Towards highly powerful neutral organic superacids—a DFT study of some polycyano derivatives of planar hydrocarbons

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level have been carried out on indene, cyclopentaphenanthrene and 1H-phenalene and their heptacyano and nonacyano derivatives, respectively, in order to examine their acidities in the gas-phase and DMSO. It is found that polycyano derivatives represent powerful organic superacids, the most acidic being nonacyano-1H-phenalene. The origin of the highly pronounced acidity is identified as a strong anionic resonance in the resulting conjugate base. Comparison of the calculated ΔH_acid value for 1H-phenalene with the experimental NIST value shows that the latter is too large by 8-11 kcal mol⁻¹. A possible reason for this error is briefly discussed.     

Ab initio/DFT theory and multichannel RRKM study on the mechanisms and kinetics for the CH3S + CO reaction

The potential energy surface for the reaction of CH₃S with CO was calculated at the G3MP2//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. The rate constants for feasible channels leading to several products were calculated by TST and multichannel-RRKM theory. The results show that addition–elimination mechanism is dominant, while hydrogen abstraction mechanism is uncompetitive. The major channel is the addition of CO to CH₃S leading to an intermediate CH₃SCO which then decomposes to CH₃ + OCS. In the temperature range of 200–3000 K, the overall rate constants are positive temperature dependence and pressure independence, and it can be described by the expression as k = 1.10 × 10⁻¹⁶T^1.57exp(−3359/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. At temperature between 208 and 295 K, the calculated rate constants are in good agreement with the experimental upper limit data. At T = 1000 and 2000 K, the major product is CH₃ + OCS at lower pressure; while at higher pressure, the stabilization of IM1 is dominant channel.     

Quantum-chemical study of transition metal complexes with benzene-1,2-dithiolate

The structure of a series of [M(bdt)₂]^q complexes, M = Cu, Ni or Co, bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate, q = −1, −2 or −3 with up to two unpaired electrons, has been optimized at B3LYP/6-311G* level of theory as the 6-31G* basis incorrectly produces non-planar metallocycles. Square-planar ¹[Cu(bdt)₂]⁻, ²[Ni(bdt)₂]⁻ and ³[Co(bdt)₂]⁻ systems are the most stable ones in agreement with experimental data. The formal oxidation state of the central atom M defined using the total complex charge q differs from the real M oxidation state based on its d-electron population which is always between M(I) and M(II). The greatest deal of the electron structure changes during the reduction/oxidation is related to the bdt ligands, the strength of their ‘non-innocent’ character depends on M and on the spin state of the complex. These changes are not restricted to sulphur atoms only, including spin density distribution.     

Theoretical study of intermolecular proton transfer reaction in isolated 5-hydroxyisoxazole–water complexes

A systematic investigation in isolated 5-hydroxyisoxazole–water complexes (5-HIO · (H₂O)_nn = 1–3) is performed at the DFT level, employing B3LYP/6-31G(d, p) basis set. Single-point energy calculations are also performed at the MP2 level using B3LYP/6-31G(d, p) optimized geometries and the 6-311++G(d, p) basis set. The computational results show that the keto tautomer K₂ is the most stable isomer in the gas phase, and the tautomer K₁ to be the next most stable tautomer. Hydrogen bonding between HIO and the water molecule(s) will dramatically lower the barrier by a concerted multiple proton transfer mechanism. The proton transfer process of 3WE_cis ↔ 3WK₁ and 2WE_trans ↔ 2WK₂ is found to be more efficient in two tautomerization, and the barrier heights are 7.03 and 14.15 kcal/mol at B3LYP/6-31G(d, p) level, respectively. However, the proton transfer reaction between E_cis and K₁ cannot happen without solvent-assisted.     

Proton affinities of ketones, vicinal diketones and α-keto esters: a computational study

