Effect of geminal substitution at silicon on 1-sila- and 1,3-disilacyclobutanes' strain energies, their 2+2 cycloreversion enthalpies, and Si=C pi-bond energies in silenes.

To evaluate the effect of geminal substitution at silicon on 1-sila- and 1,3-disilacyclobutanes' strain energies, their 2+2 cycloreversion enthalpies, and Si=C pi-bond energies in silenes, an ab initio MO study of silenes, R2Si=CH2 (1), 1-silacyclobutanes, cyclo-R2Si(CH2)3 (2), and 1,3-disilacyclobutanes, cyclo-(R2SiCH2)2 (3), was performed using the level of theory denoted MP4/TZ(d)//MP2/6-31G(d) (TZ means the 6-311G(d) basis set for elements of the second period and hydrogen, and the McLean-Chandler (12s,9p)/[6s,5p](d) basis set for the third period elements). In the series R = H, CH3, SiH3, CH3O, NH2, Cl, F, the growth of the reaction enthalpies and strain energies is proportional to the substituents' electronegativities. 2+2 cycloreversion of 2 is endothermic by 40.6-63.1 kcal/mol, whereas that of 3 is endothermic by 72.7-114.2 kcal/mol. On going from a silicon to a fluorine substituent at the sp2-hybridized silicon atom, the pi-bond energy in 1 weakens by 11.3 kcal/mol, and the Si=C bond length shortens by 0.053 A. The effect of substituents' electronegativities at the double-bonded silicon atom in silenes is formulated as follows: the higher electronegativity, the shorter and the weaker the Si=C pi-bond. The latter is rationalized in terms of more strained geometry resulting from the energetic cost for planarizing the R2SiC moiety. The enthalpies of the ring-opening reaction are 68.0-80.1 kcal/mol (a cleavage of the Si-C bond in 3), 65.0-76.4 kcal/mol (a cleavage of the Si-C bond in 2), and 58.0-64.9 kcal/mol (a cleavage of the C-C bond in 2). The pronounced difference in the enthalpies of 2+2 cycloreversion of 1-sila- and 1,3-disilacyclobutanes is mainly due to the difference in the enthalpies of diradicals' decomposition. The decomposition of diradicals resulting from a cleavage of C-C and Si-C bonds in 2 is exothermic by 24.3-3.3 kcal/mol (apart from the difluoro derivative which is endothermic by 5.1 kcal/mol) and 27.0-13.3 kcal/mol, respectively. The decomposition of a 1,4-diradical resulting from ring opening of 3, apart from the disilyl derivative, is the endothermic process for which the enthalpy varies from 10.6 to 40.4 kcal/mol.     

Theoretical studies of the gas‐phase pyrolysis kinetics of ω‐bromonitriles,ZCH2CH2Br [Z = NC,NCCH2, NCCH2CH2]

The gas‐phase elimination of several ω‐bromonitriles (ZCH₂CH₂Br, Z = NC, NCCH₂, NCCH₂CH₂) has been examined at the MP2/6‐31G(d,p), MP2/6‐31G(2d,2p), B3PW91/6‐31G(2d,2p), and MPW91PW91/6‐31(2p,2d) levels of theory. The bromonitriles yield the corresponding cyano‐olefin and HBr gas in a rate‐determining step. The MPW91PW91/6‐31G(2p,2d) results suggest a concerted mechanism, with a polar, four‐membered transition state. The calculated kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were found to be within reasonable agreement with the experimental determinations. Substituent effects are discussed in terms of electronic structure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 168–175, 2009     

DFT studies on the multi‐channel reaction of CH3S+NO2

The mechanisms for the reaction of CH₃S with NO₂ are investigated at the QCISD(T)/6‐311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) on both single and triple potential energy surfaces (PESs). The geometries, vibrational frequencies, and zero‐point energy (ZPE) correction of all stationary points involved in the title reaction are calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level. More accurate energies are obtained at the QCISD(T)/6‐311++G(d,p). The results show that 5 intermediates and 14 transition states are found. The reaction is more predominant on the single PES, while it is negligible on the triple PES. Without any barrier height for the whole process, the main channel of the reaction is to form CH₃SONO and then dissociate to CH₃SO+NO. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Degenerate lithium-hydrogen exchange reactions: Ab initio models for metallation mechanisms involving H2, CH4, NH3, H2O,and HF

