Significance of hydrogen bonding and other noncovalent interactions in determining octahedral tilting in the CH3NH3PbI3 hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cell semiconductor

Retarding Phase Segregation via Lattice Reinforcement for Efficient and Stable Perovskite/Organic Tandems

The operational perovskite/organic tandems are subjected to light irradiation and driven by a higher bias voltage than single-junction solar cells, posing a severe challenge to their stabilities. Light irradiation can trigger halide phase segregation in the perovskite subcell, exacerbated under higher bias voltage through electron-phonon coupling. To address this, dimethylammonium ion (DMA+) incorporation delays perovskite crystallization by forming an intermediate phase, enhancing crystallinity, and reducing lattice structural defects. DMA+ with a larger ionic radius entering the A-site of lattice tilts the [PbX6]4- (X: I or Br) octahedral, enlarging the perovskite bandgap, shortening Pb─I bonds, and reinforcing the lattice. This mitigates halide escaping from the lattice and subsequent ion migration. Phase segregation in the perovskite subcell is significantly suppressed under high-power irradiation and bias voltage. Consequently, the perovskite subcell exhibits increased and stable quasi-Fermi-level splitting values, delivering a high open-circuit voltage of 1.34 V. Notably, 0.062-cm2 and 1.004-cm2 perovskite/organic tandems achieved remarkable efficiencies of 26.15% (certified of 25.34%) and 24.87%, respectively, exhibiting excellent operational stability of T90 ∼ 1350 h.

Octahedral units in halide perovskites

Metal halide perovskites, with an ABX3 crystal structure, possess excellent photophysical properties for (opto)electronic applications including photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes, photodetectors and transistors. To pave the pathway towards commercial applications, enormous efforts have been made to obtain high-performance perovskite-based devices. The octahedral unit is considered to be the fundamental and functional unit of halide perovskite materials, consisting of a central B cation surrounded by six X anions, with typical dimensions of 5-6 Å. One promising pathway towards stable and high-performance perovskite devices is to manipulate this octahedral unit. Although rational engineering of octahedra has been used in oxide perovskites to unlock various functionalities, analogous targeted work has been relatively underexplored in halide perovskites. Here, we present fundamental concepts regarding octahedral configurations in metal halide perovskites and its effects on crystal structures, photophysical properties and device performance. We outline techniques that can be used for characterizing octahedral units and summarize different approaches to rationally manipulate these units. Finally, we discuss the challenges and outlook for future research to align octahedral units with device investigations.

Carbon Defects as Highly Active Sites for Gold Detection and Recovery

The use of precious metals (PMs) in many areas, such as printed circuit boards, catalysts, and target drugs, is increasing due to their unique physical and chemical properties, but their recovery remains a great challenge in terms of zero-valent PMs as the final product. We report a highly hydrophilic carbon dot (CD) as a reductant (electron donor), in which the defects in CD served as efficient active sites for zero-valent PMs recovery with an electron-donating capacity of ~1.7 mmol g-1. The reduction of gold follows a two-step dynamic model characterized by the formation of nano-gold nuclei (initial rapid electron transfer process) followed by an Ostwald ripening process (subsequent slow process). Finite element method (FEM) simulation shows that the reaction efficiency and confinement effect of AuCl4 - ions are positively correlated with defect density, indicating that the quantitative control of carbon defect density is the key to enhancing reduction activity. Combining density functional theory (DFT) with XPS and FTIR technology, we found that the electron is transferred from CD to Au(III) via hydrogen bonding. This nano carbon material can be exploited to recover gold from e-waste water directly, with the characteristics of reducing energy consumption and avoiding environmental pollution.

Chemical catalyst manipulating cancer epigenome and transcription

The number and variety of identified histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) are continually increasing. However, the specific consequences of each histone PTM remain largely unclear, primarily due to the lack of methods for selectively and rapidly introducing a desired histone PTM in living cells without genetic engineering. Here, we report the development of a cell-permeable histone acetylation catalyst, BAHA-LANA-PEG-CPP44, which selectively enters leukemia cells, binds to chromatin, and acetylates H2BK120 of endogenous histones in a short reaction time. Time-course analyses of this in-cell catalytic reaction revealed that H2BK120 acetylation attenuates the chromatin binding of negative elongation factor E (NELFE), an onco-transcription factor. This H2BK120 acetylation-mediated removal of NELFE from chromatin reshapes transcription, slows leukemia cell viability, and reduces their tumorigenic potential in mice. Therefore, this histone acetylation catalyst provides a unique tool for elucidating the time-resolved consequences of histone PTMs and may offer a modality for cancer chemotherapy.

Role of A-Site Cation Hydrogen Bonds in Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskites: A Theoretical Insight

Hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskites (HOIPs) have garnered a significant amount of attention due to their exceptional photoelectric conversion efficiency. However, they still face considerable challenges in large-scale applications, primarily due to their instability. One key factor influencing this instability is the lattice softness attributed to the A-site cations. In this study, we investigated the effects of four different A-site cations (MA, FA, EA, and GA) on the lattice softness of perovskites by using a combination of ab initio molecular dynamics and first-principles calculations. Our results demonstrate that an increase in the number of hydrogen bonds for A-site cations correlates with enhanced lattice and atomic fluctuations, resulting in a reduction in the bulk modulus and an increase in the lattice softness. The strength of hydrogen bonding of the A-site cation increases the rotational energy barrier of the cation, along with the formation energy and kinetic coupling between the A-site cation and the [PbI6]4- octahedron. Consequently, this increases the lifetime of hydrogen bonding and enhances the rigidity of the perovskite lattice. Notably, we found that EA cations, which exhibit stronger hydrogen bonding with fewer total hydrogen bonds, can limit the rotation of the A-site cation, inhibit the rocking motion of the [PbI6]4- octahedron, and thereby increase the rigidity of the inherently soft perovskite lattice, ultimately enhancing the stability of the material. Our findings elucidate the effect of hydrogen bonding in A-site cations on the lattice softness of perovskites, providing valuable theoretical insights for the design of more stable HOIPs.

Ligand Assisted Hydrogen Bonding: A Game-Changer in Lead Passivation and Stability in Perovskite Solar Cells

Lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have demonstrated power conversion efficiencies comparable to silicon-based solar cells, yet their instability under environmental stressors, such as humidity, heat, and light, remains a significant barrier to commercialization. A primary cause of this instability is the uncoordinated lead ions (Pb2+), which accelerates the degradation of PSCs and pose environmental concerns due to potential lead leakage. Recently, the introduction of ligands into PSCs has shown promise in mitigating lead toxicity through effective passivation, primarily by forming hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) between functional groups of the ligands and the perovskite structure. In this minireview, we explore the critical role of H-bonds in stabilizing PSCs by enhancing the structural integrity of the perovskite layer and reducing lead leakage. Furthermore, we discuss the contribution of these ligands in defect passivation, hydrophobicity, self-encapsulation, cross-linking, and self-healing mechanisms. These insights will highlight the multi-functional capabilities of ligands in improving the long-term stability and durability of PSCs, offering pathways to address current challenges in their commercialization.