The proton affinities of seven different ketones, vicinal diketones, and α-keto esters (acetophenone, 2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone, 2,3-butanedione, 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione, methyl pyruvate, ethyl benzoylformate, and ketopantolactone) have been evaluated theoretically using the conventional ab initio HF and several post-HF methods (MP2, MP4, CCSD), density functional methods with the B3LYP hybrid functional, as well as some ab initio model chemistries [CBS-4M, G2(MP2), and G3(MP2)//B3LYP]. The chemical compounds studied are frequently used substrates in the asymmetric hydrogenation over chirally modified platinum catalysts where the protonation properties of the chiral modifier and the substrates are of great interest. In most cases, the proton affinities (PAs) evaluated with the CCSD/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/TZVP and G2(MP2) methods are in good agreement with the existing experimental ones. However, the previously reported PA of 2,3-butanedione seems to be too high by 10-15 kJ mol⁻¹. The B3LYP/TZVP//B3LYP/TZVP and MP2/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/TZVP model chemistries predict proton affinities that are systematically higher and lower than the experimental PAs, respectively. If proton affinities are evaluated as the average of the PAs calculated with these two theoretical methods a very good agreement with the experimental results is obtained. The mean absolute deviation (MAD) from experiment of this combination method for the PAs of 13 test molecules is 4.0 kJ mol⁻¹. For 9 molecules composed only of first-row atoms the MAD is 2.5 kJ mol⁻¹. The B3LYP/TZVP//B3LYP/TZVP and MP2/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/TZVP methods provide significant savings in computational time and disk space compared to the CCSD/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/TZVP and G2(MP2) models. Therefore, it is suggested that if no experimental or highly accurate theoretical data is available (due to computational cost), the proton affinities of similar compounds as investigated in this paper, can be evaluated with the combination method. For the studied molecules, this method gives the following PAs (in kJ mol⁻¹): 788 (2,3-butanedione, exptl 802); 798 (2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone, exptl 799); 811 (ketopantolactone); 813 (methyl pyruvate); 825 (1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione); 862 (acetophenone, exptl 861); 865 (ethyl benzoylformate).     

Are closed clusters expected from the (n + 1) skeletal electron pairs rule in alanes and gallanes? A DFT structural study of AnHn + 2 (A = Al, Ga, and n = 4-6)

It has been suggested recently that the alanes Al_nH_n + 2 can be treated by the polyhedral skeletal electron pair theory (PSEPT) of Wade and Mingos (W-M) as it was successful for their borane congeners such as B_nH_n + 2, well known as the deprotonated B_nH_n²⁻. To do so, the neutral Al_nH_n + 2 have been considered as Al_nH_n²⁻ + 2H⁺. The additional hydrogens donate their electrons to the Al_nH_n polyhedral framework and according to the n + 1 electron pairs rule; these clusters should have closo-polyhedral structures. In this work the homologous gallanes, the structures and stabilities of Ga_nH_n + 2 are studied at high levels of calculational theory and we investigated the applicability of the W-M rule to the alanes and gallanes A_nH_n + 2 (n = 4-6; A = Al, Ga). It will be shown that the presence of bridging hydrogen atoms reduces the compactness of the corresponding polyhedron and so these species do not have the closed structures. The computations were performed at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), BPW91/6-311G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) levels of theory. Our interest in these compounds includes their potential use as hydrogen storage species and future clean sources of energy.     

6-Nitro-[1,10]phenanthroline-1-ium nitrate: crystal structure, ab initio calculations and protonation character

The title compound, 6-nitro-[1,10]phenanthroline-1-ium nitrate, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, electron absorption spectroscopy, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure study showed that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group Cc, with M_r=288.22 (C₁₂H₈N₄O₅), a=13.861(3), b=10.142(2), c=8.7320(17) Å, β=103.70(3)°, V=1192.6(4) Å³, Z=4, D_c=1.605 g/cm³, F(000)=592, μ(Mo Kα)=0.129 mm⁻¹, R=0.0439, wR=0.1125, GOF=1.110. In the crystal lattice, the molecules create a network structure through hydrogen bonds. Ab initio calculations of the structures, charges distribution, natural bond orbitals, topological analysis and thermodynamic functions of 5-nitro-[1,10]phenanthroline and its protonated cation were performed at HF/6-311G** and B3LYP/6-311G** levels of theory. The calculation results are in a good agreement with the X-ray data and show that the protonated structure is stable. The calculation of second order optical nonlinearity was carried out and a higher molecular hyperpolarizability of 24.66×10⁻³⁰ esu was predicted.     

Dimeric water embedded within a hydrophobic cavity of tetra-(p-tert-butyl)thiacalix[4]arene

X-ray crystallographic analysis and density functional B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculation confirm that dimeric water is embedded within a hydrophobic cavity of tetra-(p-tert-butyl)thiacalix[4]arene and stabilized by hydrogen bondings of aromatic π?H₂O(1) and methyl?H₂O(2) in the dimeric water inclusion complex with binding energies of 1.4 and 0.9 kcal mol⁻¹ respectively, and by hydrogen bonding formed between H₂O(2) and four phenolic OH groups from an adjacent tetra-(p-tert-butyl)thiacalix[4]arene, with binding energy of 3.8-4.2 kcal mol⁻¹.     