Hydrogen exchange reactions between lithium and sodium compounds, MX (M=Li: X=H, CH₃, NH₂, OH, F; M=Na: X=CH₃), and the corresponding hydrides, HX, have been modelled by means of ab initio calculations including electron correlation and zero point energy (ZPE) corrections. Small or no activation barriers (from the initial complexes) are encountered in systems involving lone pairs (10.8, 2.4, 0.0 kcal/mol for X=NH₂, OH, F, respectively). Since the association energies of the initial complexes are much larger (21.0, 20.4, 23.5 kcal/mol, respectively; MP2/6–31+G*/6–31+G* + ZPE), such exchange reactions should occur spontaneously in the gas phase. The methyl systems (X=CH₃) have the largest barriers: 26.7 (M=Li) and 31.7 (M=Na) kcal/mol (MP2/6–31+G*/6–31G* + ZPE), and the initial complexes are only weakly bound. The significance of these systems as models for hydrogen exchange reactions in complexes of electropositive transition metals is discussed. However, the gegenion-free exchange of hydrogen between CH₃ and CH₄ has a much lower, 11.8 kcal/mol barrier (MP2/6–31+G*/6–31+G* + ZPE). All the transition structures are highly ionic (charges on the metals > +0.8). The effect of aggregation has been considered by examining the hydrogen exchange between (LiX)₂ and HX(X=H, CH₃, NH₂, OH). Although these dimer reactions formally involve six, instead of four electrons, no “aromatic” preference is observed.     

Eclipsed and staggered conformations of (SIH3)2F+: An ab initio study

Ab initio calculations at 6–31G**, 6–31++G**, and MP2/6–31G** levels were performed on disilyl–fluoronium, (SiH₃)₂F⁺, with the SiH₃ group eclipsed or staggered. Optimized geometries, total energies, dipole moments, atomic charges, electronic density, and vibrational frequencies were computed. The results were compared with calculated structural parameters and vibrational frequencies of H₃SiF, H₂SiF⁺, H₂SiF^?, and H₄SiF⁺ ions. The basis-set effects were studied. Several thermochemistry parameters—ZPE, thermal energy, rotational constants, and entropies—were also calculated. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Schwingungsspektroskopische Untersuchungen an den Organohydrogensilanen (XCH2)(CH3)2SiH (X = Cl,Br, J), X(YO)2SiH (X = CH3, C2H5/Y = CH3, C2H5 … tert.-C4H9), (C6H5)2SiH2 und C6H5SiH3

Infrared and Raman Spectroscopic Investigations on the Organosubstituted Silicon Hydrides (XCH₂)(CH₃)₂SiH (X = Cl, Br, J), X(YO)₂SiH (X = CH₂, C₂H₅/Y = CH₃, C₂H₅ … tert.-C₄H₉), (C₆H₅)₂SiH₂ and C₆H₅SiH₃ Typical band splittings, specially for the SiH stretching vibration, are shown in the infrared and Raman spectra of the silicon hydrides (XCH₂)(CH₃)₂SiH (X = Cl, Br, J), and X(YO)₂SiH (X = CH₃, C₂H₅/Y = CH₃, C₂H₅ … tert.-C₄H₉). The cause of this behavior is in all probability the existence of rotational isomers. Raman polarization measurements at organosubstituted silicon di- and trihydrides demonstrate the accidental degeneracy of the SiH valence vibrations.     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of the OH-initiated oxidation of CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>=C(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>OH

In the present work, the detailed reaction mechanism and possible products of the OH-initiated oxidation of CH₂=C(CH₃)CH₂CH₂OH (MBO331) have been revealed theoretically for the first time. The potential energy surfaces of various reaction channels both in the absence and presence of O₂ and NO are evaluated at the CCSD(T)/6−31++G(d,p)//MP2(full)/6−311G(d,p)+ZPE*0.95 level. The major products of HCHO + CH₃C(O)CH₂CH₂OH predicted for the title reaction in the presence of O₂ and NO are in agreement with those of similar reactions of unsaturated alcohols with OH radical.     

