DFT Calculations of the Elimination Kinetics of Silacyclobutanes and its Methyl Derivatives in the Gas-Phase

Abstract

The gas-phase thermal decomposition kinetics of silacyclobutane (1), 1-methyl- silacyclobutane (2), and 1,1-dimethyl-1-silacyclobutane (3) has been theoretically studied at the B3LYP/6-311G**, B3PW91/6-311G**, and MPW1PW91/6-311G** levels. The B3LYP/6-311G** method was found to give a reasonable good agreement with the experimental kinetics and thermodynamic parameters. The decomposition reaction of compounds 1–3 yields ethylene and the corresponding silene. Based on the optimized ground state geometries using B3LYP/6-311G** method, the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of donor-acceptor (bonding–antibonding) interactions revealed that the perturbation energies (E₂) associated with the electronic delocalization from σ_Si1–C2 to σ*_C4–Si1 orbitals increase from compounds 1 to 3. The σ_Si1–C2→σ*_C4–Si1 resonance energies for compounds 1–3 are 1.17, 1.26, and 1.43 kcal/mol, respectively. Also, the decomposition process in these compounds is controlled by σ→σ* resonance energies. Moreover, the obtained order of energy barriers could be explained by the number of electron-releasing methyl groups substituted to the Si_sp2 atom. NBO analysis shows that the occupancies of σ_Si1–C2 bonds decrease for compounds 1–3 as 3 < 2 < 1, and the occupancies of σ*_Si1–C2 bonds increase in the opposite order (3 > 2 > 1). Moreover, these results can fairly explain the decrease of the energy barriers (ΔE_o) of the decomposition reaction of compounds 1 to 3. The calculated data demonstrate that in the decomposition process of the studied compounds, the polarization of the C₃–C₄ bond is the rate determining factor. Analysis of bond orders, NBO charges, bond indexes, synchronicity parameters, and IRC calculations indicate that these reactions are occurring through a concerted and asynchronous four-membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism.     

Theory Studies on the Intermolecular Interactions of Urea Nitrate with RDX

Six fully optimized geometries of urea nitrate cation and RDX complexes have been obtained with DFT-B3LYP and MP2 methods at the 6-311++G** level. The intermolecular interaction energies have been calculated with basis set superposition error (BSSE) and zero point energy (ZPE) correction. The nature of intermolecular interaction has been revealed by the analysis of AIM and NBO. The results indicate that the greatest binding energy of urea nitrate with RDX is –82.47kJ/mol. The O–H…O and N–H…O hydrogen bonds are important intermolecular interactions of urea nitrate cation with RDX, and the origin of hydrogen bonds is the oxygen atom offering its lone-pair electrons to the σ(O-H)* or σ(O-H)* antibonding orbital. The intermolecular interactions strengthen the N–NO2 bond, leading to the reduced sensitivity of urea nitrate and RDX mixture explosive.     

DFT studies of the phosphinidene derivative HPNaF and its insertion reaction with R–H(R=F,OH, NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)

The formations of the phosphinidene derivative HPNaF and its insertion reactions with R–H (R=F, OH, NH₂, CH₃) have been systematically investigated employing the density functional theory (DFT), such as the B3LYP and MPW1PW91 methods. A comparison with the results of MP2 calculations shows that MPW1PW91 underestimates the barrier heights for the four reactions considered. Similarly, the same is also true for the B3LYP method depending on the selected reactions, but by much less than MPW1PW91, where the barrier heights of the four reactions are 25.2, 85.7, 119.0, and 142.4 kJ/mol at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory, respectively. All the mechanisms of the four reactions are identical to each other, i.e., an intermediate has been located during the insertion reaction. Then, the intermediate could dissociate to substituted phosphinidane(H₂RP) and NaF with a barrier corresponding to their respective dissociation energies. Correspondingly, the reaction energies for the four reactions are −92.2, −68.1, −57.2, and −44.3 kJ/mol at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory, respectively, where both the B3LYP and MPW1PW91 methods underestimate the reaction energies compared with the MP2 results. The linear correlations between the calculated barrier heights and the reaction energies have also been observed. As a result, the relative reactivity among the four insertion reactions should be as follows: H–F > H–OH > H–NH₂ > H–CH₃.     

