Reactivities of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents. Part 13 Kinetic study for phosphine‐catalyzed acylation of alkylarylzincs and effect of residual group on the transfer rate of alkyl group

Kinetics of reactions of di‐n‐butylzinc, n‐Bu₂Zn, and mixed n‐butyl(substituted phenyl)zinc reagents and n‐Bu(functional group (FG)?C₆H₄)Zn with benzoyl chloride in the presence of tri‐n‐butylphosphine have been investigated. Reaction rates of transferable n‐butyl group have been determined in tetrahydrofuran at 0 °C to compare the transfer rate of n‐butyl group in homo and mixed diorganozincs. Rate law is consistent with a third‐order reaction, which is first order in diorganozinc, benzoyl chloride, and n‐Bu₃P, and a mechanism was proposed. The lower reaction rate of n‐BuPhZn than that of n‐Bu₂Zn and negative reaction constant in Hammett plot are in accordance with the carbanionic charge of transferable n‐butyl group in the acylation reaction. These findings support the hypothesis that the reaction rate of transferable group, R_T, changes depending upon the residual group, R_R, in R_RR_TZn reagents. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the mechanism for the kinetic of elimination of methyl carbazate in the gas phase

The elimination kinetic of methyl carbazate in the gas phase was determined in a static system over the temperature range of 340–390 °C and pressure range of 47–118 Torr. The reaction is homogeneous, unimolecular, and obeys a first order rate law. The decomposition products are methyl amine, nitrous acid, and CO gas. The variation of the rate coefficients with temperatures is given by the Arrhenius expression: log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.56 ± 0.34) ? (180.7 ± 4.1) kJ mol^?1(2.303 RT)^?1. The estimated kinetics and thermodynamics parameters are in good agreement to the experimental values using B3LYP/6‐31G (d,p), and MP2/6‐31G (d,p) levels of theory. These calculations imply a molecular mechanism involving a concerted non‐synchronous quasi three‐membered ring cyclic transition state to give an unstable intermediate, 1,2‐oxaziridin‐3‐one. Bond order analysis and natural charges implies that polarization of O (alkyl)? C (alkyl) bond of the ester is rate determining in this reaction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

RA-IR Studies on the Structure of Mercapto-Ended Azobenzene Derivatives in Self-Assembled Monolayers

Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) were prepared from mercapto-ended azobenzene derivatives with the structure of n-C_nH_2n+1, AzoO(CH₂)_mSH (n=4,6,8,10,12; m=3,5). the structure of these SAMs was thoroughly studied with grazing-angle incident reflection absorption FT1R technique and wettability measurement. the results suggested that the plane of Azobenzene system of the assembling molecules in the SAMs lies on its back with an approximate angle of 22° included between the substrate surface normal and the Azobenzene plane. Tail alkyl groups (n-C_nH_2n+1) in these assembling molecules were considered to be in an all-trans conformation, as if they were in a crystalline-like environment. and the C-C-C plane of these all-trans tail alkyl groups, while n≤8, lies also on its back with an angle about 70° between its plane and the substrate surface normal. the conformation of these head groups (-O(CH₂)_mSH) in SAMs are disturbed by many structural factors. While m=3 or 5, the head group chain was proposed to remain in a gauche conformation to fit the upright orientation of the Azobenzene plane. the packing density was investigated by measuring the contact angle of water on these SAMs. the results showed that the self-assembled monolayer films are perfectly packed and the coverage density might be improved with increasing the length of both tail and head alkyl chains.     

