Molecular structure and conformational composition of 2-chloro-1-phenylethanone, ClH2C-C(=O)Ph, obtained using gas-phase electron-diffraction data and results from theoretical calculations

The structure and conformation of 2-chloro-1-phenylethanone, ClH(2)C-C(=O)Ph (phenacyl chloride), have been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED), augmented by results from ab initio molecular orbital calculations, employing the second-order M?ller-Plesset (MP2) level of theory and the 6-311+G(d) basis set. The molecules may exist as a mixture of different conformers with the C-Cl bond either syn (torsion angle phi = 0 degrees ) or gauche to the carbonyl bond. At 179 degrees C, the majority of the molecules (90 +/- 11%) have the gauche conformation (phi = 112(3) degrees). Torsion is also possible about the C-Ph single bond. Both experimental and theoretical data indicated, however, that the phenyl ring is coplanar or nearly coplanar with the carbonyl group. The results for the principal distances (r(g)) and angles (angle(alpha)) for the gauche conformer from a combined GED/ab initio study (with estimated 2sigma uncertainties) are the following: r(C-C)(phenyl) = 1.394(2) (average value) A, r(C(phenyl)-C(carbonyl)) = 1.484(5) A, r(C(carbonyl)-C(alkyl)) = 1.513(5) A, r(C-Cl) = 1.790(5) A, r(C=O) = 1.218(6) A, r(C-H)(phenyl) = 1.087(9) (average value) A, r(C-H)(alkyl) = 1.090(9) A (average value), angle C(phenyl)-C=O = 119.5(9) degrees, angle C(phenyl)-C(carbonyl)-C(alkyl) = 119.2(10) degrees, angle C-C-Cl = 109.8(12) degrees, angle C(2)-C(1)-C(carbonyl) = 122.8(15) degrees, angle C-C(alkyl)-H = 111.2 degrees (ab initio value).     

Molecular structure and conformation of cyclopropylbenzene as determined by ab initio molecular orbital calculations, pulsed-jet fourier transform microwave spectroscopic, and gas-phase electron diffraction investigations

Ab initio computational, microwave spectroscopic, and electron diffraction techniques have been used to study the gas-phase structure of cyclopropylbenzene. Theoretical calculations at the HF, B3LYP, and MP2 levels for basis sets 6-31G(d) and 6-311G(d) have been carried out. Both MP2 and B3LYP calculations showed the bisected form to be lower in energy (245/157 and 660/985 cal mol(-1), respectively, for basis sets 6-311G(d)/6-31G(d)). Rotational constants for the bisected form of the parent and eight singly substituted (13)C isotopic species were obtained. The selection rules of the observed rotational transitions and the facts that eight (rather than six) singly substituted (13)C isotopers are observed and assigned and that seven of the compound's nine carbon atoms lie in the molecule's symmetry plane required the molecule to exist in the bisected conformation. No transition from the perpendicular form was observed in the pulsed-jet microwave experiment. Gas-phase electron diffraction data were collected at a nozzle-tip temperature of 265 K. Least squares analyses were carried out using ED data alone and with the inclusion of microwave rotational constants. The principal structural results (r(g) and angle(alpha)) obtained from the combined ED/MW least-squares analysis are r(C-H)(av) = 1.093(6) A, r(C(7)-C(8))(v) = 1.514(20) A, r(C(8)-C(9))(d) = 1.507(26) A, r(C(7)-C(1)) = 1.520(25) A, r(C-C)(Ph) = 1.395(1) A, angleC(1)C(7)C(8) = 119.6(17) degrees, angleC(2)C(1)C(7) = 122.5(25) degrees, angleC(1)C(2)C(3) = 120.9(35) degrees, angleHC(8)C(9) = 116.7(20) degrees, angleHCC(Ph) = 120.0 degrees (assumed).     

Conformational structure of gaseous 3-chloropropanoyl chloride by electron diffraction, normal coordinate analysis, and ab initio molecular orbital, and density functional theory calculations

