Ab initio molecular orbital study of Fe2Cl6 and FeAlCl6

Ab initio molecular orbital theory was used to determine the equilibrium structure and vibrational frequencies of Fe₂Cl₆ and FeAlCl₆. The equilibrium structure the Fe₂Cl₆ dimer has D_2h symmetry with a planar arrangement of the four membered {FeCl_brFeCl_br} ring, similar to the Al₂Cl₆ dimer. The calculated bond distances and vibrational frequencies are in good agreement with experiment. The potential energy surface for the puckering of the {FeCl_brFeCl_br} ring is extremely flat. This prevents an unambiguous assignment of either D_2h or C_2v symmetry to the Fe₂Cl₆ structure in electron diffraction measurements. The FeAlCl₆ molecule is found to have a C_2v structure similar to Fe₂Cl₆ with vibrational frequencies in good agreement with experiment.     

C94 IPR isomeric set: large-scale computations of relative stabilities based on the Gibbs function

At present C₉₄ is one of the highest sets of isomeric fullerenes that has been characterized by ¹³C NMR spectra. This contribution reports quantum-chemical computations on the C₉₄ system. The complete set of 134 isolated-pentagon-rule isomers of C₉₄ is described by four semiempirical quantum-chemical methods (MNDO, AM1, PM3, and SAM1). The C₉₄ energetics is also checked with Hartree–Fock SCF calculations in the standard 4-31G basis set (HF/4-31G). The calculations point out a C₂ structure as the system ground state. As energetics itself cannot produce reliable relative stabilities at high temperatures, entropy terms are also computed and the relative-stability problem is entirely treated in terms of the Gibbs function. The lowest-energy structure remains the most populated isomer at higher temperatures. However, several other structures show significant populations at higher temperatures. The six most populated species at the AM1 computational level read: C₂, C₂, C₁, C₁, C_s, and C₂. This selected six-membered isomeric set indeed contains the four symmetries observed in the available experiment (C₂, C_s, C₂, and C₂). This incidence represents a good agreement with the experiment and can be viewed as another evidence that the supposed inter-isomeric thermodynamic equilibrium does exist in experiments.     

Thermodynamics of (1,4-difluorobenzene + an n-alkane) and of (hexafluorobenzene + an n-alkane)

Excess molar enthalpies H^E and excess molar volumes V^E have been measured, as a function of mole fraction x₁, at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure for the five liquid mixtures (x₁1,4-C₆H₄F₂ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2), l = 7, 8, 10, 12 and 16. In addition, H^E and excess molar heat capacities C_P^E at constant pressure have been determined for the two liquid mixtures (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2), l = 7 and 14, at the same temperature and pressure. The instruments used were flow microcalorimeters of the Picker design (the H^E version was equipped with separators) and a vibrating-tube densimeter, respectively.

The excess enthalpies of the five difluorobenzene mixtures are all positive and quite large; they increase with increasing chain length l of the n-alkane from H^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J mol⁻¹) = 1050 for l = 7 to 1359 for l = 16. The corresponding excess volumes V^E are all positive and also increase with increasing l: V^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(cm³ mol⁻¹) = 0.650 for l = 7 and 1.080 for l = 16. Interestingly, the excess enthalphies of the corresponding mixtures with hexafluorobenzene are only about 5% larger, whereas the excess volumes of (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C_lH_2l+2) are roughly twice as large as those of their counterparts in the series containing 1,4-C₆H₄F₂. Specifically, at 298.15 K H^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J mol⁻¹) = 1119 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₇H₁₆) and 1324 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀), and for the same mixtures V^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(cm³ mol⁻¹) = 1.882 and 2.093, respectively. The excess heat capacities for both systems are negative and of about the same magnitude as the excess heat capacities of mixtures of fluorobenzene with the same n-alkanes (Roux et al., 1984): C_P^E(x₁ = 0.5)/(J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) = −1.18 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₇H₁₆), and −2.25 for (x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀). The curve C_P^E vs. (x₁ for x₁C₆F₆ + x₂n-C₁₄H₃₀) shows a sort of “hump” for x₁ 0.5, which is presumed to indicate emerging W-shape composition dependence at lower temperatures.     

