Fragment-based and structure-guided discovery of perforin inhibitors.

Perforin is a pore-forming protein whose normal function enables cytotoxic T and natural killer (NK) cells to kill virus-infected and transformed cells. Conversely, unwanted perforin activity can also result in auto-immune attack, graft rejection and aberrant responses to pathogens. Perforin is critical for the function of the granule exocytosis cell death pathway and is therefore a target for drug development.

Probing Oxide-Ion Mobility in the Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conductor La2NiO4+δ by Solid-State (17)O MAS NMR Spectroscopy.

While solid-state NMR spectroscopic techniques have helped clarify the local structure and dynamics of ionic conductors, similar studies of mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) have been hampered by the paramagnetic behavior of these systems. Here we report high-resolution (17)O (I = 5/2) solid-state NMR spectra of the mixed-conducting solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathode material La2NiO4+δ, a paramagnetic transition-metal oxide. Three distinct oxygen environments (equatorial, axial, and interstitial) can be assigned on the basis of hyperfine (Fermi contact) shifts and quadrupolar nutation behavior, aided by results from periodic DFT calculations.

Characterizing Oxygen Local Environments in Paramagnetic Battery Materials via (17)O NMR and DFT Calculations.

Experimental techniques that probe the local environment around O in paramagnetic Li-ion cathode materials are essential in order to understand the complex phase transformations and O redox processes that can occur during electrochemical delithiation. While Li NMR is a well-established technique for studying the local environment of Li ions in paramagnetic battery materials, the use of (17)O NMR in the same materials has not yet been reported. In this work, we present a combined (17)O NMR and hybrid density functional theory study of the local O environments in Li2MnO3, a model compound for layered Li-ion batteries.

H and Al Solid-State NMR Study of the Local Environments in Al-Doped 2-Line Ferrihydrite, Goethite, and Lepidocrocite.

Although substitution of aluminum into iron oxides and oxyhydroxides has been extensively studied, it is difficult to obtain accurate incorporation levels. Assessing the distribution of dopants within these materials has proven especially challenging because bulk analytical techniques cannot typically determine whether dopants are substituted directly into the bulk iron oxide or oxyhydroxide phase or if they form separate, minor phase impurities. These differences have important implications for the chemistry of these iron-containing materials, which are ubiquitous in the environment.

Joint Experimental and Computational O and H Solid State NMR Study of BaInO(OH) Structure and Dynamics.

A structural characterization of the hydrated form of the brownmillerite-type phase BaInO, BaInO(OH), is reported using experimental multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) energy and GIPAW NMR calculations. When the oxygen ions from HO fill the inherent O vacancies of the brownmillerite structure, one of the water protons remains in the same layer (O3) while the second proton is located in the neighboring layer (O2) in sites with partial occupancies, as previously demonstrated by Jayaraman et al. (Solid State Ionics2004, 170, 25-32) using X-ray and neutron studies.

Identifying the Structure of the Intermediate, LiCoPO, Formed during Electrochemical Cycling of LiCoPO.

In situ synchrotron diffraction measurements and subsequent Rietveld refinements are used to show that the high energy density cathode material LiCoPO (space group ) undergoes two distinct two-phase reactions upon charge and discharge, both occurring via an intermediate Li(Co)(Co)PO phase. Two resonances are observed for LiCoPO with intensity ratios of 2:1 and 1:1 in the P and Li NMR spectra, respectively. An ordering of Co/Co oxidation states is proposed within a ( × 3 × ) supercell, and Li/vacancy ordering is investigated using experimental NMR data in combination with first-principles solid-state DFT calculations.

IR near-field spectroscopy and imaging of single Li(x)FePO4 microcrystals.

This study demonstrates the unique capability of infrared near-field nanoscopy combined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to map phase distributions in microcrystals of Li(x)FePO4, a positive electrode material for Li-ion batteries. Ex situ nanoscale IR imaging provides direct evidence for the coexistence of LiFePO4 and FePO4 phases in partially delithiated single-crystal microparticles. A quantitative three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction of the phase distribution within a single microcrystal provides new insights into the phase transformation and/or relaxation mechanism, revealing a FePO4 shell surrounding a diamond-shaped LiFePO4 inner core, gradually shrinking in size and vanishing upon delithiation of the crystal.

First principles calculation of a large variation in dielectric tensor through the spin crossover in the CsFe[Cr(CN)₆] Prussian blue analogue.

The dielectric response of spin-crossover (SCO) materials is a key property facilitating their use in next-generation information processing technologies. Solid state hybrid density functional theory calculations show that the temperature-induced and strongly hysteretic SCO transition in the Cs(+)Fe(2+)[Cr(3+)(CN(-))6] Prussian blue analogue (PBA) is associated with a large change (Δ) in both the static, Δɛ(0)(HS - LS), and high frequency, Δɛ(∞)(HS - LS) dielectric constants. The SCO-induced variation in CsFe[Cr(CN)6] is significantly greater than the experimental Δɛ values observed previously in other SCO materials.

