In contrast to catalytically active metal single atoms deposited on oxide nanoparticles, the crystalline nature of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) allows for a thorough characterization of reaction mechanisms. Using defect‐free HKUST‐1 MOF thin films, we demonstrate that Cu+/Cu2+ dimer defects, created in a controlled fashion by reducing the pristine Cu2+/Cu2+ pairs of the intact framework, account for the high catalytic activity in low‐temperature CO oxidation. Combining advanced IR spectroscopy and density functional theory we propose a new reaction mechanism where the key intermediate is an uncharged O2 species, weakly bound to Cu+/Cu2+. Our results reveal a complex interplay between electronic and steric effects at defect sites in MOFs and provide important guidelines for tailoring and exploiting the catalytic activity of single metal atom sites.

The potential of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for realizing porous, crystalline networks with tailored combinations of functional building blocks has attracted considerable scientific interest in the fields of gas storage, photocatalysis, and optoelectronics. Porphyrins are widely studied in biology and chemistry and constitute promising building blocks in the field of electroactive materials, but they reveal challenges regarding crystalline packing when introduced into COF structures due to their nonplanar configuration and strong electrostatic interactions between the heterocyclic porphyrin centers. A series of porphyrin-containing imine-linked COFs with linear bridges derived from terephthalaldehyde, 2,5-dimethoxybenzene-1,4-dicarboxaldehyde, 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxaldehyde and thieno[3,2- b ]thiophene-2,5-dicarboxaldehyde, were synthesized, and their structural and optical properties were examined. By combining X-ray diffraction analysis with density-functional theory (DFT) calculations on multiple length scales, we were able to elucidate the crystal structure of the newly synthesized porphyrin-based COF containing thieno[3,2- b ]thiophene-2,5-dicarboxaldehyde as linear bridge. Upon COF crystallization, the porphyrin nodes lose their 4-fold rotational symmetry, leading to the formation of extended slipped J-aggregate stacks. Steady-state and time-resolved optical spectroscopy techniques confirm the realization of the first porphyrin J-aggregates on a > 50 nm length scale with strongly red-shifted Q-bands and increased absorption strength. Using the COF as a structural template, we were thus able to force the porphyrins into a covalently embedded J-aggregate arrangement. This approach could be transferred to other chromophores; hence, these COFs are promising model systems for applications in photocatalysis and solar light harvesting, as well as for potential applications in medicine and biology.

Density functional theory calculations indicate that van der Waals fullerene dimers and larger oligomers can form interstitial electron traps in which the electrons are even more strongly bound than in isolated fullerene radical anions. The fullerenes behave like "super atoms", and the interstitial electron traps represent one-electron intermolecular σ-bonds. Spectroelectrochemical measurements on a bis-fullerene-substituted peptide provide experimental support. The proposed deep electron traps are relevant for all organic electronics applications in which non-covalently linked fullerenes in van der Waals contact with one another serve as n-type semiconductors.

A series of semiempirical PM6* and PM7 methods has been tested in reproducing relative conformational energies of 27 realistic-size complexes of 16 different transition metals (TMs). An analysis of relative energies derived from single-point energy evaluations on density functional theory (DFT) optimized conformers revealed pronounced deviations between semiempirical and DFT methods, indicating a fundamental difference in potential energy surfaces (PES). To identify the origin of the deviation, we compared fully optimized PM7 and respective DFT conformers. For many complexes, differences in PM7 and DFT conformational energies have been confirmed often manifesting themselves in false coordination of some atoms (H, O) to TMs and chemical transformations/distortion of coordination center geometry in PM7 structures. Despite geometry optimization with fixed coordination center geometry leading to some improvements in conformational energies, the resulting accuracy is still too low to recommend explored semiempirical methods for out-of-the-box conformational search/sampling: careful testing is always needed.