The molecular and conformational structures of 3-chloropropanoyl chloride (CH(2)Cl-CH(2)-C(=O)Cl) have been studied by using gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) data obtained at 22 degrees C (295 K) and ab initio molecular orbital (MO) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations up to the levels of MP4(SDQ) and B3LYP using larger basis sets. Normal coordinate calculations (NCA) taking into account nonlinear vibrational effects were also used in the analyses. The title compound may have up to four low-energy conformers in the gas phase, labeled according to the position of each of the two chlorine atoms in relation to the CCC propanoyl backbone, labeling the carbonyl chlorine torsion angle first: AA, AG, GG, and GA; where A is anti (ideal C-C-C-Cl torsion angle of approximately 180 degrees) and G is gauche (ideal C-C-C-Cl torsion angle of approximately 60 degrees). It has been judged from the experimental GED data and the theoretical calculations, as well as from previously published infrared (IR) studies on the molecule in both the liquid phase and in argon-trapped matrices at 10 K, that the gas phase consists of a mixture of at least three conformers: AA (most stable), AG, and GG, with the possibility of a smaller contribution (<10%) from the higher-energy GA form. The GA conformer cannot be ruled out by the GED experimental data. Relevant structural parameter values obtained from the GED least-squares refinements, with calculated ab initio MO MP2/6-31+G(2d,p) values used as constraints, were as follows (AA values with estimated 2sigma uncertainties): Bond lengths (r(h1)): r(C-C(=O)) = 1.505(4) A, r(C-CH(2)Cl) = 1.520(4) A, r(C=O) = 1.197(4) A, r(C(=O)-Cl) = 1.789(3) A, and r(C-Cl) = 1.782(3) A. Bond angles (angle(h1)): angle CCC = 111.5(11) degrees , angle CCO = 127.0(5) degrees, angle CC(O)Cl = 112.5(3) degrees, and angle CCCl = 110.3(3) degrees. Torsion angles (phi(C-C) = phi(ClCCC)): for AA, phi(1)(C-C(O)) = phi(2)(C-CH(2)Cl) = 180 degrees (assumed for true C(s) symmetry); for AG, phi(1)(C-C(O)) = -140(5) degrees, phi(2)(C-CH(2)Cl) = 76(13) degrees; for GG, phi(1)(C-C(O)) = 46(8) degrees, phi(2)(C-CH(2)Cl) = 77(14) degrees; for GA, phi(1)(C-C(O)) = 67.9 degrees (assumed), phi(2)(C-CH(2)Cl) = 177.8 degrees (assumed). The non-AA conformers all have chiral C(1) symmetry with twice the statistical weight (multiplicity) of C(s). The MP2/6-31+G(2d,p) calculated composition (%) based on the zero-point energy (ZPE) corrected energy differences, and the statistical weights for conformers: AA/AG/GG/GA = 28/35/28/9 was assumed in the final GED refinement. The more recent literature concerning the title molecule, as well as for several related molecules, has been examined and a survey has been attempted in the present article. The new experimental results for 3-chloropropanoyl chloride are discussed and compared with the previously published findings.     

New insights into an old reaction. High-resolution x-ray powder diffraction of Wiberg's aminoalane intermediate

In accordance with the procedure described by E. Wiberg, Me(3)Al-NH(3) was heated as a bulk material in inert atmosphere to give a colorless liquid which slowly loses methane. Close to the end of this elimination reaction, the melt crystallized to give a microcrystalline powder of (Me(2)AlNH(2))(x)(). The structure of this intermediate has been solved by the method of high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with the cell parameters of a = 15.0047(6) A, b = 8.7500(2) A, c = 24.4702(8) A, and beta = 107.290(2) degrees, with eight trimers (Me(2)AlNH(2))(3) per unit cell. These trimers crystallize in a boat conformation in contrast to the known trimers of the same composition where a twist-boat conformation had been found by single crystal determination. Different conformers of (Me(2)AlNH(2))(3) have been investigated by theoretical methods (HF/6-31G(d), B3LYP/6-31G(d), B3LYP/6-311G(d,p), MP2(fc)/6-31G(d), and MP2(fc)/6-311G(d,p)). The twist-boat and the chair conformer correspond to minima at the potential energy surface, whereas the boat conformer corresponds to a first-order transition state (relative energies of 0.45-2.56 kJ/mol (boat) and 6.66-11.91 kJ/mol (chair)). Relaxed scans of the potential energy surface at the HF/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-31G(d) levels have shown that the boat conformer (C(s)() symmetry) connects two enantiomers of the twist-boat form (C(2) symmetry).     

Chalcogenide-halides of niobium (V). 1. Gas-phase structures of NbOBr(3), NbSBr(3), and NbSCl(3). 2. Matrix infrared spectra and vibrational force fields of NbOBr(3), NbSBr(3), NbSCl(3), and NbOCl(3)