Syntheses and characterization of the MF6- (M = As, Sb) salts of the simple trithietanylium PhCS3+ cation and the identity of PhCS3Cl

MF6- (M = As or Sb) salts of a simple derivative of the trithietanylium PhCSSS+, 1, were synthesized for the first time by the reaction of PhCS3Cl and AgMF6 in liquid SO2. 1SbF6 was characterized by IR, FT-Raman, and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and a preliminary X-ray crystal structure. 1AsF6 was characterized by 1H NMR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The calculated (MPW1PW91/3-21G* or 6-31G*) geometries, 1H and 13C chemical shifts (MPW1PW91/6-311G(2DF)//MPW1PW91/3-21G*), and vibrational frequencies and intensities (MPW1PW91/6-31G*) were in satisfactory agreement with the observed values. The calculated pi type molecular orbitals of HCSSS+ (MPW1PW91/6-311+G*) and 1 (MPW1PW91/3-21G*) imply that the 6pi-CSSS+ ring has some aromatic character. 1SbF6 undergoes a metathesis reaction with NBu4Cl in liquid SO2 to give PhCS3Cl, which was characterized by vibrational spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The evidence indicates that PhCS3Cl has the ionic formulation PhCSSS+ Cl- with significant cation-anion interactions in the solid state. ArCSSS+ SbF6- (Ar = 1-naphthyl), 14SbF6, was prepared from ArCS3Cl and AgSbF6, suggesting that the synthesis of MF6- (M = As or Sb) salts of RCSSS+ is potentially general for aryl derivatives. The structure of 14SbF6 was established by 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and FT-Raman spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations gave values in agreement with the experimental data.     

Mechanistic insights into triterpene synthesis from quantum mechanical calculations. Detection of systematic errors in B3LYP cyclization energies

Most quantum mechanical studies of triterpene synthesis have been done on small models. We calculated mPW1PW91/6-311+G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G* energies for many C30H51O+ intermediates to establish the first comprehensive energy profiles for the cationic cyclization of oxidosqualene to lanosterol, lupeol, and hopen-3beta-ol. Differences among these 3 profiles were attributed to ring strain, steric effects, and proton affinity. Modest activation energy barriers and the ample exothermicity of most annulations indicated that the cationic intermediates rarely need enzymatic stabilization. The course of reaction is guided by hyperconjugation of the carbocationic 2p orbital with parallel C-C and C-H bonds. Hyperconjugation for cations with a horizontal 2p orbital (in the plane of the ABCD ring system) leads to annulation and ring expansion. If the 2p orbital becomes vertical, hyperconjugation fosters 1,2-methyl and hydride shifts. Transition states leading to rings D and E were bridged cyclopropane/carbonium ions, which allow ring expansion/annulation to bypass formation of undesirable anti-Markovnikov cations. Similar bridged species are also involved in many cation rearrangements. Our calculations revealed systematic errors in DFT cyclization energies. A spectacular example was the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G* prediction of endothermicity for the strongly exothermic cyclization of squalene to hopene. DFT cyclization energies for the 6-311+G(2d,p) basis set ranged from reasonable accuracy (mPW1PW91, TPSSh with 25% HF exchange) to underestimation (B3LYP, HCTH, TPSS, O3LYP) or overestimation (MP2, MPW1K, PBE1PBE). Despite minor inaccuracies, B3LYP/6-31G* geometries usually gave credible mPW1PW91 single-point energies. Nevertheless, DFT energies should be used cautiously until broadly reliable methods are established.     

GIAO/DFT evaluation of 13C NMR chemical shifts of selected acetals based on DFT optimized geometries

DFT/B3LYP calculations of the ground-state conformation of eight cyclic and acyclic acetals are presented and compared with experimental data. Results of single-point GIAO/DFT calculations at five different levels of theory show that isotropic shieldings need to be empirically scaled to achieve agreement with experimental chemical shifts. Statistical evaluation of data indicates that the most accurate prediction of 13C chemical shifts is achieved at the MPW1PW91/6-311G** level of theory. An empirical equation describing the relationship between delta values and shielding constants is postulated. This equation has been applied to the non-chair ground-state conformation of the six-membered acetonide and to the conformationally flexible benzodioxonine derivative. The agreement observed between the experimental and predicted chemical shifts shows that calculations at the MPW1PW91/6-311G** level of theory are adequate for addressing questions of conformation.     

Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Ethane Halides and Derivatives（C_2H_（6-n）X_n（n = 1～3）;X = F,Cl,Br）：DFT Study and NBO Analysis

A theoretical study of the thermal decomposition kinetics of ethane halides(C2H6-nXn(n = 1～3);X = F,Cl,Br) has been carried out at the B3LYP/6-31++G** and B3PW91/631++G** levels of theory.Among these methods and comparison of activation parameters with available experimental values,the B3PW91/6-31++G** method is in good agreement with the experimental data.The analysis of bond order and natural bond orbital(NBO) charges,bond indexes,and synchronicity parameters suggest the elimination of HX in reactions 1～9(HF:compounds 1～3,HCl:compounds 4～6,and HBr:compounds 7～9) occur through a concerted and slightly asynchronous four-membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism.     