Vinyloxyborane and its isomers. An ab initio study of the C2H5BO potential energy surface,the barrier to 1,3-shifts in β-ketoboranes,and the mechanism of the carbonylation reaction of boranes

Vinyloxyboranes, CH₂?CH? ;O? ;BR₂, are shown by ab initio molecular orbital theory to be more stable than the isomeric β-aldoboranes, R₂B? CH₂? CH?O, by ca. 19 kcal/mol. The MP2/6-31G*/6-31G* + ZPE barrier for the [1,3] boron shift is only 10.9 kcal/mol (R ? Me) relative to the aldoborane. Other C₂H₅BO isomers (β-ketoboranes, boraepoxides and organoboron oxides), which are related to the proposed stages in the carbonylation reaction of boranes, are shown to be plausible intermediates. However, some of the computed barriers for methyl group migrations are unrealistically large, up to ca. 63 kcal/mol.     

Theoretical Investigation on the Reactions of H with (CH3)4‐nSiHn (n = 1–4)

The abstractions of H with (CH₃)_4‐nSiH_n (n = 1–4) have been investigated at high levels of ab initio molecule orbital theory. Geometries have been optimized at the MP‐2 level with 6–31G(d) basis set, and G2MP2 level has been used for the final energy calculations. Theoretical analysis provided conclusive evidence that the main process occurring in each case is the abstraction of H from the Si? H bond leading to the formation of the H₂ and silyl radicals; the abstraction of H from C? H bond has higher barrier and is difficult to react in each case. The kinetics of the title reactions have been calculated with variational transition state theory over the temperature range 200–1000 K, and the theoretical rate constants match well with the experimental values.     

Mechanisms of [1,3]-Sigmatropic Migrations of the Nitroso Group in the ON-X-CH=X Systems (X = O,S, Se,NH, CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)

[1,3]-Sigmatropic migrations of the nitroso group in the systems ON-X-CH=X (X = O, S, Se, NH, CH₂) were studied by MP2(fc)/6-311+G** and B3LYP/6-311+G** quantum-chemical calculations. The energy barrier in the process was estimated at 2.4 (2.5), 20.0 (25.0), and 22.3 (23.4) kcal/mol for X = O, NH, and CH₂, respectively. The energy minima for X = S and X = Se correspond to cyclic structures with two-coordinate NO group, which are more stable than acyclic structures by 9.3 (4.3) (X = S) or 13.1 (5.7) kcal/mol (X = Se).     

Long‐range π‐type hydrogen bond in dimers CH2?HF,CH2O?H2O,and CH2O?NH3

Using four basis bets, (6‐311G(d,p), 6‐31+G(d,p), 6‐31++G(2d,2p), and 6‐311++G(3df,3pd), the optimized structures with all real frequencies were obtained at the MP2 level for the dimers CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, CH₂O? NH₃, and CH₂O? CH₄. The structures of CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, and CH₂O? NH₃ are cycle‐shaped, which result from the larger bend of σ‐type hydrogen bonds. The bend of σ‐type H‐bond O…H? Y (Y?F, O, N) is illustrated and interpreted by an attractive interaction of a chemically intuitive π‐type hydrogen bond. The π‐type hydrogen bond is the interaction between one of the H atoms of CH₂O and lone pair(s) on the F atom in HF, the O atom in H₂O, or the N atom in NH₃. In contrast with the above three dimers, for CH₂O? CH₄, because there is not a π‐type hydrogen bond to bend its linear hydrogen bond, the structure of CH₂O? CH₄ is noncyclic shaped. The interaction energy of hydrogen bonds and the π‐type H‐bond are calculated and discussed at the CCSD (T)/6‐311++G(3df,3pd) level. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Mononuclear nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes with deprotonated forms of the tripodal hexadentate ligand 1,3‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneaminomethyl)‐2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diamine