The molecular structures of NbOBr(3), NbSCl(3), and NbSBr(3) have been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) at nozzle-tip temperatures of 250 degrees C, taking into account the possible presence of NbOCl(3) as a contaminant in the NbSCl(3) sample and NbOBr(3) in the NbSBr(3) sample. The experimental data are consistent with trigonal-pyramidal molecules having C(3)(v)() symmetry. Infrared spectra of molecules trapped in argon or nitrogen matrices were recorded and exhibit the characteristic fundamental stretching modes for C(3)(v)() species. Well resolved isotopic fine structure ((35)Cl and (37)Cl) was observed for NbSCl(3), and for NbOCl(3) which occurred as an impurity in the NbSCl(3) spectra. Quantum mechanical calculations of the structures and vibrational frequencies of the four YNbX(3) molecules (Y = O, S; X = Cl, Br) were carried out at several levels of theory, most importantly B3LYP DFT with either the Stuttgart RSC ECP or Hay-Wadt (n + 1) ECP VDZ basis set for Nb and the 6-311G basis set for the nonmetal atoms. Theoretical values for the bond lengths are 0.01-0.04 A longer than the experimental ones of type r(a), in accord with general experience, but the bond angles with theoretical minus experimental differences of only 1.0-1.5 degrees are notably accurate. Symmetrized force fields were also calculated. The experimental bond lengths (r(g)/A) and angles ( 90 degree angle (alpha)()/deg) with estimated 2sigma uncertainties from GED are as follows. NbOBr(3): r(Nb=O) = 1.694(7), r(Nb-Br) = 2.429(2), 90 degree angle (O=Nb-Br) = 107.3(5), 90 degree angle (Br-Nb-Br) = 111.5(5). NbSBr(3): r(Nb=S) = 2.134(10), r(Nb-Br) = 2.408(4), 90 degree angle (S=Nb-Br) = 106.6(7), 90 degree angle (Br-Nb-Br) = 112.2(6). NbSCl(3): r(Nb=S) = 2.120(10),r(Nb-Cl) = 2.271(6), 90 degree angle (S=Nb-Cl) = 107.8(12), 90 degree angle (Cl-Nb-Cl) = 111.1(11).     

An enormous vibrational motion: the gas-phase structure of dimethyl-bis(methoxyethynyl) germanium

The structure of dimethyl-bis(methoxyethynyl) germanium has been determined in the gas phase by electron diffraction utilising flexible restraints from quantum chemical calculations. Theoretical methods (B3LYP/6-311+G* and MP2/6-311+G*) predict a low barrier to rotation of the methoxy groups in the molecule in addition to low-frequency vibrations of the long ethynyl chains. In the equilibrium structure the Ge-C[triple bond]C angles of the two methoxyethynyl fragments in the molecule are computed to deviate by up to 4 degrees from the linear arrangement. As a consequence of low-frequency large-amplitude vibrational motion the experimental structure of these fragments without applying vibrational corrections deviates considerably from linearity, while the structure corrected for vibrational effects using the harmonic approximation and taking into account a non-linear transformation between internal and Cartesian coordinates (r(h1)) shows closer agreement with theory. The main experimental structural parameters of dimethyl-bis(methoxyethynyl) germanium (r(h1)) are: r(Ge-C)(mean), 192.5(1) pm; DeltaGeC =r(Ge-C(methyl))-r(Ge-C(ethynyl)), 4.5(5) pm, r(C[triple bond]C)(mean), 122.8(2) pm; r(C-O)(mean), 138.9(3) pm; DeltaCO =r(C(methyl)-O)-r(C(ethynyl)-O), 14.5(2) pm, r(C-H)(mean), 109.1(4) pm; [angle](X-C-H)(mean)(X = Ge,O), 109(1) degree; [angle]C(ethynyl)-Ge-C(ethynyl), 108.1(4) degree; [angle]C(methyl)-Ge-C(methyl), 113.4(5) degree; [angle]Ge-C[triple bond]C, 163(1) degree; [angle]C[triple bond]C-O, 176(2) degree; [angle]C-O-C, 115.2(6) degree; methoxy group torsion, tau, 36(9) degree from the position in which the C-O bond eclipses the further Ge-C(ethynyl) bond.     

Microwave, infrared and Raman spectra, r0 structural parameters, ab initio calculations and vibrational assignment of 1-fluoro-1-silacyclopentane

