Theoretical study of C24N4 molecule

Both ab initio 6-31G, 3-21G and STO-3G basis sets and semiempirical PM3 and AM1 molecular orbital calculations are carried out on the C₂₄N₄ molecule of the T_d symmetry group. Results on the fully optimized structure which constrained T_d symmetry, molecular orbitals and vibrational frequency were obtained by both ab initio and semiempirical methods. The binding energy and various thermodynamic properties were also calculated via the PM3 and AM1 semiempirical methods. All the evidence of this work proves that the C₂₄N₄ molecule is stable and that its four six-membered rings with a remarkable delocalized C…C bond are similar to the related rings in the C₆₀ buckminsterfullerene structure.     

Density functional theory analysis of CaRgn complexes: (Rg=He, Ne, Ar; n=1–4)

CaRg_n⁺ (Rg=He, Ne, Ar) complexes with n=1–4, are investigated by performing using the B3LYP/6-311+G (3df) density functional theory calculations. The CaHe_n⁺ (n=1–4) complexes are found to be stable. In the case of CaNe_n⁺ and CaAr_n⁺, stable structures and stationary point were found only for n=1 and 2. For n=3 in the C_3V and the D_3h point group as well as for n=4 in the T_d (tetrahedral) point group a saddle point (imaginary frequency) is observed and global minimum could be obtained along the potential energy surface.     

Ab initio molecular orbital study of potential energy surface for the H2NO(B1)→NO(Π)+H2 reaction

The mechanism of the H₂NO(²B₁)→NO(²Π)+H₂ reaction has been examined using ab initio molecular orbital methods. Ground-state and first-excited-state potential surfaces were plotted at the FOCI/cc-pVTZ level of theory as functions of two appropriate internal degrees of freedom. A conical intersection was found on the C_s pathway that is symmetric with respect to the plane perpendicular to the molecular plane of C_2v H₂NO(²B₁). It is therefore considered that trajectories that start from H₂NO(²B₁) towards the product region detour around the conical intersection, pass through the neighborhood of the transition state that is located at the saddle point on the C_s pathway, and finally reach the products, NO(²Π)+H₂. Thus we can explain the mechanism of the H₂NO(²B₁)→NO(²Π)+H₂ reaction, which has remained unclear to date.     

Ab initio study of H2SO4 rotamers

This work uses ab initio calculations to obtain harmonic frequencies and anharmonic constants for the O–H symmetric and asymmetric stretches of H₂SO₄ in its C₂, C_s, C_1a, and C_1b configurations. In addition, a high-resolution potential energy surface is calculated as a function of both O=S–O–H dihedral angles in order to accurately obtain minimum and saddle point energies. The resulting peak positions and Boltzmann populations are compared to experimental frequencies and intensities and provide evidence for the assignment of rotamers in H₂SO₄ as suggested in recent work.     

C94 IPR isomeric set: large-scale computations of relative stabilities based on the Gibbs function

At present C₉₄ is one of the highest sets of isomeric fullerenes that has been characterized by ¹³C NMR spectra. This contribution reports quantum-chemical computations on the C₉₄ system. The complete set of 134 isolated-pentagon-rule isomers of C₉₄ is described by four semiempirical quantum-chemical methods (MNDO, AM1, PM3, and SAM1). The C₉₄ energetics is also checked with Hartree–Fock SCF calculations in the standard 4-31G basis set (HF/4-31G). The calculations point out a C₂ structure as the system ground state. As energetics itself cannot produce reliable relative stabilities at high temperatures, entropy terms are also computed and the relative-stability problem is entirely treated in terms of the Gibbs function. The lowest-energy structure remains the most populated isomer at higher temperatures. However, several other structures show significant populations at higher temperatures. The six most populated species at the AM1 computational level read: C₂, C₂, C₁, C₁, C_s, and C₂. This selected six-membered isomeric set indeed contains the four symmetries observed in the available experiment (C₂, C_s, C₂, and C₂). This incidence represents a good agreement with the experiment and can be viewed as another evidence that the supposed inter-isomeric thermodynamic equilibrium does exist in experiments.     

