Lewis acid-base interactions in weakly bound formaldehyde complexes with CO2, HCN, and FCN: considerations on the cooperative H-bonding effects

Ab initio quantum chemistry calculations reveal that HCN and mainly FCN can form Lewis acid-base complexes with formaldehyde associated with cooperative H bonds, as first noticed by Wallen et al. (Blatchford, M. A.; Raveendran, P.; Wallen, S. L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 14818-14819) for CO2-philic materials under supercritical conditions. The present results, obtained with MP2(Full)/aug-cc-pVDZ calculations, show that the degeneracy of the nu(2) mode in free HCN or FCN is removed upon complexation in the same fashion as that of CO2. The splitting of these bands along with the electron structure analysis provides substantial evidence of the interaction of electron lone pairs of the carbonyl oxygen with the electron-deficient carbon atom of the cyanides. Also, this work investigates the role of H bonds acting as additional stabilizing interactions in the complexes by performing the energetic and geometric characterization.     

Ab initio rotation-vibration spectra of HCN and HNC

We have calculated an ab initio HCN/HNC linelist for all transitions up to J= 25 and 18000 cm(-1) above the zero point energy. This linelist contains more than 200 million lines each with frequencies and transition dipoles. The linelist has been calculated using our semi-global HCN/HNC VQZANO + PES and dipole moment surface, which were reported in van Mourik et al. (J. Chem. Phys. 115 (2001) 3706). With this linelist we synthesise absorption spectra of HCN and HNC at 298 K and we present the band centre and band transition dipoles for the bands which are major features in these spectra. Several of the HCN bands and many of the HNC bands have not been previously studied. Our line intensities reproduce via fully ab initio methods the unusual intensity structure of the HCN CN stretch fundamental (00(0)1) for the first time and also the forbidden (02(2)0) HCN bending overtone. We also compare the J = 1-->0 pure rotational transition dipole in the HCN/HNC ground and vibrationally excited states with experimental and existing ab initio results.     

Quantum dynamics of the H + O2 --> O + OH reaction on an accurate ab initio potential energy surface

We report exact time-dependent and time-independent quantum mechanical studies of the title reaction on an accurate ab initio potential energy surface of Xu et al. (J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 122, 24305). The J = 0 reaction probabilities for several reactant states show sharp resonance structures superimposed on relatively low backgrounds, and they are remarkably different from existing quantum results on an earlier potential energy surface (DMBE-IV). The new findings reported here suggest that our current understanding of this important reaction might require significant revision.     

Formation of surface CN from the coupling of C and N atoms on Pt(111)

Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and temperature-programmed desorption have been used to study the coupling of C and N atoms on Pt(111) to form surface CN. This reaction underlies the important synthesis of HCN from methane and ammonia over platinum catalysts. Since CH4 and NH3 do not thermally dissociate on Pt(111) under ultrahigh vacuum conditions, we used CH3I and electron bombardment of NH3 to generate reactive surface species. Surface CN is formed at a temperature of 500 K from surface Nads and Cads atoms. The presence of surface CN is detected by HCN desorption and through the reaction of hydrogen with CNads to form a surface >CNH2 (aminocarbyne) species, which has a characteristic RAIR spectrum.     

Insights into the Thermal and Photochemical Reaction Mechanisms of Azidoacetonitrile. Spectroscopic and MS-CASPT2 Calculations

This work studies the photochemical and thermal decompositions of azidoacetonitrile (N₃CH₂CN) from both the experimental and theoretical points of view. The data of the photochemical experiments are taken from the literature, while the thermal decomposition have been carried out by us. In addition, we have performed ab initio calculations of the multiconfigurational type [complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and the multistate multireference perturbation theory (MS-CASPT2)]. It is found that the first step of both type of decompositions is N₂ elimination and formation of closed shell singlet nitrene. Afterwards, the nitrene tends to rapidly rearrange into formimidoyl cyanide (HNCHCN). As both reactions progress, the imine isomerizes into formimidoyl isocyanide (HNCHNC). The photoisomerization of the imine takes places thorough a conical intersection, while the same reaction on the ground electronic state occurs via a conventional transition state. The last step of the global reaction is decomposition of the imines into HCN and CNH. In photochemical conditions, the conjunction of the imines and its dissociation products (HCN and CNH) yields adenine     

Rate constants and branching ratios for the reaction of CH radicals with NH3: a combined experimental and theoretical study