Joint experimental and computational 17O solid state NMR study of Brownmillerite Ba2In2O5.

Structural characterization of Brownmillerite Ba2In2O5 was achieved by an approach combining experimental solid-state NMR spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) energetics, and GIPAW NMR calculations. While in the previous study of Ba2In2O5 by Adler et al. (S.

Spin-transfer pathways in paramagnetic lithium transition-metal phosphates from combined broadband isotropic solid-state MAS NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations.

Substituted lithium transition-metal (TM) phosphate LiFe(x)Mn(1-x)PO(4) materials with olivine-type structures are among the most promising next generation lithium ion battery cathodes. However, a complete atomic-level description of the structure of such phases is not yet available. Here, a combined experimental and theoretical approach to the detailed assignment of the (31)P NMR spectra of the LiFe(x)Mn(1-x)PO(4) (x = 0, 0.

Structural modulation in the high capacity battery cathode material LiFeBO3.

The crystal structure of the promising Li-ion battery cathode material LiFeBO(3) has been redetermined based on the results of single crystal X-ray diffraction data. A commensurate modulation that doubles the periodicity of the lattice in the a-axis direction is observed. When the structure of LiFeBO(3) is refined in the 4-dimensional superspace group C2/c(α0γ)00, with α = 1/2 and γ = 0 and with lattice parameters of a = 5.

Probing cation and vacancy ordering in the dry and hydrated yttrium-substituted BaSnO3 perovskite by NMR spectroscopy and first principles calculations: implications for proton mobility.

Hydrated BaSn(1-x)Y(x)O(3-x/2) is a protonic conductor that, unlike many other related perovskites, shows high conductivity even at high substitution levels. A joint multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory (total energy and GIPAW NMR calculations) investigation of BaSn(1-x)Y(x)O(3-x/2) (0.10 ≤ x ≤ 0.

Thermal phase transformations in LaGaO(3) and LaAlO(3) perovskites: an experimental and computational solid-state NMR study.

Multinuclear (71)Ga, (69)Ga, (27)Al and (17)O NMR parameters of various polymorphs of LaGaO(3) and LaAlO(3) perovskites were obtained from the combination of solid-state MAS NMR with solid-state DFT calculations. Some of the materials studied are potential candidate electrolyte materials with applications in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (ITSOFCs). Small variations in the local distortions of the subject phases are experimentally observed by (71)Ga (and (69)Ga) and (27)Al NMR in the LaGaO(3) and LaAlO(3) phases, respectively, with heating to 1400 K.

Defects in doped LaGaO3 anionic conductors: linking NMR spectral features, local environments, and defect thermodynamics.

Doped lanthanum gallate perovskites (LaGaO(3)) constitute some of the most promising electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells operating in the intermediate temperature regime. Here, an approach combining experimental multinuclear NMR spectroscopy with density functional theory total energy and GIPAW NMR calculations yields a comprehensive understanding of the structural and defect chemistries of Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO(3) anionic conductors. The DFT energetics demonstrate that Ga-V(O)-Ga (V(O) = oxygen vacancy) environments are favored (vs Ga-V(O)-Mg, Mg-V(O)-Mg and Mg-O-Mg-V(O)-Ga) across a range y = 0.

Linking local environments and hyperfine shifts: a combined experimental and theoretical (31)P and (7)Li solid-state NMR study of paramagnetic Fe(III) phosphates.

Iron phosphates (FePO(4)) are among the most promising candidate materials for advanced Li-ion battery cathodes. This work reports upon a combined nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experimental and periodic density functional theory (DFT) computational study of the environments and electronic structures occurring in a range of paramagnetic Fe(III) phosphates comprising FePO(4) (heterosite), monoclinic Li(3)Fe(2)(PO(4))(3) (anti-NASICON A type), rhombohedral Li(3)Fe(2)(PO(4))(3) (NASICON B type), LiFeP(2)O(7), orthorhombic FePO(4)·2H(2)O (strengite), monoclinic FePO(4)·2H(2)O (phosphosiderite), and the dehydrated forms of the latter two phases. Many of these materials serve as model compounds relevant to battery chemistry.

Solid-state NMR calculations for metal oxides and gallates: shielding and quadrupolar parameters for perovskites and related phases.

The NMR parameters obtained from solid-state DFT calculations within the GIPAW approach for (17)O- and (69/71)Ga-sites in a range of predominantly oxide-based (group II monoxides, SrTiO(3), BaZrO(3), BaSnO(3), BaTiO(3), LaAlO(3), LaGaO(3), SrZrO(3), MgSiO(3) and Ba(2)In(2)O(5)), and gallate (alpha- and beta-Ga(2)O(3), LiGaO(2), NaGaO(2), GaPO(4) and LaGaO(3)) materials are compared with experimental values, with a view to the future application of a similar approach to doped phases of interest as candidate intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (ITSOFC) electrolytes. Isotropic and anisotropic chemical shift parameters, quadrupolar coupling constants, and associated asymmetries are presented and analyzed. The unusual GaO(5) site occurring in LaGaGe(2)O(7) is also fully characterised.

