Comparison of Ab Initio MP2/6-311+G(d,p) Predicted Carbon–Hydrogen Bond Distances with Experimentally Determined r 0 (C–H) Distances

Fifty different carbon–hydrogen distances have been predicted from ab initio MP2/6-311+G(d,p) calculations, which range from a short value of 1.0611 Å for HCNO to a long value of 1.1044 Å for H₂CO. The values include those predicted for a series of methyl (CH₃) moieties where the two different C–H distances vary by as much as 0.005 Å. These predicted values are compared to r ₀(C–H) distances obtained from the isolated carbon–hydrogen stretching frequencies, as well as to r ₀ or r _s parameters obtained from microwave data. Except for the very short C–H bonds, the ab initio values from the MP2/6–311+G(d,p) calculations can be used for the carbon–hydrogen distances with error limits of ± 0.003 Å. By utilizing the spectral data from CD₃CClO, it is shown that combination bands in the C–H stretching region could cause problems in the identification of the isolated C–H stretching frequency from the CD₂HCClO isotopomer. The value of the ab initio predicted C–H distances for checking unusually long or short r _s (C–H) or r ₀ values is demonstrated.     

Molecular structure of phenylsilane: a study by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio molecular orbital calculations

The molecular structure of phenylsilane has been determined accurately by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio MO calculations at the MP2(f.c.)/6-31G* level. The calculations indicate that the perpendicular conformation of the molecule, with a Si–H bond in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the benzene ring, is the potential energy minimum. The coplanar conformation, with a Si–H bond in the plane of the ring, corresponds to a rotational transition state. However, the difference in energy is very small, 0.13 kJ mol⁻¹, implying free rotation of the substituent at the temperature of the electron diffraction experiment (301 K). Important bond lengths from electron diffraction are: <r_g(C–C)>=1.403±0.003 Å, r_g(Si–C)=1.870±0.004 Å, and r_g(Si–H)=1.497±0.007 Å. The calculations indicate that the C_ipso–C_ortho bonds are 0.010 Å longer than the other C–C bonds. The internal ring angle at the ipso position is 118.1±0.2° from electron diffraction and 118.0° from calculations. This confirms the more than 40-year old suggestion of a possible angular deformation of the ring in phenylsilane, in an early electron diffraction study by F.A. Keidel, S.H. Bauer, J. Chem. Phys. 25 (1956) 1218.     

Gas Electron Diffraction and Quantum-Mechanical Study of Dimethyloxalate

The geometrical structure and conformation of dimethyloxalate, CH₃OC(O)–C(O)OCH₃, have been studied by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantum-chemical calculations (MP2 and B3LYP methods with 6-31G* and cc-pVTZ basis sets). The GED analysis with a dynamic model (T = 323 K) results in a mixture of two planar conformers, anti (C_2h symmetry) and syn (C_2v symmetry) orientation of the two C=O bonds. The energy difference between these conformers is 0.02(0.18) kcal/mol and barrier to internal rotation around the C–C bond is 0.44(0.41) kcal/mol. The CH₃ groups occupy synperiplanar positions with respect to the C=O bonds. The following main geometrical parameters for the anti conformer (Å and degrees) have been derived: r_g(C–C) = 1.532(3), r_g(C=O) = 1.203(2), r_g(C_sp3–O) = 1.436(3), r_g(C_sp2–O) = 1.333(3), (C_sp2–C_sp2–O) = 111.9(1.9), (C_sp2–O–C_sp3) = 116.3(1.6), (O–C= O) = 127.0(1.8).This paper is devoted to the 75th anniversary of gas electron diffraction method.     

Spectra and Structure of Silicon-Containing Compounds. XXV. Raman and Infrared Spectra,r 0 Structural Parameters,Vibrational Assignment,and Ab Initio Calculations of Ethyl Chlorosilane-Si-d2