The reaction between CH radicals and NH(3) molecules is known to be rapid down to at least 23 K {at which temperature k = (2.21 ± 0.17) × 10(-10) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1): Bocherel ; et al. J. Phys. Chem. 1996, 100, 3063}. However, there have been only limited theoretical investigations of this reaction and its products are not known. This paper reports (i) ab initio quantum chemical calculations on the energy paths that lead to various reaction products, (ii) calculations of the overall rate constant and branching ratios to different products using transition state and master equation methods, and (iii) an experimental determination of the H atom yield from the reaction. The ab initio calculations show that reaction occurs predominantly via the initial formation of a datively bound HC-NH(3) complex and reveal low energy pathways to three sets of reaction products: H(2)CNH + H, HCNH(2) + H, and CH(3) + NH. The transition state calculations indicate the roles of "outer" and "inner" transition states and yield rate constants between 20 and 320 K that are in moderate agreement with the experimental values. These calculations and those using the master equation approach show that the branching ratio for the most exothermic reaction, to H(2)CNH + H, is ca. 96% throughout the temperature range covered by the calculations, with those to HCNH(2) + H and CH(3) + NH being (4 ± 3)% and <0.3%, respectively. In the experiments, multiple photon dissociation of CHBr(3) was used to generate CH radicals and laser-induced fluorescence at 121.56 nm (VUV-LIF) was employed to observe H atoms. By comparing signals from CH + NH(3) with those from CH + CH(4), where the yield of H atoms is known to be unity, it is possible to estimate that the yield of H atoms from CH + NH(3) is equal to 0.89 ± 0.07 (2σ), in satisfactory agreement with the theoretical estimate.     

Study of the H+O2 reaction by means of quantum mechanical and statistical approaches: the dynamics on two different potential energy surfaces

The possible existence of a complex-forming pathway for the H+O(2) reaction has been investigated by means of both quantum mechanical and statistical techniques. Reaction probabilities, integral cross sections, and differential cross sections have been obtained with a statistical quantum method and the mean potential phase space theory. The statistical predictions are compared to exact results calculated by means of time dependent wave packet methods and a previously reported time independent exact quantum mechanical approach using the double many-body expansion (DMBE IV) potential energy surface (PES) [Pastrana et al., J. Phys. Chem. 94, 8073 (1990)] and the recently developed surface (denoted XXZLG) by Xu et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 122, 244305 (2005)]. The statistical approaches are found to reproduce only some of the exact total reaction probabilities for low total angular momenta obtained with the DMBE IV PES and some of the cross sections calculated at energy values close to the reaction threshold for the XXZLG surface. Serious discrepancies with the exact integral cross sections at higher energy put into question the possible statistical nature of the title reaction. However, at a collision energy of 1.6 eV, statistical rotationally resolved cross sections managed to reproduce the experimental cross sections for the H+O(2)(v=0,j=1)-->OH(v(')=1,j('))+O process reasonably well.     

Quantum‐matter photonic framework perspective of chemical processes: Entanglement shifts in HCN/CNH isomerization

A complete electro‐nuclear (EN) basis set and quantum electrodynamics bases in photon number scheme combines to form photonic bases sets. The EN q‐states can hence be modulated by appropriate external electromagnetic sources. Quantum determinants for HCN/CNH isomerization within photonic bases are elaborated that rationalize quantum state changes as if it were an apparent unimolecular process. Topologic label of base states permit linking with those obtained with semiclassic schemes. A comparison of results leads to conclude that both schemes can turn out to be complementary. The q‐scheme yielding more detailed information that the semiclassic one as expected. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Phase-space reaction network on a multisaddle energy landscape: HCN isomerization

By using the HCN/CNH isomerization reaction as an illustrative vehicle of chemical reactions on multisaddle energy landscapes, we give explicit visualizations of molecular motions associated with a straight-through reaction tube in the phase space inside which all reactive trajectories pass from one basin to another, with eliminating recrossing trajectories in the configuration space. This visualization provides us with a chemical intuition of how chemical species "walk along" the reaction-rate slope in the multidimensional phase space compared with the intrinsic reaction path in the configuration space. The distinct nonergodic features in the two different HCN and CNH wells can be easily demonstrated by a section of Poincare surface of section in those potential minima, which predicts in a priori the pattern of trajectories residing in the potential well. We elucidate the global phase-space structure which gives rise to the non-Markovian dynamics or the dynamical correlation of sequential multisaddle chemical reactions. The phase-space structure relevant to the controllability of the product state in chemical reactions is also discussed.     

