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Pat Lane

Publications and source records attributed to Pat Lane.

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An overview of halogen bonding.

Halogen bonding (XB) is a type of noncovalent interaction between a halogen atom X in one molecule and a negative site in another. X can be chlorine, bromine or iodine. The strength of the interaction increases in the order Cl<Br<I. After a brief review of experimental evidence relating to halogen bonding, we present an explanation for its occurrence in terms of a region of positive electrostatic potential that is present on the outermost portions of some covalently-bonded halogen atoms. The existence and magnitude of this positive region, which we call the sigma-hole, depends upon the relative electron-attracting powers of X and the remainder of its molecule, as well as the degree of sp hybridization of the s unshared electrons of X. The high electronegativity of fluorine and its tendency to undergo significant sp hybridization account for its failure to halogen bond. Some computed XB interaction energies are presented and discussed. Mention is also made of the importance of halogen bonding in biological systems and processes, and in crystal engineering.

Halogens↗

Analysis of the reaction force for a gas phase S(N)2 process: CH3Cl + H2O --> CH3OH + HCl.

The "reaction force" F(R(c)) is the negative derivative of a system's potential energy V(R(c)) along the intrinsic reaction coordinate of a process. If V(R(c)) goes through a maximum, as is commonly the case, then F(R(c)) has a characteristic profile: a negative minimum followed by zero at the transition state and then a positive maximum. These features reflect four phases of the reaction: an initial one of reactant preparation, followed by two of transition to products, and then relaxation of the latter. In this study, we have analyzed, in these terms, a gas-phase S(N)2 substitution, selected to be CH3Cl + H2O --> CH3OH + HCl. We examine, at the B3LYP/6-31G level, the geometries, energetics, and molecular surface electrostatic potentials, local ionization energies, and internal charge separation.

Journal Article↗

An unusual feature of end-substituted model carbon (6,0) nanotubes.

We have examined the effects of substituents on the computed electrostatic potentials V(S)(r) and average local ionization energies I(S)(r) on the surfaces of model carbon nanotubes of the types (5,5), (6,1) and (6,0). For the (5,5) and the (6,1), the effects upon both V(S)(r) and I(S)(r) of substituting a hydroxyl group at one end are primarily localized to that part of the system. For the (6,0) tube, however, a remarkable change is observed over its entire length, with V(S)(r) showing a marked gradation from strongly positive at the substituted end to strongly negative at the other; I(S)(r) correspondingly goes from higher to lower values. Replacing OH by another resonance- donor, NH2, produces similar results in the (6,0) system, while the resonance withdrawing NO2 does the opposite, but in equally striking fashion. We explain these observations by noting that the arrangement of the C-C bonds in the (6,0) tube facilitates charge delocalization over the full length and entire surface of the tube. Substituting NH2 and NO2 at opposite ends of the (6,0) tube greatly strengthens the gradations in both V(S)(r) and I(S)(r). The first hyperpolarizability of this system was found to be nine times that of para-nitroaniline, suggesting possible nonlinear optical applications. [figure: see text]. HF/STO-5G electrostatic potential on outer surface of open (6,0) C72H10NH2NO2. The nitro group is at the right end of the tube, the amino group at the left. In eV: purple is less than 14, blue is between 14 and 15, green is between 15 and 16.5, yellow is between 16.5 and 17.5, and red is more than 17.5.

Carbon↗

A new selection system to recruit general practice registrars: preliminary findings from a validation study.

OBJECTIVE: To design and validate a new competency based selection system to recruit general practice registrars, comprising a competency based application form, referees' reports, and an assessment centre. DESIGN: Longitudinal predictive validity study and a matched case comparison. SETTING: South Yorkshire and East Midlands region, United Kingdom, comprising three deaneries. PARTICIPANTS: 46 of 167 doctors were followed up in training after three months in practice, and 20 general practice trainers were selected by using traditional recruitment methods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Trainer ratings of trainee performance in practice on targeted competencies. RESULTS: Performance ratings of targeted competencies at the assessment centre predicted trainer ratings of performance in the job. Furthermore, those trainees recruited through the new competency based process performed significantly better in the job than those recruited through traditional recruitment processes. CONCLUSION: A new competency based selection process using assessment centres improves the validity of selection of general practice registrars compared with traditional selection techniques.

Adult↗

Comparative analysis of surface electrostatic potentials of carbon, boron/nitrogen and carbon/boron/nitrogen model nanotubes.

We have extended an earlier study, in which we characterized in detail the electrostatic potentials on the inner and outer surfaces of a group of carbon and B(x)N(x) model nanotubes, to include several additional ones with smaller diameters plus a new category, C(2x)B(x)N(x). The statistical features of the surface potentials are presented and analyzed for a total of 19 tubes as well as fullerene and a small model graphene. The potentials on the surfaces of the carbon systems are relatively weak and rather bland; they are much stronger and more variable for the B(x)N(x) and C(2x)B(x)N(x). A qualitative correlation with free energies of solvation indicates that the latter two categories should have considerably greater water solubilities. The inner surfaces are generally more positive than the corresponding outer ones, while both positive and negative potentials are strengthened by increasing curvature. The outsides of B(x)N(x) tubes have characteristic patterns of alternating positive and negative regions, while the insides are strongly positive. In the closed C(2x)B(x)N(x) systems, half of the C-C bonds are double-bond-like and have negative potentials above them; the adjacent rows of boron and nitrogens show the usual B(x)N(x) pattern. When the C(2x)B(x)N(x) tubes are open, with hydrogens at the ends, the surface potentials are dominated by the B+-H- and N(-)-H+ linkages.

Boron↗

Electrostatic potentials and covalent radii.

We begin with a brief overview of the electrostatic potential V(r) as a fundamental determinant of the properties of systems of electrons and nuclei. The minimum of V(r) along the internuclear axis between two bonded atoms is a natural and physically meaningful boundary point, at which the electrostatic forces of the two nuclei upon an element of charge exactly cancel. We propose that the distances from nuclei to V(r) bond minima provide the basis for a well-defined set of covalent radii. Density functional calculations at the B3PW91/6-311+G** level were carried out for 59 molecules to locate the V(r) minima in 95 bonds and use these as the basis for determining single- and multiple-bond covalent radii for eight first- and second-row atoms plus hydrogen. It was found to be unrealistic to assign a single covalent radius to each atom; different values are needed for bonds to first- and second-row atoms, as well as to hydrogen. Using these results, we are able to predict the bond lengths of 33 single and multiple bonds with average errors of less than 0.04 A relative to experimental data.

Journal Article↗