Conformational analysis of 3,3‐dimethyl‐3‐silathiane, 2,3,3‐trimethyl‐3‐silathiane and 2‐trimethylsilyl‐3,3‐dimethyl‐3‐silathiane—preferred conformers,barriers to ring inversion and substituent effects

The first conformational analysis of 3‐silathiane and its C‐substituted derivatives, namely, 3,3‐dimethyl‐3‐silathiane 1 , 2,3,3‐trimethyl‐3‐silathiane 2 , and 2‐trimethylsilyl‐3,3‐dimethyl‐3‐silathiane 3 was performed by using dynamic NMR spectroscopy and B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) quantum chemical calculations. From coalescence temperatures, ring inversion barriers ΔG^≠ for 1 and 2 were estimated to be 6.3 and 6.8 kcal/mol, respectively. These values are considerably lower than that of thiacyclohexane (9.4 kcal/mol) but slightly higher than the one of 1,1‐dimethylsilacyclohexane (5.5 kcal/mol). The conformational free energy for the methyl group in 2 (?ΔG° = 0.35 kcal/mol) derived from low‐temperature ¹³C NMR data is fairly consistent with the calculated value. For compound 2 , theoretical calculations give ΔE value close to zero for the equilibrium between the 2 ‐Me_ax and 2 ‐Me_eq conformers. The calculated equatorial preference of the trimethylsilyl group in 3 is much more pronounced (?ΔG° = 1.8 kcal/mol) and the predominance of the 3 ‐SiMe_{3 eq} conformer at room temperature was confirmed by the simulated ¹H NMR and 2D NOESY spectra. The effect of the 2‐substituent on the structural parameters of 2 and 3 is discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental (FT‐IR) and theoretical (DFT) studies on prototropy and H‐bond formation for pyrazine‐2‐amidoxime

The results of the first structural studies (with the use of both experimental and theoretical methods) on pyrazine‐2‐amidoxime (PAOX) were shown and discussed. FT‐IR spectra were recorded in different concentrations of the PAOX in apolar solvent to check the possibility of the inter‐ or intramolecular hydrogen‐bond formation. All possible tautomers–rotamers of PAOX were then theoretically considered at the DFT(B3LYP)/6‐311+G** level in vacuo. For selected isomers, calculations were also performed at higher levels of theory {B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df,2p) and G3B3}. Based on the results of DFT calculations, the most stable isomers were found, and their total free energies and infrared spectra were calculated. The energy variation plots for the N8?C7?N9?O10 and N1?C2?C7?N9 dihedral angles were also computed to find two energy barriers, one for E/Z isomerization around the C7?N9 double bond and the other one for rotation of the pyrazinyl ring around the C2?C7 single bond. The results show that the stability of the PAOX isomers strongly depend on their configuration and orientation of the substituents. The possibilities of inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen bonds were also experimentally and theoretically checked. Finally, a potential of mean force was determined in CHCl₃ for a dimer of PAOX with hexamethylphosphoramide. Both, experimental and theoretical results are in agreement. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical and experimental studies on stability of the C‐ON bond in new ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamines

Three new ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamines derived from 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) were prepared: N‐(1‐phenylpropyloxy)‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐4‐one, 1‐phenyl‐1‐(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinoxy)propanone, 1‐phenyl‐1‐(4‐oxo‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinoxy)propanone. The rate constants of C‐ON bonds homolysis in the synthesized alkoxyamines were determined over a range of temperatures via nitroxide‐exchange experiments using HPLC to monitor the concentration. The Arrhenius parameters of homolysis for the investigated alkoxyamines were determined (lnA, E_a). Homolytic bond dissociation energies (BDE) of the C‐ON bond in the synthesized compounds were determined from quantum‐mechanical calculations at the B3‐LYP/6‐31G(d) and BMK/6‐311+G(3df,2p) levels. Ketone functionalization of the alkyl fragment of alkoxyamine in β position dramatically increases the rate constant of homolysis (by a factor of ca. 500 at the temperature of 363 K) suggesting that the new ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamines should be effective as C‐radical precursor and unimolecular initiators in NMRP at lower temperatures than the alkoxyamines applied earlier. The analyses of natural bond, frontal orbitals and spin distribution indicated that the decrease in the strength of C‐ON bonds in ketone fuctionalized alkoxyamines in the alkyl fragment predominantly originates from a substantially smaller HOMO–LUMO gap and more delocalized spin density in leaving alkyl radicals as compared with unfunctionalized alkoxyamines. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemically triggered C–ON bond homolysis in alkoxyamines. Part 7. Remote polar effect

In a recent work (Org. Lett. 2012, 14, 358–361), we showed that the activation by benzylation of alkoxyamine 1 (diethyl (1‐(tert‐butyl(1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethoxy)amino)‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)phosphonate) afforded a surprisingly large C–ON bond homolysis rate constant k_d. Taking advantage of the easy preparation of para‐X‐benzyl‐activated alkoxyamines 2 and of the presence of a shielding methylene group between the two aromatic moieties, we investigated the long range (10 bonds between the X group and the C–ON bond) polar effect for X = H, F, OMe, CN, NO₂, NMe₂, ⁺NHMe₂,Br^?. It was observed that the effect was weak (4‐fold) and mainly due to the zwiterionic mesomeric forms generated by the presence of group X on the para position, i.e. k_d increased for CN and NO₂ and decreased for OMe, NMe₂ and ⁺NMe₂H,Br^?. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level were performed to determine orbital interactions (natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis), Mulliken and NBO charges which support the reactivity described. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactivity of sodium arenesulfinates in the substitution reaction to γ‐functionalized allyl bromides