Relative energies of isomers of C36F2

The symmetry unrestricted C₃₆F₂ isomers formed from fullerene C₃₆, the initial symmetry of which is C_6v, C_6h, or D_2d, have been extensively studied with semi-empirical (AM1 and PM3) calculations. Based on the relationship between the isomer's stability and the adding positions, three patterns of the adding sites of F₂ moiety in the additive reactions have been deducted. The results of the π-orbital axis vector (POAV) analysis indicate that the chemical reactivity of C₃₆ is the result of the high strain in the C₃₆ cage. But, in order to form stable compounds, the effects, which guide the F₂ moiety to select carbon atoms in the C₃₆ cage, are dominated by the conjugate effect in C₃₆F₂ system rather than the strain release in the C₃₆ cage.     

Big macrocyclic assemblies of carboranes (big MACs): synthesis and crystal structure of a macrocyclic assembly of four carboranes containing alternate ortho- and meta-carborane icosahedra linked by para-phenylene units

The macrocyclic compound, [1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄-1,7-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄]₂ (5)—a novel cyclooctaphane, was prepared by condensation of the C,C′-dicopper(I) derivative of meta-carborane with 1,2-bis(4-iodophenyl)-ortho-carborane. The X-ray crystal structure of 5·C₆H₆·6C₆H₁₂ was determined at 150 K, revealing an extremely loose packing mode. Molecule 5 has a crystallographic C_s and local C_2v symmetry; the macrocycle adopts a butterfly (dihedral angle 143°) conformation with the ortho-carborane units at the wingtips and the phenylene ring planes roughly perpendicular to the wing planes. Multinuclear NMR spectra suggest that molecule 5 in solution inverts rapidly via the planar D_2h geometry, which (from ab initio HF/6-31G* calculations) is only 1 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy than the C_2v one. An attempt to prepare an even larger macrocycle, comprising three para-carborane and three ortho-carborane units linked by six para-phenylene units, was unsuccessful.     

Theoretical studies on the BN substituted fullerenes C70−2x(BN)x (x=1–3)—isoelectronic equivalents of C70

The equilibrium structures and relative stabilities of BN-doped fullerenes C_70−2x(BN)_x (x=1–3) have been studied at the AM1 and MNDO level. The most stable isomers of C_70−2x(BN)_x have been found out and their electronic properties have been predicted. The calculation results show that the BN substituted fullerenes C_70−2x(BN)_x have considerable stabilities, though they are less stable than their all carbon analog. For C₆₈BN, the isomers whose BN is located in the most chemically active bonds of C₇₀ (namely B and A) are among the most stable species, of which B is predicted to be the ground state. The stabilities of C₆₈BN decrease and the dipole moments increase with increasing the distance between the heteroatoms. For C₆₆(BN)₂, the lowest energy species is the isomer in which the B–N–B–N bond is formed; For C₆₄(BN)₃, the most stable species should have three BN units located in the same hexagon to form B–N–B–N–B–N ring. The ionization potentials and the affinity energies of the most stable species of BN-doped C₇₀ are almost the same as those of C₇₀ because of the isoelectronic relationship. The ionization potentials and affinity energies depend on the relative position of the heteroatoms in C₆₈BN, the chemical reactivities of the isomers whose heteroatoms are well separated should differ significantly from their all carbon analog.     

Temperature dependence of the rate constant for reactions of hydrated electrons with H, OH and H2O2

The temperature dependence of the rate constants, for the reactions of hydrated electrons with H atoms, OH radicals and H₂O₂ has been determined. The reaction with H atoms, studied in the temperature range 20–250°C gives k(20°C) = 2.4 × 10¹⁰M^-1s¹ and the activation energy E_A = 14.0 kJ mol^-1 (3.3 kcal mol^-1). For reaction with OH radicals the corresponding values are, k(20°C) = 3.1 × 10¹⁰M^-1s^-1 and E_A = 14.7 kJ mol^-1 (3.5 kcal mol^-1) determined in the temperature range 5–175°C. For reaction with H₂O₂ the values are, k(20°C) = 1.2 × 10¹⁰M^-1s^-1 and E_A = 15.6 kJ mol^-1 (3.7 kcal mol^-1) measured from 5–150°C. Thus, the activation energy for all three fast reactions is close to that expected for diffusion controlled reactions. As phosphates were used as buffer system, the rate constant and activation energy for the reaction of hydrated electron with H₂PO₄^- was determined to k(20°C) = 1.5 × 10⁷M^-1s^-1 and E_A = 7.4 kJ mol^-1 (1.8 kcal mol^-1) in the temperature range 20–200°C.     