Investigation of surface structures by powder diffraction: a differential pair distribution function study on arsenate sorption on ferrihydrite.

Differential pair distribution function (d-PDF) analysis of high energy powder X-ray diffraction data was carried out on 2-line ferrihydrite nanoparticles with arsenate oxyanions adsorbed on the surface to investigate the binding mechanism. In this analysis, a PDF of ferrihydrite is subtracted from a PDF of ferrihydrite with arsenate sorbed on the surface, leaving only correlations from within the surface layer and between the surface and the particle. As-O and As-Fe correlations were observed at 1.

Experimental and theoretical charge density study of polymorphic isonicotinamide-oxalic acid molecular complexes with strong O...H...N hydrogen bonds.

Two polymorphs of the 2:1 molecular complex of isonicotinamide and oxalic acid have been characterized by combined X-ray charge density and single-crystal neutron diffraction studies at 100 K. Both polymorphs show strong O-H..

A new polymorph of N,N'-dimethylurea characterized by X-ray diffraction and first-principles lattice dynamics calculations.

In this study we present a combined crystallographic and computational study of a new polymorph of N,N'-dimethylurea (DMU) with P2(1)2(1)2 space group symmetry, along with a revised theoretical study of the previously known phase in its corrected space group (Fdd2). X-ray diffraction studies show crystal structures that are very similar, differing only in the relative orientation of the hydrogen-bonded molecular chains that are common to both phases. The vibrational spectra were obtained from B3LYP hybrid functional lattice dynamics calculations and compared with the experimental data for the known phase.

Temperature- and pressure-induced proton transfer in the 1:1 adduct formed between squaric acid and 4,4'-bipyridine.

We have applied a combination of spectroscopic and diffraction methods to study the adduct formed between squaric acid and bypridine, which has been postulated to exhibit proton transfer associated with a single-crystal to single-crystal phase transition at ca. 450 K. A combination of X-ray single-crystal and very-high flux powder neutron diffraction data confirmed that a proton does transfer from the acid to the base in the high-temperature form.

A combined experimental and theoretical charge density study of the chemical bonding and magnetism in 3-amino-propanolato Cu(II) complexes containing weakly coordinated anions.

The experimental (100 K) and theoretical charge densities in the binuclear complexes [Cu2(ap)2(L)2] (ap = 3-aminopropanolate) 1 (L = nitrite), 2 (L = nitrate), and 3 (L = formate) have been examined. These complexes contain the same centrosymmetric alkoxy-bridged motif, where each strongly Jahn-Teller distorted Cu(II) ion is ligated to three O atoms and one N atom in a square-planar arrangement. This primary coordination sphere is augmented by a long contact with the O atom of a pendant L anion from an adjacent molecule in the crystal lattice.

The phonon spectrum of phase-I ammonia: reassignment of lattice mode symmetries from combined molecular and lattice dynamics calculations.

The zone-center phonon spectra of phase-I ammonia and deuterated ammonia have been obtained from plane-wave DFT molecular dynamics and localized basis set harmonic lattice dynamics simulations. These data have proved to be excellent for benchmarking the two approaches. Significant changes to the assignments of the experimental low-frequency lattice modes are proposed on the basis of the calculated data.

Car-Parrinello and path integral molecular dynamics study of the hydrogen bond in the chloroacetic acid dimer system.

We have studied the double proton transfer (DPT) reaction in the cyclic dimer of chloroacetic acid using both classical and path integral Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics. We also attempt to quantify the errors in the potential energy surface that arise from the use of a pure density functional. In the classical dynamics a clear reaction mechanism can be identified, where asynchronized DPT arises due to coupling between the O-H stretching oscillator and several low energy intermolecular vibrational modes.

The application of cluster analysis to identify conformational preferences in enones and enimines from crystal structural data.

Cluster analysis can be an effective tool for analysing large quantities of data. Here it has been applied to the conformational analysis of enones and enimines in the crystalline solid state, using structural information mined from the Cambridge Structural Database. The forms that are common in the gaseous state and in solution are already known from spectroscopic studies.

Structure and hydrogen bonding in 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid at 90, 100, 110 and 150 K; a theoretical and single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.

A new polymorph of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid is reported. The structure was characterized by multiple-temperature X-ray diffraction and solid-state DFT computations. The material shows a geometric pattern of hydrogen bonding consistent with cooperativity between the intermolecular carboxylic acid dimer and intramolecular hydrogen bonds.