D+HCN反应的SVRT含时波包理论研究

基于Horst的势能面,用SVRT(SemirigidVibratingRotorTarget)方法对D+HCN反应进行了含时波包动力学研究,计算得到了不同初始振转态的总反应几率和积分反应截面,采用UniformJ-shifting方法得到该反应的热速率常数.计算结果与H+HCN反应进行了比和讨论.     

Quantum mechanical investigations of the N(4S)+O2(X 3Sigmag -)-->NO(X 2Pi)+O(3P) reaction

The reaction between energetic nitrogen atoms and oxygen molecules has received important attention in connection with nitric oxide chemistry in the lower thermosphere. We report time-independent quantum mechanical calculations of the N(4S)+O2-->NO+O reaction employing the X 2A' and a 4A' electronic potential energy surfaces of Sayos et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 117, 670 (2002)]. We confirm the production of highly vibrationally excited NO molecules, consistent with previous semiclassical and more recent time-dependent quantum wave packet studies. Calculations are carried out for total angular momentum quantum number J=0 and cross sections and rate coefficients are extracted using the J-shifting approximation. The results are in good agreement with available experimental and theoretical data.     

Controlled subnanosecond isomerization of HCN to CNH in solution

We report a study of control of the HCN-->CNH isomerization in a liquid Ar solution. We show, using molecular dynamics simulations, nearly complete conversion from HCN to CNH can be achieved in solution on the subnanosecond time scale without requiring laser pulse shaping or molecular alignment. The mechanism of the isomerization reaction involves multiphoton rovibrational excitation on the ground electronic state potential energy surface coupled with rapid rovibrational relaxation in solution. The results demonstrate the important role of rotation-vibration coupling in multiphoton excitation of small molecules and constitute the first realistic computational demonstration of fast, robust, and high-yield laser field manipulation of solution-phase molecular processes.     

An ab initio study of cooperative effects in ternary complexes X:CNH:Z with X, Z = CNH, FH, ClH, FCl, and HLi: structures, binding energies, and spin-spin coupling constants across intermolecular bonds

A systematic ab initio investigation has been carried out to determine the structures, binding energies, and spin-spin coupling constants of ternary complexes X:CNH:Z and corresponding binary complexes X:CNH and CNH:Z, for X, Z = CNH, FH, ClH, FCl, and HLi. The enhanced binding energies of ternary complexes X:CNH:Z for fixed X as a function of Z decrease in the same order as the binding energies of the binary complexes CNH:Z. In contrast, the enhanced binding energies of the ternary complexes for fixed Z as a function of X do not decrease in the same order as the binding energies of the binary complexes X:CNH, a consequence of the increased stabilities of ternary complexes FCl:CNH:Z due to very strong chlorine-shared halogen bonds. For complexes in which the X···CNH interaction is a D-H···C hydrogen bond for D-H the proton-donor group (N-H, F-H, or Cl-H), spin-spin coupling constants (1)J(D-H) and (2h)J(D-C) in ternary complexes X:CNH:Z decrease in absolute value as the binding energies of binary complexes CNH:Z and the enhanced binding energies of the ternary complexes for fixed X as a function of Z also decrease. However, (2X)J(F-C) increases as the enhanced binding energies of the ternary complexes FCl:CNH:Z decrease, a consequence of the nature of the chlorine-shared halogen bond. The one-bond coupling constants (1)J(N-H) for the CNH···Z interaction in ternary complexes vary significantly, depending on the nature of the X···CNH interaction. The largest values of (1)J(N-H) are found for ternary complexes with FCl as X. Two-bond coupling constants (2h)J(N-A) for A the proton-acceptor atom of Z, and (2d)J(N-H) decrease in absolute value in the order of decreasing enhancement energies of ternary complexes X:CNH:Z for fixed Z as a function of X.     

A quasiclassical trajectory study of the time-delayed forward scattering in the hydrogen exchange reaction

The time-delayed forward scattering mechanism recently identified by Althorpe et al. [Nature (London) 416, 67 (2002)] for the H+D(2)(v=0,j=0)-->HD(v(')=3,j(')=0)+D reaction was analyzed by using quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) methodology. The QCT results were found to match the quantum wavepacket snapshots of Althorpe et al., albeit without the quantum scattering effects. Trajectories were analyzed on the fly to investigate the dynamics of the atoms during the reaction. The dominant reaction mechanism progresses from hard collinear impacts, leading to direct recoil, toward glancing impacts. The increased time required for forward scattered trajectories is due to the rotation of the transient HDD complex. Forward scattered trajectories display symmetric stretch vibrations of the transient HDD complex, a signature of the presence of a resonance, or a quantum bottleneck state.     