In the crystal structures of both title compounds, [1,3‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐methyl‐2‐(2‐oxidobenzylideneaminomethyl)propane‐1,3‐diamine]nickel(II) [2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneaminomethyl)‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐bis(2‐oxidobenzylidene)propane‐1,3‐diamine]nickel(II) chloride methanol disolvate, [Ni(C₂₆H_25.5N₃O₃)]₂Cl·2CH₄O, and [1,3‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐methyl‐2‐(2‐oxidobenzylideneaminomethyl)propane‐1,3‐diamine]zinc(II) perchlorate [2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneaminomethyl)‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐bis(2‐oxidobenzylidene)propane‐1,3‐diamine]zinc(II) methanol trisolvate, [Zn(C₂₆H₂₅N₃O₃)]ClO₄·[Zn(C₂₆H₂₆N₃O₃)]·3CH₄O, the 3d metal ion is in an approximately octahedral environment composed of three facially coordinated imine N atoms and three phenol O atoms. The two mononuclear units are linked by three phenol–phenolate O—H...O hydrogen bonds to form a dimeric structure. In the Ni compound, the asymmetric unit consists of one mononuclear unit, one‐half of a chloride anion and a methanol solvent molecule. In the O—H...O hydrogen bonds, two H atoms are located near the centre of O...O and one H atom is disordered over two positions. The Ni^II compound is thus formulated as [Ni(H_1.5L)]₂Cl·2CH₃OH [H₃L is 1,3‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneaminomethyl)‐2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diamine]. In the analogous Zn^II compound, the asymmetric unit consists of two crystallographically independent mononuclear units, one perchlorate anion and three methanol solvent molecules. The mode of hydrogen bonding connecting the two mononuclear units is slightly different, and the formula can be written as [Zn(H₂L)]ClO₄·[Zn(HL)]·3CH₃OH. In both compounds, each mononuclear unit is chiral with either a Δ or a Λ configuration because of the screw coordination arrangement of the achiral tripodal ligand around the 3d metal ion. In the dimeric structure, molecules with Δ–Δ and Λ–Λ pairs co‐exist in the crystal structure to form a racemic crystal. A notable difference is observed between the M—O(phenol) and M—O(phenolate) bond lengths, the former being longer than the latter. In addition, as the ionic radius of the metal ion decreases, the M—O and M—N bond distances decrease.     

Rate constants calculation of hydrogen abstraction reactions CH3CHBr + HBr and CH3CBr2 + HBr

Dual‐level direct dynamics method is used to study the kinetic properties of the hydrogen abstraction reactions of CH₃CHBr + HBr → CH₃CH₂Br + Br (R1) and CH₃CBr₂ + HBr → CH₃CHBr₂ + Br (R2). Optimized geometries and frequencies of all the stationary points and extra points along the minimum‐energy path are obtained at the MPW1K/6‐311+G(d,p), MPW1K/ma‐TZVP, and BMK/6‐311+G(d,p) levels. Two complexes with energies less than that of the reactants are located in the entrance of each reaction at the MPW1K/6‐311+G(d,p) and MPW1K/ma‐TZVP levels, respectively. The energy profiles are further refined with the interpolated single‐point energies method at the G2M(RCC5)//MPW1K/6‐311+G(d,p) level of theory. By the improved canonical variational transition‐state theory with the small‐curvature tunneling correction (SCT), the rate constants are evaluated over a wide temperature range of 200–2000 K. Our calculations have shown that the radical reactivity decreases from CH₃CHBr to CH₃CBr₂. Finally, the total rate constants are fitted by two modified Arrhenius expression. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Ab initio chemical kinetics for reactions of H atoms with SiHx (x = 1–3) radicals and related unimolecular decomposition processes

Hydrogen atoms and SiH_x (x = 1–3) radicals coexist during the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) thin films for Si‐solar cell fabrication, a technology necessitated recently by the need for energy and material conservation. The kinetics and mechanisms for H‐atom reactions with SiH_x radicals and the thermal decomposition of their intermediates have been investigated by using a high high‐level ab initio molecular‐orbital CCSD (Coupled Cluster with Single and Double)(T)/CBS (complete basis set extrapolation) method. These reactions occurring primarily by association producing excited intermediates, ¹SiH₂, ³SiH₂, SiH₃, and SiH₄, with no intrinsic barriers were computed to have 75.6, 55.0, 68.5, and 90.2 kcal/mol association energies for x = 1–3, respectively, based on the computed heats of formation of these radicals. The excited intermediates can further fragment by H₂ elimination with 62.5, 44.3, 47.5, and 56.7 kcal/mol barriers giving ¹Si, ³Si, SiH, and ¹SiH₂ from the above respective intermediates. The predicted heats of reaction and enthalpies of formation of the radicals at 0 K, including the latter evaluated by the isodesmic reactions, SiH_x + CH₄ = SiH₄ + CH_x, are in good agreement with available experimental data within reported errors. Furthermore, the rate constants for the forward and unimolecular reactions have been predicted with tunneling corrections using transition state theory (for direct abstraction) and variational Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus theory (for association/decomposition) by solving the master equation covering the P,T‐conditions commonly employed used in industrial CVD processes. The predicted results compare well experimental and/or computational data available in the literature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

