H. Vrielinck

An extensive level of theory study is performed on diatomic chalcogen defects in alkali halide lattices by density functional theory methods. A variety of exchange correlation functionals and basis sets are used for the calculation of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters of XY− (X, Y = O, S, Se) molecular ions doped in MZ (M = Na, K, Rb and Z = Cl, Br, I) lattices. Various factors contribute to the EPR values, such as geometrical effects, the choice of basis set and functional form. A sensitivity analysis is made by comparing experimental and theoretical magnetic resonance data. A flow scheme is proposed for obtaining the best agreement between experimental and calculated g-values for chalcogen defects in alkali halides.

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), and ENDOR-induced EPR (EIE) measurements on sucrose single crystals at 10 K after in situ X irradiation at this temperature reveal the presence of at least nine different radical species. Nine proton hyperfine coupling tensors were determined from ENDOR angular variations and assigned to six of these species (R1−R6) using EIE. Spectral simulations indicate that four of those (R1−R3 and R6) dominate the EPR absorption. Assisted by periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations, R1 and R2 are identified as H-abstracted C1- and C5-centered radicals, R3 is tentatively assigned to an H-abstracted C6-centered radical, and R6 is identified as an alkoxy radical where the abstracted hydroxy proton has migrated to a neighboring OH group via intermolecular proton transfer. The latter radical had been characterized and identified in a previous study, but the present DFT calculations provide additional insight into its conformation and particular properties. This study provides the first step in unraveling the formation mechanism of the stable sucrose radicals detected after room-temperature irradiation and contributes to the understanding of the initial stages of radiation damage to solid-state carbohydrates.

Stable free radical formation in fructose single crystals X-irradiated at room temperature was investigated using Q-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), and ENDOR induced EPR (EIE) techniques. ENDOR angular variations in the three main crystallographic planes allowed an unambiguous determination of 12 proton HFC tensors. From the EIE studies, these hyperfine interactions were assigned to six different radical species, labeled F1−F6. Two of the radicals (F1 and F2) were studied previously by Vanhaelewyn et al. [Vanhaelewyn, G. C. A. M.; Pauwels, E.; Callens, F. J.; Waroquier, M.; Sagstuen, E.; Matthys, P. J. Phys. Chem. A 2006, 110, 2147.] and Tarpan et al. [Tarpan, M. A.; Vrielinck, H.; De Cooman, H.; Callens, F. J. J. Phys. Chem. A 2009, 113, 7994.]. The other four radicals are reported here for the first time and periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to aid their structural identification. For the radical F3 a C3 carbon centered radical with a carbonyl group at the C4 position is proposed. The close similarity in HFC tensors suggests that F4 and F5 originate from the same type of radical stabilized in two slightly different conformations. For these radicals a C2 carbon centered radical model with a carbonyl group situated at the C3 position is proposed. A rather exotic C2 centered radical model is proposed for F6.

A Metal Organic Framework, containing coordinatively saturated V+IV sites linked together by terephthalic linkers (V-MIL-47), is evaluated as a catalyst in the epoxidation of cyclohexene. Different solvents and conditions are tested and compared. If the oxidant TBHP is dissolved in water, a significant leaching of V-species into the solution is observed, and also radical pathways are prominently operative leading to the formation of an adduct between the peroxide and cyclohexene. If, however, the oxidant is dissolved in decane, leaching is negligible and the structural integrity of the V-MIL-47 is maintained during successive runs. The selectivity toward the epoxide is very high in these circumstances. Extensive computational modeling is performed to show that several reaction cycles are possible. EPR and NMR measurements confirm that at least two parallel catalytic cycles are co-existing: one with V+IV sites and one with pre-oxidized V+V sites, and this is in complete agreement with the theoretical predictions.