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Catalyzed by enormous success in the industrial sector, many research programs have been exploring data-driven, machine learning approaches. Performance can be poor when the model is extrapolated to new regions of chemical space, e.g., new bonding types, new many-body interactions. Another important limitation is the spatial locality assumption in model architecture, and this limitation cannot be overcome with larger or more diverse datasets. The outlined challenges are primarily associated with the lack of electronic structure information in surrogate models such as interatomic potentials. Given the fast development of machine learning and computational chemistry methods, we expect some limitations of surrogate models to be addressed in the near future; nevertheless spatial locality assumption will likely remain a limiting factor for their transferability. Here, we suggest focusing on an equally important effort—design of physics-informed models that leverage the domain knowledge and employ machine learning only as a corrective tool. In the context of material science, we will focus on semi-empirical quantum mechanics, using machine learning to predict corrections to the reduced-order Hamiltonian model parameters. The resulting models are broadly applicable, retain the speed of semiempirical chemistry, and frequently achieve accuracy on par with much more expensive ab initio calculations. These early results indicate that future work, in which machine learning and quantum chemistry methods are developed jointly, may provide the best of all worlds for chemistry applications that demand both high accuracy and high numerical efficiency.

 

We present NEXMD version 2.0, the second release of the NEXMD (Nonadiabatic EXcited-state Molecular Dynamics) software package. Across a variety of new features, NEXMD v2.0 incorporates new implementations of two hybrid quantum-classical dynamics methods, namely, Ehrenfest dynamics (EHR) and the Ab-Initio Multiple Cloning sampling technique for Multiconfigurational Ehrenfest quantum dynamics (MCE-AIMC or simply AIMC), which are alternative options to the previously implemented trajectory surface hopping (TSH) method. To illustrate these methodologies, we outline a direct comparison of these three hybrid quantum-classical dynamics methods as implemented in the same NEXMD framework, discussing their weaknesses and strengths, using the modeled photodynamics of a polyphenylene ethylene dendrimer building block as a representative example. We also describe the expanded normal-mode analysis and constraints for both the ground and excited states, newly implemented in the NEXMD v2.0 framework, which allow for a deeper analysis of the main vibrational motions involved in vibronic dynamics. Overall, NEXMD v2.0 expands the range of applications of NEXMD to a larger variety of multichromophore organic molecules and photophysical processes involving quantum coherences and persistent couplings between electronic excited states and nuclear velocity. 

Following an ongoing interest in the study of transition metal complexes with exotic bonding networks, we report herein the synthesis of a family of heterobimetallic triangular clusters involving Ru and Pd atoms. These are the first examples of trinuclear complexes combining these nuclei. Structural and bonding analyses revealed both analogies and unexpected differences for these [Pd 2 Ru] + complexes compared to their parent [Pd 3 ] + peers. Noticeably, participation of the Ru atom in the π-aromaticity of the coordinated benzene ring makes the synthesized compound the second reported example of ‘bottled’ double aromaticity. This can also be referred to as spiroaromaticity due to the participation of Ru in two aromatic systems at a time. Moreover, the [Pd 2 Ru] + kernel exhibits unprecedented orbital overlap of Ru d z2 AO and two Pd d xy or d x2−y2 AOs. The present findings reveal the possibility of synthesizing stable clusters with delocalized metal–metal bonding from the combination of non-adjacent elements of the periodic table which has not been reported previously. 

The unusual stability of cyclo[18]carbon arising from its aromaticity might be used to provide the kinetic trapping needed in the design of interlocked systems. The kinetic barrier separating the interlocked rings and the chemically bonded complex is about 30 kcal mol −1 . In addition, the rings can slide freely, which is a promising property for the design of molecular gears and motors. 

The most characteristic feature of planar π-aromatics is the ability to sustain a long-range shielding cone under a magnetic field oriented in a specific direction. In this article, we showed that similar magnetic responses can be found in σ-aromatic and spherical aromatic systems. For [Au 13 ] 5+ , long-range characteristics of the induced magnetic field in the bare icosahedral core are revealed, which are also found in the ligand protected [Au 25 (SH) 18 ] − model, proving its spherical aromatic properties, also supported by the AdNDP analysis. Such properties are given by the 8-ve of the structural core satisfying the Hirsch 2( N + 1) 2 rule, which is also found in the isoelectronic [M@Au 12 ] 4+ core, a part of the [MAu 24 (SR) 18 ] 2− (M = Pd, Pt) cluster. This contrasts with the [M@Au 12 ] 6+ core in [MAu 24 (SR) 18 ] 0 (M = Pd, Pt), representing 6-ve superatoms, which exhibit characteristics of planar σ-aromatics. Our results support the spherical aromatic character of stable superatoms, whereas the 6-ve intermediate electron counts satisfy the 4 N + 2 rule (applicable for both π- and σ-aromatics), showing the reversable and controlled interplay between 3D spherical and 2D σ-aromatic clusters.