Valency-bond studies of some conjugated hydrocarbons—II Pentalene, and some preliminary results on heptalene

Valency-bond studies of the still unknown molecule pentalene C₈H₆ in which the molecular symmetry may be either D_2h or C_2h show that a more stable molecule (lower ground state energy) is found for the lower symmetry, and that marked alternation of bond lengths occurs. The corresponding Penney-Dirac bond orders have been determined. Preliminary results for heptalene forecast a similar conclusion.     

Formation of [C60C5H5] adduct cations and theoretical study of the isomers

We study here the reactions between C₆₀ and planar C₅H₅⁺ cations that lead to the formation of [C₆₀C₅H₅]⁺ adduct cations in the chemical ionization source of the mass spectrometer. The structures, stabilities and charge locations of some possible isomers of [C₆₀C₅H₅]⁺: σ-adduct, π-complex, [1,4]- and [l,2]-addition cations, are studied by AM1 semiempirical molecular orbital calculations. We find that the most stable is the σ-addition cation. Another interesting and stable structure is the π-complex cation which is bonded by the electrostatic interaction at the inter-ring distance of 1.589 Å with the C_5v symmetry. The C₅H₅⁺ cyclopentadienium cation seems to be an “inverted umbrella” sitting on a five-membered ring of the C₆₀ cage.     

Cis- and trans-3-hexene: infrared spectrum in liquid argon solution, ab initio calculations of equilibrium geometry, normal coordinate analysis, and vibrational assignments

The infrared spectra of cis-3-hexene and trans-3-hexene dissolved in liquid argon have been obtained at temperatures from 93 to 120 K. The absorptions were observed with a low-temperature cell and a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were performed to obtain the equilibrium geometry, vibrational frequencies, force fields, and infrared intensities. The calculations were done at the Hartree-Fock level using 6-31G basis set. The Cartesian force fields from ab initio calculations have been converted to the force field in symmetry coordinates. The scale factors of ab initio calculated force fields were determined. Normal coordinate calculations were performed using a scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field. Vibrational normal modes calculated for the lowest energy rotamers of cis- and trans-3-hexene have been assigned to infrared absorption bands observed in liquid argon solution. The assignments were based on calculated frequencies and potential energy distributions. The equilibrium geometries of the two lowest energy rotamers (symmetry C₂ and C_s) of cis-3-hexene and of the three lowest energy rotamers (symmetry C_i, C₂, and C₁) of trans-3-hexene were calculated. Variable temperature studies of the infrared spectrum of cis- and trans-3-hexenes dissolved in liquid argon were done to obtain the ΔH of conversion between the rotamers C₂ and C_s of cis-3-hexene and between the rotamers C_i, C₂, and C₁ of trans-3-hexene.     

Big macrocyclic assemblies of carboranes (big MACs): synthesis and crystal structure of a macrocyclic assembly of four carboranes containing alternate ortho- and meta-carborane icosahedra linked by para-phenylene units

The macrocyclic compound, [1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄-1,7-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄]₂ (5)—a novel cyclooctaphane, was prepared by condensation of the C,C′-dicopper(I) derivative of meta-carborane with 1,2-bis(4-iodophenyl)-ortho-carborane. The X-ray crystal structure of 5·C₆H₆·6C₆H₁₂ was determined at 150 K, revealing an extremely loose packing mode. Molecule 5 has a crystallographic C_s and local C_2v symmetry; the macrocycle adopts a butterfly (dihedral angle 143°) conformation with the ortho-carborane units at the wingtips and the phenylene ring planes roughly perpendicular to the wing planes. Multinuclear NMR spectra suggest that molecule 5 in solution inverts rapidly via the planar D_2h geometry, which (from ab initio HF/6-31G* calculations) is only 1 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy than the C_2v one. An attempt to prepare an even larger macrocycle, comprising three para-carborane and three ortho-carborane units linked by six para-phenylene units, was unsuccessful.     

Observation of difluorinated higher fullerene anions by Knudsen cell mass spectrometry and determination of electron affinities of C60F2 and C70F2

Difluorinated higher fullerenes have been studied by Knudsen cell mass spectrometry. Thermal negative ions C_nF₂⁻ (n=60, 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78) were produced inside the effusion cell as well as the neutral molecules C₆₀F₂ and C₇₀F₂. From the equilibrium constants for the electron exchange reactions between difluorinated fullerenes and their parents electron affinity values were derived for C₆₀F₂ (2.74 eV) and C₇₀F₂ (2.80 eV).     

