In the recent years, interest in TM oxides with 5d valence electrons has grown immensely due to the realization of novel spin-orbit coupled ground states. In these compounds, e.g., iridates and osmates, the intriguing situation arises where the spin-orbit and electron-electron interactions meet on the same energy scale. This has created a new window of interest in these compounds since the interplay of crystal field effects, local multiplet physics, spin-orbit couplings, and intersite hopping can offer novel types of correlated ground states and excitations. In 5d5 iridates, a spin-orbit entangled j = 1/2 Mott insulating state has been realized recently. A remarkable feature of such a ground state is that it gives rise to anisotropic magnetic interactions. The 2D honeycomb-lattice 213 iridium oxides, A2IrO3 (A=Li,Na), have been put forward to host highly anisotropic bond-dependent spin-spin interactions that resemble the Kitaev spin model, which supports various types of topological phases relevant in quantum computing. The 2D square-lattice 214 iridates Sr2IrO4 and Ba2IrO4 are, on the other hand, appealing because of their perceived structural and magnetic simi- larity to La2CuO4, the mother compound of the cuprate high-Tc superconductors. This has promoted the latter iridium oxide compounds as novel platforms for the search of high-Tc superconductivity. To put such considerations on a firm footing, it is essential to quantify the different coupling strengths and energy scales, as they for instance appear in effective Hamiltonian descriptions of these correlated systems. Moreover, it is important to correctly describe their effects. In this thesis, the electronic structure and magnetic properties of 5d5 (mainly 214 and 213) iridates are studied using wave-function-based quantum chemistry methods. These methods are fully ab initio and are capable of accurately treating the electron-electron interactions without using any ad hoc parameters. The spin-orbit entangled j = 1/2 ground state in 214, 213 and other lower symmetry Sr3CuIrO6 and Na4Ir3O8 iridates is first analyzed in detail, by studying the local electronic structure of the 5d5 Ir4+ ion. We establish that the longer-range crystal anisotropy, i.e., low-symmetry fields related to ionic sites beyond the nearest neighbor oxygen cage, strongly influence the energies of Ir d levels. The ground state in all the compounds studied is j = 1/2 like with admixture from j ≃ 3/2 states ranging from 1 – 15 %. Further, the average j ≃ 1/2 → j ≃ 3/2 excitation energy we find is around 0.6 eV. The NN magnetic exchange interactions we computed for 214 iridates are predominantly isotropic Heisenberg-like with J ~ 60 meV, 3 – 4 times smaller than found in isostructural copper oxides. However, the anisotropic interactions are an order of magnitude larger than those in cuprates. Our estimates are in excellent agreement with those extracted from experiments, e.g., resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements. For the 213 honeycomb-lattice Na2IrO3 our calculations show that the relevant spin Hamiltonian contains further anisotropic terms beyond the Kitaev-Heisenberg model. Nevertheless, we predict that the largest energy scale is the Kitaev interaction, 10 to 20 meV, while the Heisenberg superexchange and off-diagonal symmetric anisotropic couplings are significantly weaker. In the sister compound Li2IrO3, we find that the structural inequivalence between the two types of Ir-Ir links has a striking influence on the effective spin Hamiltonian, leading in particular to two very different NN superexchange pathways, one weakly AF (~ 1 meV) and another strongly FM (−19 meV). The latter gives rise to rigid spin-1 triplets on a triangular lattice.