Structure–reactivity relationship for alcohol oxidations via hydride transfer to a carbocationic oxidizing agent

Second‐order rate constants were determined for the oxidation of 27 alcohols (R¹R²CHOH) by a carbocationic oxidizing agent, 9‐phenylxanthylium ion, in acetontrile at 60 °C. Alcohols include open‐chain alkyl, cycloalkyl, and unsaturated alcohols. Kinetic isotope effects for the reaction of 1‐phenylethanol were determined at three H/D positions of the alcohol (KIE_α‐D = 3.9, KIE_β‐D3 = 1.03, KIE_OD = 1.10). These KIE results are consistent with those we previously reported for the 2‐propanol reaction, suggesting that these reactions follow a hydride‐proton sequential transfer mechanism that involves a rate‐limiting formation of the α‐hydroxy carbocation intermediate. Structure–reactivity relationship for alcohol oxidations was deeply discussed on the basis of the observed structural effects on the formation of the carbocationic transition state (C^δ+? OH). Efficiencies of alcohol oxidations are largely dependent upon the alcohol structures. Steric hindrance effect and ring strain relief effect win over the electronic effect in determining the rates of the oxidations of open‐chain alkyl and cycloalkyl alcohols. Unhindered secondary alkyl alcohols would be selectively oxidized in the presence of primary and hindered secondary alkyl alcohols. Strained C₇? C₁₁ cycloalkyl alcohols react faster than cyclohexyl alcohol, whereas the strained C₅ and C₁₂ alcohols react slower. Aromatic alcohols would be efficiently and selectively oxidized in the presence of aliphatic alcohols of comparable steric requirements. This structure–reactivity relationship for alcohol oxidations via hydride‐transfer mechanism is hoped to provide a useful guidance for the selective oxidation of certain alcohol functional groups in organic synthesis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the mechanism of the N,N‐dimethyl amination of Grignard reagents: a kinetic study

A direct kinetic study is reported for the electrophilic amination of substituted phenylmagnesium bromides with N,N‐dimethyl O‐(mesitylenesulfonyl)hydroxylamine in THF. Rate data, Hammett relationship, and activation entropy are consistent with a S_N2 displacement involving the attack of carbanions to sp³N in the amination reagent (AR). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Role of gemini surfactants (m‐s‐m type; m = 16, s = 4–6) on the reaction of [Zn(II)‐Gly‐Phe]+ with ninhydrin

In the present paper, reaction of zinc‐glycylphenylalanine ([Zn(II)‐Gly‐Phe]⁺) with ninhydrin has been investigated in gemini (m‐s‐m type; m = 16, s = 4–6) surfactants at temperature (70 °C) and pH (5.0). Monitoring the appearance of product at 400 nm was used to follow the kinetics, spectrophotometrically. The order of the reaction with respect to [Zn(II)‐Gly‐Phe]⁺ was unity while with respect to [ninhydrin] was fractional. The reaction constants involved in the mechanism were obtained. In addition to the rate constant (k_Ψ) increase and leveling‐off regions are observed with the geminis, just like as seen with conventional surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), the former produced a third region of increasing k_Ψ at higher concentrations. A close agreement between observed and calculated rate constants was found under varying experimental conditions. A suitable mechanism consistent with the experimental findings has been proposed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Difference between 1H NMR signals of primary amide protons as a simple spectral index of the amide intramolecular hydrogen bond strength

The effect of the intramolecular H‐bonding of the primary amide group on the spectral properties and reactivity of this group towards electrophiles has been studied in systematic rows of 1,2,5,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐7,7‐dimethyl‐2,5‐dioxo‐1‐R‐quinoline‐3‐carboxamides and 2‐aryliminocoumarin‐3‐carboxamides using ¹H and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy and the kinetics of model reactions. The upfield signal of the amide proton that is not intramolecularly H‐bonded (H^a) depends on external factors such as solvent nature and concentration. At the same time, the downfield chemical shift of the H^b proton (bonded by the intramolecular hydrogen bond) depends mostly on the strength of the intramolecular H‐bond, which is affected by such internal factor as electron nature of substituent R. The substituent's influence on the H^b proton's chemical shift is more effective in deuterochloroform medium than in DMSO‐d₆ where the intramolecular hydrogen bond is less stable. The value Δδ(H) = δ(H^b) ? δ(H^a) is suggested as a simple comparative spectral index of the intramolecular hydrogen bond strength in these and similar compounds. By contrast, the effect of R on the ¹⁵N NMR chemical shift of the amide nitrogen has turned out to be too small to estimate changes of the electron density at the nitrogen. The effect of the intramolecular H‐bond on the reactivity of the amide group is twofold. When the cleavage of the H‐bond occurs on the rate limiting step it dramatically reduces the reaction rate. In the other case, the strengthening of the H‐bond favors the reaction rate because of the increase of the electron density at the amide nitrogen. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A numerical study of the superadiabatic flame temperature phenomenon in HN3 flames