The microwave spectrum (6500-18 ,500 MHz) of 1-fluoro-1-silacyclopentane, c-C(4)H(8)SiHF has been recorded and 87 transitions for the (28)Si, (29)Si, (30)Si, and (13)C isotopomers have been assigned for a single conformer. Infrared spectra (3050-350 cm(-1)) of the gas and solid and Raman spectrum (3100-40 cm(-1)) of the liquid have also been recorded. The vibrational data indicate the presence of a single conformer with no symmetry which is consistent with the twist form. Ab initio calculations with a variety of basis sets up to MP2(full)/aug-cc-pVTZ predict the envelope-axial and envelope-equatorial conformers to be saddle points with nearly the same energies but much lower energy than the planar conformer. By utilizing the microwave rotational constants for seven isotopomers ((28)Si, (29)Si, (30)Si, and four (13)C) combined with the structural parameters predicted from the MP2(full)/6-311+G(d,p) calculations, adjusted r(0) structural parameters have been obtained for the twist conformer. The heavy atom distances in A? are: r(0)(SiC(2)) = 1.875(3); r(0)(SiC(3)) = 1.872(3); r(0)(C(2)C(4)) = 1.549(3); r(0)(C(3)C(5)) = 1.547(3); r(0)(C(4)C(5)) = 1.542(3); r(0)(SiF) = 1.598(3) and the angles in degrees are: [angle]CSiC = 96.7(5); [angle]SiC(2)C(4) = 103.6(5); [angle]SiC(3)C(5) = 102.9(5); [angle]C(2)C(4)C(5) = 108.4(5); [angle]C(3)C(5)C(4) = 108.1(5); [angle]F(6)Si(1)C(2) = 110.7(5); [angle]F(6)Si(1)C(3) = 111.6(5). The heavy atom ring parameters are compared to the corresponding r(s) parameters. Normal coordinate calculations with scaled force constants from MP2(full)/6-31G(d) calculations were carried out to predict the fundamental vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization values, and infrared band contours. These experimental and theoretical results are compared to the corresponding quantities of some other five-membered rings.     

Molecular structure of tris(dipivaloylmethanato)lutetium(iii) studied by gas electron diffraction and ab initio and DFT calculations

Combined gas electron diffraction/mass spectrometry (GED/MS) was used to determine the molecular structure of tris(dipivaloylmethanato)lutetium(III), Lu(dpm)(3)(dpm = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-heptane-3,5-dionato). Up to about 520-570 K the vapour consisted only of molecules Lu(dpm)(3). The experimental data recorded at 408(5) K indicate that the molecules have D(3) symmetry. The bond distances (r(h1)) in the chelate ring are Lu-O 2.197(6) Angstrom, C-O 1.270(4) Angstrom and C-C 1.390(6) Angstrom . Theoretical computations at the HF and DFT levels with basis sets up to 6-311G* afford structures similar to those found experimentally, with a distorted LuO(6) antiprism.     

Molecular structure, conformation, and potential to internal rotation of 2,6- and 3,5-difluoronitrobenzene studied by gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemical calculations

3,5-Difluoronitrobenzene (3,5-DFNB) and 2,6-difluoronitrobenzene (2,6-DFNB) have been studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED), MP2 ab initio, and by B3LYP density functional calculations. Refinements of r h1 and r e static and r h1 dynamic GED models were carried out for both molecules. Equilibrium r e structures were determined using anharmonic vibrational corrections to the internuclear distances ( r e - r a) calculated from B3LYP/cc-pVTZ cubic force fields. 3,5-DFNB possesses a planar structure of C 2 v symmetry with the following r e values for bond lengths and bond angles: r(C-C) av = 1.378(4) A, r(C-N) = 1.489(6) A, r(N-O) = 1.217(2) A, r(C-F) = 1.347(5) A, angleC6-C1-C2 = 122.6(6) degrees , angleC1-C2-C3 = 117.3(3) degrees , angleC2-C3-C4 = 123.0(3) degrees , angleC3-C4-C5 = 116.9(6) degrees , angleC-C-N = 118.7(3) degrees , angleC-N-O = 117.3(4) degrees , angleO-N-O = 125.5(7) degrees , angleC-C-F = 118.6(7) degrees . The uncertainties in parentheses are three times the standard deviations. As in the case of nitrobenzene, the barrier to internal rotation of the nitro group in 3,5-DFNB, V 90 = 10 +/- 4 kJ/mol, is substantially lower than that predicted by quantum chemical calculations. The presence of substituents in the ortho positions force the nitro group to rotate about the C-N bond, out of the plane of the benzene ring. For 2,6-DFNB, a nonplanar structure of C 2 symmetry with a torsional angle of phi(C-N) = 53.8(14) degrees and the following r e values for structural parameters was determined by the GED analysis: r(C-C) av = 1.383(5) A, r(C-N) = 1.469(7) A, r(N-O) = 1.212(2) A, r(C-F) = 1.344(4) A, angleC6-C1-C2 = 118.7(5) degrees , angleC1-C2-C3 = 121.2(2) degrees , angleC2-C3-C4 = 119.0(2) degrees , angleC3-C4-C5 = 121.1(4) degrees , angleC-C-N = 120.6(2) degrees , angleC-N-O = 115.7(4) degrees , angleO-N-O = 128.6(7) degrees , angleC-C-F = 118.7(5) degrees . The refinement of a dynamic model led to barriers V 0 = 16.5 +/- 1.5 kJ/mol and V 90 = 2.2 +/- 0.5 kJ/mol, which are in good agreement with values predicted by B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and MP2/ cc-pVTZ calculations. The values of C-F bond lengths are similar in both molecules. This is in contrast to the drastic shortening of the C-F bond in the ortho position in 2-fluoronitrobenzene compared to the C-F bond length in the meta and para position in 3- and 4-fluoronitrobenzene observed in an earlier GED study.     