The infrared (3200 to 400 cm^–1) spectra of gaseous and solid and Raman (3200 to 20 cm^–1) spectra of liquid and solid ethyl chlorosilane-Si-d₂, CH₃CH₂SiD₂Cl, have been recorded. Both the gauche and trans conformers have been identified in the fluid phases, but only the gauche conformer remains in the solid phase. Variable temperature (–105 to –150°C) studies of the infrared spectra of CH₃CH₂SiH₂Cl dissolved in liquid krypton have been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 78±11 cm^–1 (0.93±0.13 kJ/mol), with the gauche conformer the more stable form. Utilizing the frequencies of the silicon-hydrogen stretches, from the chlorosilane-Si-d isotopomer, Si—H bond distances of 1.481 and 1.480 Å have been obtained for the gauche conformer and 1.481 Å for the trans conformer. Complete vibrational assignments are proposed for both isotopomers which are consistent with the predicted frequencies utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. Both the infrared intensities and the Raman activities and depolarization values have been obtained from the ab initio calculations. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31(d), 6-311++G(d,p), and 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis sets with full electron correlation by the Moller–Plesset (MP) perturbation method to second order. Continuing the previously reported rotational constants from five different isotopomers and the ab initio predicted structural parameters, adjusted r ₀ parameters have been calculated, which are compared to the corresponding r _s parameters. The results are discussed and the theoretical values are compared to the experimental values when appropriate.Taken in part from the dissertation of Y. E. Nashed, which will be submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree     

Conformational Stability of Propenoyl Bromide from Temperature-Dependent Infrared Spectra of Krypton Solutions,Ab Initio Calculations,and r 0 Structural Parameters of the Propenoyl Halides (F,Cl, Br)

Variable temperature (–100 to –150°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm^–1) of propenoyl bromide, CH₂=CHCBrO, dissolved in liquid krypton, have been carried out. Utilizing six different conformer pairs, an enthalpy difference of 204 ± 20 cm^–1 (2.44 ± 0.24 kJ/mol) was obtained, with the anti conformer (carbonyl bond trans to C=C bond) the more stable form. At ambient temperature, there is approximately 28 ± 2% of the syn conformer present. The anti conformer also remains in the infrared and Raman spectra of the polycrystalline solid. The optimal geometries, conformational stabilities, harmonic force fields, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and vibrational frequencies, are reported for both conformers from MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations. The potential function governing the conformational interchange has been obtained from the MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations. The conformational stabilities were calculated from a variety of basis sets and at the highest level of calculations, MP2/6-311 + (2df,2pd), the anti conformer is predicted to be more stable by 178 cm^–1, which is in excellent agreement with the experimental results. The r ₀ adjusted structural parameters have been obtained for propenoyl fluoride and chloride from a combination of the previously reported microwave rotational constants and ab initio predicted parameters. Several of the parameters for the chloride are significantly different than those proposed from an electron diffraction investigation. The results of these spectroscopic, structural, and theoretical studies are discussed and compared to the corresponding results for some similar molecules.     

The Equilibrium C–Cl,C–Br,and C–I Bond Lengths from Ab Initio Calculations,Microwave and Infrared Spectroscopies,and Empirical Correlations

The equilibrium structures of a few small molecules containing halogens: methyl halides, cyanogen halides, haloethynes, and halocyanoethynes (from chloride to iodide) are reviewed and redetermined if necessary using high-level ab initio calculations and experimental data from microwave and infrared spectroscopies. The correlation of the r(C–X) (X=Cl, Br, I) bond length with other properties (electronegativity or another bond length) is analyzed. It is shown that simple empirical correlations may be used to make a reliable prediction of the r(C–X) bond length.     

Equilibrium Structure and Internal Rotation in B2F4 from Electron Diffraction and Spectroscopic Data and Quantum Chemical Calculations

Electron diffraction (ED) data for B₂F₄ recorded by Hedberg et al. over the temperature range –80 to +150°C have been used to obtain equilibrium geometry of this molecule in the framework of a large-amplitude motion model. The torsional coordinate has been adiabatically separated from the rest of vibrations. Two types of constraints applied to obtain ab initio torsional potential energy function (PEF) and the parameters of the geometry relaxation are discussed. The relations between anharmonic interaction force constants and the parameters of the geometry relaxation are briefly considered. Ab initio force constant matrices for rigid vibrational coordinates as well as large-amplitude torsional PEF have been scaled in the procedure of simultaneous fitting to the ED data and experimental vibrational frequencies. The resulting equilibrium geometry and potential function provided good fit to both ED and spectroscopic data. As expected, the results for the equilibrium geometry obtained from separate ED patterns recorded at different temperatures did not show noticeable temperature trend. The determined equilibrium structural parameters for B₂F₄ are: r _e (B–B) = 1.719(4) Å, r _e (B–F) = 1.309(2) Å, BBF = 121.1(1)°. Uncertainties given in parentheses include three times standard deviation and a systematic error. The rotational barrier height was evaluated as 160(50) cm^–1.     