The phenomenon of superadiabatic flame temperature (SAFT) was discovered and investigated in a low-pressure HN₃/N₂ flame using numerical modelling. A previously developed mechanism of chemical reactions in the HN₃/N₂ flame at the pressure 50 Torr and the initial temperature T₀ = 296 K was revised. Rate constants of several important reactions involving HN₃ (HN₃ (+N₂) = N₂ + NH (+N₂), R1; HN₃ (+HN₃) = N₂ + NH (+HN₃), R2; HN₃ + H = N₂ + NH₂, R4; HN₃ + N = N₂ + NNH, R5; and HN₃ + NH₂ = NH₃ + N₃, R7) were calculated using quantum chemistry and reaction rate theories. Modified Arrhenius expressions for these reactions are provided for the 300–3500 K temperature range. Modelling of the flame structure and flame propagation velocity of the HN₃/N₂ flame at p = 50 Torr and T₀ = 296 K was performed using the revised mechanism. The results demonstrate the presence of the SAFT phenomenon in the HN₃/N₂ flame. Analysis of the flame structure and the kinetic mechanism indicates that the cause of SAFT is in the kinetic mechanism: exothermic reactions of radicals with hydrogen atoms occur in the post flame zone, which results in the formation of super equilibrium H₂ concentrations. The flame propagation velocity is largely determined by the second-order HN₃ decomposition reaction and not by the reaction of HN₃ with H, as was previously assumed. Calculation of the flame propagation velocity according to the Zeldovich-Frank-Kamenetsky theory with the decomposition reaction as a limiting stage yielded a value that agrees with that obtained in numerical modelling using the complete reaction mechanism.     

Reactivity of the insecticide chlorpyrifos‐methyl toward hydroxyl and perhydroxyl ion. Effect of cyclodextrins

The reactivity of Chlorpyrifos‐Methyl ( 1 ) toward hydroxyl ion and the α‐nucleophile, perhydroxyl ion was investigated in aqueous basic media. The hydrolysis of 1 was studied at 25 °C in water containing 10% ACN or 7% 1,4‐dioxane at NaOH concentrations between 0.01 and 0.6 M ; the second‐order rate constant is 1.88 × 10^?2 M ^?1 s^?1 in 10% ACN and 1.70 × 10^?2 M ^?1 s^?1 in 7% 1,4‐dioxane. The reaction with H₂O₂ was studied in a pH range from 9.14 to 12.40 in 7% 1,4‐dioxane/H₂O; the second‐order rate constant for the reaction of HOO^? ion is 7.9 M ^?1 s^?1 whereas neutral H₂O₂ does not compete as nucleophile. In all cases quantitative formation of 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol ( 3 ) was observed indicating an S_N2(P) pathway. The hydrolysis reaction is inhibited by α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin showing saturation kinetics; the greater inhibition is produced by γ‐cyclodextrin. The reaction with hydrogen peroxide is weakly inhibited by α‐ and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD), whereas γ‐cyclodextrin produces a greater inhibition and saturation kinetics. The kinetic data obtained in the presence of β‐ or γ‐cyclodextrin for the reaction with hydroxyl or perhydroxyl ion indicate that the main reaction pathway for the cyclodextrin‐mediated reaction is the reaction of HO^? or HOO^? ion with the substrate complexed with the anion of the cyclodextrin. The inhibition is attributed to the inclusion of the substrate with the reaction center far from the ionized secondary OH groups of the cyclodextrin and protected from external attack of the nucleophile. Sucrose also inhibits the hydrolysis reaction but the effect is independent of its concentration. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational analysis of N‐phenyl‐ and N‐trifyl‐4,4‐dimethyl‐4‐silathiane 1‐sulfimides