Theoretical modelling of the epoxidation of vinylallenes to give cyclopentenones

Epoxidation of vinylallenes (1,2,4-pentatrienes) can lead to cyclopent-2-enones. Various experimental results suggest that these reactions are concerted and that vinylallene oxides undergo a concerted and thermal ring-closing reaction to give cyclopentenones. In 1977, this view has been supported by the epoxidation of a non-racemic 4-methyl-2,3,5-hexatriene to give a non-racemic 2,5-dimethyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one. Indeed, for the cyclization of (3E)-4-methyl-2,3-epoxy-2,3,5-hexatriene or (4E)-4-methyl-3,4-epoxy-2,3,5-hexatriene into 2,5-dimethyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, a transition structure for the concerted rearrangement was located, and IRC calculations showed it linked together. The activation barrier predicted at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory is 80.9 or 124.2 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively and the reaction is exothermic by 127.2 or 89.2 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.     

Preparation and evaluation of 2-azinyl-2H-benzotriazoles as bidentate ligands: Synthesis and characterization of [2-(2-pyridynyl)-2H-benzotriazole](bpy)2Ru

Five 2-azinyl-2H-benzotriazoles (azinyl = 2-pyridinyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 6-methoxy-3-pyridazinyl, 5-methyl-2-pyridinyl were prepared and characterized as bidentate ligands. The electronic structure of these and related heterocycles was investigated spectroscopically and computationally (TD-DFT). They were tested at the B3LYP/6-31++G(d, p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d, p) level of theory as ligands for MgH₂, which permitted the elucidation of trends in complex formation, its geometry as a function of the ring structure, and the number and position of the nitrogen atoms in the azine ring. A Ru²⁺ complex 7a-Ru with 2-pyridinyl-2H-benzotriazole (7a) and two bpy ligands was prepared and characterized structurally, spectroscopically and electrochemically. The results were compared to those for similar complexes and discussed in the context of computational results for MgH₂ complexes.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and DFT calculations on 2,6-diisopropylphenylcopper; its use in the preparation of dichloro-2,6-diisopropylphenylphosphine

The homoleptic aryl copper reagent [Cu₄Dipp₄] (Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) has been prepared and structurally characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Its tetrameric structure differs in significant details from that of the previously reported [Cu₄Tripp₄] (Tripp = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl). The electronic structure of the cluster has been probed through B3LYP/6311G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G calculations on [Cu₄Ph₄] constrained to D_2d symmetry. The utility of the new copper reagent is demonstrated by the preparation of pure DippPCl₂, for which the crystal structure is also reported.     

Experimental and quantum chemical study of pyrrole self-association through N-H?π hydrogen bonding

An FT-IR study of pyrrole self-association in CCl₄ solutions was carried out. According to the IR measurements, pyrrole forms self-associated dimeric species via N-H?π hydrogen bonding. This was also confirmed by quantum chemical calculations for pyrrole monomer and dimer at B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level of theory. A T-shaped minimum was located on B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) PES of pyrrole dimer characterized with a hydrogen bond of an N-H?π type, with centers-of-mass separation of monomeric units of 4.520 Å, H?π distance of 2.475 Å, the interplanar angle between the two monomeric units being 72.9°. The anharmonic vibrational frequency shift upon dimer formation calculated on the basis of 1D DFT vibrational potentials is in excellent agreement with the experimental data (84 vs. 87 cm⁻¹). Harmonic vibrational analysis predicts somewhat smaller shift (68 cm⁻¹). On the basis of NIR spectroscopic data, anharmonicity constants for the 2ν(N-H) and 2ν(N-H?π) vibrational transitions were calculated. The orientational dynamics of monomeric and self-associated pyrrole species was studied within the framework of the transition dipole moment time correlation function formalism. The period of essentially free rotation in the condensed phase reduces from 0.05 ps for the monomeric pyrrole to 0.02 ps for the proton-donor molecule within the dimer.     