Spectra and Structures of Silicon-Containing Compounds. XXIV.* Raman and Infrared Spectra,r 0 Structural Parameters,Vibrational Assignment,Barriers to Internal Rotation,and Ab Initio Calculations of Ethylsilane

The infrared (3200 to 400 cm^–1) and Raman (3200 to 20 cm^–1) spectra of gaseous and solid ethylsilane, CH₃CH₂SiH₃, have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been obtained with quantitative depolarization values. The SiH₃ torsional mode has been observed as sum and difference bands with the silicon-hydrogen stretching vibration. Utilizing the torsional fundamental frequency of 132 cm^–1 the threefold periodic barrier of 590 cm^–1 (7.06 kJ/mol) has been obtained. Utilizing the frequencies of the silicon-hydrogen stretches, Si-H bond distances of 1.485 and 1.484 Å have been obtained for the bonds gauche and trans to the methyl group, respectively. Using previously reported rotational constants from seven different isotopomers, the r ₀ parameters have been calculated and are compared to the corresponding r _s parameters. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed that is consistent with the predicted frequencies utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. Both the infrared intensities as well as the Raman activities and depolarization values have been obtained from the ab initio calculations. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31G(d), 6-311 + G(d,p), and 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis sets at levels of restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) and/or Moller–Plesset (MP) to second order. The results are discussed and the theoretical values are compared to the experimental values when appropriate.     

Molecular structure of ethynylbenzene from electron diffraction and ab initio molecular orbital calculations

The molecular structure and benzene ring distortions of ethynylbenzene have been investigated by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio MO calculations at the HF/6-31G^* and 6-3G^** levels. Least-squares refinement of a model withC _2v, symmetry, with constraints from the MO calculations, yielded the following important bond distances and angles:r _g(C _i -C _o )=1.407±0.003 Å,r _g(C _o -C _m )=1.397±0.003 Å,r _g(C _m -C _p )=1.400±0.003 Å,r _g(Cr _i -CCH)=1.436 ±0.004 Å,r _g(C=C)=1.205±0.005 Å, C _o -C _i -C _o =119.8±0.4°. The deformation of the benzene ring of ethynylbenzene given by the MO calculations, including o-C_i-C_o=119.4°, is insensitive to the basis set used and agrees with that obtained by low-temperature X-ray crystallography for the phenylethynyl fragment, C₆H₅-CC-, in two different crystal environments. The partial substitution structure of ethynylbenzene from microwave spectroscopy is shown to be inaccurate in the ipso region of the benzene ring.     

Toward a More Accurate Silicon Stereochemistry: An Electron Diffraction Study of the Molecular Structure of Tetramethylsilane

The present electron diffraction study of the molecular structure of tetramethylsilane, augmented with theoretical calculations, answers the need for accurate and detailed information on the most fundamental molecules containing silicon. The Si—C bond length is r _g = 1.877 ± 0.004 Å, in perfect agreement with a previous study (Beagley, B.; Monaghan, J. J.; Hewitt, T. G. J. Mol. Struct. 1971 8 401). The C—H bond length is r _g= 1.110 ± 0.003 Å and the Si—C—H angle is 111.0 ± 0.2°. The experimental data are consistent with a model of T _d symmetry and staggered methyl conformation. The barrier to methyl rotation is estimated to be 5.7 ± 2.0 kJ mol^–1 on the basis of the experimentally observed average torsion of the methyl groups.     

Molecular Structure of Germanium Dibromide: A Reinvestigation

The electron diffraction intensities of germanium dibromide [1] were reanalyzed based on computational evidence on the geometry of the excited state molecule. It was found that beside the ground state germanium dibromide molecule a small amount of iron dibromide, rather than other germanium dibromide species, may have been present in the vapor. The revised geometrical parameters of GeBr₂ are: r _g(Ge—Br) = 2.359 ± 0.005 Å and _a Br—Ge—Br = 101.0 ± 0.3 Å.     

The Molecular Structure and the Puckering Potential Function of Octamethylcyclotetrasilane,Si4Me8, Determined by Gas Electron Diffraction and Relaxation Constraints from Ab Initio Calculations

Gas electron diffraction data are applied to determine the geometrical parameters of the octamethylcyclotetrasilane molecule using a dynamic model in which the ring puckering is treated as a large amplitude motion. The structural parameters and parameters of the potential function were refined, taking into account the relaxation of the molecular geometry estimated from ab initio calculations at the Hartree–Fock level of theory using a 6-311G** basis set. The potential function has been described as V() = V ₀[(/ _e )² – 1]² with V ₀ = 1.0 ± 0.5 kcal/mol and _e = 28.3 ± 1.9°, where is the puckering angle of the ring. The geometric parameters at the minimum of V() (r _a in Å, in degrees and errors given as three times the standard deviations including a scale error) are as follows: r(Si—C)_av = 1.894(3), r(Si—Si) = 2.363(3), r(C—H) = 1.104(3), CSiC = 109.5(6), SiSiSi = 88.2(2), SiCH = 111.7(6), C = 4.1, where the tilt C was estimated from ab initio constraints. The structural parameters are compared with those obtained for related compounds.     