N‐Substituted 4,4‐dimethyl‐4‐silathiane 1‐sulfimides [R = Ph ( 1 ), CF₃ ( 2 )] were studied experimentally by variable temperature dynamic NMR spectroscopy. Low temperature ¹³C NMR spectra of the two compounds revealed the frozen ring inversion process and approximately equal content of the axial and equatorial conformers. Calculations of the 4‐silathiane derivatives 1 , 2 and the model compound [R = Me ( 3 )] as well as their carbon analogs, the similarly N‐substituted thiane 1‐sulfimides [R = Ph ( 4 ), CF₃ ( 5 ), Me ( 6 )] at the DFT/B3LYP/6–311G(d,p) level in the gas phase and in chloroform solution using the PCM model at the same level of theory showed a strong dependence of the relative stability of the conformer on the solvent. The electronegative trifluoromethyl group increases the relative stability of the axial conformer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics and mechanism of (salen)MnIII–catalysed hydrogen peroxide oxidation of alkyl aryl sulphides

The kinetics of (salen)Mn^III complexes catalysed oxidation of aryl methyl and alkyl phenyl sulphides with hydrogen peroxide have been investigated at 25°C in 80% acetonitrile – 20% water spectrophotometrically. The reaction follows first‐order kinetics in (salen)Mn^III complex and zero‐order kinetics in hydrogen peroxide. The order of the reaction with respect to sulphide is fractional and saturation in reaction rate occurs at higher sulphide concentrations. The pseudo first‐order rate constants have been analysed as per Michaelis–Menten kinetics to obtain the values of k₂, the oxidant‐substrate complex decomposition rate constant, and K, the oxidant‐substrate complex formation constant. The effects of nitrogenous bases, free radical inhibitor and changes in solvent composition have also been studied. A suitable mechanism, supported by electronic‐oxidant and electronic‐substrate effect studies, involving a manganese(III)‐hydroperoxide complex as reactive species has been proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of the kinetic parameters of the isomerization reaction of ethyl isocyanide using HeI photoelectron spectroscopy

The use of HeI photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) for the kinetic study of chemical reactions was introduced previously by us. As another example of the determination of the kinetic parameters of a chemical reaction using the PES method, the isomerization reaction of ethyl isocyanide CH₃CH₂NC → CH₃CH₂CN is investigated. It is found to be first order and the kinetic equations at 193.6, 200.0 and 210.3°C can be expressed as ln R_{466.6 K} = − (7.600 ± 0.026) × 10⁻⁵t − 0.4350; ln R_{473.0 K} = − (1.329 ± 0.032) × 10⁻⁴ − 0.4375 and ln R_{483.3 K} = − (3.170 ± 0.052) × 10⁻⁴ − 0.4354, respectively. The rate constants of the reactions at 193.6, 200.0 reactions at 193.6, 200.0 and 210.3°C are respectively (7.600 ± 0.026) × 10⁻⁵, (1.329 ± 0.032) × 10⁻⁴ and (3.170 ± 0.052) × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹. The calculated activation energy (E_a) of this isomerization reaction is 38.36 ± 0.32 kcal mol⁻¹. These results are also in excellent agreement with the results obtained by a traditional method. This means that PES is a valuable method for determining the kinetic parameters of chemical reactions. The value of the intercept in the kinetic equations is related to the logarithm of the ratio of the photoionization cross-section of the bands used. This also means that the relative photoionization cross-sections of the bands used for the sample studied are obtained in the kinetic study of a chemical reaction using the PES method.     