Synthesis and characterization of (C5H9C9H6)2Yb(THF)2(II) (1) and [(C5H9C5H4)2Yb(THF)]2O2 (2), and ring-opening polymerization of lactones with 1

Reaction of YbI₂ with two equivalents of cyclopentylindenyl lithium (C₅H₉C₉H₆Li) affords ytterbium(II) substituted indenyl complex (C₅H₉C₉H₆)₂Yb(THF)₂ (1) which shows high activity to ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones. The reaction between YbI₂ and cyclopentylcyclopentadienyl sodium (C₅H₉C₅H₄Na) gives complex [(C₅H₉C₅H₄)₂Yb(THF)]₂O₂ (2) in the presence of a trace amount of O₂, the molecular structure of which comprises two (C₅H₉C₅H₄)₂Yb(THF) bridged by an asymmetric O₂ unit. The O₂ unit and ytterbium atoms define a plane that contains a C_i symmetry center.     

Photochemistry of perfluoroacyl halides in the presence of O2 and CO

Photolyses of CF₃C(O)X and C₂F₅C(O)X (X=Cl, F) at 254 nm in the presence of O₂ yield the perfluorinated radicals C₂F₅O (C₂) and CF₃O (C₁), respectively. The C₂ radicals decompose to give CF₃ radicals:

C₂F₅O→CF₃+CF₂O

which, in turn, react with O₂ leading to the formation of C₁ radicals. When in addition to O₂, CO is present, the C₁ radicals react with it leading to its catalytic oxidation to CO₂. The trioxide CF₃OC(O)O₃C(O)OCF₃ was observed following the photolysis of all four halides in the presence of O₂ and CO.

The other radical partners coming from the initial step in the photolysis (XC(O)) as well as the products of their reaction with O₂ (XC(O)O_y, y=1, 2) do not react with CO but when X=F they lead to the formation of a new stable peroxy molecule with the formula CF₃OC(O)O₂C(O)F. Some of the properties of this new molecule, its stability and its IR features are presented in this work.     

Cis- and trans-3-hexene: infrared spectrum in liquid argon solution, ab initio calculations of equilibrium geometry, normal coordinate analysis, and vibrational assignments

The infrared spectra of cis-3-hexene and trans-3-hexene dissolved in liquid argon have been obtained at temperatures from 93 to 120 K. The absorptions were observed with a low-temperature cell and a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were performed to obtain the equilibrium geometry, vibrational frequencies, force fields, and infrared intensities. The calculations were done at the Hartree-Fock level using 6-31G basis set. The Cartesian force fields from ab initio calculations have been converted to the force field in symmetry coordinates. The scale factors of ab initio calculated force fields were determined. Normal coordinate calculations were performed using a scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field. Vibrational normal modes calculated for the lowest energy rotamers of cis- and trans-3-hexene have been assigned to infrared absorption bands observed in liquid argon solution. The assignments were based on calculated frequencies and potential energy distributions. The equilibrium geometries of the two lowest energy rotamers (symmetry C₂ and C_s) of cis-3-hexene and of the three lowest energy rotamers (symmetry C_i, C₂, and C₁) of trans-3-hexene were calculated. Variable temperature studies of the infrared spectrum of cis- and trans-3-hexenes dissolved in liquid argon were done to obtain the ΔH of conversion between the rotamers C₂ and C_s of cis-3-hexene and between the rotamers C_i, C₂, and C₁ of trans-3-hexene.     

Global minima of (C60)nCa, (C60)nF and (C60)nI clusters

Likely candidates for the lowest potential energy minima of (C₆₀)_nCa²⁺, (C₆₀)_nF⁻ and (C₆₀)_nI⁻ clusters are located using basin-hopping global optimisation. In each case, the potential energy surface is constructed using the Girifalco form for the C₆₀ intermolecular interaction, an averaged Lennard–Jones C₆₀–ion interaction, and a polarisation potential, which depends on the first few non-vanishing C₆₀ multipole polarisabilities. We find that the ions generally occupy the interstitial sites of a (C₆₀)_n cluster, the coordination shell being tetrahedral for Ca²⁺ and F⁻. The I⁻ ion has an octahedral coordination shell in the global minimum for (C₆₀)₆I⁻, however for 12  n  8 the preferred coordination geometry is trigonal prismatic.     