Equilibrium Structure of Beryllium Dibromide from Combined Gas Electron Diffraction and Vibrational Spectroscopy Analysis

The molecular structure of BeBr₂ has been investigated by gas-phase electron diffraction at the temperature 800(10) K. The conventional analysis yielded the following values: r _g(Be–Br) = 1.944(6)Å, l(Be–Br) = 0.068(4)Å, r _g(Br–Br) = 3.848(8)Å, l(Br–Br) = 0.109(3)Å, k(Be–Br) = 1.1(1.1) × 10^–5 ų, (Br–Br) = 2.1(1.0) × 10^–5 ų. Three models of nuclear dynamics were used to simulate the conventional analysis values—infinitesimal vibrations and two models, which take into account the kinematic and dynamic anharmonicity of the bending vibration. All models give similar values of bond angle, amplitudes, and shrinkage, excluding the harmonic model, which yields too low value l(Br–Br). The equilibrium bond distance r _e(Be–Br) = 1.932(11) Å was estimated, taking into account the anharmonicity corrections for stretching and bending vibrations and centrifugal distortion.     

Conformational Stability from Variable-Temperature Infrared Spectra of Krypton Solutions, Ab Initio Calculations, and r o Structural Parameters of Chlorocyclopentane

The infrared spectra (3500–400 cm^–1) of krypton solutions of chlorocyclopentane, c-C₅H₉Cl, at variable temperatures (–101 to –150°C) have been recorded and the fundamental vibrations of the axial conformer and several of those for the equatorial form have been assigned. Utilizing two pairs of fundamentals for the two conformers in the krypton solution, an enthalpy difference of 145±15 cm^–1 (1.73±0.18 kJ-mol^–1) has been obtained with the axial conformer the more stable form. It is estimated that there is 67±2% of the axial conformer present at ambient temperature. Convincing spectroscopic evidence shows that a significant percentage of the chlorocyclopentane molecules are undergoing pseudorotation at ambient temperature. The conformational stabilities, harmonic force constants, fundamental frequencies, infrared intensities, and Raman activities have been obtained from MP2/6-31G(d) calculations with full electron correlation and these quantities have been compared to the experimental values when appropriate. The optimized geometries and conformational stabilities have also been obtained from ab initio MP2 calculations as well as by density functional theory (DFT) by the B3LYP method with several different basis sets. The adjusted r ₀ structural parameters have been obtained for both conformers by combining the ab initio data with the previously reported microwave rotational constants. These new values of the structural parameters for both conformers are compared to those previously reported from electron diffraction and microwave studies. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities of some similar molecules.     

Molecular Structure of Silatrane Determined by Gas Electron Diffraction and Quantum-Mechanical Calculations

The geometry of silatrane HSi(OCH₂CH₂)₃N has been determined by gas electron diffraction, ab initio calculations, and vibrational spectroscopy of crystal. Using the scaled force field from DFT calculations the amplitudes and perpendicular corrections were calculated. It was assumed that the silatrane molecule has C ₃ symmetry. The following values (r _g bond lengths in Å and _a bond angles in deg. with three standard deviations from the least-squared refinements using a diagonal weight matrix) are: SiN 2.406(27); NC 1.443(7); OC 1.399(11); SiO 1.648(3); CC 1.504(15); NSiO 78.8(21); SiOC 128.1(11); SiNC 105.4(14); CCO 117.0(26); CCN 108.2(30); CNC 113.2(17); OSiO 116.3(13). The 5-membered rings are flattened. The sum of its bond angles is equal to 537.5(42). It is shown that a very large difference is found for Si—N distance from ab initio and DFT calculating.     

Molecular Structure of 1,2,4,5-Tetracyanobenzene from Gas-Phase Electron Diffraction and Theoretical Calculations

The molecular structure of 1,2,4,5-tetracyanobenzene has been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction and by ab initio calculations at several levels of theory. The electron diffraction study indicates an elongation of the aromatic ring along the (H)CC(H) axis, characterized by angular deformation of the benzene ring and lengthening of the (NC)C—C(CN) bonds. The following bond lengths (r _g) and bond angles were obtained by electron diffraction: .     