In the recent years, interest in TM oxides with 5d valence electrons has grown immensely due to the realization of novel spin-orbit coupled ground states. In these compounds, e.g., iridates and osmates, the intriguing situation arises where the spin-orbit and electron-electron interactions meet on the same energy scale. This has created a new window of interest in these compounds since the interplay of crystal field effects, local multiplet physics, spin-orbit couplings, and intersite hopping can offer novel types of correlated ground states and excitations. In 5d5 iridates, a spin-orbit entangled j = 1/2 Mott insulating state has been realized recently. A remarkable feature of such a ground state is that it gives rise to anisotropic magnetic interactions. The 2D honeycomb-lattice 213 iridium oxides, A2IrO3 (A=Li,Na), have been put forward to host highly anisotropic bond-dependent spin-spin interactions that resemble the Kitaev spin model, which supports various types of topological phases relevant in quantum computing. The 2D square-lattice 214 iridates Sr2IrO4 and Ba2IrO4 are, on the other hand, appealing because of their perceived structural and magnetic simi- larity to La2CuO4, the mother compound of the cuprate high-Tc superconductors. This has promoted the latter iridium oxide compounds as novel platforms for the search of high-Tc superconductivity. To put such considerations on a firm footing, it is essential to quantify the different coupling strengths and energy scales, as they for instance appear in effective Hamiltonian descriptions of these correlated systems. Moreover, it is important to correctly describe their effects. In this thesis, the electronic structure and magnetic properties of 5d5 (mainly 214 and 213) iridates are studied using wave-function-based quantum chemistry methods. These methods are fully ab initio and are capable of accurately treating the electron-electron interactions without using any ad hoc parameters. The spin-orbit entangled j = 1/2 ground state in 214, 213 and other lower symmetry Sr3CuIrO6 and Na4Ir3O8 iridates is first analyzed in detail, by studying the local electronic structure of the 5d5 Ir4+ ion. We establish that the longer-range crystal anisotropy, i.e., low-symmetry fields related to ionic sites beyond the nearest neighbor oxygen cage, strongly influence the energies of Ir d levels. The ground state in all the compounds studied is j = 1/2 like with admixture from j ≃ 3/2 states ranging from 1 – 15 %. Further, the average j ≃ 1/2 → j ≃ 3/2 excitation energy we find is around 0.6 eV. The NN magnetic exchange interactions we computed for 214 iridates are predominantly isotropic Heisenberg-like with J ~ 60 meV, 3 – 4 times smaller than found in isostructural copper oxides. However, the anisotropic interactions are an order of magnitude larger than those in cuprates. Our estimates are in excellent agreement with those extracted from experiments, e.g., resonant inelastic x-ray scattering measurements. For the 213 honeycomb-lattice Na2IrO3 our calculations show that the relevant spin Hamiltonian contains further anisotropic terms beyond the Kitaev-Heisenberg model. Nevertheless, we predict that the largest energy scale is the Kitaev interaction, 10 to 20 meV, while the Heisenberg superexchange and off-diagonal symmetric anisotropic couplings are significantly weaker. In the sister compound Li2IrO3, we find that the structural inequivalence between the two types of Ir-Ir links has a striking influence on the effective spin Hamiltonian, leading in particular to two very different NN superexchange pathways, one weakly AF (~ 1 meV) and another strongly FM (−19 meV). The latter gives rise to rigid spin-1 triplets on a triangular lattice.

<p>Radical polymers bearing open-shell moieties at their pendant sites offer potential advantages in processing, stability, and optoelectronic properties compared to conventional doped conjugated polymers. The rapid development of radical-containing polymers has occurred across various applications in energy storage devices and electronic systems. However, significant gaps still exist in understanding the key structure-property-function relationships governing charge transport phenomena in these materials. Most reported radical conductors primarily rely on (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl (TEMPO) radicals, which raises fundamental questions about the ultimate limits of charge transport capabilities and the impact of radical chemistry choice on material deficiencies. Moreover, an understanding gap persists when it comes to connecting the computable electronic features of individual units and the charge transport behavior of these materials in condensed phases. This dissertation seeks to address these gaps by developing a molecular understanding of charge transport in radical-bearing materials through a combined computational and experimental approach.