Picosecond Lifetimes of Hydrogen Bonds in the Halide Perovskite CH3NH3PbBr3

The structures and properties of organic-inorganic perovskites are influenced by the hydrogen bonding between the organic cations and the inorganic octahedral networks. This study explores the dynamics of hydrogen bonds in CH3NH3PbBr3 across a temperature range from 70 to 350 K, using molecular dynamics simulations with machine-learning force fields. The results indicate that the lifetime of hydrogen bonds decreases with increasing temperature from 7.6 ps (70 K) to 0.16 ps (350 K), exhibiting Arrhenius-type behavior. The geometric conditions for hydrogen bonding, which include bond lengths and angles, maintain consistency across the full temperature range. The relevance of hydrogen bonds for the vibrational states of the material is also evidenced through a detailed analysis of the vibrational power spectra, demonstrating their significant effect on the physical properties for this class of perovskites.

Strong Dependence of Point Defect Properties in Metal Halide Perovskites on Description of van der Waals Interaction

Weaker than ionic and covalent bonding, van der Waals (vdW) interactions can have a significant impact on structure and function of molecules and materials, including stabilities of conformers and phases, chemical reaction pathways, electro-optical response, electron-vibrational dynamics, etc. Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) are widely investigated for their excellent optoelectronic properties, stemming largely from high defect tolerance. Although MHPs are primarily ionic compounds, we demonstrate that vdW interactions contribute ∼5% to the total energy, and that static, dynamics, electronic and optical properties of point defects in MHPs depend significantly on the vdW interaction model used. Focusing on widely studied CsPbBr3 with the common Br vacancy and interstitial defects, we compare the PBE, PBE+D3, PBE+TS, PBE+TS/HI and PBE+MBD-NL models and show that vdW interactions strongly alter the global and local geometric structure, and change the fundamental bandgap, midgap state energies and electron-vibrational coupling. The vdW interaction sensitivity stems from involvement of heavy and highly polarizable chemical elements and the soft MHP structure.

Tailoring Polaron Dimensions in Lead-Tin Hybrid Perovskites

Charge carriers in the soft and polar perovskite lattice form so-called polaron quasiparticles, charge carriers dressed with a lattice deformation. The spatial extent of a polaron is governed by the material's electron-phonon interaction strength, which determines charge carrier effective mass, mobility, and the so-called Mott polaron density, that is, the maximum stable density of charge carriers that a perovskite can support. Despite its significance, controlling polaron dimensions has been challenging. Here, experimental substantial tuning of polaron dimensions is reported by lattice engineering, through Pb/Sn substitution in CH3NH3SnxPb1-xI3. The polaron dimension is deduced from the Mott polaron density, which can be composition-tuned over an order of magnitude, while charge carrier mobility occurs through band transport, and remains substantial across all compositions, ranging from 10 s to 100 s cm2 V s-1 at room temperature. The effective modulation of polaron size can be understood by considering the bond asymmetry after carrier injection as well as the random spatial distribution of Pb/Sn ions. This study underscores the potential for tailoring polaron dimensions, which is crucial for optimizing applications prioritizing either high charge carrier density or high mobility.

σ-Hole, lone-pair-hole, and π-hole site-based interactions in aerogen-comprising complexes: a comparative study

Herein, the potential of ZO3 and ZF2 aerogen-comprising molecules (where Z = Ar, Kr, and Xe) to engage in σ-, lp-, and π-hole site-based interactions was comparatively studied using various ab initio computations. For the first time, a premier in-depth elucidation of the external electric field (EEF) influence on the strength of the σ-, lp-, and π-hole site-based interactions within the ZO3/ZF2⋯NH3 and ⋯NCH complexes was addressed using oriented EEF with disparate magnitude. Upon the energetic features, σ-hole site-based interactions were noticed with the most prominent preferability in comparison to lp- and π-hole analogs. This finding was ensured by the negative interaction energy values of -11.65, -3.50, and -2.74 kcal mol-1 in the case of σ-, lp-, and π-hole site-based interactions within the XeO3⋯ and XeF2⋯NH3 complexes, respectively. Detailedly, the strength of the σ- and lp-hole site-based interactions directly correlated with the atomic size of the aerogen atoms and the magnitude of the positively oriented EEF. Unexpectedly, an irregular correlation was noticed for the interaction energies of the π-hole site-based interactions with the size of the π-hole. Interestingly, the π-hole site-based interactions within Kr-comprising complexes exhibited higher negative interaction energies than the Ar- and Xe-comprising counterparts. Notwithstanding, a direct proportion between the interaction energies of the π-hole site-based interactions and π-hole size was obtained by employing EEF along the positive orientation with high strength. The present outcomes would be a fundamental basis for forthcoming progress in studying the σ-, lp-, and π-hole site-based interactions within aerogen-comprising complexes and their pertinent applications in materials science and crystal engineering.

Orthorhombic lead-free hybrid perovskite CH3NH3SnI3 under strain: an ab initio study

We report a computational study where we explore the possibility of tuning the electronic properties of orthorhombic methylammonium tin iodide CH3NH3SnI3 using strains. According to our findings, a moderate [001] strain, smaller than 2%, would open the band gap up to 1.25 eV and enhance the exciton binding energy, opening up new possibilities for the use of CH3NH3SnI3 in technological applications. To better understand the impact of strain, we also examined its influence on bonding properties. The results reveal that the directional pnictogen and the hydrogen bonding are not altered by strains and that the tuning of the electronic properties is the result of changes induced in the orbital contributions to states near the Fermi level and the tilting of the SnI6 octahedral units.

σ-Hole Site-Based Interactions within Hypervalent Pnicogen, Halogen, and Aerogen-Bearing Molecules with Lewis Bases: A Comparative Study

σ-Hole site-based interactions in the trigonal bipyramidal geometrical structure of hypervalent pnicogen, halogen, and aerogen-bearing molecules with pyridine and NCH Lewis bases (LBs) were comparatively examined. In this respect, the ZF5···, XF3O2···, and AeF2O3···LB complexes (where Z = As, Sb; X = Br, I; Ae = Kr, Xe; and LB = pyridine and NCH) were investigated. The electrostatic potential (EP) analysis affirmations outlined the occurrence of σ-holes on the systems under consideration with disparate magnitudes that increased according to the following order: AeF2O3 < XF3O2 < ZF5. In line with EP outcomes, the proficiency of σ-hole site-based interactions increased as the atomic size of the central atom increased with a higher favorability for the pyridine-based complexes over NCH-based ones. The interaction energy showed the most favorable negative values of -35.97, -44.53, and -56.06 kcal/mol for the XeF2O3···, IF3O2···, and SbF5···pyridine complexes, respectively. The preferentiality pattern of the studied interactions could be explained as a consequence of (i) the dramatic rearrangement of ZF5 molecules from the trigonal bipyramid geometry to the square pyramidal one, (ii) the significant and tiny deformation energy in the case of the interaction of XF3O2 molecules with pyridine and NCH, respectively, and (iii) the absence of geometrical deformation within the AeF2O3···pyridine and ···NCH complexes other than the XeF2O3···pyridine one. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules and noncovalent interaction index findings reveal the partially covalent nature of most of the investigated interactions. Symmetry-adapted perturbation theory affirmations declared that the electrostatic component was the driving force beyond the occurrence of the considered interactions. The obtained findings will help in improving our understanding of the effect of geometrical deformation on intermolecular interactions.