A theoretical study of the relative stability of the isomeric forms of N2O3

The electronic structure, geometrical parameters and relative stability of the isomeric forms of N₂O₃ are analysed by means of ab initio calculations. Total energies of the different isomers are given. The energy difference between the most stable conformers of the symmetric N₂O₃ is 4.31 Kcal mol^–1 as provided by 6–31G basis set. The height of the rotational barrier determined by the ab initio technique is 7.12 kcal mol^–1.Member of the Carrera del Investigador CICPBA, R. Argentina.Member of the Carrera del Investigador CONICET, R. Argentina.Predoctoral fellow of CONICET, R. Argentina.     

Molecular structure of nitrobenzene in the planar and orthogonal conformations

The molecular structure and ring distortions of nitrobenzene have been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculations as well as from the structures of six derivatives studied by X-ray crystallography. The experimental value of the ring angle at the ipso position is = 123.4 ± 0.3° in the free molecule; this is about 1.5° less than the hitherto reported values. Regression analysis of the ring angles in the six derivatives studied by X-ray crystallography yields = 122.7(1)° for nitrobenzene in a crystalline environment. The small difference in the two values of a is interpreted as an effect of intermolecular interactions in the crystal. The value produced by the MO calculations, = 122.3° at the 6–31G^* (5D) level, is smaller than either of the experimental results. As regards the ring angles at the meta and para positions, the three techniques of structure determination consistently indicate that these are larger than 120° by a few tenths of a degree. Other important geometrical parameters from the electron diffraction study are r _g (C-C) = 1.399 ± 0.003 Å,r _g (C-N) = 1.486 ± 0.004 Å,r _g (N-O) = 1.223 ± 0.003 Å, and A sO-N-O = 125.3 ± 0.2°. X-ray diffraction experiments on 3,5-dimethyl-4-nitrobenzoic acid and 3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid and ab initio MO calculations provide solid evidence that the geometry of nitrobenzene is little affected when the nitrogroup is twisted by 90° out of the planar equilibrium conformation. This indicates that the extent of -electron transfer from the benzene ring to the nitro group is small. The barrier to rotation is estimated to be 17 ± 4 kJ mol^–1 from the electron diffraction data.     

The preparation,properties and gas-phase molecular structure of difluoro(germylthio)phosphine

Difluoro(germylthio)phosphine, PF₂(SGeH₃), has been prepared by the reaction of S(PF₂)₂ with GeH₃Cl, and has been characterised by i.r.,Raman, n.m.r. and mass spectroscopy. Cleavage reactions with Cl₂ and HBr, donor reactions of the phosphorus atom and exchange reactions with platinum complexes have been studied. The molecular structure of PF₂(SGeH₃) in the gas phase has been determined by electron diffraction. Principal parameters (r _a) are:r(Ge–S) 225.6(4)pm;r(P–S) 211.5(8)pm;r(P–F) 159.0(9)pm; <(GeSP) 99.0(6)° <(SPF) 99.9(4)° <(FPF) 97.0(10)°. The conformation adopted is such that there are short non-bonded F...H contacts, with the PF₂ group twisted 18° from the position in which the FPF angle bisector eclipses the Ge–S bond.

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Difluor(germylthio)phosphin. Darstellung, Eigenschaften und Molekülstruktur in der Gasphase

Zusammenfassung PF₂(SGeH₃) wurde über die Reaktion von S(PF₂)₂ mit GeH₃Cl dargestellt und mittels IR,Raman, NMR and MS charakterisiert. Es wurden Spaltungs-reaktionen mit Cl₂ und HBr, Donor-Reaktionen des Phosphor und Austausch-reaktionen mit Platinkomplexen untersucht. Die Molekülstruktur von PF₂(SGeH₃) in der Gasphase wurde mittels Elektronendiffraktion bestimmt. Die Hauptparameter (r _a) sind:r(Ge–S) 225,6(4)pm;r(P–S) 211,5(8)pm;r(P–F) 159,0(9)pm; <(GeSP) 99,0(6)° <(SPF) 99,9(4)° <(FPF) 97,0(10)°.

     

Molecular Structure of BiBr3: An Electron Diffraction Study

The molecular structure of BiBr₃ was determined by gas-phase electron diffraction. The principal geometrical parameters are r (Bi—Br) = 2.567 ± 0.005 Å and _221D;Br—Bi—Br = 98.6 ± 0.2°. The force field of the molecule was obtained by a normal coordinate analysis utilizing both experimental vibrational frequencies and electron diffraction mean amplitudes of vibration. The variation of bond lengths and bond angles within the Group 15 trihalides is consistent with the expected trend, except that all bismuth trihalide bond angles appear to be somewhat large.