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The initial stage of this dissertation investigated the impact of dimeric orientations and interactions on charge transport by conducting a density functional theory (DFT) study on a diverse set of open-shell chemistries relevant to radical conductors. The results revealed the anomalously high reorganization energies of the TEMPO radical due to strong spin-localization, which may result in inefficient charge transfer. Additionally, a significant mismatch was identified between dimeric conformations favored by intermolecular interactions and those maximizing charge transfer. This study provided new insights into the impact of steric hindrance and spin delocalization on elementary charge transfer steps and suggests opportunities for exploiting directing interactions to enhance charge transport in these materials.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Building upon these findings, we established a direct relationship between the molecular architecture and intrinsic charge transport properties. To accomplish this, single-molecule characterization methods (i.e., break junction techniques) were implemented to study the nanoscale charge transport properties of radical-containing oligomeric nonconjugated molecules. Temperature-dependent measurements and molecular modeling revealed that the presence of radicals improves tunneling at the nanoscale. Integrating open-shell moieties into nonconjugated molecular structures significantly enhances charge transport, thereby characterizing charge transport through radicals at the individual level and opening new avenues for implementing molecular engineering in the field of nanoelectronics.</p> <p><br></p> <p>To further connect the electronic properties of repeat units with the condensed-phase charge transport behavior of radical polymers, a quantum chemical study was carried out to explicitly evaluate the interplay between polymer design, open-shell chemistries, and intramolecular charge transport. After comprehensive conformational sampling of the configurational space of radical polymers, we determined their anticipated intrachain charge transport values by utilizing graph-based transport metrics. We show that charge transport in radical polymers primarily hinges on the choice of radical chemistry, which in turn affects the optimal selection of backbone chemistry and spacer group to ensure proper radical alignment and prevent undesired trap states. These findings highlight the potential for a substantial synthetic exploration in radical polymers for radical conductors.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In summary, this dissertation provides compelling evidence of radical-mediated charge transport and suggests potential design guidelines to enhance the charge transfer behavior of radical-containing polymer materials. Furthermore, these findings inform future research directions in fine-tuning molecular engineering and modular design to enable the development of radical-based materials and their end-use applications in organic electronics.</p>

iv Abstract Subject: Determination of structure and dynamics of biomolecules by theoretical calcu- lations of NMR spectroscopic parameters Author: Ladislav Benda, ladislav.benda@gmail.com Department/Institute: Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, AS CR Supervisor: Dr. Vladim'ır Sychrovsk'y, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, AS CR, vladimir.sychrovsky@uochb.cas.cz Abstract: This doctoral work was focused on theoretical modeling of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters in peptides and nucleic acids. Dependences of NMR para- meters on molecular structure and solvation were primarily modeled. Great emphasis was put on the comparison of the calculated data with the NMR experiment. The molecular models studied included the l-alanyl-l-alanine di-peptide (AA) and the phosphate group of nucleic acid backbone. Conformations of all three charged forms of AA in solution were determined and the respective pH-induced changes of experimental NMR chemical shifts and nuclear spin-spin coupling constants were explained. Dependences of NMR cross-correlated relaxation rates on the AA backbone geometry were calibrated. The 31 P NMR parameters in nucleic acid phosphate were systematically calculated in dependence on the backbone conformation and the phosphate solvation pattern. Qualitative rules...

Le comportement des actinides dans l’environnement (site miniers, sites de stockagedes déchets et sites contaminés) dépend de l’interaction de ces éléments avec des ligandsprésents dans les différents milieux (air, sol, eaux superficielles et souterraines). Lesinteractions des actinides avec des ligands organiques polyfonctionnels peuvent piéger ceséléments ou au contraire favoriser leur migration.Dans ce travail, le comportement d’actinides aux degrés d’oxydation III, V et VI ensolution aqueuse a été étudié en présence de deux ligands polyaminocarboxyliques : l’acidenitrilotriacétique (NTA) et l’acide iminodiacétique (IDA).L’étude de la complexation du protactinium pentavalent par NTA et IDA a été conduiteselon une double approche : une étude thermodynamique réalisée par extraction par solvant,avec le protactinium à l’échelle des traces (C233Pa < 10-10 M) et une étude structurale, avecle protactinium en quantité pondérable (C231Pa ≈ 10-3 M), réalisée par Spectroscopied’Absorption des rayons X (SAX) et complétée par des calculs de chimie quantique.Les variations du coefficient de distribution de Pa(V) dans le systèmeTTA/Toluène/ HClO4 / NaClO4 /Pa(V)/ligand en fonction de la concentration de ligands àplusieurs