Molecular structures of benzoic acid and 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, obtained by gas-phase electron diffraction and theoretical calculations

The structures of benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) and 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (C6H4OHCOOH) have been determined in the gas phase by electron diffraction using results from quantum chemical calculations to inform restraints used on the structural parameters. Theoretical methods (HF and MP2/6-311+G(d,p)) predict two conformers for benzoic acid, one which is 25.0 kJ mol(-1) (MP2) lower in energy than the other. In the low-energy form, the carboxyl group is coplanar with the phenyl ring and the O-H group eclipses the C=O bond. Theoretical calculations (HF and MP2/6-311+G(d,p)) carried out for 2-hydroxybenzoic acid gave evidence for seven stable conformers but one low-energy form (11.7 kJ mol(-1) lower in energy (MP2)) which again has the carboxyl group coplanar with the phenyl ring, the O-H of the carboxyl group eclipsing the C=O bond and the C=O of the carboxyl group oriented toward the O-H group of the phenyl ring. The effects of internal hydrogen bonding in 2-hydroxybenzoic acid can be clearly observed by comparison of pertinent structural parameters between the two compounds. These differences for 2-hydroxybenzoic acid include a shorter exocyclic C-C bond, a lengthening of the ring C-C bond between the substituents, and a shortening of the carboxylic single C-O bond.     

Conformational study of cis-1,4-di-tert-butylcyclohexane by dynamic NMR spectroscopy and computational methods. Observation of chair and twist-boat conformations

[reaction: see text] Low-temperature 13C NMR spectra of cis-1,4-di-tert-butylcyclohexane (1) showed signals for the twist-boat (1a) and chair (1b) conformations. 13C NMR signals were assigned to specific carbons based on the different populations, different symmetries (time-averaged C(2v) for 1a and time-averaged C(s) for 1b), and calculated chemical shifts (GIAO, HF/6-311+G*). In addition to slow ring inversion and interconversion of the chair and twist-boat conformations, slow rotation of the tert-butyl groups was found. Most of the expected 13C peaks were observed. Free-energy barriers of 6.83 and 6.35 kcal/mol were found for interconversion of 1a (major) and 1b (minor) at -148.1 degrees C. Conformational space was searched with Allinger's MM3 and MM4 programs, and free energies were obtained for several low-energy conformations 1a-c. Calculations were repeated with ab initio methods up to the HF/6-311+G* level. Molecular symmetries, relative free energies, relative enthalpies and entropies, frequencies, and NMR chemical shifts were obtained. A boat conformation (1d; C(2v) symmetry) was generated and optimized as a transition state by ab initio, MM3, and MM4 calculations.     

Preparation and properties of trifluorothioacetic acid-S-(trifluoromethyl)ester, CF3C(O)SCF3

Trifluorothioacetic acid-S-(trifluoromethyl)ester, CF3C(O)SCF3, was prepared by reacting CF3C(O)Cl and AgSCF3 at 50 degrees C. The compound was characterized by (13)C-, (19)F-NMR, UV, and vibrational spectroscopy as well as by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantum chemical calculations (HF, MP2, and B3LYP methods 6-31G(d) and 6-311+G(2df) basis sets). GED and vibrational spectroscopy result in the presence of a single conformer with C1 symmetry and synperiplanar orientation of the S-CF3 bond relative to the CO bond. This result is in agreement with quantum chemical calculations which predict the anti conformer to be higher in energy by about 4 kcal/mol. An assignment of the IR (gas) and Raman (liquid) spectra is proposed, and the GED analysis results in the following skeletal geometric parameters (r(a) and angle(a) values with 3sigma uncertainties; these parameters are thermal averages and are not inconsistent with calculated equilibrium values): C=O = 1.202(6) A, C-C = 1.525(10) A, S-C(sp(2)) = 1.774(3) A, S-C(sp(3)) = 1.824 (3) A. O=C-C = 118.7(21) degrees, O=C-S = 127.1(15) degrees, C-S-C = 99.8 (13) degrees.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and conformational properties of trichloromethanesulfenyl acetate, CCl3SOC(O)CH3

Trichloromethanesulfenyl acetate, CCl 3SOC(O)CH 3, belongs to the family of sulfenic esters. This molecule has been characterized by vibrational spectroscopy. The conformational and geometrical properties of this species have been determined by IR and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and quantum chemical calculations. Geometry optimizations of the most stable forms were performed with ab initio (HF, MP2) and density functional theory (B3LYP) methods. According to our data, this compound results in a gauche-syn conformer with C 1 symmetry (gauche orientation around the S-O bond and syn orientation of the CO double bond with respect to the S-O single bond) for the most stable geometry, and trans-syn conformer with C s symmetry (trans orientation around the S-O bond and syn orientation of the CO double bond with respect to the S-O single bond) for the second stable conformer (1.1 and 0.53 kcal/mol higher in energy than the most stable C 1 form according to the matrix FTIR spectroscopy and MP2/6-31G* level of the theory, respectively). The crystalline solid (monoclinic, P2 1/ n, a = 8.0152(17) A, b = 5.7922(13) A, c = 17.429(4) A, alpha = gamma = 90 degrees , beta = 100.341(3) degrees ) consists exclusively of the main form. The geometrical parameters (X-ray diffraction) are d C-Cl = 1.767(19) A, d C-S = 1.797(2) A, d S-O = 1.663(14) A, d CO = 1.189(2) A, d O-C = 1.389(3) A, d C-C = 1.483(3) A, angles Cl-C-Cl = 110.3(11) degrees , Cl-C-S = 111.8(12) degrees , C-S-O = 97.4(8) degrees , S-O-C = 116.7(11) degrees , O-CO = 122.8(19) degrees , OC-C = 127.1(2) degrees , and the main torsion angles are delta(CSOC) = 105.9(15) degrees and delta(SOC(O)) = 7.6(3) degrees . The geometrical data calculated with B3LYP/6-31G++(3df,3pd), B3LYP/6-311G++(3df,3pd), B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ, and MP2/6-31G* are in good agreement with diffraction data.     

1,2-Dibromoethyl-trichlorosilane (CH2BrCHBrSiCl3): conformational structure and vibrational properties by gas-phase electron diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and ab initio molecular orbital and density functional theory calculations

The molecular structure and conformational properties of 1,2-dibromoethyl-trichlorosilane (CH2BrCHBrSiCl3) have been investigated using gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) data recorded at a temperature of 100 degrees C, together with ab initio molecular orbital (MO) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy in the liquid and solid phases, and normal coordinate analysis (NCA). The molecule exists in the gas- and liquid phases as a mixture of three conformers, gauche(-) [G(-)], with a refined torsion angle phi(BrCCBr)=-71(6) degrees, anti [A], with a torsion angle phi(BrCCBr) approximately -170 degrees , and gauche(+) [G(+)], with a torsion angle phi(BrCCBr) approximately +70 degrees . The second torsion angle of importance, the rotation about the CSi bond, has been refined to a value of +175(13) degrees . Torsion angles were only refined for the more abundant G(-) conformer. In the solid phase, only the G(-) conformer was observed. The temperature-dependent Raman spectra have provided an estimate of the relative conformational entropies, DeltaS. The obtained composition from GED refinements was (%) G(-)/A/G(+)=64(27)/23(13)/13(18) (values with estimated 2sigma uncertainties), giving a conformational stability order in agreement with both the Raman enthalpy measurements and the ab initio MO and DFT calculations using the 6-311G(d) basis set and scaled zero-point energies. Relevant structural parameter values obtained from the GED refinements (with the ab initio HF values used as constraints) were as follows (G(-) values with estimated 2sigma uncertainties): bond lengths (r(g)):r(C-C)=1.501(18)A, r(SiC)=1.865(15)A, r(CBr)=1.965(8)A (average), r(SiCl)=2.028(3)A (average). Bond angles ( anglealpha):angleCCSi=114.1(33) degrees , angleC1C2Br=114.0(21) degrees , angleCSiCl=109.6(7) degrees (average). Experimental IR/Raman and obtained vibrational wavenumbers based on both the unscaled, fixed-scaled as well as the scale-refined quantum-mechanical force fields [HF/6-311G(d)] are presented. The results are discussed and compared with some similar molecules from the literature.     

Study of the thymine molecule: equilibrium structure from joint analysis of gas-phase electron diffraction and microwave data and assignment of vibrational spectra using results of ab initio calculations

Thymine is one of the nucleobases which forms the nucleic acid (NA) base pair with adenine in DNA. The study of molecular structure and dynamics of nucleobases can help to understand and explain some processes in biological systems and therefore it is of interest. Because the scattered intensities on the C, N, and O atoms as well as some bond lengths in thymine are close to each other the structural problem cannot been solved by the gas phase electron diffraction (GED) method alone. Therefore the rotational constants from microvawe (MW) studies and differences in the groups of N-C, C=O, N-H, and C-H bond lengths from MP2 (full)/cc-pVQZ calculations were used as supplementary data. The analysis of GED data was based on the C(s) molecular symmetry according to results of the structure optimizations at the MP2 (full) level using 6-311G (d,p), cc-pVTZ, and cc-pVQZ basis sets confirmed by vibrational frequency calculations with 6-311G (d,p) and cc-pVTZ basis sets. Mean-square amplitudes as well as harmonic and anharmonic vibrational corrections to the internuclear distances (r(e)-r(a)) and to the rotational constants (B(e)(k)-B(0)(k), where k = A, B, C) were calculated from the quadratic (MP2 (full)/cc-pVTZ) and cubic (MP2 (full)/6-311G (d,p)) force constants (the latter were used only for anharmonic corrections). The harmonic force field was scaled using published IR and Raman spectra of the parent and N1,N3-dideuterated species, which were for the first time completely assigned in the present work. The main equilibrium structural parameters of the thymine molecule determined from GED data supplemented by MW rotational constants and results of MP2 calculations are the following (bond lengths in Angstroms and bond angles in degrees with 3sigma in parentheses): r(e) (C5=C6) = 1.344 (16), r(e) (C5-C9) = 1.487 (8), r(e) (N1-C6) = 1.372 (3), r(e) (N1-C2) = 1.377 (3), r(e) (C2-N3) = 1.378 (3), r(e) (N3-C4) = 1.395 (3), r(e) (C2=O7) = 1.210 (1), r(e) (C4=O8) = 1.215 (1), angle e (N1-C6=C5) = 123.1 (5), angle e (C2-N1-C6) = 123.7 (5), angle e (N1-C2-N3) = 112.8 (5), angle e (C2-N3-C4) = 128.0 (5), angle e (N3-C4-C5) = 114.8 (5), angle e (C6=C5-C9) = 124.4 (9). The experimental structural parameters are in good agreement with those from MP2 (full) calculations with use of cc-pVTZ and cc-pVQZ basis sets.     

The molecular structure of fluoromalononitrile as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio calculations

The molecular structure of fluoromalononitrile was studied by means of gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum mechanical methods using HF/6-31G(d), MP2/6-311++G(2df,2pd) and DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d), B3PW91/6-31G(d), B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2pd) and B3PW91/6-311++G(2df,2pd). The r(g) and angle(alpha) structural parameters we obtained from the present analysis are: CC=1.487(5) A, CN=1.157(3) A, CF=1.386(5) A, CH=1.096 A (ass.), angleCCC=106.7(1.0) degrees , angleCCF=108.0(0.7) degrees , angleCCN=177.6(2.0) degrees . Uncertainties in parenthesis are 3sigma.     

Molecular structure and conformation of chloronitromethane as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction and theoretical calculations

The molecular structure of chloronitromethane was studied in the gas phase at a nozzle-tip temperature of 373 K. The experimental data were interpreted using a dynamic model where the molecules are undergoing torsional motion governed by a potential function: V = V2/2x(1 - cos 2tau) + V4/2x(1 - cos 4tau) with V2 = 0.81(30) and V4 = 0.12(40) kcal/mol (tau is the dihedral angle between the C-Cl and N-O bond). The conformer with a zero degree dihedral angle is the most stable conformer. Comparison with results from HF/MP2/B3LYP 6-311G(d,p) calculations were made. The important geometrical parameter values (for the eclipsed form) obtained from least-squares refinements are the following: r(C-H) = 1.061(18)A, r(C-N) = 1.509 (5)A, r(N-O) = 1.223(1)A, r(C-Cl) = 1.742(2)A, angleClCN = 115.2(7) degrees, angleO4NC = 118.9(10) degrees, angleO5NC = 114.9(16) degrees, and angleClCH 115(4) degrees.     

