding arrangements). Strategies for increasing the efficiency of 14 N SSNMR spectroscopy experiments were discussed, including the use of sample deuteration, high-power 1 H decoupling, processing strategies, high magnetic fields, and broadband cross-polarization (BRAIN-CP). The temperature-dependent rotations of the NH3 groups and their influence on 14 N transverse relaxation rates were examined. Finally, 14 N SSNMR spectroscopy was used to differentiate two polymorphs of l-histidine through their quadrupolar parameters and transverse relaxation time constants. The strategies outlined herein permitted the rapid acquisition of directly detected 14 N SSNMR spectra that to date was not matched by other proposed methods.

Low-energy physics of three-orbital impurity model with Kanamori interaction

We discuss the low-energy physics of the three-orbital Anderson impurity model with the Coulomb interaction term of the Kanamori form which has orbital SO(3) and spin SU(2) symmetry and describes systems with partially occupied ${t}_{2g}$ shells. We focus on the case with two electrons in the impurity that is relevant to Hund's metals. Using the Schrieffer-Wolff transformation we derive an effective Kondo model with couplings between the bulk and impurity electrons expressed in terms of spin, orbital, and orbital quadrupole operators. The bare spin-spin Kondo interaction is much smaller than the orbit-orbit and spin-orbital couplings or is even ferromagnetic. Furthermore, the perturbative scaling equations indicate faster renormalization of the couplings related to orbital degrees of freedom compared to spin degrees of freedom. Both mechanisms lead to a slow screening of the local spin moment. The model thus behaves similarly to the related quantum impurity problem with a larger SU(3) orbital symmetry (Dworin-Narath interaction) where this was first observed. We find that the two problems actually describe the same low-energy physics since the SU(3) symmetry is dynamically established through the renormalization of the splittings between the orbital and quadrupole coupling constants to zero. The perturbative renormalization group results are corroborated with the numerical-renormalization group (NRG) calculations. The dependence of spin Kondo temperatures and orbital Kondo temperatures as a function of interaction parameters, the hybridization, and the impurity occupancy is calculated and discussed.

Characterization of the [18.42]0+ – X1Σ+ (0, 0) band of tantalum nitride, TaN

High resolution laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra of the [18.42]0+ − X1Σ+ (0,0) band of tantalum nitride, TaN, near 543nm, have been recorded and analyzed field-free and in the presence of a static electric field. The nuclear electric quadrupole hyperfine structure due to 181Ta(I=7/2) was resolved and analysis of the field-free spectrum yielded nuclear electric quadrupole coupling constants, eQq0, of −0.24025(75)cm−1 and −0.05755(76)cm−1 for the X1Σ+ and [18.42]0+ states, respectively. The Stark tuning of the R(0) and P(1) lines was analyzed to determine the magnitude of the molecular frame electric dipole moments, |μ→el|, of 3.33(4)D and 4.48(3)D for the X1Σ+ and [18.42]0+ states, respectively. The |μ→el| and eQq0 values are discussed in terms of predicted molecular orbitals for the X1Σ+ and [18.42]0+ states.

Precision of Electric-Field Gradient Predictions by Density Functional Theory and Implications for the Nuclear Quadrupole Moment and Its Error Bar of the 111Cd 245 keV 5/2+ Level

We present ab initio calculated electric-field gradient tensors at Cd sites in a set of simple yet diverse noncubic metals. By combining these predictions with carefully selected published experimental data, the nuclear quadrupole moment of the 245 keV 5/2+ level of 111Cd is determined to be 0.76(2) b. Knowing this quadrupole moment is important for time-differential perturbed angular correlation spectroscopy: decades of experimentally obtained nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for solids can now be more reliably converted into electronic structure information. For nuclear physics systematics, this is a rare opportunity to have reliable quadrupole moment information for a short-lived level that is not accessible to regular experimental methods. Much effort is spent on the determination of a meaningful error bar, which is an aspect that gained only recently more attention in the context of density functional theory predictions. This required assessing the numerical uncertainty in density functional the...