Kinetic Study and NBO Analysis of the Dehydrogenation Mechanism of Five‐membered Ring Heterocyclic 2,5‐Dihydro‐[furan,thiophene, selenophene

The theoretical study of the dehydrogenation of 2,5‐dihydro‐[furan ( 1 ), thiophene ( 2 ), and selenophene ( 3 )] was carried out using ab initio molecular orbital (MO) and density functional theory (DFT) methods at the B3LYP/6‐311G**//B3LYP/6‐311G** and MP2/6‐311G**//B3LYP/6‐311G** levels of theory. Among the used methods in this study, the obtained results show that B3LYP/6‐311G** method is in good agreement with the available experimental values. Based on the optimized ground state geometries using B3LYP/6‐311G** method, the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of donor‐acceptor (bond‐antibond) interactions revealed that the stabilization energies associated with the electronic delocalization from non‐bonding lone‐pair orbitals [LP(e)_X3] to δ*_{C(1)  H(2)} antibonding orbital, decrease from compounds 1 to 3 . The LP(e)_X3→δ*_{C(1)  H(2)} resonance energies for compounds 1 – 3 are 23.37, 16.05 and 12.46 kJ/mol, respectively. Also, the LP(e)_X3→δ*_{C(1)  H(2)} delocalizations could fairly explain the decrease of occupancies of LP(e)_X3 non‐bonding orbitals in ring of compounds 1 – 3 ( 3 > 2 > 1 ). The electronic delocalization from LP(e)_X3 non‐bonding orbitals to δ*_{C(1)  H(2)} antibonding orbital increases the ground state structure stability, Therefore, the decrease of LP(e)_X3→δ*_{C(1)  H(2)} delocalizations could fairly explain the kinetic of the dehydrogenation reactions of compounds 1 – 3 (k ₁ >k ₂ >k ₃ ). Also, the donor‐acceptor interactions, as obtained from NBO analysis, revealed that the (_C(4)C(7)→δ*_{C(1)  H(2)} resonance energies decrease from compounds 1 to 3 . Further, the results showed that the energy gaps between (_C(4)C(7) bonding and δ*_{C(1)  H(2)} antibonding orbitals decrease from compounds 1 to 3 . The results suggest also that in compounds 1 – 3 , the hydrogen eliminations are controlled by LP(e)→δ* resonance energies. Analysis of bond order, natural bond orbital charges, bond indexes, synchronicity parameters, and IRC calculations indicate that these reactions are occurring through a concerted and synchronous six‐membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism.     

Benchmark of density functional theory methods on the prediction of bond energies and bond distances of noble-gas containing molecules

We have tested three pure density functional theory (DFT) functionals, BLYP, MPWPW91, MPWB95, and ten hybrid DFT functionals, B3LYP, B3P86, B98, MPW1B95, MPW1PW91, BMK, M05-2X, M06-2X, B2GP-PLYP, and DSD-BLYP with a series of commonly used basis sets on the performance of predicting the bond energies and bond distances of 31 small neutral noble-gas containing molecules. The reference structures were obtained using the CCSD(T)∕aug-cc-pVTZ theory and the reference energies were based on the calculation at the CCSD(T)∕CBS level. While in general the hybrid functionals performed significantly better than the pure functionals, our tests showed a range of performance by these hybrid functionals. For the bond energies, the MPW1B95∕6-311+G(2df,2pd), BMK∕aug-cc-pVTZ, B2GP-PLYP∕aug-cc-pVTZ, and DSD-BLYP∕aug-cc-pVTZ methods stood out with mean unsigned errors of 2.0-2.3 kcal∕mol per molecule. For the bond distances, the MPW1B95∕6-311+G(2df,2pd), MPW1PW91∕6-311+G(2df,2pd), and B3P86∕6-311+G(2df,2pd), DSD-BLYP∕6-311+G(2df,2pd), and DSD-BLYP∕aug-cc-pVTZ methods stood out with mean unsigned errors of 0.008-0.013 A? per bond. The current study showed that a careful selection of DFT functionals is very important in the study of noble-gas chemistry, and the most recommended methods are MPW1B95∕6-311+G(2df,2pd) and DSD-BLYP∕aug-cc-pVTZ.     

Theoretical Studies on the Intermonomer Interaction of F-·(H2O)n (n = 1,2)

Five optimized geometries of F-·(H2O)n (n = 1, 2) were obtained with ab initio calculation at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level.The accurate intermonomer interaction energy was calculated using the MP2 electron correlation correction as well as the basis set superposition error correction by the Boys-Bernardi "counterpoise" protocol.Natural bond orbital (NBO) theory was applied to quantify the relative strength of these interactions and account for their effects on the stability, structural and vibrational parameters of Fˉ·(H2O)n (n = 1, 2).It is shown that the charge transferring from the lone pair of F-1 to the σ*OH(…F) antibonding orbital is important.The results indicate the occupancy of σ*OH(…F) is increased (denoted Δσ*OH(…F)) and the ΔROH(…F) bond is leng- thened (denoted (ROH(…F)), leading to the red-shift and the red-shift values have linear correlation with both Δσ*OH(…F) and ΔROH(…F).     

On the NH3+HCO3H→HCOOH+H3NO mechanism: a density functional theory study

The B1LYP, B3LYP and MPW1PW91 density functional theory methods combined with the 6-311G(2d, 2p) basis set were used to carry out a density functional theory study of the NH₃+HCO₃H→HCOOH+H₃NO reaction. The purpose of this work is to study the reaction mechanism from the viewpoint of bond order transformations throughout the course of the reaction, and propose the reasons for the apparent differences in activation barriers.     

Quantum chemical study on excited states and electronic coupling matrix element in a catechol-bridge-dicyanoethylene system

The excited states of a donor-bridge-acceptor (DBA) model system have been investigated using time-dependent density-functional theory (TD-DFT) in vacuo and in solution. It is found that the MPW1PW91 functional always gives higher excitation energies than those with a B3LYP functional. Results from both TD-B3LYP and TD-MPW1PW91 are found consistent with the experimental observations. The two most intense absorptions of the DBA system, one resulting from the local excitation of catechol moiety and the other from that of dicyanoethylene, possess the pipi* transition feature. It seems that the solvent polarity does not remarkably influence the positions of absorption peaks. The spectroscopic properties of isolated donor, acceptor, and bridge and the donor-bridge compound have been investigated at the TD-B3LYP/6-31+G* and TD-MPW1PW91/6-31+G* levels. Results indicate that the donor and the acceptor are weakly coupled with the bridge. Therefore, it is more likely that the electron transfer takes place through a superexchange mechanism. In addition, we calculate the electronic coupling matrix elements according to the generalized Mulliken-Hush theory, and the detailed analyses also predict that the strong absorptions are due to the local excitation of the DBA system.     

Experimental and calculated H, C and P NMR spectra of pyridine-2-phosphono-4-carboxylic acid

Pyridine-2-phosphono-4-carboxylic acid (MC1) is a compound that possesses potential neuroactivity. In this work the ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectra of MC1 dissolved in D₂O in solution, in the 1.5-9.0 pD range, are presented. Theoretical calculations of the NMR spectra, as well as structural parameters of expected compounds, were performed at the B3PW91/6-311G** and B3PW91/6-31G** level, respectively, for all five possible forms of MC1 (cation, zwitteranion and three anions). Consecutive deprotonation of MC1 and its influence on the structure of the ligand are discussed in detail.     

Synthesis and Infrared Spectra Computation of Sterically Congested 2,2-Disubstituted Indane-113-dione Derivatives

Sterucally congested 2,2-disubstituted indane-1,3-dione derivatives have been syn- thesized and characterized by <'1>H NMR, <'13>C NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis.The B3LYP/HF calculations for computation of IR spectra have been carried out for the title compounds at the 6- 31G* and 6-311-m-G** basis set levels.Predicted vibrational frequencies have been assigned and compared with the experimental FT-IR spectra and they are supported each other.     

Analysis of vibrational spectra of L-alanylglycine based on density functional theory calculations

FT Raman and IR spectra of the crystallized biologically active molecule, L-alanylglycine (L-Ala-Gly) have been recorded and analyzed. The equilibrium geometry, bonding features and harmonic vibrational frequencies of L-Ala-Gly have been investigated with the help of B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) method. The calculated molecular geometry has been compared with the experimental data. The assignments of the vibrational spectra have been carried out with the help of normal coordinate analysis (NCA) following the scaled quantum mechanical force field methodology (SQMFF). The optimized geometry shows the non-planarity of the peptide group of the molecule. Potential energy surface (PES) scan studies has also been carried out by ab initio calculations with B3LYP/6-311+G** basis set. The red shifting of NH3+ stretching wavenumber indicates the formation of N-H...O hydrogen bonding. The change in electron density (ED) in the sigma* antibonding orbitals and E2 energies have been calculated by natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) using DFT method. The NBO analysis confirms the occurrence of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the molecule.     

FT-IR and FT-Raman, UV spectroscopic investigation of 1-bromo-3-fluorobenzene using DFT (B3LYP, B3PW91 and MPW91PW91) calculations

The FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 1-bromo-3-fluorobenzene (C₆H₄FBr) molecule have been recorded using Bruker IFS 66 V spectrometer in the range of 4000–100 cm⁻¹. The molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies in the ground state are calculated using the DFT (B3LYP, B3PW91 and MPW91PW91) methods with 6-31++G(d,p) and 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets. The computed values of frequencies are scaled using a suitable scale factor to yield good coherence with the observed values. The isotropic DFT (B3LYP, B3PW91 and MPW1PW91) analysis showed good agreement with the experimental observations. Comparison of the fundamental vibrational frequencies with calculated results by B3LYP methods. The complete data of this molecule provide the information for future development of substituted benzene. The influence of bromine and fluorine atom on the geometry of benzene and its normal modes of vibrations has also been discussed. A study on the electronic properties, such as absorption wavelengths, excitation energy, dipole moment and frontier molecular orbital energies, was performed by time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) approach. The electronic structure and the assignment of the absorption bands in the electronic spectra of steady compounds were discussed. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies show that charge transfer occurs within the molecule. On the basis of the thermodynamic properties of the title compound at different temperatures have been calculated in gas phase, revealing the correlations between standard heat capacities (C) standard entropies (S), standard enthalpy changes (H) and temperatures.     

DFT Calculations and NBO Analysis of 2-Chloroethylethyldichlorosilane Unimolecular Elimination Kinetics in the Gas Phase

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been used to investigate the thermal decomposition kinetics of 2-chloroethylethyldichlorosilane at the B3LYP/6-311+G**,B3PW91/6-311+G**,and MPW1PW91/6-311+G** levels of theory.Among these methods,the results(activation parameters) obtained using the B3LYP/6-311+G** level are in good agreement with the available experimental data.The calculated data imply that in the unimolecular β-elimination reactions of the studied compound in the gas phase,the polarization of C(1)-Cl(3) and C(1)-H(4) bonds in the sense of C(1)δ+-Cl(3)δ-and C(1)δ+-H(4)δ-,respectively,is a determining factor in the gas phase elimination reactions 1,2 and 3.Analysis of bond order,natural bond orbital charges,bond indexes,synchro-nicity parameters,and IRC calculations suggest the elimination of 2-chloroethylethyldichlorosilane via reactions 1～3 can be described as concerted and slightly asynchronous.The transition state structures of these reactions are a four-membered cyclic structure.     

Density Functional Calculations of C–NO_2 Bond Dissociation Energies for Nitroalkanes Molecules

Bond dissociation energies for the removal of nitrogen dioxide group in some nit- roalkane energetic materials have been calculated by using the three hybrid density functional theory (DFT) methods B3LYP, B3PW91 and B3P86 with 6-31g** and 6-311g** basis sets. The computed BDEs have been compared with the available experimental results. It is found that the B3P86 method with 6-31g** and 6-311g** basis sets can obtain satisfactory bond dissociation energies (BDEs), which are in extraordinary agreement with the experimental data. Considering the smaller mean absolute deviation and maximum difference, the reliable B3P86/6-311g** method was recommended to compute the BDEs for the removal of nitrogen dioxide group in the nitroalkane energetic materials. Using the method, the BDEs of 8 other nitroalkane energetic materials have been calculated and the maximum difference from experimental value is 1.76 kcal·mol-1 (for the BDE of tC4H9–NO2), which further proves the reliability of B3P86/6-311g** method. In addition, it is noted that the BDEs of C–NO2 bond change slightly for main chain nitroalkane compounds with the maximum difference of only 3.43 kcal mol-1.     

Theoretical study on infrared vibrational spectra of boric-acid in gas-phase using density functional methods

Density functional theory (DFT) methods with various exchange-correlation functionals such as SVWN, BVWN, BVWN5, BLYP, B1LYP, B3LYP, B3PW91, and BH and H are employed in a theoretical study of molecular boric-acid in gas-phase. In the calculations, the split valence 6-311++G** and 6-31G* basis sets were used. The geometry, zero-point vibrational energies (ZPVEs), and harmonic infrared vibrational (IR) frequencies are predicted. The calculated C_3h-symmetry geometrical parameters are compared with Hartree–Fock (HF) calculation results and experimental data. IR frequencies predicted by the BLYP, B3LYP, and B3PW91 calculations are in good agreement with experimental data. The frequency calculations presented here also suggest that the C_3h-symmetrical structure corresponds to a minimum in the potential energy surface, but neither is D_3h- or C₃-symmetrical structure.