Guanidinium and hydrogen carbonate rosette layers: Distance and degree topological indices, Szeged-type indices, entropies, and NMR spectral patterns

Supramolecular chemistry explores non-covalent interactions between molecules, and it has facilitated the design of functional materials and understanding of molecular self-assembly processes. We investigate a captivating class of supramolecular structures, the guanidinium and hydrogen carbonate rosette layers. These rosette layers are composed of guanidinium cations and carbonate anions, exhibiting intricate hydrogen-bonding networks that lead to their unique structural properties. Topological and entropy indices unveil the connectivity and complexity of the structures, providing valuable insights for diverse applications. We have developed the cut method technique to deconstruct the guanidinium and hydrogen carbonate rosette layers into smaller components and obtain the distance, Szeged-type and entropy measures. Subsequently, we conducted a comparative analysis between topological indices and entropies which contributes to a deeper understanding of the structural complexity of these intriguing supramolecular systems. We have derived the degree based topological indices and entropies of the underlying rosette layers. Furthermore, our computations reveal several isentropic structures associated with degree and entropy indices. We have employed distance vector sequence-based graph theoretical techniques in conjunction with symmetry-based combinatorial methods to enumerate and construct the various NMR spectral patterns which are demonstrated to contrast the isomers and networks of the rosettes.

3-Thiophenemalonic Acid Additive Enhanced Performance in Perovskite Solar Cells

The development of ambient-air-processable organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (OIHPSCs) is a challenge necessary for the transfer of laboratory-scale technology to large-scale and low-cost manufacturing of such devices. Different approaches like additives, antisolvents, composition engineering, and different deposition techniques have been employed to improve the morphology of the perovskite films. Additives that can form Lewis acid-base adducts are known to minimize extrinsic impacts that trigger defects in ambient air. In this work, we used the 3-thiophenemalonic acid (3-TMA) additive, which possesses thiol and carboxyl functional groups, to convert PbI2, PbCl2, and CH3NH3I to CH3NH3PbI3 completely. This strategy is effective in regulating the kinetics of crystallization and improving the crystallinity of the light-absorbing layer under high relative humidity (RH) conditions (30-50%). As a result, the 3-TMA additive increases the yield of the power conversion efficiency (PCE) from 14.9 to 16.5% and its stability under the maximum power point. Finally, we found that the results of this work are highly relevant and provide additional inputs to the ongoing research progress related to additive engineering as one of the efficient strategies to reduce parasitic recombination and enhance the stability of inverted OIHPSCs in ambient environment processing.

Gas-Phase vs. Grain-Surface Formation of Interstellar Complex Organic Molecules: A Comprehensive Quantum-Chemical Study

Several organic chemical compounds (the so-called interstellar complex organic molecules, iCOMs) have been identified in the interstellar medium (ISM). Examples of iCOMs are formamide (HCONH2), acetaldehyde (CH3CHO), methyl formate (CH3OCHO), or formic acid (HCOOH). iCOMs can serve as precursors of other organic molecules of enhanced complexity, and hence they are key species in chemical evolution in the ISM. The formation of iCOMs is still a subject of a vivid debate, in which gas-phase or grain-surface syntheses have been postulated. In this study, we investigate the grain-surface-formation pathways for the four above-mentioned iCOMs by transferring their primary gas-phase synthetic routes onto water ice surfaces. Our objective is twofold: (i) to identify potential grain-surface-reaction mechanisms leading to the formation of these iCOMs, and (ii) to decipher either parallelisms or disparities between the gas-phase and the grain-surface reactions. Results obtained indicate that the presence of the icy surface modifies the energetic features of the reactions compared to the gas-phase scenario, by increasing some of the energy barriers. Therefore, the investigated gas-phase mechanisms seem unlikely to occur on the icy grains, highlighting the distinctiveness between the gas-phase and the grain-surface chemistry.

Coupling to octahedral tilts in halide perovskite nanocrystals induces phonon-mediated attractive interactions between excitons

Understanding the origin of electron-phonon coupling in lead halide perovskites is key to interpreting and leveraging their optical and electronic properties. Here we show that photoexcitation drives a reduction of the lead-halide-lead bond angles, a result of deformation potential coupling to low-energy optical phonons. We accomplish this by performing femtosecond-resolved, optical-pump-electron-diffraction-probe measurements to quantify the lattice reorganization occurring as a result of photoexcitation in nanocrystals of FAPbBr3. Our results indicate a stronger coupling in FAPbBr3 than CsPbBr3. We attribute the enhanced coupling in FAPbBr3 to its disordered crystal structure, which persists down to cryogenic temperatures. We find the reorganizations induced by each exciton in a multi-excitonic state constructively interfere, giving rise to a coupling strength that scales quadratically with the exciton number. This superlinear scaling induces phonon-mediated attractive interactions between excitations in lead halide perovskites.

Hydrogen Bonds in Lead Halide Perovskites: Insights from Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics

Hydrogen bonds (HBs) play an important role in the rotational dynamics of organic cations in hybrid organic/inorganic halide perovskites, thus affecting the structural and electronic properties of the perovskites. However, the properties and even the existence of HBs in these perovskites are not well established. In this study, we investigate HBs in perovskites MAPbBr3 (MA+ = CH3NH3+), FAPbI3 (FA+ = CH(NH2)2+), and their solid solution with composition (FAPbI3)7/8(MAPbBr3)1/8, using ab initio molecular dynamics and electronic structure calculations. We consider HBs donated by X-H fragments (X = N and C) of the organic cations and accepted by the halides (Y = Br and I) and characterize their properties based on pair distribution functions and on a combined distribution function of the hydrogen-acceptor distance with the donor-hydrogen-acceptor angle. By analyzing these functions, we establish geometrical criteria for HB existence based on the hydrogen-acceptor (H-Y) distance and donor-hydrogen-acceptor angle (X-H-Y). The distance condition is defined as d(H - Y) < 3 Å for N-H-donated HBs and d(H - Y) < 4 Å for C-H-donated HBs. The angular condition is 135° < (X - H - Y) < 180° for both types of HBs. A HB is considered to be formed when both angular and distance conditions are simultaneously satisfied. At the simulated temperature (350 K), the HBs dynamically break and form. We compute the time correlation functions of HB existence and HB lifetimes, which range between 0.1 and 0.3 ps at that temperature. The analysis of HB lifetimes indicates that N-H-Br bonds are relatively stronger than N-H-I bonds, while C-H-Y bonds are weaker, with a minimal influence from the halide and cation. To evaluate the impact of HBs on the vibrational spectra, we present the power spectrum in the region of N-H and C-H stretching modes, comparing them with the normal mode frequencies of isolated cations. We show that the peaks associated with N-H stretching modes in perovskites are redshifted and asymmetrically deformed, while the C-H peaks do not exhibit these effects.

Methylammonium Tetrel Halide Perovskite Ion Pairs and Their Dimers: The Interplay between the Hydrogen-, Pnictogen- and Tetrel-Bonding Interactions

The structural stability of the extensively studied organic-inorganic hybrid methylammonium tetrel halide perovskite semiconductors, MATtX₃ (MA = CH₃NH₃⁺; Tt = Ge, Sn, Pb; X = Cl, Br, I), arises as a result of non-covalent interactions between an organic cation (CH₃NH₃⁺) and an inorganic anion (TtX₃^-). However, the basic understanding of the underlying chemical bonding interactions in these systems that link the ionic moieties together in complex configurations is still limited. In this study, ion pair models constituting the organic and inorganic ions were regarded as the repeating units of periodic crystal systems and density functional theory simulations were performed to elucidate the nature of the non-covalent interactions between them. It is demonstrated that not only the charge-assisted N-H···X and C-H···X hydrogen bonds but also the C-N···X pnictogen bonds interact to stabilize the ion pairs and to define their geometries in the gas phase. Similar interactions are also responsible for the formation of crystalline MATtX₃ in the low-temperature phase, some of which have been delineated in previous studies. In contrast, the Tt···X tetrel bonding interactions, which are hidden as coordinate bonds in the crystals, play a vital role in holding the inorganic anionic moieties (TtX₃^-) together. We have demonstrated that each Tt in each [CH₃NH₃⁺•TtX₃^-] ion pair has the capacity to donate three tetrel (σ-hole) bonds to the halides of three nearest neighbor TtX₃^- units, thus causing the emergence of an infinite array of 3D TtX₆^4- octahedra in the crystalline phase. The TtX₄^4- octahedra are corner-shared to form cage-like inorganic frameworks that host the organic cation, leading to the formation of functional tetrel halide perovskite materials that have outstanding optoelectronic properties in the solid state. We harnessed the results using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, natural bond orbital, molecular electrostatic surface potential and independent gradient models to validate these conclusions.

