Inelastic neutron scattering of large molecular systems: The case of the original benzylic amide [2]catenane

Abstract

The inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectrum of the original benzylic amide [2]catenane is recorded and simulated by a semiempirical quantum chemical procedure coupled with the most comprehensive approach available to date, the CLIMAX program. The successful simulation of the spectrum indicates that the modified neglect of differential overlap (MNDO) model can reproduce the intramolecular vibrations of a molecular system as large as a catenane (136 atoms). Because of the computational costs involved and some numerical instabilities, a less expensive approach is attempted which involves the molecular mechanics-based calculation of the INS response in terms of the most basic formulation for the scattering activity. The encouraging results obtained validate the less computationally intensive procedure and allow its extension to the calculation of the INS spectrum for a second, theoretical, co-conformer, which, although structurally and energetically reasonable, is not, in fact, found in the solid state. The second structure was produced by a Monte Carlo simulated annealing method run in the conformational space (a procedure that would have been prohibitively expensive at the semiempirical level) and is characterized by a higher degree of intramolecular hydrogen bonding than the x-ray structure. The two alternative structures yield different simulated spectra, only one of which, the authentic one, is compatible with the experimental data. Comparison of the two simulated and experimental spectra affords the identification of an inelastic neutron scattering spectral signature of the correct hydrogen bonding motif in the region slightly above 700 cm⁻¹. The study illustrates that combinations of simulated INS data and experimental results can be successfully used to discriminate between different proposed structures or possible hydrogen bonding motifs in large functional molecular systems.