The interaction between C28 (Td) and X (X=H and F)

Hydrogen and fluorine addition reactions with C₂₈(T_d) have been investigated by the density function theory method at B3LYP/6-31G level. The interaction potential between C₂₈(T_d) and atom X (X=H and F) shows that there are three possible stable isomers of C₂₈(T_d)X (X=H and F) and the average binding energy calculations suggest that C₂₈(T_d)H₄ is the most stable hydrogen adduct among C₂₈(T_d)H_n (n=1–28). Furthermore, by comparisons of the energy between C₂₈(T_d)H and C₂₈(C_s)H we found that the former are more stable than the later, and the structural and energy analysis further indicate that C₂₈(C_s)H is only with a small distortion of C₂₈(T_d)H symmetry. In addition, the transition states, as well as reaction pathways of X transfer reactions between different key points on C₂₈(T_d) representative patch are given to explore the possible reaction mechanism.     

Structures and conformations of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF3SO2)2O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF3SO2)2CF2

The geometric structures and conformational properties of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF₃SO₂)₂O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ have been studied by gas electron diffraction (GED) and ab initio calculations (HF/3–21G*). The calculations predict for both systems two stable conformers with C₂ symmetry and one with C₁ symmetry. In both compounds structures with C₂ symmetry and dihedral angles SOSC ≈ 100° ((CF₃SO₂)₂O) and SCSC≈ 150° ((CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ are lowest in energy. According to the GED analyses the dominant conformer of (CF₃SO₂)₂O₂ possesses C₂ symmetry with SOSC dihedral angles of 99.1(14)°. The presence of up to 30% of the two other conformers cannot be excluded; for (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ only one conformer with C₂ symmetry and SCSC dihedral angles of 143(2)° is observed. A complete set of geometric parameters is given.     

Structures and conformations of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF3SO2)2O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF3SO2)2CF2

The geometric structures and conformational properties of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF₃SO₂)₂O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ have been studied by gas electron diffraction (GED) and ab initio calculations (HF/3–21G*). The calculations predict for both systems two stable conformers with C₂ symmetry and one with C₁ symmetry. In both compounds structures with C₂ symmetry and dihedral angles SOSC ≈ 100° ((CF₃SO₂)₂O) and SCSC ≈ 150° ((CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂) are lowest in energy. According to the GED analyses the dominant conformer of (CF₃SO₂)₂O possesses C₂ symmetry with SOSC dihedral angles of 99.1(14)°. The presence of up to 30% of the two other conformers cannot be excluded; for (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ only one conformer with C₂ symmetry and SCSC dihedral angles of 143(2)° is observed. A complete set of geometric parameters is given.     

Homo- and hetero-bridged mixed-valence dinuclear complexes which contain the fragment ‘Rh(C6F5)3’

The reaction of the anionic mononuclear rhodium complex [Rh(C₆F₅)₃Cl(Hpz)]^t- (Hpz = pyrazole, C₃H₄N₂) with methoxo or acetylacetonate complexes of Rh or Ir led to the heterodinuclear anionic compounds [(C₆F₅)₃Rh(μ-Cl)(μ-pz)M(L₂)] [M = Rh, L₂ = cyclo-octa-1,5-diene, COD (1), tetrafluorobenzobarrelene, TFB (2) or (CO)₂ (4); M = Ir, L₂ = COD (3)]. The complex [Rh(C₆F₅)₃(Hbim)]⁻ (5) has been prepared by treating [Rh(C₆F₅)₃(acac)]⁻ with H₂bim (acac = acetylacetonate; H₂bim = 2,2′-biimidazole). Complex 5 also reacts with Rh or Ir methoxo, or with Pd acetylacetonate, complexes affording the heterodinuclear complexes [(C₆F₅)₃Rh(μ-bim)M(L₂)]⁻ [M = Rh, L₂ = COD (6) or TFB (7); M = Ir, L₂ = COD (8); M = Pd, L₂ = η³-C₃H₅ (9)]. With [Rh(acac)(CO)₂], complex 5 yields the tetranuclear complex [{(C₆F₅)₃Rh(μ-bim)Rh(CO)₂}₂]₂₋. Homodinuclear Rh^III derivatives [{Rh(C₆F₅)₃}₂(μ-L)₂]^·- [L₂ = OH, pz (11); OH, S^tBu (12); OH, SPh (13); bim (14)] have been obtained by substitution of one or both hydroxo groups of the dianion [{Rh(C₆F₅)₃(μ-OH)}₂]²⁻ by the corresponding ligands. The reaction of [Rh(C₆F₅)₃(Et₂O)_x] with [PdX₂(COD)] produces neutral heterodinuclear compounds [(C₆F₅)₃Rh(μ-X)₂Pd(COD)] [X = Cl (15); Br (16)]. The anionic complexes 1–14 have been isolated as the benzyltriphenylphosphonium (PBzPh₃⁺) salts.     