The Tetrel Bond and Tetrel Halide Perovskite Semiconductors

The ion pairs [Cs+•TtX3-] (Tt = Pb, Sn, Ge; X = I, Br, Cl) are the building blocks of all-inorganic cesium tetrel halide perovskites in 3D, CsTtX3, that are widely regarded as blockbuster materials for optoelectronic applications such as in solar cells. The 3D structures consist of an anionic inorganic tetrel halide framework stabilized by the cesium cations (Cs+). We use computational methods to show that the geometrical connectivity between the inorganic monoanions, [TtX3-]∞, that leads to the formation of the TtX64- octahedra and the 3D inorganic perovskite architecture is the result of the joint effect of polarization and coulombic forces driven by alkali and tetrel bonds. Depending on the nature and temperature phase of these perovskite systems, the Tt···X tetrel bonds are either indistinguishable or somehow distinguishable from Tt-X coordinate bonds. The calculation of the potential on the electrostatic surface of the Tt atom in molecular [Cs+•TtX3-] provides physical insight into why the negative anions [TtX3-] attract each other when in close proximity, leading to the formation of the CsTtX3 tetrel halide perovskites in the solid state. The inter-molecular (and inter-ionic) geometries, binding energies, and charge density-based topological properties of sixteen [Cs+•TtX3-] ion pairs, as well as some selected oligomers [Cs+•PbI3-]n (n = 2, 3, 4), are discussed.

Ligand-Assisted Coupling Manipulation for Efficient and Stable FAPbI3 Colloidal Quantum Dot Solar Cells

For emerging perovskite quantum dots (QDs), understanding the surface features and their impact on the materials and devices is becoming increasingly urgent. In this family, hybrid FAPbI₃ QDs (FA: formamidium) exhibit higher ambient stability, near-infrared absorption and sufficient carrier lifetime. However, hybrid QDs suffer from difficulty in modulating surface ligand, which is essential for constructing conductive QD arrays for photovoltaics. Herein, assisted by an ionic liquid formamidine thiocyanate, we report a facile surface reconfiguration methodology to modulate surface and manipulate electronic coupling of FAPbI₃ QDs, which is exploited to enhance charge transport for fabricating high-quality QD arrays and photovoltaic devices. Finally, a record-high efficiency approaching 15 % is achieved for FAPbI₃ QD solar cells, and they retain over 80 % of the initial efficiency after aging in ambient environment (20-30 % humidity, 25 °C) for over 600 h.

Discovery of potential SARS-CoV 3CL protease inhibitors from approved antiviral drugs using: virtual screening, molecular docking, pharmacophore mapping evaluation and dynamics simulation

The spread of corona-virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been faster than any other corona-viruses that have succeeded in crossing the animal-human barrier. This disease, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona-virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV) posing a serious threat to global public health and local economies. There are three responsible for this disease; SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Whereas our goal is to test the affinity for a new class of compounds obtained from a hybridization of Chloroquine, Amodiaquine and Mefloquine with three targets SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, in order to find new compounds as new inhibitors against Covid-19. In this work, we first used: the molecular docking/dynamics methods and ADME properties to study interaction and affinity between eight new compounds against three targets involved in the Covid-19. The results of the docking simulations and dynamics revealed that inhibitor of the malaria (Ligand 87) has an affinity to interact with SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV targets and they can be good inhibitors for treatment of Covid-19. Moreover, they give best affinity compared to the Remdesivir and Chloroquine and other clinical tests. The Pharmacokinetics was justified by means of lipophilicity and high coefficient of skin permeability. The in silico evaluation of ADME and drug-likeness revealed that L87 has higher absorption in the intestines with good bioavailability. However, an additional in vitro and/or in vivo experimental study should make it possible to verify the theoretical results obtained in silico.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Empowering non-covalent hydrogen, halogen, and [S-N]2 bonds in synergistic molecular assemblies on Au(111)

Non-covalent bonds are fundamental for designing self-assembled organic structures with potentially high responsiveness to mechanical, light, and thermal stimuli. The weak intermolecular interaction allows triggering charge-transport, energy-conversion, enzymatic, and catalytic activity, to name a few. Here, we discuss the synergistic action that multiple highly-directional and purely electrostatic bonds have in assembling one molecular specie, namely 4,7-dibromobenzo[c]-1,2,5-thiadiazole (2Br-BTD), in two different patterns on the Au(111) surface. We find, using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT), that multiple secondary-interactions strengthen the electrostatic attraction between the pnicogen and chalcogen atoms forming [S-N]₂ heterocycles, the building block of the two networks. Among these interactions, there are halogen-halogen bonds that form characteristic supra-molecular synthons of 3, 4, or 6 molecules. However, not all these nodal structures contribute to the cohesion of the system. In such cases, other secondary bonds involving hydrogen or nitrogen compensate for the eventual deficiency.

Association Complexes of Calix[6]arenes with Amino Acids Explained by Energy-Partitioning Methods

Intermolecular complexes with calixarenes are intriguing because of multiple possibilities of noncovalent binding for both polar and nonpolar molecules, including docking in the calixarene cavity. In this contribution calix[6]arenes interacting with amino acids are studied with an additional aim to show that tools such as symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT), functional-group SAPT (F-SAPT), and systematic molecular fragmentation (SMF) methods may provide explanations for different numbers of noncovalent bonds and of their varying strength for various calixarene conformers and guest molecules. The partitioning of the interaction energy provides an easy way to identify hydrogen bonds, including those with unconventional hydrogen acceptors, as well as other noncovalent bonds, and to find repulsive destabilizing interactions between functional groups. Various other features can be explained by energy partitioning, such as the red shift of an IR stretching frequency for some hydroxy groups, which arises from their attraction to the phenyl ring of calixarene. Pairs of hydrogen bonds and other noncovalent bonds of similar magnitude found by F-SAPT explain an increase in the stability of both inclusion and outer complexes.

Structural and Magnetic Properties of Some Vacancy-Ordered Osmium Halide Perovskites

The structures and magnetic properties of the Os⁴⁺ (5d⁴) halides K₂OsCl₆, K₂OsBr₆, Na₂OsBr₆, and Na₂OsBr₆·6H₂O are described. K₂OsCl₆ and K₂OsBr₆ have a cubic vacancy-ordered double perovskite structure but undergo different symmetry-lowering structural phase transitions upon cooling associated with a combination of the relative size of the ions and differences in their chemical bonding. The structure of Na₂OsBr₆·6H₂O has been determined for the first time and the thermal stability of this has been established using a combination of in situ diffraction and TGA. Na₂OsBr₆·6H₂O and Na₂OsBr₆ are isostructural with the analogous iridium chlorides, Na₂IrCl₆·6H₂O and Na₂IrCl₆, and dehydration proceeds via different intermediate phases. The magnetic moments of four compounds display a Kotani-like behavior consistent with a J_eff = 0 ground state; however, the magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal unusual low temperature properties indicative of a weak magnetic ground state.