Synthesis,molecular structure,IR and Raman spectra as well as DFT chemical calculations for alkylamides of thiocyanoacetic acid

This paper reports on room‐temperature infrared (IR) and Raman studies and vibrational characteristics of amide and thiocyano groups of R‐NH‐CO‐CH₂‐SCN n‐alkylamides of thiocyanoacetic acid (R = C₈H₁₇, C₉H₁₉, C₁₂H₂₅ and C₁₄H₂₉). Their molecular structure has been proposed on the basis of optimization process. The experimental wavenumbers have been compared to those obtained from discrete Fourier transform (DFT) quantum chemical calculations performed with the use of B3LYP/6–31G(d,p) approximation. The role of the hydrogen bonds in the stabilization of the structure has been analyzed. It was found that the hydrogen bonding and strong dynamic interactions between the unit cell components are responsible for the deviation of several theoretical wavenumbers from the experimental ones. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactivity of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents. Part 4: a kinetic study of group transfer selectivity in C?C coupling of mixed diorganocuprates

The competitive rate data and Taft relationships for the coupling of bromomagnesium n‐butyl (substituted phenyl) cuprates with alkyl bromides show that selective n‐butyl transfer can be explained by an oxidative addition mechanism. Taft reaction constants also show that the residual group FG‐C₆H₄ in the mixed cuprate n‐Bu(FG‐C₆H₄)CuMgBr changes the ability of the copper nucleophile to react with the electrophile RBr. These results provide support for the commonly accepted hypothesis regarding the dependence of the R¹ group transfer ability on the strength of R²? Cu bond in reactions of R¹R²CuMgBr reagents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Steric effect in alkylation reactions by N‐alkyl‐N‐nitrosoureas: a kinetic approach

The alkylation reactions of 4‐(p‐nitrobenzyl)pyridine (NBP), a trap for alkylating agents with nucleophilic characteristics similar to DNA bases, by five N‐alkyl‐N‐nitrosoureas (methyl‐, ethyl‐, propyl‐, butyl‐, and allylnitrosourea) were investigated in 7:3 (v/v) water/dioxane medium in the 5.0–6.5 pH range. Decomposition of alkylnitrosoureas (ANU) gives rise to alkyldiazonium ions that yield NBP‐R adducts directly or through carbocations in certain instances. The NBP alkylation rate constants by these species were determined. The following sequence of alkylating potential was found: methyl‐ > ethyl‐ > allyl‐ > propyl‐ > butyl group. Application of Ingold–Taft correlation analysis to the kinetic results revealed that the NBP alkylation reactions occur mainly through steric control. The values of the molar absorption coefficients of the NBP‐R adducts also reveal the determinant influence of a steric effect in the formation of alkylation adducts. The kinetic results are consistent with the biological activity of ANU. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intramolecular Diels–Alder reaction in enyne–allenes: a computational investigation and comparison with the Myers–Saito and Schmittel reactions

The reaction mechanisms as well as substituted effect and solvent effect of the enyne–allenes are investigated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) method and compared with the Myers–Saito and Schmittel reactions. The Myers–Saito reaction of non‐substituted enyne–allenes is kinetically and thermodynamically favored as compared to the Schmittel reaction; while the concerted [4 + 2] cycloaddition is only 1.32 kcal/mol higher than the C₂? C₇ cyclization and more exothermic (Δ_RE = ?69.38 kcal/mol). For R₁ = CH₃ and t‐Bu, the increasing barrier of the C₂? C₇ cyclization is higher than that for the C₂? C₆ cyclization because of the steric effect, so the increased barrier of the [4 + 2] cycloaddition is affected by such substituted electron‐releasing group. Moreover, the strong steric effect of R₁ = t‐Bu would shift the C₂? C₇ cyclization to the [4 + 2] cycloaddition. On the other hand, for R₁ = Ph, NH₂, O^?, NO₂, and CN substituents, the barrier of the C₂? C₆ cyclization would be more diminished than the C₂? C₇ cyclization due to strong mesomeric effect; the reaction path of C₂? C₇ cyclization would also shift to the [4 + 2] cycloaddition. The solvation does not lead to significant changes in the potential‐energy surface of the reaction except for the more polar surrounding solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), or water. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Micellar effects on aromatic nucleophilic substitution by the ANRORC mechanism. Hydrolysis of 2‐chloro‐3,5‐dinitropyridine