2,2′‐[(Disulfanediyl)bis{5‐[(1E)‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)amino]‐1,3‐thiazole‐4,2‐diyl}]diphenol: synthesis,crystal structure and calculation of molecular hyperpolarizability

The title Schiff base compound {systematic name: 2‐[5‐[(E )‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)amino]‐4‐(2‐{5‐[(E )‐(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)amino]‐2‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,3‐thiazol‐4‐yl}disulfanyl)‐1,3‐thiazol‐2‐yl]phenol}, C₃₂H₂₂N₄O₄S₄, incorporating a disulfanediyl (dithio) linkage, was obtained from the condensation reaction between two equivalents of salicylaldehyde and one equivalent of dithiooxamide in dimethylformamide, and was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopic analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. A one‐dimensional chain is formed along the b axis via double intermolecular C—H…S hydrogen bonds. The HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) and LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) energies and some related molecular parameters were calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) level of theory. The molecular hyperpolarizability was also calculated.     

A quantum mechanical approach to the kinetics of the hydrogen abstraction reaction H2O2 + •OH → HO2 + H2O

The kinetics of the hydrogen abstraction from H₂O₂ by ^?OH has been modeled with MP2/6‐31G*//MP2/6‐31G*, MP2‐SAC//MP2/6‐31G*, MP2/6‐31+G**//MP2/6‐31+G**, MP2‐SAC// MP2/6‐31+G**, MP4(SDTQ)/6‐311G**//MP2/6‐31G*, CCSD(T)/6‐31G*//CCSD(T)/6‐31G*, CCSD(T)/6‐31G**//CCSD(T)/6‐31G**, CCSD(T)/6‐311++G**//MP2/6‐31G* in the gas phase. MD simulations have been used to generate initial geometries for the stationary points along the potential energy surface for hydrogen abstraction from H₂O₂. The effective fragment potential (EFP) has been used to optimize the relevant structures in solution. Furthermore, the IEFPCM model has been used for the supermolecules generated via MD calculations. IEFPCM/MP2/6‐31G* and IEFPCM/CCSD(T)/6‐31G* calculations have also been performed for structures without explicit water molecules. Experimentally, the rate constant for hydrogen abstraction by ^?OH drops from 1.75 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 in the gas phase to 4.48 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 in solution. The same trend has been reproduced best with MP4 (SDTQ)/6‐311G**//MP2/6‐31G* in the gas phase (0.415 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) and with EFP (UHF/6‐31G*) in solution (3.23 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 502–514, 2005     

Cycloadditions of Aryl‐Substituted 1,2,4‐Triazines with 2‐Cyclopropylidene‐1,3‐dimethylimidazolidine – Zwitterions as Discrete Intermediates

Cycloadditions of 2‐cyclopropylidene‐1,3‐dimethylimidazolidine ( 1 ), a strong, electron‐rich C‐nucleophile, with a variety of aryl‐substituted 1,2,4‐triazines occur at temperatures between ?100 and +100°, depending on the substitution pattern. At low temperatures, zwitterions, formed by nucleophilic attack of 1 on the triazines, could be detected spectroscopically and, in some cases, isolated. Two types of zwitterions were found: 1) those where the new bond was linked to C(5) of the triazine and which were formed in a reversible dead‐end equilibrium, and 2) those where the new bond was linked either to C(3) or C(6). The latter exhibited the same regiochemistry as the final cycloadducts, and might be intermediates of a two‐step Diels–Alder reaction. Energies and structural characteristics for stationary points in the reaction of monosubstituted triazines with 1 in the gas phase and in CH₂Cl₂ solution were calculated at the Becke3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p)//Becke3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory. Different reaction mechanisms are discussed on the basis of steric, electronic, and solvent effects.     