Definition of the Pnictogen Bond: A Perspective

This article proposes a definition for the term “pnictogen bond” and lists its donors, acceptors, and characteristic features. These may be invoked to identify this specific subset of the inter- and intramolecular interactions formed by elements of Group 15 which possess an electrophilic site in a molecular entity.

The Pnictogen Bond, Together with Other Non-Covalent Interactions, in the Rational Design of One-, Two- and Three-Dimensional Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Metal Halide Perovskite Semiconducting Materials, and Beyond

The pnictogen bond, a somewhat overlooked supramolecular chemical synthon known since the middle of the last century, is one of the promising types of non-covalent interactions yet to be fully understood by recognizing and exploiting its properties for the rational design of novel functional materials. Its bonding modes, energy profiles, vibrational structures and charge density topologies, among others, have yet to be comprehensively delineated, both theoretically and experimentally. In this overview, attention is largely centered on the nature of nitrogen-centered pnictogen bonds found in organic-inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskites and closely related structures deposited in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) and the Inorganic Chemistry Structural Database (ICSD). Focusing on well-characterized structures, it is shown that it is not merely charge-assisted hydrogen bonds that stabilize the inorganic frameworks, as widely assumed and well-documented, but simultaneously nitrogen-centered pnictogen bonding, and, depending on the atomic constituents of the organic cation, other non-covalent interactions such as halogen bonding and/or tetrel bonding, are also contributors to the stabilizing of a variety of materials in the solid state. We have shown that competition between pnictogen bonding and other interactions plays an important role in determining the tilting of the MX6 (X = a halogen) octahedra of metal halide perovskites in one, two and three-dimensions. The pnictogen interactions are identified to be directional even in zero-dimensional crystals, a structural feature in many engineered ordered materials; hence an interplay between them and other non-covalent interactions drives the structure and the functional properties of perovskite materials and enabling their application in, for example, photovoltaics and optoelectronics. We have demonstrated that nitrogen in ammonium and its derivatives in many chemical systems acts as a pnictogen bond donor and contributes to conferring stability, and hence functionality, to crystalline perovskite systems. The significance of these non-covalent interactions should not be overlooked, especially when the focus is centered on the rationale design and discovery of such highly-valued materials.

Regulating the Intermolecular Hydrogen Bond to Realize Directional Dimension Reduction of Lead Iodide Perovskite toward Low-Dimensional Photovoltaics

A low-dimensional organic amine lead halide perovskite is an attractive semiconductor material that has potential application prospects in photovoltaics, light-emitting diodes, detectors, X-ray imaging, and other fields. It has been reported that the photoelectric properties of low-dimensional perovskite can be controlled by adjusting the chain length of organic ammonium, the ratio of precursor components, and van der Waals interaction between amine molecules. Herein, we report the successful synthesis of low-dimensional perovskite (PdEA)PbI₄ (PdEA = piperidine ethylammonium) and (MlEA)PbI₄ (MlEA = morpholine ethylammonium) single crystals by regulating the intermolecular hydrogen bond of organic ammonium ligands. The two-dimensional (2D) layered structure (PdEA)PbI₄ single crystal with a fluorescence reflection peak at 563 nm was produced by the reaction of PdEA with PbO in a concentrated hydroiodic acid aqueous solution. Differently, the (MlEA)PbI₄ single crystal prepared by replacing MlEA with PdEA presents a one-dimensional (1D) rod structure, and its fluorescence reflection peak is located at 531 nm. The optical bandgaps of (PdEA)PbI₄ and (MlEA)PbI₄ perovskite films were about 2.16 and 2.33 eV, respectively. Low-dimensional perovskite solar cells with 2D (PdEA)PbI₄ and 1D (MlEA)PbI₄ of perovskite films yielded efficiencies of 1.18 and 1.52%, respectively.

Small practical cluster models for perovskites based on the similarity criterion of central location environment and their applications

Developing universal theoretical models for perovskites (often denoted as ABX₃) can contribute to the rational design of novel perovskite photovoltaic materials. However, few models can be successfully applied to study the intrinsic electronic structure due to the poor accuracy and unaffordable computational cost. Herein, we report the innovative construction of small practical cluster models through the similarity criterion of the central location environment, which retains only the central A-site as the original cation while the others are substituted by Cs to keep the clusters electrically neutral. The central cation has a chemical environment similar to that of the bulk perovskite. The binding energy between A and the BX framework, geometric structures (B-X distances and B-X-B angles), and the electronic structures (the gap and the spatial distribution of HOMO and LUMO, electron distribution) of these clusters have been investigated and compared with the corresponding properties of bulk materials. The results suggest that the cluster model with twelve B-atoms suitably describes these properties. The geometric structures and gaps are closer to the bulk situations than the quasi-one-dimensional and quasi-two-dimensional cluster models with all-primitive cations, respectively. Other organic cations, such as NH₃(CH₂)_nCH₃ (n = 1, 2, and 3 for EA, PA, and BA, respectively), and (NH₂)₂CH (FA) can, therefore, mimic perovskite materials. Clusters with different sizes of A indicate that PA and BA will distort the quasi-cubic structures, which is consistent with the judgment of the tolerance factor of bulk materials. The reliable cluster model provides the research foundation for some basic issues of perovskites, such as vibrational spectroscopy and hydrogen bonding strength, to gain detailed insight into the interactions between A and the BX framework.

The Pnictogen Bond: The Covalently Bound Arsenic Atom in Molecular Entities in Crystals as a Pnictogen Bond Donor

In chemical systems, the arsenic-centered pnictogen bond, or simply the arsenic bond, occurs when there is evidence of a net attractive interaction between the electrophilic region associated with a covalently or coordinately bound arsenic atom in a molecular entity and a nucleophile in another or the same molecular entity. It is the third member of the family of pnictogen bonds formed by the third atom of the pnictogen family, Group 15 of the periodic table, and is an inter- or intramolecular noncovalent interaction. In this overview, we present several illustrative crystal structures deposited into the Cambridge Structure Database (CSD) and the Inorganic Chemistry Structural Database (ICSD) during the last and current centuries to demonstrate that the arsenic atom in molecular entities has a significant ability to act as an electrophilic agent to make an attractive engagement with nucleophiles when in close vicinity, thereby forming σ-hole or π-hole interactions, and hence driving (in part, at least) the overall stability of the system’s crystalline phase. This overview does not include results from theoretical simulations reported by others as none of them address the signatory details of As-centered pnictogen bonds. Rather, we aimed at highlighting the interaction modes of arsenic-centered σ- and π-holes in the rationale design of crystal lattices to demonstrate that such interactions are abundant in crystalline materials, but care has to be taken to identify them as is usually done with the much more widely known noncovalent interactions in chemical systems, halogen bonding and hydrogen bonding. We also demonstrate that As-centered pnictogen bonds are usually accompanied by other primary and secondary interactions, which reinforce their occurrence and strength in most of the crystal structures illustrated. A statistical analysis of structures deposited into the CSD was performed for each interaction type As···D (D = N, O, S, Se, Te, F, Cl, Br, I, arene’s π system), thus providing insight into the typical nature of As···D interaction distances and ∠R–As···D bond angles of these interactions in crystals, where R is the remainder of the molecular entity.