Simulation of the Raman spectra of zwitterionic glycine + nH2O (n = 1, 2, …, 5) by means of DFT calculations and comparison to the experimentally observed Raman spectra of glycine in aqueous medium

Raman spectra of an aqueous solution of glycine (Gly) have been recorded in the range of 400-2000 cm⁻¹. In aqueous solution, glycine molecules exist in their zwitterionic form, having two opposite charged poles, COO⁻ and NH₃⁺. The zwitterionic structure of glycine (ZGly) is stabilized by the hydrogen bond interaction of water (W) molecules. In the present report, we have optimized the ground state geometries of different hydrogen bonded complexes of [ZGly + (W)_n=1-5] in aqueous medium using DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d) level of theory. A comparative discussion on the structural details and binding energies (BEs) of each conformer has been also done. The theoretical Raman spectra were calculated corresponding to the most stable [ZGly + (W)_n=1-5] conformers. The theoretically simulated Raman spectra of each stable conformer were compared with experimentally observed Raman spectra to explore the number of water molecules needed for stabilizing the structure of ZGly. The theoretically simulated Raman spectra corresponding to the most stable conformer of [ZGly + (W)₅] having a BE of −22.8 kcal/mol, are matching nicely with the experimentally observed Raman spectra. Thus, on the basis of the above observations, we conclude that the conformer, [ZGly + (W)₅] is the most probable conformer in the aqueous medium. We also believe that in the conformer, [ZGly + (W)₅] the five water molecules are arranged around the ZGly in such a way that the effect of steric hindrance is less compared to the other conformers. The dipole-dipole interaction potential (DDP) is also calculated corresponding to the strongest hydrogen bond for each [ZGly + (W)_n=1-5] conformer.     

The substituent effects of the leaving groups on the aminolysis of phenyl acetates: DFT studies

The density functional theory B3LYP/6-31G(d, p) method is employed to study the mechanism of aminolysis reaction of p-substituted phenyl acetates (CH₃C(O)OC₆H₄X, X = H, NH₂, and NO₂) with ammonia in the gas phase. Two reaction pathways are considered: the concerted process and the stepwise pathway through neutral intermediates. The substituent effects of the leaving groups on the reactivity of phenyl acetates are discussed. The solvent effect of acetonitrile on the title reaction is also assessed by the polarizable continuum model (CPCM model) at B3LYP/6-31++G(d, p) level of theory. The calculated results show that the activation barriers of the concerted pathways are lower than those of the rate-controlling steps of the stepwise processes for all the three aminolysis reactions. This aminolysis of phenyl acetates is more favorable for X = NO₂ than for X = H and NH₂ in the gas phase and in acetonitrile.     

Origin of the stereo- and regioselectivities in the Diels-Alder reactions of azaphospholes: a DFT investigation

Computations of the Diels-Alder (DA) reactions of azaphosphole representative namely, thiazolo[3,2-d][1,4,2]diazaphosphole with 1,3-butadiene and isoprene at the density functional theory level reveal concerted mechanisms via asynchronous transition states. The activation energies (B3LYP/6-311++G**// B3LYP/6-311G**), 16-19 kcal mol⁻¹, are much smaller than the value (32.57 kcal mol⁻¹) calculated for the DA reaction of the non-phosphorus analogue, imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole with 1,3-butadiene. An electron-withdrawing group at the 3-position of the dienophile enhances both stereo- and regioselectivities, which agree nicely with the experimental values. Inclusion of solvent effect (PCM model) reveals that the stereo- and regioselectivities are not affected appreciably. The relative stabilities of the transition structures corresponding to the endo/exo stereoisomers and meta (P/Me, 1:3)/para (P/Me, 1:4) regioisomers have been rationalized on the basis of the secondary molecular orbital interactions.     

Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation, vibrational assignment, and ab initio calculations of 3-methyl-3-butenenitrile