Copper(I)---aryl bonds in cluster complexes: The structure of [Cu(2-Me2NH6H4)]4(CuBr)2·1.5C6H6

An X-ray diffraction analysis of [Cu(2-Me₂NC₆H₄)]₄(CuBr)₂·1.5C₆H₆ shows the six copper atoms in a distorted octahedral arrangement; the bromine atoms bridge trans-equatorial edges, the 2-(dimethylamino)phenyl ligands bridging faces so that the complex has approximate C₂ symmetry.     

Theoretical study on the aromaticity of the bimetallic clusters X2M2 (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga)

Four neutral bimetallic clusters X₂M₂ (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga) are investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and post-HF methods. The calculated results show that each of four X₂M₂ species has two energetically close stable isomers with rhombic structure (D_2h symmetry) and trapezoidal structure (C_2v symmetry) respectively. For the Ge₂Al₂ species the rhombic (D_2h) isomer is the ground state, whereas for other three species Ge₂Ga₂, Si₂Al₂, and Si₂Ga₂, the trapezoidal (C_2v) isomers are the ground states. The calculated magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (χ_anis) and nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) indicate that a strong diatropic ring current exists in the two heterocyclic planar isomers, suggesting they are highly aromatic. A detailed molecular orbital analysis further reveals that both heterocyclic isomers possess multiple aromaticity derived from one delocalized π MOs and two delocalized σ MOs.     

Crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of new fluoride compound Na2K2NdF7

New fluoride compound Na₂K₂NdF₇ has been synthesised and obtained in the single crystal form by the Bridgman method. The crystal is cubic, space group , with lattice parameters a = 1.28283 (15) nm. In this structure Nd³⁺ ions reside in sites with C_4v symmetry. Judd–Ofelt analysis of optical absorption spectra revealed that radiative lifetime of the ⁴F_3/2 level of Nd³⁺ equals to 460 μs. Measured lifetime is 2.8 μs for Na₂K₂NdF₇ and 439 μs for Na₂K₂La_0.99Nd_0.01F₇, in agreement with the calculated value.     

Studies of N-heterocyclic compounds with triosmium clusters: Formation of the heterocyclic-linked dicluster compound [Os 6(μ-H)2(μ3-C6H4N3)2(CO)18]

The cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂] reacts with indazole (C₇H₆N₂) to give two isomeric products [0s₃(μ-H)(μ-C₇H₅N₂)(CO)₁₀] in which the five-membered ring has been metallated with N-H cleavage to give an N,N-bonded isomer or with C-H cleavage to give a C,N-bonded isomer. These two isomers have very similar X-ray structures but can be clearly distinguished by ¹H NMR methods. They are shown to correspond to related clusters derived from pyrazole. Benzotriazole (C₆H₅N₃) also reacts (as shown earlier by others) to give two isomers: an N,N-bonded species [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₁₀] coordinated only through the five-membered ring and a minor C,N-bonded isomer [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₁₀], metallated at the C₆ ring and coordinated through both rings. The former isomer reacts with Me₃NO in acetonitrile to give [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₉(MeCN)] which thermally looses MeCN to produce the coupled product [Os₆(μ-H)₂(μ₃-C₆H₄N₃)₂(CO)₁₈] which was shown by X-ray structure determination to have all six nitrogen atoms coordinated to osmium, a novel situation for coordinated benzotriazole. The two Os₃ units are linked together by an OsNNOsNN ring in a boat conformation with the whole cluster adopting C₂ symmetry.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of [(CF3)3GePt(PPh3)2]2Hg

The reaction of Pt(PPh₃)_n (n = 3 or 4) with [(CF₃)₃Ge]₂Hg or (CF₃)₃GeHgPt(PPh₃)₂Ge(CF₃)₃ (I) gives a stable diplatinum complex [(CF₃)₃GePt(PPh₃)₂]₂Hg (II). X-Ray analysis has established that compound II contains a Ge---Pt---Hg---Pt---Ge chain of C₂ symmetry. Both of the Pt atoms have distorted square-planar coordinations. The bond lengths are: Pt---Hg, 2.630(2) and 2.665(2) Å; Ge---Pt, 2.410(4) and 2.407(4) Å.