The hydrolysis of 2‐chloro‐3,5‐dinitropyridine by sodium hydroxide in the presence of micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr), cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTACl) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) has been studied. The reaction follows a consecutive reaction path involving the formation of a long‐lived intermediate 3 and finally giving the product, 3,5‐dinitro 2‐pyridone 2 . The mechanism follows an addition of the nucleophile, ring opening and ring closure (ANRORC) reaction path. The rate constant was observed to be first‐order dependent on [OH^?]. The rate of reaction increased on increasing [CTABr] and, after reaching to the maxima, it started decreasing. The anionic SDS micelles inhibited the rate of hydrolysis. The results of the kinetic experiments were treated with the help of the pseudophase ion exchange model and the Menger–Portnoy model. The added salts, viz. NaBr, Na‐toluene‐4‐sulphonate, and (CH₃)₄NBr on varying [CTACl] and [SDS] inhibited the rate of reaction. The various kinetic parameters in the presence and absence of salts were determined and are reported herewith. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The water‐promoted Diels–Alder reaction in quaternary ammonium salts

Prevailing classification of salts based on their effect in solubility and stability of proteins in aqueous solution predicts that tetraalkylammonium salts, guanidinium chloride (GnCl), LiClO₄ act as salting‐in (S/I) and LiCl, NaCl act as salting‐out (S/O) in aqueous conditions. In the same context the behaviour of GnCl, LiClO₄ and LiCl are contradictory in polar solvents like ethylene glycol and formamide. In these solvents, expected salt effect shows just opposite nature from their usual expectation. However, in the aqueous solution salts like tetraalkylammonium halide (R₄NX, R = alkyl group, X = Br group) behave like salting‐in salts. The physicochemical origin of the salting in effect of R₄NX type of salts has been discussed elaborately in the present work. The role of cations in terms of substitution of various alkyl groups on R₄NX has been systematically presented here on the basis of experimental kinetic and thermodynamic studies. The abnormal behaviour of R₄NX salts in aqueous solution has also been explained by the Setschenov equation (k_s) and Δμ_solvation values, which highlights their individual nature out of common properties of R₄NX. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface‐enhanced Raman evidence for Rhodamine 6 G and its derivative with different adsorption geometry to colloidal silver nanoparticle

Some high‐affinity functional groups or resonant molecules were often used as probe molecules adsorbed on silver nanoparticles for Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). However, it is still unclear how the attached molecules interact with the silver nanoparticles' surface, and how the anchoring groups affect the optical and electronic properties of molecules. Here, we report that surface‐enhanced Raman studies of two organic compounds; rhodamine 6G (R6G) and its aminated derivative (R‐NH₂) have very different functional groups for surface binding but nearly identical SERS spectroscopic properties at pH = 7 and UV–vis at pH = 3, respectively. A surprise was found that under the same experimental conditions, the SERS signal intensity for R6G is nearly 50‐fold higher than that of R‐NH₂. Furthermore, the pH‐dependent study reveals that the structure of R6G is irreversibly stabilized or ‘locked’ in its form and no longer responsive to pH changes. In contrast, R‐NH₂ is still sensitive to pH, and can be switched between its open‐ring and closed‐ring structures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crystal and molecular structure of zinc(II) di-n-propyldithiocarbamate complexes with 2,2-bipyridyl and 1,10-phenanthroline

The structure of Zn[S₂CN(n-C₃H₇)2]₂(2,2’-Bipy) and Zn[S₂CN(n-C₃H₇)₂]₂Phen was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis (CAD-4 diffractometer, MoK_α radiation) for the monoclinic (a = 9.646, b = 20.978, c = 14.555 å; Β = 94.95?; Z = 4; space group P2₁/n) and orthorhombic (a = 18.621, b = 14.701, c = 10.676 å; Z = 4; space group Aba2) crystals. The structures consist of discrete monomer molecules packed with the aid of S...H-C and C...H-C hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions.