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The geometry of the neutral Au18 gold cluster was probed by a combination of quantum chemical calculations and far-infrared multiple photon dissociation (FIR-MPD) spectroscopy of a Kr messenger complex. Two low-lying isomers are identified to potentially contribute to the experimental IR spectrum, both being derived from a star-like Au17 structure upon capping with one extra Au atom either inside (18_1) or outside (18_5) the star. In particular, the present detection of structure 18_1 by DFT computations where a golden cage encapsulates an endohedral Au atom, is intriguing as a stable core–shell isomer has, to our knowledge, never been found before for such small neutral gold clusters. DFT and local coupled-cluster (DLPNO and PNO-CCSD(T)) computations indicate that both Au18 isomers are close to each other, within ∼3 kcal mol−1, on the energy scale. Although the exact energy ordering is again method-dependent and remains, at present, inconclusive, the most striking spectral signatures of both isomers are related to vibrational modes localized at atoms capping the inner pentaprism sub-structure that result in prominent peaks centered at ∼80 cm−1, close to the most prominent experimental feature found at 78 cm−1. The calculated IR spectra of both core–shell and hollow isomers are very similar to each other and both agree comparably well with the experimental FIR-MPD spectra of the Au18Kr1,2 complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the ion chemistry in flames is crucial for developing ion sensitive technologies for controlling combustion processes. In this work, we measured the spatial distributions of positive ions in atmospheric-pressure burner-stabilized premixed flames of ethylene/oxygen/argon mixtures in a wide range of equivalence ratios ϕ = 0.4÷1.5. A flame sampling molecular beam system coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to obtain the spatial distributions of cations in the flames, and a high mass resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer was utilized for the identification of the cations having similar m/z ratios. The measured profiles of the flame ions were corrected for the contribution of hydrates formed during sampling in the flames slightly upstream the flame reaction zone. We also proposed an updated ion chemistry model and verified it against the experimental profiles of the most abundant cations in the flames. Our model is based on the kinetic mechanism available in the literature extended with the reactions for C 3 H 5 + cation. Highly accurate W2-F12 quantum chemical calculations were used to obtain a reliable formation enthalpy of C 3 H 5 +. The model was found to reproduce properly the measured relative abundance of the key oxygenated cations (viz., CH 5 O+, C 2 H 3 O+) in the whole range of equivalence ratios employed, and the C 3 H 5 + cation abundance in the richest flame with ϕ=1.5, but significantly underpredicts the relative mole fraction of C 3 H 3 +, which becomes a key species under fuel-rich conditions. Apart from this, several aromatic and cyclic C x H y cations dominating under fuel-rich conditions were identified. We also considered the most important directions for the further refinement of the mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A convenient method to access the above perchlorates has been developed, based on the cyclocondensation of 3-aminofurazans with 1,3-diketones in the presence of HClO4. All compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structure determinations. Initial safety testing (impact and friction sensitivity) and thermal stability measurements (DSC/DTA) were also carried out. Energetic performance was calculated by using the PILEM code based on calculated enthalpies of formation and experimental densities at r.t. These salts exhibit excellent burn rates and combustion behavior and are promising ingredients for energetic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Au17 gold cluster was experimentally produced in the gas phase and characterized by its vibrational spectrum recorded using far-IR multiple photon dissociation (FIR-MPD) of Au17Kr. DFT and coupled-cluster theory PNO-LCCSD(T)-F12 computations reveal that, at odds with most previous reports, Au17 prefers two star-like forms derived from a pentaprism added by two extra Au atoms on both top and bottom surfaces of the pentaprism, along with five other Au atoms each attached on a lateral face. A good agreement between calculated and FIR-MPD spectra indicates a predominant presence of these star-like isomers. Stabilization of a star form arises from strong orbital interactions of an Au12 core with a five-Au-atom string. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum chemical computations were used to reinvestigate the geometries, spectroscopic, and energetic properties of the gold clusters Au27q in three charge states (q = 1, 0, −1). Density functional theory (DFT) and the domain‐based local pair natural orbital modification of the coupled‐cluster theory DLPNO‐CCSD(T) calculations revealed that, at variance with earlier reports in the literature, while the anion Au27− tends to exist in a tube‐like form, both the lowest‐energy Au27 and Au27+ isomers exhibit a pyramidal shape. However, several isomers were found to lie very close in energy, thus rendering a structural transition and their coexistence easy to occur. More specifically, the equilibrium geometry of the neutral Au27 is a core‐shell pyramid‐like structure with one gold atom located inside. We also identified a novel ground state for the anion Au27− and located for the first time the global minimum of the cation Au27+. The vertical detachment energies of the neutral and anionic states were also computed and used to assign the available experimental photoelectron spectra. Although many Au27 isomers were predicted to be energetically quasi‐degenerate, the corresponding distinctive vibrational signatures can be used as fingerprints for the identification of cluster geometrical features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gas phase enthalpies of formation of nitroalkanes and their nitrate and aci-form isomers are calculated. The results analyze thermodynamics of the dissociation and isomerization reactions of the polynitro-substituted methanes.