Condensed phase properties of platinum group metal complexes from computational simulations

Date
2004-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A variety of computational techniques are used to calculate structural, thermodynamic and transport properties of two specific Platinum Group Metal (PGM) complex systems. The first system consists of a PGM complex ([PdCl4]2-; [PtCl4]2-; [PtCl6]2- or [RhCl6]3-) with sodium counter-ions in a water solution at 30ºC and at a concentration of 0.106 mol/dm3. The second system under consideration is that of a PGM complex ([PdCl4]2-; [PtCl4]2-; [PtCl6]2- or [RhCl6]3-) with sodium counter-ions in a water solution in the presence of four poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains at 30ºC and at a concentration of 0.013 mol/dm3. A conformational study of the two types of dihedral angles in a PEO chain (-C-O-C-Cand -O-C-C-O-) is performed and the extreme flexibility of the polymer is confirmed. Dihedral angle distributions of the two dihedral angles are calculated and explained in terms of the potential energy surface obtained from the conformational study. The solvation geometries of the PGM complexes are confirmed and the results are contrasted with those in the system where the polymer (PEO) is present. It is concluded that the effect of the polymer on the structure and degree of solvation is negligible. The free energy of solvation values of the PGM complexes are calculated to provide insight into their structural characteristics such as solvation shell volume and geometry. The structural and thermodynamic properties of the PGM complexes in solution are also used to explain the trends observed in the calculated diffusion coefficients. Comments are made on the accuracy of the calculated diffusion coefficients as well as the legitimacy of the mechanistic speculations which results from them. Suggestions regarding possible future improvements to the computational methods are made.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskeie berekenings tegnieke is aangewend om die strukturele, termodinamiese en verplasings eienskappe van twee spesifieke Platinumgroep Metaal (PGM)-kompleks sisteme te bereken. Die eerste sisteem bestaan uit die PGM-kompleks ([PdCl4]2-; [PtCl4]2-; [PtCl6]2- of [RhCl6]3-) met natrium teenione in water by 30ºC en met ‘n konsentrasie van 0.106 mol/dm3. Die tweede sisteem bestaan uit die PGM-kompleks ([PdCl4]2-; [PtCl4]2-; [PtCl6]2- of [RhCl6]3-) met natrium teen-ione in water in die teenwoordigheid van vier poli-etileenoksied (PEO) kettings by 30ºC en met ‘n konsentrasie van 0.013 mol/dm3. ‘n Studie is gemaak van die konformasies van die twee soorte dihedrale-hoeke in ‘n PEOketting (-C-O-C-C- en -O-C-C-O-) en die insense buigbaarheid van die polimeer is hiermee bevestig. Die dihedrale-hoek-verspreidings van die twee tipes dihedrale hoeke is bereken en word verduidelik in terme van die potensiёle energie kromvlakke soos bereken tydens die konformasie analiese. Die geometrie van die solvasie van die PGM-komplekse is bereken en vergelyk met die sisteme waar die polimeer (PEO) teenwoordig is. Hieruit word afgelei dat die effek van die polimeer op die struktuur en graad van solvasie van die komplekse minimal is. Die vrye energie van solvasie van die PGMkomplekse is bereken met die doel om insig in te win oor die stukturele eienskappe soos byvoorbeeld die volume van die solvasie sfeer en die geometrie daarvan. Die strukturele en termodinamiese eienskappe van die PGM-komplekse in oplossing word ook gebruik om die neigings in die berekende diffusie koёffisiente te verduidelik. Opmerkings word gemaak aangaande die akkuraatheid van die berekende diffusie koeffisiente asook die geldigheid van die meganistiese spekulasies wat daaruit gemaak word. Voorstelle word ook gemaak rakende toekomsige verbeterings aan die reken tegnieke.
Description
Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004
Keywords
Metal complexes -- Computer simulation, Condensed matter -- Computer simulation, Platinum group, Theses -- Chemistry, Dissertations -- Chemistry
Citation