Formation of [C60C5H5] adduct cations and theoretical study of the isomers

We study here the reactions between C₆₀ and planar C₅H₅⁺ cations that lead to the formation of [C₆₀C₅H₅]⁺ adduct cations in the chemical ionization source of the mass spectrometer. The structures, stabilities and charge locations of some possible isomers of [C₆₀C₅H₅]⁺: σ-adduct, π-complex, [1,4]- and [l,2]-addition cations, are studied by AM1 semiempirical molecular orbital calculations. We find that the most stable is the σ-addition cation. Another interesting and stable structure is the π-complex cation which is bonded by the electrostatic interaction at the inter-ring distance of 1.589 Å with the C_5v symmetry. The C₅H₅⁺ cyclopentadienium cation seems to be an “inverted umbrella” sitting on a five-membered ring of the C₆₀ cage.     

Dimethylchalkogenide als liganden in kationischen cyclopentadienyleisen-bis(phosphin)-komplexen: synthese, reaktivität und kristallstruktur von [C5H5Fe(P(OCH3)3)2(S(CH3)2)]PF6

Thermal displacement of coordinated nitriles RCN (R = CH₃, C₂H₅ or n-C₃H₇) in [C₅H₅Fe(L₂)(NCR)]X complexes (L₂ = P(OCH₃)₃)₂, (P(OC₆H₅)₃)₂ or (C₆H₅)₂PC₂H₄P(C₆H₅)₂ (DPPE)) by E(CH₃)₂ affords high yields of [C₅H₅Fe(L₂)(E(CH₃)₂)]X compounds (E = S, Se and Te; X = BF₄ or PF₆). Spectroscopic data and ligand displacement reactions are presented and discussed together with related observations on [C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂(E(CH₃)₂)]BF₄ compounds. The molecular structure of [C₅H₅Fe(P(OCH₃)₃)₂(S(CH₃)₂)]PF₆ was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n-C⁵_2h (No. 14) with a = 8.4064(12), b = 11.183(2), c = 50.726(8) Å, β = 90.672(13)° and Z = 8 molecules per unit cell. The coordination sphere of the iron atom is pseudo-tetrahedral with an Fe---S bond distance of 2.238 Å.     

Theoretical study on the aromaticity of the bimetallic clusters X2M2 (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga)

Four neutral bimetallic clusters X₂M₂ (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga) are investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and post-HF methods. The calculated results show that each of four X₂M₂ species has two energetically close stable isomers with rhombic structure (D_2h symmetry) and trapezoidal structure (C_2v symmetry) respectively. For the Ge₂Al₂ species the rhombic (D_2h) isomer is the ground state, whereas for other three species Ge₂Ga₂, Si₂Al₂, and Si₂Ga₂, the trapezoidal (C_2v) isomers are the ground states. The calculated magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (χ_anis) and nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) indicate that a strong diatropic ring current exists in the two heterocyclic planar isomers, suggesting they are highly aromatic. A detailed molecular orbital analysis further reveals that both heterocyclic isomers possess multiple aromaticity derived from one delocalized π MOs and two delocalized σ MOs.     

Temperature dependence of the reaction C2H (C2D) + O2 between 295 and 700 K

The rate coefficients for the reactions of C₂H and C₂D with O₂ have been measured in the temperature range 295 K T 700 K. Both reactions show a slightly negative temperature dependence in this temperature range, with k_C2H+O2 = (3.15 ± 0.04) × 10⁻¹¹ (T/295 K)^{−(0.16 ± 0.02)} cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The kinetic isotope effect is k_C2H/k_C2D = 1.04 ± 0.03 and is constant with temperature to within experimental error. The temperature dependence and the C₂H + O₂ kinetic isotope effect are consistent with a capture-limited metathesis reaction, and suggest that formation of the initial HCCOO adduct is rate-limiting.     