températures et/ou acidités ont permis de déterminer la stœchiométrie maximale et lacharge moyenne des complexes Pa(V)-NTA et Pa(V)-IDA ainsi que les constantes de formationassociées à chaque espèce. Une stœchiométrie maximale de 2 a été observée pour les deuxsystèmes. Pour le système Pa-NTA, les deux complexes successifs prédominants dans la phaseaqueuse sont une espèce neutre PaO(NTA) pour le complexe (1:1) et une espèce de charge -3pour le complexe (1:2) qui pourrait correspondre à PaO(NTA) -:R. Une étude complémentairepar Electrophorèse Capillaire couplé à un spectromètre de masse (EC-ICP-MS) a permis deconfirmer la charge (-3) du complexe Pa − (NTA)-. Pour le système Pa-IDA, les résultats ontmontré la formation successive de deux complexes positifs PaO(IDA)3+ et PaO(IDA)+2.Lagéométrie de coordination et les distances interatomiques des complexes de stœchiométriemaximale ont été déterminés à partir de calculs DFT ou de dynamique moléculaire.L’étude de la complexation d’actinides trivalents (Am et Cf) et hexavalents (Np et Pu)par IDA a été réalisée par EC-ICP-MS. Les variations de la mobilité électrophorétique globaleen fonction de la concentration en IDA-R ont permis de déterminer les constantes de formationdes actinides avec IDA. Les constantes de formation des complexes de stœchiométrie (1:1)sont rapportées pour Am (III) et Cf (III). Concernant les complexes Np (VI) et Pu (VI) avecl'acide iminodiacétique, les constantes de formation des complexes de stœchiométriques (1:1)et (1:2) ont été déterminées. / The behaviour of actinides in the environment (in the surroundings of uranium miningsites, waste storage or contaminated sites) depends on the interaction of these elements with theorganic ligands present in these different systems. The interactions of actinides withpolyfunctional organic ligands could trap the element or inversely, favour their migration.In this work, the behaviour of actinides (III, V and VI) in aqueous solution was studied in thepresence of two polyaminocarboxylic ligands: nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and iminodiaceticacid (IDA).The study of the complexation of pentavalent protactinium by NTA and IDA was conductedaccording to a dual approach. A thermodynamic study carried out by liquid-liquid extraction inthe system TTA/Toluene/HClO4/NaClO4/Pa(V)/ligand, with protactinium at tracer scale (C233Pa< 10−10 M), has been implemented in order to determine the stoichiometry, the mean charge ofcomplexes and the associated formation constants. A structural approach with protactiniumin weighable quantity (C231Pa≈ 10−3 M) was conducted in order to determine the coordination geometry of complexes and interatomic distances.The variations of the distribution coefficient D of Pa(V) as a function of nitrilotriacetateconcentration enabled to determine that the maximum stoichiometry for the Pa-NTA and Pa-IDA systems is 2. For the Pa-NTA system, the two successive complexes predominant in theaqueous phase are a neutral species for (1:1) complex PaO(NTA) and charge -3 for the (1:2)which may correspond to PaO(NTA) -:R. In addition, Capillary Electrophoresis InductivelyCoupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry experiments have been performed to confirm the charge (-3) for the maximum stoichiometry complex. For the Pa-IDA system, the results have shownthe successive formation of two positive complexes PaO(IDA)3+ and PaO(IDA)+2. Optimized structures of Pa-NTA and Pa-IDA complexes were established using DFT or molecular dynamics calculations.The complexation of trivalent (Am and Cf) and hexavalent (Np and Pu) actinides with IDA was performed by Capillary Electrophoresis coupled with Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry(CE-ICP-MS). The variations of overall electrophoresis mobility of actinides species as function of CIDA2 allow the determination of the formation constants of actinides IDAcomplexes. The formation constants of complexes with (1:1) stoichiometry are reported forAm(III) and Cf(III). Concerning the complexes Np(VI) and Pu(VI) with iminodiacetic acid,formation constants of (1:1) and (1:2) stoichiometry complexes were determined

Diese Dissertation befasst sich mit quantenchemischen Untersuchungen der CO2-Insertion in Si-N-Bindungen von Aminosilanen und der Zuverlässigkeit quantenchemischer Berechnungsmethoden. Es wurden verschiedene Verbindungsklassen, wie Piperazinderivate, Di- und Monoethanolaminderivate, einfache und spirozyklische Aminosilane verwendet. Zunächst wurde ein Benchmarking der verwendeten Berechnungsmethoden durchgeführt, um die für diese Forschung am besten geeigneten Methoden herauszufinden. Quantenchemische Berechnungen wurden genutzt, um die Reaktionen und die möglichen Prozesse aus der Sicht der Thermodynamik zu bewerten. Desweiteren wurde der Mechanismus der CO2-Insertion untersucht. Zu diesem Zweck wurden Geometrieoptimierungen der Übergangszustände durchgeführt, wobei die Aminosilan-CO2-Komplexe mit unterschiedlichem C-N-Abstand berücksichtigt wurden, um den Weg der Reaktanten zum Übergangszustand zu finden. Zusätzlich wurden NBO-Berechnungen durchgeführt, um den Reaktionsmechanismus zu entschlüsseln. Die berechneten IR- und NMR-Spektren wurden mit gemessenen Spektren verglichen und ihre Zuverlässigkeit wurde in der Arbeit bewertet.