Compound II reacts with dihydrogen in THF solution under mild conditions to give mercury and the hydride (CF₃)₃GePt(PPh₃)₂H. On interaction of II with R₂Hg organomercurials (R = Cl, Et, GeEt₃, Ge(CF₃)₃, Ge(C₆F₅)₃) an unknown reaction takes place: Pt(PPh₃)₂ moieties migrate from the polymetallic grouping into the substrate with the formation of the corresponding RHgPt(PPh₃)₂R complexes or their demercuration products, R₂Pt(PPh₃);, (R = Cl, Et). The latter react further with complex I formed in the first step of the process to give Hg and (CF₃)₃GePt(PPh₃)₂R. The reaction schemes are discussed.     

The synthesis, vibrational spectroscopy, and crystal and molecular structure of [H3NCH2CH2NH3][PdBr6]

The complex [H₃NCH₂CH₂NH₃][PdBr₆] has been isolated as well-formed brown crystals. The Raman (single crystal) and FTIR (wax disc) spectra of the complex have been recorded but the band assignments are complicated by extensive factor group splitting and resonance effects. The crystal belongs to space group Pnnm, with Z = 2, each ion occupying sites of 2/m (C_2h) symmetry. The [PdBr₆]²⁻ ion is very close to octahedral, the two unique PdBr distances, 2.466(3) and 2.470(3) Å, being equal within experimental error and the BrPdBr angles being 90 ± 0.8°. The diammonium cation has an extended, planar, trans structure.     

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxo, pyrazolato and carboxylato derivatives of the PdR(PPh3)moiety (R = C6F5 or C6Cl5)

The hydroxo-complexes [{PdR(PPh₃)(μ-OH)}₂] (R = C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) have been obtained by reaction of the corresponding [{PdR(PPh₃)(μ-Cl)}2] complexes with NBu₄OH in acetone. In this solvent, the reaction of the hydroxo-bridged complexes with pyrazole (Hpz) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hdmpz) in 1:2 molar ratio leads to the formation of the new complexes [{Pd(C₅F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-azolate)}2] and [{Pd(C₆Cl₅)(PPh₃)}₂(μ-OH)(μ-azolate)] (azolate = pz or dmpz). The reaction of the bis(μ-hydroxo) complexes with Hpz and Hdmpz in acetone in 1:1 molar ratio has also been studied, and the resulting product depends on the organic radical (C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) as well as the azolate (pz or dmpz). The identity of the isomer obtained has been established in every case by NMR (¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P) spectroscopy. The reaction of the bis(μ-hydroxo) complexes with oxalic (H₂Ox) and acetic (HOAc) acids yields the binucle ar complexes [{PdR(PPh₃)}2(μ-Ox)] (R = C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) and [{Pd(C₆F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-OAc)}2], respectively. [{Pd(C₆F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-OH)}₂] reacts with PPh₃ in acetone in 1:2 ratio giving the mononuclear complex trans-[Pd(C₆F₅) (OH)(PPh₃)₂], whereas the pentachlorophenylhydroxo complex does not react with PPh₃, even under forcing conditions.     

Kinetics study of the gas-phase reactions of C2F5OC(O)H and n-C3F7OC(O)H with OH radicals at 253–328 K

The rate constants, k₁ and k₂ for the reactions of C₂F₅OC(O)H and n-C₃F₇OC(O)H with OH radicals were measured using an FT-IR technique at 253–328 K. k₁ and k₂ were determined as (9.24 ± 1.33) × 10⁻¹³ exp[−(1230 ± 40)/T] and (1.41 ± 0.26) × 10⁻¹² exp[−(1260 ± 50)/T] cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The random errors reported are ±2 σ, and potential systematic errors of 10% could add to the k₁ and k₂. The atmospheric lifetimes of C₂F₅OC(O)H and n-C₃F₇OC(O)H with respect to reaction with OH radicals were estimated at 3.6 and 2.6 years, respectively.