The investigation of nonadiabatic effects for the N + ND → N2 + D reaction

Nonadiabatic quantum dynamical calculations have been carried out on the two coupled potential energy surfaces (1²A′ and 2²A′) (Mota et al., J Theor Comput Chem 2009, 8, 849) for the title reaction. Initial state‐resolved reaction probabilities and cross sections for ground and excited states for collision energies of 0.005–1.0 eV are determined, respectively. Nonadiabatic transition is enhanced about four times by isotopic substitution of N + NH by N + ND reaction. It turns out that the nonadiabatic effects exert no significant contribution in the N + ND → N₂ + D reaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Rate constant for OH(2 Pi)+O(3P)-->H(2S)+O2(3 Sigma g-) reaction on an improved ab initio potential energy surface and implications for the interstellar oxygen problem

The authors report a global potential energy surface for the ground electronic state of HO(2)(X (2)A(")), which improves upon the XXZLG potential [Xu and et al., J. Chem. Phys. 122, 244305 (2005)] with additional high-level ab initio points for the long-range interaction potential in the O+OH channel. Exact J=0 quantum mechanical reaction probabilities were calculated on the new potential and the rate constant for the title reaction was obtained using a J-shifting method. The calculated rate constant is in good agreement with available experimental values and our results predict a significantly lower rate at temperature range below 30 K, offering a possible explanation for the "interstellar oxygen problem."     

Mechanism of OH radical reactions with HCN and CH3CN: OH regeneration in the presence of O2

A theoretical study on the mechanism of the OH reactions with HCN and CH(3)CN, in the presence of O2, is presented. Optimum geometries and frequencies have been computed at BHandHLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of theory for all stationary points. Energy values have been improved by single-point calculations at the above geometries using CCSD(T)/6-311++G(2d,2p). The initial attack of OH to HCN was found to lead only to the formation of the HC(OH)N adduct, while for CH(3)CN similar proportions of CH(2)CN and CH(3)C(OH)N are expected. A four-step mechanism has been proposed to explain the OH regeneration, experimentally observed for OH + CH(3)CN reaction, when carried out in the presence of O2. The mechanism steps are as follows: (1) OH addition to the C atom in the CN group, (2) O2 addition to the N atom, (3) an intramolecular H migration from OH to OO, and (4) OH elimination. This mechanism is in line with the one independently proposed by Wine et al. for HCN. The results obtained here suggest that for the OH + HCN reaction, the OH regeneration might occur even in larger extension than for OH + CH(3)CN reaction. The agreement between the calculated data and the available experimental evidence on the studied reactions seems to validate the mechanism proposed here.     

Theoretical study of the reaction mechanism of HCN+ and CH4 of relevance to Titan's ion chemistry

Titan is the largest satellite of Saturn. In its atmosphere, CH4 is the most abundant neutral after nitrogen. In this paper, the complex doublet potential-energy surface related to the reaction between HCN+ and CH4 is investigated at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p), CCSD(T)/6-311G++(3df,2pd)(single-point), and QCISD/6-311G(d,p) computational levels. A total of seven products are located on the PES. The initial association of HCN+ with CH4 is found to be a prereaction complex 1 (HCNHCH3(+)) without barrier. Starting from 1, the most feasible pathway is the direct H-abstraction process (the internal C-H bond dissociation) leading to the product P1 (HCNH++CH3). By C-C addition, prereaction complex 1 can form intermediate 2 (HNCHCH3(+)) and then lead to the product P2 (CH3CNH++H). The rate-controlling step of this process is only 25.6 kcal/mol. It makes the Path P2 (1) R --> 1 --> TS1/2 --> 2 --> TS2/P2 --> P2 another possible way for the reaction. P3 (HCNCH3(+) + H), P5 (cNCHCH2(+) + H2), and P6 (NCCH3(+) + H2) are exothermic products, but they have higher barriers (more than 40.0 kcal/mol); P4 (H + HCN + CH3(+)) and P7 (H + H2 + HCCNH+) are endothermic products. They should be discovered under different experimental or interstellar conditions. The present study may be helpful for investigating the analogous ion-molecule reaction in Titan's atmosphere.