Strength and Nature of Host-Guest Interactions in Metal-Organic Frameworks from a Quantum-Chemical Perspective

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a convenient means for capturing, transporting, and releasing small molecules. Their rational design requires an in-depth understanding of the underlying non-covalent host-guest interactions, and the ability to easily and rapidly pre-screen candidate architectures in silico. In this work, we devised a recipe for computing the strength and analysing the nature of the host-guest interactions in MOFs. By assessing a range of density functional theory methods across periodic and finite supramolecular cluster scale we find that appropriately constructed clusters readily reproduce the key interactions occurring in periodic models at a fraction of the computational cost. Host-guest interaction energies can be reliably computed with dispersion-corrected density functional theory methods; however, decoding their precise nature demands insights from energy decomposition schemes and quantum-chemical tools for bonding analysis such as the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, the non-covalent interactions index or the density overlap regions indicator.

The Role of Hydrogen Bonds in Interactions between [PdCl4]2- Dianions in Crystal

[PdCl4]2- dianions are oriented within a crystal in such a way that a Cl of one unit approaches the Pd of another from directly above. Quantum calculations find this interaction to be highly repulsive with a large positive interaction energy. The placement of neutral ligands in their vicinity reduces the repulsion, but the interaction remains highly endothermic. When the ligands acquire a unit positive charge, the electrostatic component and the full interaction energy become quite negative, signalling an exothermic association. Raising the charge on these counterions to +2 has little further stabilizing effect, and in fact reduces the electrostatic attraction. The ability of the counterions to promote the interaction is attributed in part to the H-bonds which they form with both dianions, acting as a sort of glue.

Unlocking surface octahedral tilt in two-dimensional Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites

Molecularly soft organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites are susceptible to dynamic instabilities of the lattice called octahedral tilt, which directly impacts their carrier transport and exciton-phonon coupling. Although the structural phase transitions associated with octahedral tilt has been extensively studied in 3D hybrid halide perovskites, its impact in hybrid 2D perovskites is not well understood. Here, we used scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to directly visualize surface octahedral tilt in freshly exfoliated 2D Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites (RPPs) across the homologous series, whereby the steric hindrance imposed by long organic cations is unlocked by exfoliation. The experimentally determined octahedral tilts from n = 1 to n = 4 RPPs from STM images are found to agree very well with out-of-plane surface octahedral tilts predicted by density functional theory calculations. The surface-enhanced octahedral tilt is correlated to excitonic redshift observed in photoluminescence (PL), and it enhances inversion asymmetry normal to the direction of quantum well and promotes Rashba spin splitting for n > 1.

The influence of compression on the lattice stability of α-FAPbI3 revealed by numerical simulation

The ambient stability of α-FAPbI3 perovskite remains one of the biggest barriers to the commercialization, despite many attempts to enhance its lifetime. Due to the difficulties in experimenting the transition...

Coupling Methylammonium and Formamidinium Cations with Halide Anions: Hybrid Orbitals, Hydrogen Bonding, and the Role of Dynamics

The electronic structures of four precursors for organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites, namely, methylammonium chloride and iodide, as well as formamidinium bromide and iodide, are investigated by X-ray emission (XE) spectroscopy at the carbon and nitrogen K-edges. The XE spectra are analyzed based on density functional theory calculations. We simulate the XE spectra at the Kohn-Sham level for ground-state geometries and carry out detailed analyses of the molecular orbitals and the electronic density of states to give a thorough understanding of the spectra. Major parts of the spectra can be described by the model of the corresponding isolated organic cation, whereas high-emission energy peaks in the nitrogen K-edge XE spectra arise from electronic transitions involving hybrids of the molecular and atomic orbitals of the cations and halides, respectively. We find that the interaction of the methylammonium cation is stronger with the chlorine than with the iodine anion. Furthermore, our detailed theoretical analysis highlights the strong influence of ultrafast proton dynamics in the core-excited states, which is an intrinsic effect of the XE process. The inclusion of this effect is necessary for an accurate description of the experimental nitrogen K-edge X-ray emission spectra and gives information on the hydrogen-bonding strengths in the different precursor materials.

Halogen Transfer to Carbon Radicals by High-Valent Iron Chloride and Iron Fluoride Corroles

High-valent iron halide corroles were examined to determine their reactivity with carbon radicals and their ability to undergo radical rebound-like processes. Beginning with Fe(Cl)(ttppc) (1) (ttppc = 5,10,15-tris(2,4,6-triphenylphenyl)corrolato^3-), the new iron corroles Fe(OTf)(ttppc) (2), Fe(OTf)(ttppc)(AgOTf) (3), and Fe(F)(ttppc) (4) were synthesized. Complexes 3 and 4 are the first iron triflate and iron fluoride corroles to be structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of 3 reveals an Ag^I-pyrrole (η²-π) interaction. The Fe(Cl)(ttppc) and Fe(F)(ttppc) complexes undergo halogen transfer to triarylmethyl radicals, and kinetic analysis of the reaction between (p-OMe-C₆H₄)₃C• and 1 gave k = 1.34(3) × 10³ M^-1 s^-1 at 23 °C and 2.2(2) M^-1 s^-1 at -60 °C, ΔH^⧧ = +9.8(3) kcal mol^-1, and ΔS^⧧ = -14(1) cal mol^-1 K^-1 through an Eyring analysis. Complex 4 is significantly more reactive, giving k = 1.16(6) × 10⁵ M^-1 s^-1 at 23 °C. The data point to a concerted mechanism and show the trend X = F^- > Cl^- > OH^- for Fe(X)(ttppc). This study provides mechanistic insights into halogen rebound for an iron porphyrinoid complex.

Exploring the Effect of Ammonium Iodide Salts Employed in Multication Perovskite Solar Cells with a Carbon Electrode

Perovskite solar cells that use carbon (C) as a replacement of the typical metal electrodes, which are most commonly employed, have received growing interest over the past years, owing to their low cost, ease of fabrication and high stability under ambient conditions. Even though Power Conversion Efficiencies (PCEs) have increased over the years, there is still room for improvement, in order to compete with metal-based devices, which exceed 25% efficiency. With the scope of increasing the PCE of Carbon based Perovskite Solar Cells (C-PSCs), in this work we have employed a series of ammonium iodides (ammonium iodide, ethylammonium iodide, tetrabutyl ammonium iodide, phenethylammonium iodide and 5-ammonium valeric acid iodide) as additives in the multiple cation-mixed halide perovskite precursor solution. This has led to a significant increase in the PCE of the corresponding devices, by having a positive impact on the photocurrent values obtained, which exhibited an increase exceeding 20%, from 19.8 mA/cm², for the reference perovskite, to 24 mA/cm², for the additive-based perovskite. At the same time, the ammonium iodide salts were used in a post-treatment method. By passivating the defects, which provide charge recombination centers, an improved performance of the C-PSCs has been achieved, with enhanced FF values reaching 59%, which is a promising result for C-PSCs, and V_oc values up to 850 mV. By combining the results of these parallel investigations, C-PSCs of the triple mesoscopic structure with a PCE exceeding 10% have been achieved, while the in-depth investigation of the effects of ammonium iodides in this PSC structure provide a fruitful insight towards the optimum exploitation of interface and bulk engineering, for high efficiency and stable C-PSCs, with a structure that is favorable for large area applications.