Isothermal curing of an epoxy resin by alternating differential scanning calorimetry

The quasi-isothermal curing of a diepoxide resin with a triamine of polyoxypropylene was studied by alternating differential scanning calorimetry (ADSC), which is a temperature modulated DSC technique. The complex heat capacity measurements allows to analyse the vitrification process at curing temperatures (T_c) below the maximum glass transition of the fully cured epoxy (T_g∞=85.8°C). Initially, the modulus of the complex heat capacity, |C^*_p|, increases until a maximum (conversion between 0.42 and 0.56) and then decreases. This step is followed by an abrupt decay of |C^*_p|, due to the vitrification of the system, which allows the determination of the vitrification time. This value agrees well with that determined by the partial curing method. The phase angle and out-of-phase heat capacity show an asymmetric wide peak during the vitrification process. The change in |C^*_p| at vitrification decreases with the increase of T_c becoming zero at temperature T_g∞. This epoxy-triamine system shows a delay of the vitrification process respect to other model epoxy systems probably due to the presence of polyoxypropylene chains in the network.

The decay of |C^*_p| during vitrification may be normalised between unity and zero by defining a mobility factor. This mobility factor has been used to simulate the reaction rate during the stage where the reaction is controlled by diffusion. The observed reaction rate is simulated by the product of the kinetic reaction rate, determined by the autocatalytic model, and the mobility factor.     

Ab initio MRD-CI study of GaAs, GaAs2(±), Ga2As2(±) and As4 clusters

Using pseudopotentials and double zeta basis sets with s, p diffuse functions and two sets of d functions, MRD-CI calculations were performed on As₂^(±), As₄⁽⁺⁾, GaAs⁻, GaAs₂^(±) and Ga₂As₂^(±). This study complements previous theoretical investigations on Ga^(±) to Ga₄^(±) and GaAs⁽⁺⁾. For As₄ tetrahedral symmetry was assumed, and Re of X¹A₁ determined as 4.73a₀. Vertical ionization potentials to several states of As₄⁺ were calculated. For GaAs₂, GaAs₂⁺ and GaAs₂⁻, ground and one low-lying state were geometry-optimized, both in C_2v (Ga-As-As), and linear symmetry (GaAsAs, C_∞h and AsGaAs, D_∞h). The lowest state of GaAs₂ is ²B₂ in C_2v. For Ga₂As₂, the lowest state and low-lying excited states were optimized in various geometries. The most stable state has rhombic structure (¹A_g in D_2h), but T-form and other forms (C_2v, C_∞v, D_∞h) are only 1–2 eV less stable. In D_2h symmetry, several low-lying excited states of Ga₂As₂ were studied. The ground states of Ga₂As₂⁺ and Ga₂As₂⁻ were found to be ²B_2u, and ²B_2g, respectively. Trends in ionization potentials (IP), electron affinities (EA), atomization energies and fragmentation energies for the molecules Ga_xAs_y and the pure compounds Ga_n and As_n up to 4 atoms, were studied. Ga_xAs_y clusters, with x + y even, have higher IP's than odd-numbered clusters. An experimentally observed alternation of EA, whereby an odd number of atoms have higher EA than their even neighbors, is confirmed. The mixed compounds Ga_xAs_y have atomization energies between those of Ga_n and As_n (x + y = n), usually closer to those of Ga_n. Fragmentation of Ga_xAs_y occurs such that As----As bonds are retained, and if possible, also Ga----As bonds, since the dissociation energy of As₂ is higher than that of GaAs, which in turn is higher than that of Ga₂. Calculated fragmentation energies agree qualitatively with experimental observations about the composition of 3-atomic and 4-atomic clusters Ga_xAs_y.     

Synthesis and thermodynamic properties of a metal-organic framework: [LaCu6(μ-OH)3(Gly)6im6](ClO4)6

A metal-organic complex, which has the potential property of absorbing gases, [LaCu₆(μ-OH)₃(Gly)₆im₆](ClO₄)₆ was synthesized through the self-assembly of La³⁺, Cu²⁺, glycine (Gly) and imidazole (Im) in aqueous solution and characterized by IR, element analysis and powder XRD. The molar heat capacity, C_p,m, was measured from T = 80 to 390 K with an automated adiabatic calorimeter. The thermodynamic functions [H_T − H_298.15] and [S_T − S_298.15] were derived from the heat capacity data with temperature interval of 5 K. The thermal stability of the complex was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).