Στην εργασία αυτή μελετάμε μια σειρά από αντιπροσωπευτικά νανοφασικά συστήματα πυριτίου, στο πλαίσιο κοινών ιδιοτήτων και αρχών που θα βοηθήσουν σε μελλοντικές εφαρμογές σχεδιασμού μοριακών υλικών βασισμένων σε αυτά τα συστήματα. Οι κατηγορίες των συστημάτων με τα οποία ασχολούμαστε είναι (α) υδρογονωμένα και μη-υδρογονωμένα νανοσυσσωματώματα και νανοκρυσταλλικά συστήματα πυριτίου με ή χωρίς ενσωματωμένα μέταλλα μετάπτωσης, που αποτελούν χαρακτηριστικά μοντέλα ενδοεπιφάνειας μετάλλου−ημιαγωγού, (β) υπέρλεπτα υδρογονωμένα νανοσύρματα πυριτίου και (γ) οργανομεταλλικά πολλαπλών στρώσεων (multidecker-sandwiches) πυριτίου−άνθρακα. Εκτός από τη μελέτη των δομικών, ηλεκτρονικών, οπτικών, δονητικών και μαγνητικών ιδιοτήτων των συστημάτων, εστιάζουμε στην αναζήτηση μηχανισμών σταθεροποίησης και την εύρεση και καθορισμό κανόνων που μπορούν να λειτουργήσουν ως «εργαλεία μοριακού σχεδιασμού» με τη γενικότερη δυνατή ισχύ. Τα συσσωματώματα πυριτίου σταθεροποιούνται μέσου των μετάλλων μετάπτωσης σε δομές κλωβού και χαρακτηρίζονται συχνά από υψηλή συμμετρία και μεγάλα ενεργειακά χάσματα, ιδιότητες επιθυμητές για εφαρμογές στην οπτοηλεκτρονική και νανοηλεκτρονική. Στη μελέτη των νανοσυρμάτων πυριτίου συγκρίνουμε την σταθερότητα μεταξύ νανοσυρμάτων με διαφορετικές επιφανειακές δομές ενώ διατυπώνουμε κανόνα «μαγικότητας» νανοσυρμάτων με τον οποίο ερμηνεύουμε την σταθερότητά τους και την συνδέουμε με την ελαστικότητα και την κατανομή υδρογόνου στην επιφάνεια τους. Τέλος, βασιζόμενοι στην ισολοβική αρχή the boron connection, σχεδιάζουμε και μελετάμε μια νέα κατηγορία νανοδομών τύπου multidecker sandwiches οργανοπυριτίου. Στη διάρκεια εκπόνησης αυτής της διατριβής δημοσιεύτηκαν συνολικά 19 εργασίες σε διεθνή περιοδικά και σε πρακτικά συνεδρίων. / In this work we study a series of representative nanoscale systems based on silicon, in the context of common properties and principles which will assist in future applications in designing molecular materials based on these systems. The categories of the systems which we work on are (a) hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated silicon nanoclusters and nanocrystallic systems with or without embedded transition metals, which constitute models of metal−semiconductor interfaces, (b) ultrathin hydrogenated silicon nanowires and (c) organometallic silicon−carbon multidecker-sandwiches. In addition to the study of structural, electronic, optical, vibrational and magnetic properties of these systems, we focus on a search for stabilizing mechanisms and in finding and defining rules that can function as “molecular designing tools” with the broadest possible validity. The silicon nanoclusters are stabilized to cage-like structures by the insertion of transition metals and are characterized by high symmetry and large energy gaps, desirable properties for applications in optoelectronics and nanoelectronics. In the study of silicon nanowires we compare the stability between nanowires with different surface structures while we formulate “magicity” rules for nanowires with which we interpret their stability and associate it with their elasticity and the distribution of the surface hydrogen. Finally, based on the isolobal principle the boron connection, we design and study a new class of organometallic multidecker-sandwich type nanostructures. During the elaboration of this dissertation we published overall 19 papers in international scientific journals and conferences’ proceedings.