Reactivity of Coinage Metal Hydrides for the Production of H2 Molecules

The formation of molecular hydrogen as well as the possibility of using coinage metal hydrides as a prospective complex to produce hydrogen was presented in this work. Therefore, the reactions involving the interaction between two coinage metal hydrides, MH (M=Cu, Ag and Au, homo and heterodimers), were studied. The free energy profiles corresponding to aforementioned complexation were analysed by means of ab initio methods of quantum chemistry. The characteristics of these intermediates, final complexes and the electron density properties of the established interactions were discussed.

Intramolecular Hydrogen Bond, Hirshfeld Analysis, AIM; DFT Studies of Pyran-2,4-dione Derivatives

Intra and intermolecular interactions found in the developed crystals of the synthesized py-ron-2,4-dione derivatives play crucial rules in the molecular conformations and crystal stabili-ties, respectively. In this regard, Hirshfeld calculations were used to quantitatively analyze the different intermolecular interactions in the crystal structures of some functionalized py-ran-2,4-dione derivatives. The X-ray structure of pyran-2,4-dione derivative namely (3E,3′E)-3,3′-((ethane-1,2-diylbis(azanediyl))bis(phenylmethanylylidene))bis(6-phenyl-2H-pyran-2,4(3H)-dione) was determined. It crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system and C2/c space group with unit cell parameters: a = 14.0869(4) Å, b = 20.9041(5) Å, c = 10.1444(2) Å and β = 99.687(2)°. Generally, the H…H, H…C, O…H and C…C contacts are the most important interactions in the molecular packing of the studied pyran-2,4-diones. The molecular structure of these compounds is stabilized by intramolecular O…H hydrogen bond. The nature and strength of the O…H hy-drogen bonds were analyzed using atoms in molecules calculations. In all compounds, the O…H hydrogen bond belongs to closed-shell interactions where the interaction energies are higher at the optimized geometry than the X-ray one due to the shortening in the A…H distance as a con-sequence of the geometry optimization. These compounds have polar characters with different charged regions which explored using molecular electrostatic potential map. Their natural charges, reactivity descriptors and NMR chemical shifts were computed, discussed and compared.

Dynamic Effects and Hydrogen Bonding in Mixed-Halide Perovskite Solar Cell Absorbers

The organic component (methylammonium) of CH₃NH₃PbI_3-xCl_x-based perovskites shows electronic hybridization with the inorganic framework via H-bonding between N and I sites. Femtosecond dynamics induced by core excitation are shown to strongly influence the measured X-ray emission spectra and the resonant inelastic soft X-ray scattering of the organic components. The N K core excitation leads to a greatly increased N-H bond length that modifies and strengthens the interaction with the inorganic framework compared to that in the ground state. The study indicates that excited-state dynamics must be accounted for in spectroscopic studies of this perovskite solar cell material, and the organic-inorganic hybridization interaction suggests new avenues for probing the electronic structure of this class of materials. It is incidentally shown that beam damage to the methylamine component can be avoided by moving the sample under the soft X-ray beam to minimize exposure and that this procedure is necessary to prevent the creation of experimental artifacts.

Mixed formamidinium-methylammonium lead iodide perovskite from first-principles: hydrogen-bonding impact on the electronic properties

Hybrid perovskites with mixed organic cations such as methylammonium (CH₃NH₃, MA) and formamidinium (CH(NH₂)₂, FA) have attracted interest due to their improved stability and capability to tune their properties varying the composition. Theoretical investigations in the whole compositional range for these mixed perovskites are scarce in part due to the limitations of modeling cationic orientation disorder. In this work, we report on the local variation of the structural and electronic properties in mixed A-site cation MA/FA lead iodide perovskites FA_xMA_1-xPbI₃ evaluated from static first-principles calculations in certain structures where the orientations of organic cations result from examining the energy landscape of some compositions. The cation replacement at the A-site to form the solid solution causes an increased tilting of the inorganic PbI₆ octahedra: in the FA-rich compounds the replacement of FA by a smaller cation like MA is to compensate for the reduced space filling offered by the smaller cation, whereas in the MA-rich compounds it is to expand the space needed for the larger cation. In fact, the effect of octahedron tilting exceeds that of unit-cell size in determining the band gap for these organic cation mixtures. Our calculations indicate that the key role played by hydrogen bonds with iodine anions in the pure compounds, MAPbI₃ and FAPbI₃, is preserved in the cation mixed perovskites. It is found that MA-I bonds remain stronger than FA-I bonds throughout the composition range regardless of the unit-cell expansion as the FA content increases. Finally, from the analysis of electronic structures we unravel how the hydrogen bonds stabilize the non-bonding I-5p orbitals, spatially perpendicular to the Pb-I-Pb bond axis, lowering their energy when the H-I interaction occurs, which would explain the well-known role of hydrogen bonding in the structural stabilization of hybrid perovskites. These results contribute to the understanding of the role played by cation mixing at A sites in the physics of lead halide perovskites.

Quantification of Noncovalent Interactions in Azide-Pnictogen, -Chalcogen, and -Halogen Contacts

The noncovalent interactions between azides and oxygen‐containing moieties are investigated through a computational study based on experimental findings. The targeted synthesis of organic compounds with close intramolecular azide–oxygen contacts yielded six new representatives, for which X‐ray structures were determined. Two of those compounds were investigated with respect to their potential conformations in the gas phase and a possible significantly shorter azide–oxygen contact. Furthermore, a set of 44 high‐quality, gas‐phase computational model systems with intermolecular azide–pnictogen (N, P, As, Sb), –chalcogen (O, S, Se, Te), and –halogen (F, Cl, Br, I) contacts are compiled and investigated through semiempirical quantum mechanical methods, density functional approximations, and wave function theory. A local energy decomposition (LED) analysis is applied to study the nature of the noncovalent interaction. The special role of electrostatic and London dispersion interactions is discussed in detail. London dispersion is identified as a dominant factor of the azide–donor interaction with mean London dispersion energy‐interaction energy ratios of 1.3. Electrostatic contributions enhance the azide–donor coordination motif. The association energies range from −1.00 to −5.5 kcal mol⁻¹.

External electric field effects on the σ-hole and lone-pair hole interactions of group V elements: a comparative investigation

σ-hole and lone-pair (lp) hole interactions of trivalent pnicogen-bearing (ZF3) compounds were comparatively scrutinized, for the first time, under field-free and external electric field (EEF) conditions. Conspicuously, the sizes of the σ-hole and lp-hole were increased by applying an EEF along the positive direction, while the sizes of both holes decreased through the reverse EEF direction. The MP2 energetic calculations of ZF3⋯FH/NCH complexes revealed that σ-holes exhibited more impressive interaction energies compared to the lp-holes. Remarkably, the strengths of σ-hole and lp-hole interactions evolved with the increment of the positive value of the considered EEF; i.e., the interaction energy increased as the utilized EEF value increased. Unexpectedly, under field-free conditions, nitrogen-bearing complexes showed superior strength for their lp-hole interactions than phosphorus-bearing complexes. However, the reverse picture was exhibited for the interaction energies of nitrogen- and phosphorus-bearing complexes interacting within lp-holes by applying the high values of a positively directed EEF. These results significantly demonstrate the crucial influence of EEF on the strength of σ-hole and lp-hole interactions, which in turn leads to an omnipresent enhancement for variable fields, including biological simulations and material science.