Mechanistic Investigation of the Dipolar [2+2] Cycloaddition–Cycloreversion Reaction between 4‐(N,N‐Dimethylamino)phenylacetylene and Arylated 1,1‐Dicyanovinyl Derivatives To Form Intramolecular Charge‐Transfer Chromophores

The kinetics and mechanism of the formal [2+2] cycloaddition–cycloreversion reaction between 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)phenylacetylene ( 1 ) and para‐substituted benzylidenemalononitriles 2 b – 2 l to form 2‐donor‐substituted 1,1‐dicyanobuta‐1,3‐dienes 3 b – 3 l via the postulated dicyanocyclobutene intermediates 4 b – 4 l have been studied experimentally by the method of initial rates and computationally at the unrestricted B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level. The transformations were found to follow bimolecular, second‐order kinetics, with ${{\rm{\Delta }}H_{{\rm{exp}}}^{ {\ne} } }$ =13–18 kcal mol^?1, ${{\rm{\Delta }}S_{{\rm{exp}}}^{ {\ne} } }$ ≈?30 cal K^?1 mol^?1, and ${{\rm{\Delta }}G_{{\rm{exp}}}^{ {\ne} } }$ =22–27 kcal mol^?1. These experimental activation parameters for the rate‐determining cycloaddition step are close to the computational values. The rate constants show a good linear free energy relationship (ρ=2.0) with the electronic character of the para‐substituents on the benzylidene moiety in dimethylformamide (DMF), which is indicative of a dipolar mechanism. Analysis of the computed structures and their corresponding solvation energies in acetonitrile suggests that the rate‐determining attack of the nucleophilic, terminal alkyne carbon onto the dicyanovinyl electrophile generates a transient zwitterion intermediate with the negative charge developing as a stabilized malononitrile carbanion. The computational analysis predicted that the cycloreversion of the postulated dicyanocyclobutene intermediate would become rate‐determining for 1,1‐dicyanoethene ( 2 m ) as the electrophile. The dicyanocyclobutene 4 m could indeed be isolated as the key intermediate from the reaction between alkyne 1 and 2 m and characterized by X‐ray analysis. Facile first‐order cycloreversion occurred upon further heating, yielding as the sole product the 1,1‐dicyanobuta‐1,3‐diene 3 m .     

A Hybrid statistical mechanics—quantum chemical model for proton transfer in 5‐azauracil and 6‐azauracil in water solution

A hybrid statistical physics—quantum‐chemical methodology was implemented to study the water‐assisted intramolecular proton‐transfer processes in 5‐ and 6‐azauracils in aqueous solutions. The solvent effects were included in the model by explicit inclusion of two pairs of water molecules, which model the relevant part of the first hydration shell around the solute. The position of these water molecules was initially estimated by carrying out a classical Metropolis of dilute water solutions of the title compounds and subsequently analyzing solute–solvent intermolecular interactions in the Monte Carlo‐generated configurations. Sequentially to the statistical physics simulation, ab initio quantum mechanical (QM) level of theory was implemented. The effects of the water as solvent (at ab initio QM level) were introduced at two different levels—using solute–solvent clusters (four‐water molecules) and using the same clusters embedded in an external continuum. Full geometry optimizations of these complexes were carried out at MP2/6–31 + G(d, p) and conductor‐polarizable continuum model (C‐PCM)/MP2/6–31 + G(d, p). Single point calculations were performed at CCSD(T)/6–31 + G(d, p)//MP2/6–31 + G(d, p) computational level to obtain more accurate energies. According to our calculations hydrated azauracils should exist in three forms: mainly dioxo form and two hydroxy forms. The calculated proton transfer activation energies for tautomeric reactions of 5‐azauracil and 6‐azauracil show different pictures for these two compounds. According to C‐PCM/MP2/6–31 +G(d, p) data, water‐assisted proton transfer in 5‐azauracil realizes through two parallel reactions: 1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione → 6‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2(1H)‐one and 1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione → 4‐hydroxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2(1H)‐one. Tautomeric equilibrium in 6‐azauracil in water could occur by two contiguous reactions: 1,2,4‐triazine‐3,5(2H,4H)‐dione → 5‐hydroxy‐1,2,4‐triazin‐3(2H)‐one and 5‐hydroxy‐1,2,4‐triazin‐3(2H)‐one → 3‐hydroxy‐1,2,4‐triazin‐5(2H)‐one. The proton transfer investigated reactions in 5‐ and 6‐azauracils involve concerted atomic movement. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.