Substituent effects on the ring opening of 2-aziridinylmethyl radicals

[reaction: see text] Substituent effects on the ring-opening reactions of 2-aziridinylmethyl radicals were studied systematically for the first time utilizing the ONIOM(QCISD(T)/6-311+G(2d,2p):B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p)) method. It was found that various substituents on the nitrogen atom had a relatively small effect on the ring opening of the 2-aziridinylmethyl radical. A pi-acceptor substituent at the C(1) position reduced the energy barrier for C-C cleavage dramatically, but it increased the energy barrier for C-N cleavage significantly at the same time. When the C(1) substituent is alkyl, the ring opening should always strongly favor the C-N cleavage pathway, regardless of whether the N substituent is alkyl, aryl, or COR. When the C(1) substituent is CHO (or CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, or CO-OR but not CO-NR(2)), the ring opening strongly favors the C-C cleavage pathway, regardless of whether the N substituent is alkyl, aryl, or COR. When the C(1) substituent is aryl (or alkenyl or alkynyl), the ring opening should favor the C-C cleavage pathway if the N substituent is alkyl or COR. If both the C(1) substituent and the N substituent are aryl, the ring opening should proceed via both the C-C and C-N cleavage pathways. The solvent effect on the regioselectivity of the ring opening of the 2-aziridinylmethyl radicals was found to be very small. The substituent effects on C-C cleavage could be explained successfully by the spin-delocalization mechanism. For the substituent effects on C-N cleavage, an extraordinary through-bond pi-acceptor effect must be taken into account. Furthermore, studies on bicyclic 2-aziridinylmethyl radicals showed that the ring strain could also affect the regiochemistry of the ring-opening reactions.     

1-Phenyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane, 1-Ph-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(11). Synthesis, Characterization, and Structure As Determined in the Gas Phase by Electron Diffraction, in the Crystalline Phase at 199 K by X-ray Diffraction, and by ab Initio Computations

The compound 1-phenyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12), 1-C(6)H(5)-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(11) (1), has been synthesized and characterized by a complete assignment of its (11)B NMR spectrum via (11)B{(1)H}/(11)B{(1)H} (COSY), (1)H{(11)B(selective)} and (1)H{(11)B}/(1)H{(11)B} (COSY) spectroscopy. An electron- and X-ray diffraction investigation of 1, complemented by ab initio calculations, has been undertaken. The gas-phase electron-diffraction (GED) data can be fitted by several models describing conformations which differ in the position of the phenyl ring with respect to the carborane cage. Local symmetries ofC(2)(v)() and D(6)(h)() for the 1,2-C(2)B(10) and C(6) moieties, respectively, were adopted in the GED model in order to simplify the problem. In addition, constraints among the close-lying C-C and B-B bonds were employed. However, even though such simplifications led to satisfactory refinements (R(G) = 0.069-0.071), a unique, definitive solution could not be gained. The (C-C)(mean), (C-B)(mean) and (B-B)(mean) bond lengths,r(a), are ca. 1.44, 1.72, and 1.78 ?, respectively. The C(6) hexagon, with r(a)(C-C) = ca. 1.394 ?, either eclipses the C(1)-C(2) vector (overall C(s)() symmetry) or more or less eclipses the C(1)-B(4) cluster bond (overall C(1) symmetry). In contrast, in the solid at 199 K, the ring lies at a position intermediate between the two GED positions, as determined by X-ray crystallography [C(8)H(16)B(10), monoclinic P2(1)/a: a = 12.047(3) ?, b = 18.627(4) ?, c = 12.332(5) ?, beta = 110.09(4) degrees, Z = 8]. The C-B distances span the range 1.681(6)-1.743(5) ?, and B-B lengths lie between 1.756(6) and 1.795(6) ?. A similar conformation was found for the theoretical (RHF/6-31G level) structure which was fully optimized in C(1) symmetry. The r(e) distances are consistent with the dimensions derived in the experimental studies. IGLO calculations of the (11)B chemical shifts, in addition to SCF single-point energies of the GED structures, further support these observations.     

Studies on the Dihedral Angle and Torsional Barriers for 4,4′-Bipyridine

Using the Hartree-Fock, MP2, and the B3LYP, BLYP, mPW1PW91 density functional methods, each combined with the 6-31G(d), 6-311G(d), 6-311+(d), 6-311++G(d, p) cc-pvdz and cc-pvtz basis sets, the equilibrium geometry of 4,4′ -bipyridine was optimized and the internal rotational potential barriers heights at 0° (AE0), 90° (AE90) were obtained. For the best basis set (cc-pvtz) , the predicted dihedral angle e ranges from 37.0 to 37.8° for all methods except the Hartree-Fock method (43.7). This agreed with the estimation from the electron diffraction experimental measurement (37.2°). The inter-ring C-C distance, ranging from 147.2 to 148.7 pm ( 147 pm experimental), is intermediate between the typical aromatic C-C bond and the aliphatic C-C bond. The results show that the inter-ring o-conjugation between two pyridyl rings stabilizes the co-planar conformer and the steric repulsion between the ortho neighboring hydrogens belonging to different rings favors the non-planar orthogonal conformer.