Maria Laura Mercuri

Bio: Maria Laura Mercuri is an academic researcher from University of Cagliari. The author has contributed to research in topics: Tetrathiafulvalene & Crystal structure. The author has an hindex of 33, co-authored 133 publications receiving 2947 citations. Previous affiliations of Maria Laura Mercuri include University of Trieste & Newcastle University.

A family of layered chiral porous magnets exhibiting tunable ordering temperatures.

Abstract: A simple change of the substituents in the bridging ligand allows tuning of the ordering temperatures, Tc, in the new family of layered chiral magnets A[MIIMIII(X2An)3]·G (A = [(H3O)(phz)3]+ (phz = phenazine) or NBu4+; X2An2– = C6O4X22– = 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone derivative dianion, with MIII = Cr, Fe; MII = Mn, Fe, Co, etc.; X = Cl, Br, I, H; G = water or acetone). Depending on the nature of X, an increase in Tc from ca. 5.5 to 6.3, 8.2, and 11.0 K (for X = Cl, Br, I, and H, respectively) is observed in the MnCr derivative. Furthermore, the presence of the chiral cation [(H3O)(phz)3]+, formed by the association of a hydronium ion with three phenazine molecules, leads to a chiral structure where the Δ-[(H3O)(phz)3]+ cations are always located below the Δ-[Cr(Cl2An)3]3– centers, leading to a very unusual localization of both kinds of metals (Cr and Mn) and to an eclipsed disposition of the layers. This eclipsed disposition generates hexagonal channels with a void volume of ca. 20% where guest molecul...

On the Use of Raman Spectroscopy in the Characterization of Iodine in Charge-Transfer Complexes

Abstract: FT-Raman spectra of some polyiodides and of a series of D·I2 chargetransfer complexes (where D is a molecule containing the thione or selone groups as donors), all characterized by x-ray diffraction, are reported. For the adducts with the thione compounds, which can be considered weak or medium-weak complexes, an empirical linear correlation between the frequency of the v(I-I) stretching vibrations and the d(I-I) bond distances has been found. Some polyiodides show FT-Raman spectra that are indistinguishable with respect to those displayed by the neutral complexes of weak or medium-weak strength; in such cases, the polyiodide can be regarded as a diiodine molecule, perturbed by an In- (n = 1, 3, ...) donor. Polyiodides of this type show Raman absorptions falling in the linear correlation.

Structure and emission properties of Er3Q9 (Q = 8-quinolinolate).

Abstract: We report the first combined optical and structural investigation of the water free Er-quinolinolate complex, an organo-lanthanide system of interest for 1.5-μm telecom applications. Structural data demonstrate that the complex has a trinuclear structure (Er3Q9) which provides the Er metals with an octa-coordination by the organic ligand and prevents solvent and water molecules from entering the lanthanide coordination sphere. The results of the structural analysis allow us to infer that the strong Er luminescence quenching exhibited by the Er3Q9 complex is due uniquely to resonant energy transfer to the aromatic C−H vibrations of the ligand, providing the correct tools to design more efficient emitters.

Taking advantage of luminescent lanthanide ions

Abstract: Lanthanide ions possess fascinating optical properties and their discovery, first industrial uses and present high technological applications are largely governed by their interaction with light. Lighting devices (economical luminescent lamps, light emitting diodes), television and computer displays, optical fibres, optical amplifiers, lasers, as well as responsive luminescent stains for biomedical analysis, medical diagnosis, and cell imaging rely heavily on lanthanide ions. This critical review has been tailored for a broad audience of chemists, biochemists and materials scientists; the basics of lanthanide photophysics are highlighted together with the synthetic strategies used to insert these ions into mono- and polymetallic molecular edifices. Recent advances in NIR-emitting materials, including liquid crystals, and in the control of luminescent properties in polymetallic assemblies are also presented. (210 references.)

The Halogen Bond

Abstract: The halogen bond occurs when there is evidence of a net attractive interaction between an electrophilic region associated with a halogen atom in a molecular entity and a nucleophilic region in another, or the same, molecular entity. In this fairly extensive review, after a brief history of the interaction, we will provide the reader with a snapshot of where the research on the halogen bond is now, and, perhaps, where it is going. The specific advantages brought up by a design based on the use of the halogen bond will be demonstrated in quite different fields spanning from material sciences to biomolecular recognition and drug design.

Ab initio calculation of vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra using density functional force fields

Abstract: : The unpolarized absorption and circular dichroism spectra of the fundamental vibrational transitions of the chiral molecule, 4-methyl-2-oxetanone, are calculated ab initio. Harmonic force fields are obtained using Density Functional Theory (DFT), MP2, and SCF methodologies and a 5S4P2D/3S2P (TZ2P) basis set. DFT calculations use the Local Spin Density Approximation (LSDA), BLYP, and Becke3LYP (B3LYP) density functionals. Mid-IR spectra predicted using LSDA, BLYP, and B3LYP force fields are of significantly different quality, the B3LYP force field yielding spectra in clearly superior, and overall excellent, agreement with experiment. The MP2 force field yields spectra in slightly worse agreement with experiment than the B3LYP force field. The SCF force field yields spectra in poor agreement with experiment.The basis set dependence of B3LYP force fields is also explored: the 6-31G* and TZ2P basis sets give very similar results while the 3-21G basis set yields spectra in substantially worse agreements with experiment. jg

A cartography of the van der Waals territories

Abstract: The distribution of distances from atoms of a particular element E to a probe atom X (oxygen in most cases), both bonded and intermolecular non-bonded contacts, has been analyzed. In general, the distribution is characterized by a maximum at short E⋯X distances corresponding to chemical bonds, followed by a range of unpopulated distances – the van der Waals gap – and a second maximum at longer distances – the van der Waals peak – superimposed on a random distribution function that roughly follows a d3 dependence. The analysis of more than five million interatomic “non-bonded” distances has led to the proposal of a consistent set of van der Waals radii for most naturally occurring elements, and its applicability to other element pairs has been tested for a set of more than three million data, all of them compared to over one million bond distances.