The self-assembly of molecular building blocks is a promising route to low-cost nanoelectronic devices. It would be very appealing to use computer-aided design to identify suitable molecules. However, molecular self-assembly is guided by weak interactions, such as dispersion, which have long been notoriously difficult to describe with quantum chemical methods. In recent years, several viable techniques have emerged, ranging from empirical dispersion corrections for DFT to fast perturbation and coupled-cluster theories. In this work, we test these methods for the dimer of the prototypical building block for nanoelectronics, C-fullerene. Benchmark quality data is obtained from DFT-based symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT), the adiabatic-connection fluctuation dissipation (ACFD) theorem using an adiabatic LDA kernel, and domain-based local pair natural orbital (DLPNO) coupled-pair and coupled-cluster methods. These benchmarks are used to evaluate economical dispersion-corrected DFT methods, double-hybrid DFT functionals, and second-order Møller-Plesset theory. Furthermore, we provide analytical fits to the benchmark interaction curves, which can be used for a coarse-grain description of fullerene self-assembly. These analytical expressions differ significantly from those reported previously based on bulk data.

A methodology is introduced for controlled postsynthetic thermal defect engineering (TDE) of precious group metal–organic frameworks (PGM-MOFs). The case study is based on the Ru/Rh analogues of the archetypical structure [Cu3(BTC)2] (HKUST-1; BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate). Quantitative monitoring of the TDE process and extensive characterization of the samples employing a complementary set of analytical and spectroscopic techniques reveal that the compositionally very complex TDE-MOF materials result from the elimination and/or fragmentation of ancillary ligands and/or linkers. TDE involves the preferential secession of acetate ligands, intrinsically introduced via coordination modulation during synthesis, and the gradual decarboxylation of ligator sites of the framework linker BTC. Both processes lead to modified Ru/Rh paddlewheel nodes. These nodes exhibit a lowered average oxidation state and more accessible open metal centers, as deduced from surface-ligand IR spectroscopy using CO as a probe and supported by density functional theory (DFT)-based computations. The monometallic and the mixed-metal PGM-MOFs systematically differ in their TDE properties and, in particular in the hydride generation ability (HGA). This latter property is an important indicator for the catalytic activity of PGM-MOFs, as demonstrated by the ethylene dimerization reaction to 1-butene.

Several standard semiempirical methods as well as the MMFF94 force field approximation have been tested in reproducing 8 DLPNO‐CCSD(T)/cc‐pVTZ level conformational energies and spatial structures for 37 organic molecules representing pharmaceuticals, drugs, catalysts, synthetic precursors, industry‐related chemicals (37conf8 database). All contemporary semiempirical methods surpass their standard counterparts resulting in more reliable conformational energies and spatial structures, even though at significantly higher computational costs. However, even these methods show unexpected failures in reproducing energy differences between several conformers of the crown ether 1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane (18‐crown‐6). Inexpensive force field MMFF94 approximation groups with contemporary semiempirical methods in reproducing the correct order of conformational energies and spatial structures, although the performance in predicting absolute conformational energies compares to standard semiempirical methods. Based on these findings, we suggest a two‐step strategy for reliable yet feasible conformational search and sampling in realistic‐size flexible organic molecules: i) geometry optimization/preselection of relevant conformers using the MMFF94 force field; ii) single‐point energy evaluations using a contemporary semiempirical method. We expect that developed database 37conf8 is going to be useful for development of semiempirical methods.

Nanosized transition metal particles are important materials in catalysis witha key role not only in academic research but also in many processes with industrial and societal relevance. Although small improvements in catalytic properties can lead to significant economic and environmental impacts, it is only now that knowledge-based design of such materials is emerging, partly because the understanding of catalytic mechanisms on nanoparticle surfaces is increasingly improving. A knowledge-based design requires bottom-up synthesis of well-defined model catalysts, an understanding of the catalytic nanomaterials "at work" (operando), and both a detailed understanding and a prediction by theoretical methods. This article reports on progress in colloidal synthesis of transition metal nanoparticles for preparation of model catalysts to close the materials gap between the discoveries of fundamental surface science and industrial application. The transition metal particles, however, often undergo extensive transformations when applied to the catalytic process and much progress has recently been achieved operando characterization techniques under relevant reaction conditions. They allow better understanding of size/structure-activity correlations in these systems. Moreover, the growth of computing power and the improvement of theoretical methods uncover mechanisms on nanoparticles and have recently predicted highly active particles for CO/CO 2 hydrogenation or direct H 2 O 2 synthesis.