The Raman (3500-30 cm⁻¹) spectra of liquid and solid and the infrared (3500-40 cm⁻¹) spectra of gaseous and solid 3-methyl-3-butenenitrile, CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂CN, have been recorded. Both cis and gauche conformers have been identified in the fluid phases but only the cis form remains in the solid. Variable temperature (−55 to −100 °C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon have been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 163±16 cm⁻¹ (1.20±0.19 kJ mol⁻¹), with the cis conformer the more stable rotamer. It is estimated that there is 48±2% of the gauche conformer present at  25°C. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for the cis conformer based on infrared band contours, relative intensities, depolarization ratios and group frequencies. Several of the fundamentals for the gauche conformer have also been identified. The vibrational assignments are supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing ab initio force constants. Complete equilibrium geometries have been obtained for both rotamers by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31G(d), 6-311G(d,p), 6-311+G(d,p) and 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis sets at the levels of restricted Hartree-Fock (HF) and/or Møller-Plesset perturbation theory to the second order (MP2). Only with the 6-311G(2d,2p) and 6-311G(2df,2pd) basis sets with or without diffuse functions is the cis conformer predicted to be more stable than the gauche form. The potential energy terms for the conformational interchange have been obtained at the MP2(full)/6-311+G(2d,2p) level, and compared to those obtained from the experimental data. The results are discussed and compared to the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.     

Experimental and theoretical study of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine betaine

N-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine betaine (HEMB) has been characterized by a single crystal X-ray analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with a=10.273(2), b=9.360(2), c=9.447(2) Å and β=104.72(3)Å. Two molecules of HEMB form a centrosymmetric dimer (X2) connected by a pair of hydrogen bonds between the CH₂CH₂OH and COO⁻ groups, with the O?O distance of 2.672(2) Å. The morpholine ring adopts a chair conformation with the CH₂CH₂OH group in the axial and the CH₂COO⁻ group in the equatorial position. The structures of the dimer, B2, and two monomers, B1a and B1b, have been optimized by the B3LYP approach using the 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The computed structure of B2, agrees well with the experimental X2. From two stable monomeric conformers the more favored is B1a, with the intramolecular hydrogen bond with the O-H?O distance of 2.566 Å. The effects of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions on the conformation of the molecules investigated have been discussed. The FTIR spectrum shows a broad absorption in the 3300-2600 cm⁻¹ region, typical of moderate O-H?O hydrogen bonds.     

DFT and ab initio theoretical study for the CF3S + CO reaction

The potential energy surface for the reaction of CF₃S with CO is calculated at the G4//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The results show that F-abstraction and addition-elimination mechanisms are involved, and the latter one is dominant thermodynamically and kinetically. The dominant channel is the reactant addition to form CF₃SCO, and then decomposes to CF₃ + OCS. While the direct F-abstraction channel and CF₃SCO isomerization channel are not significant for the title reaction due to higher barriers involved. The comparisons among four reactions of CX₃Y + CO (X = H, F; and Y = O, S) are made to imply the similar and different properties and reactivities of the same family elements and the F- and S-substituted derivatives.     

Magnetic exchange interactions in perfluorophenyl dithiadiazolyl radicals

EPR, electrochemical studies and neutron diffraction studies on a large range of 1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl radicals have shown that the spin density distribution is essentially unaffected by substituent effects. The variation of magnetic properties previously reported for a series of perfluorophenyl-dithiadiazolyl radicals p-XC₆F₄CNSSN (X = CN, Br, NO₂ and NCC₆F₄) is therefore due to differences in molecular packing. The nearest-neighbour magnetic exchange interactions in these radicals are probed through DFT studies (B3LYP/6-311G**) and are shown to exhibit a variety of both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions. All exchange interactions with |J| > 1 cm⁻¹ coincide with close heterocyclic contacts between dithiadiazolyl rings (3.18-4.00 Å) and produce |J| values up to 40 K. An analysis of these interactions indicates that the dominant exchange pathway would appear to be a direct exchange mechanism between radical centres, with orthogonality of the singly-occupied molecular orbitals (SOMOs) favouring ferromagnetic interactions.     

Ab initio investigation of O3 addition to double bonds of limonene

The reaction of the O₃ addition to double bonds of the limonene in the gas phase has been investigated using ab initio methods. Four different possibilities for the O₃ addition to the double bonds, which correspond to the two C–C double bonds (endocyclic or exocyclic), and two different orientations of each C–C double bonds, have been considered. The corresponding rate constants have been calculated using the transition-state theory (TST) at the CCSD(T)/6-31G(d) + CF//B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. The high-pressure limit of the overall rate constant at 298 K is found to be ∼2.92 × 10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ that is in a good agreement with the experimental data, and the rate constants of the four individual reaction channels turn out to be 2.1 × 10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, 6.5 × 10⁻¹⁷ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ and 5.1 × 10⁻¹⁸ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ for 1-endo, 2-endo, 1-exo and 2-exo, respectively.