Electronic and geometrical parametrization of the role of organic/inorganic cations on the photovoltaic perovskite band gap

Recent state-of-the-art analysis techniques have revealed the high sensitivity of new generation perovskite photovoltaics to the organic/inorganic A-cation's chemical composition and atomic configuration. Various studies have focused on an extensive list of potential candidates to find the best A-cation with optimum stability and efficiency output. Regarding the perovskite band gap, different characteristics such as cation size, constituent elements, atomic configuration, possible bonding potential and induced lattice distortion, have been considered to screen plausible A-cations. However, there is not a comprehensive and comparative framework for developing predictive models because of the strong correlation between governing parameters. In this research, we develop an innovative approach, using first principle methods, to parametrize the role of A-cation on the regulation of the well-known ABX3 perovskites band gap in a quantitative and comparative form. Parameters are introduced concerning the A-cation impact on the shared electrons of the B-X bonds, whose s and p states control the whole band structure. The A-cation induced geometrical distortion on the BX3 network, including the subsequent bond length and bond angle, are designated as indirect parameters; and its impact on the electronic states of B-X bonding through long range electronic interactions, is attributed as the direct role. Dissociation of correlative parameters is achieved by comparing the electronic properties of the BX3 network including and excluding their A-cation, as well as swapping different A-cations on the corresponding equivalent BX3 scaffolds. The governing mechanisms behind the direct/indirect contribution of Cs, methylammonium (MA) and formamidinium (FA) cations, regarding their impact on electronic charge density distribution and bonding tendency via the introduced parametrization, are investigated and discussed.

Inhibition analysis of aflatoxin by in silico targeting the thioesterase domain of polyketide synthase enzyme in Aspergillus ssp

The spread of fungal growth causes enormous economic, agricultural, and health problems for humans, such as Aspergillus sp., which produce aflatoxins. Thus, the inhibition of aflatoxin production became a precious target. In this research, the thioesterase (TE) domain from Polyketide synthase enzyme was selected to employ the in silico docking, using AutoDock Vina, against 623 natural compounds from the South African natural compound database (SANCDB), to identify potential inhibitors that can selectively inhibit thioesterase domain. The top ten inhibitors components were pinocembrin, typhaphthalide, p-coumaroylputrescine, dilemmaone A, 9-angelylplatynecine, 2,4,6-octatrienal, 4,8-dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-, (2e,4z,6e)-, lilacinobiose, 1,3,7-octatriene, 5,6-dichloro-2-(dichloromethyl)-6-methyl-, [r*,s*-(e)]-(-)- (9ci), lilacinobiose, 1,3,7-octatriene, 5,6-dichloro-2-(dichloromethyl)-6-methyl-, [r*,s*-(e)]-(-)- (9ci), 1,3,7-octatriene, 1,5,6-trichloro-2-(dichloromethyl)-6-methyl-, [r*,s*-(z,e)] and 9-angelylhastanecine and that depending on the lowest binding energy, the best chemical interactions and the best drug-likeness. The results of those components gave successful inhibition with the thioesterase domain. So, they can be used for inhibition and controlling aflatoxin contamination of agriculture crop yields, specially, pinocembrin which gave promising results.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Topological analysis of chemical bonding in the layered FePSe3 upon pressure-induced phase transitions

Two pressure-induced phase transitions have been theoretically studied in the layered iron phosphorus triselenide (FePSe₃ ). Topological analysis of chemical bonding in FePSe₃ has been performed based on the results of first-principles calculations within the periodic linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) method with hybrid Hartree-Fock-DFT B3LYP functional. The first transition at about 6 GPa is accompanied by the symmetry change from R 3 ¯ to C2/m, whereas the semiconductor-to-metal transition (SMT) occurs at about 13 GPa leading to the symmetry change from C2/m to P 3 ¯ 1 m . We found that the collapse of the band gap at about 13 GPa occurs due to changes in the electronic structure of FePSe₃ induced by relative displacements of phosphorus or selenium atoms along the c-axis direction under pressure. The results of the topological analysis of the electron density and its Laplacian demonstrate that the pressure changes not only the interatomic distances but also the bond nature between the intralayer and interlayer phosphorus atoms. The interlayer P-P interactions are absent in two non-metallic FePSe₃ phases while after SMT the intralayer P-P interactions weaken and the interlayer P-P interactions appear.

Solid-State NMR and NQR Spectroscopy of Lead-Halide Perovskite Materials

Two- and three-dimensional lead-halide perovskite (LHP) materials are novel semiconductors that have generated broad interest owing to their outstanding optical and electronic properties. Characterization and understanding of their atomic structure and structure-property relationships are often nontrivial as a result of the vast structural and compositional tunability of LHPs as well as the enhanced structure dynamics as compared with oxide perovskites or more conventional semiconductors. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy contributes to this thrust through its unique capability of sampling chemical bonding element-specifically (1/2H, 13C, 14/15N, 35/37Cl, 39K, 79/81Br, 87Rb, 127I, 133Cs, and 207Pb nuclei) and locally and shedding light onto the connectivity, geometry, topology, and dynamics of bonding. NMR can therefore readily observe phase transitions, evaluate phase purity and compositional and structural disorder, and probe molecular dynamics and ionic motion in diverse forms of LHPs, in which they can be used practically, ranging from bulk single crystals (e.g., in gamma and X-ray detectors) to polycrystalline films (e.g., in photovoltaics, photodetectors, and light-emitting diodes) and colloidal nanocrystals (e.g., in liquid crystal displays and future quantum light sources). Herein we also outline the immense practical potential of nuclear quadrupolar resonance (NQR) spectroscopy for characterizing LHPs, owing to the strong quadrupole moments, good sensitivity, and high natural abundance of several halide nuclei (79/81Br and 127I) combined with the enhanced electric field gradients around these nuclei existing in LHPs as well as the instrumental simplicity. Strong quadrupole interactions, on one side, make 79/81Br and 127I NMR rather impractical but turn NQR into a high-resolution probe of the local structure around halide ions.

Structural dynamics of CH3NH3+ and PbBr3- in tetragonal and cubic phases of CH3NH3PbBr3 hybrid perovskite by nuclear magnetic resonance

Understanding the structural dynamics of lead-halide perovskites is essential for their advanced use as photovoltaics. Here, the structural dynamics of the CH3NH3 cation and PbBr6 octahedra in the perovskite CH3NH3PbBr3 were studied via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to determine the mechanism of the transition from the tetragonal to cubic phase. The chemical shifts were obtained by 1H, 13C, and 207Pb magic angle spinning NMR and 14N static NMR. The chemical shifts of the 1H nuclei in CH3 and NH3 remained constant with increasing temperature, whereas those of the 13C and 207Pb nuclei varied near the phase transition temperature (TC = 236 K), indicating that the structural environments of 13C and 207Pb change near TC. The spin-lattice relaxation time T1ρ values for 1H, 13C, and 207Pb nuclei increased with increasing temperature and did not exhibit an abrupt change near TC. In addition, the two lines in the 14N NMR spectra superposed into one line near TC, indicating the occurrence of a phase transition to a cubic phase with higher symmetry than tetragonal. Consequently, the main factor causing the phase transition from the tetragonal to cubic phase near TC is a change in the surroundings of the 207Pb nuclei in the PbBr6 octahedra and of the C-N groups in the CH3NH3 cations.