The kinetics of nucleophilic bimolecular substitution reactions of γ‐functionalized allyl bromides with non‐substituted and p‐substituted sodium arenesulfinates has been studied. Both the structure of allyl bromides and nucleophilicity of arenesulfinate ions exerted a significant effect on the values of the kinetic parameters such as the second‐order rate constants k, activation energy E_A, and changes in the entropy ΔS^≠, enthalpy ΔH^≠, and free energy ΔG^≠ of the formation of the activated complex from reactants. Based on the evaluation of kinetic parameters, the reactants could be arranged, according to their decreasing reactivity in the S_N2‐reactions as follows: p‐toluenesulfinate ion > benzenesulfinate ion > p‐chlorobenzenesulfinate ion and 4‐bromo‐2‐butenenitrile > 1,3‐ dibromopropene, respectively. Comparison was also made between the kinetic data obtained and some delocalization reactivity indexes for both the substrates and nucleophiles. The enthalpy–entropy compensation effect was observed for the reactions of sodium arenesulfinates with γ‐functionalized allyl bromides. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A natural bond orbital analysis of aryl‐substituted polyfluorinated carbanions: negative hyperconjugation

Aryl‐substituted polyfluorinated carbanions, ArCHR_f^? where R_f = CF₃ ( 1 ), C₂F₅ ( 2 ), i‐C₃F₇ ( 3 ), and t‐C₄F₉ ( 4 ), were analyzed by means of the natural bond orbital (NBO) theory at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) computational level. A lone pair NBO at the formal anionic center carbon (Cα) was not found in the Lewis structure. Instead, significant donor/acceptor NBO interactions between π(Cα‐C1) and σ*(Cβ‐F) or σ*(Cβ‐Cγ) were observed for 1 , 2 , 3a (strong electron‐withdrawing substituent, from p‐CF₃ to p‐NO₂), and 4 . Their second‐order donor/acceptor perturbation interaction energy, E(2), values decreased with the increase of the stability of carbanions. A larger E(2) value corresponds to longer Cβ‐F and Cβ‐Cγ bonds and a shorter Cα‐Cβ bond, indicating that the E(2) values can be associated with the negative hyperconjugation of the Cβ‐F and Cβ‐Cγ bonds. In accordance with this, the E(2) values for π(Cα‐C1) → σ*(Cβ‐F) were linearly correlated with the ΔG^o_β‐F values (an empirical measure of β‐fluorine negative hyperconjugation obtained from an increased acidity). In 3b (weak electron‐withdrawing substituents, from H to m‐NO₂) very large E(2) values for LP(Fβ) → π*(Cα‐Cβ) were obtained. This was attributed to the Cβ‐F bond cleavage and the Cα‐Cβ double bond formation in the Lewis structure that is caused by the extremely strong negative hyperconjugation of the Cβ‐F bond.     

Hartree–Fock and density functional theory study of remote substituent effects on heterolytic Fe―C bond energies of p‐G‐C6H4CH2Fe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and p‐G‐C6H4(H)(CN)CFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5)

Knowledge of the strength of the metal–ligand bond breaking and formation is fundamental for an understanding of the thermodynamics underlying many important stoichiometric and catalytic organometallic reactions. Quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory have been used to investigate heterolytic Fe―C bond energies of para‐substituted benzyldicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)iron, p‐G‐C₆H₄CH₂Fp [1, G = NO₂, CN, COMe, CO₂Me, CF₃, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO, NMe₂; Fp = (η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂Fe], and para‐substituted α‐cyanobenzyldicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)iron, p‐G‐PANFp [2, PAN = C₆H₄CH(CN)]. The results show that BP86 and TPSSTPSS can provide the best price/performance ratio and more accurate predictions in the study of ΔH_het(Fe―C)'s. The good linear correlations [r = 0.98 (g, 1a), 0.99 (g, 2b)] between the substituent effects of heterolytic Fe―C bond energies [ΔΔH_het(Fe―C)'s] of series 1 and 2 and the differences of acidic dissociation constants (ΔpK_a) of C―H bonds of p‐G‐C₆H₄CH₃ and p‐G‐C₆H₄CH₂CN imply that the governing structural factors for these bond scissions are similar. And the excellent linear correlations [r = ?1.00 (g, 1c), ?0.99 (g, 2d)] between ΔΔH_het(Fe―C)'s and the substituent σ_p^? constants show that these correlations are in accordance with Hammett linear free energy relationships. The polar effects of these substituents and the basis set effects influence the accuracy of ΔH_het(Fe―C)'s. ΔΔH_het(Fe―C)'s(1, 2) follow the Capto‐dative Principle. The detailed knowledge of the factors that determine the Fp―C bond strengths would greatly aid in understanding reactivity patterns in many processes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Visible light‐induced diastereoselective E/Z‐photoisomerization equilibrium of the C=C benzofuran‐3‐one‐hydantoin dyad

The diastereoselective photodependent isomerization equilibrium of E/Z‐1,3‐ditolyl‐5‐[3‐oxobenzofuran‐2(3H)‐ylidene]imidazolidine‐2,4‐dione ( 5 ) is reported. Both diastereomers E-5 and Z-5 are stereochemically stable in solid state but show significant photosensibility in solutions of halogenated solvent. The photoisomerization equilibrium of E/Z‐ 5 is therefore deduced from the ¹H NMR profile after visible‐light irradiation of both E-5 and Z-5 samples. The results of the kinetic study, monitored by UV‐HPLC, reveal that the E/Z equilibrium is diastereoselective and photodependent, being the transformation E ? Z proceeding faster than that of Z ? E, and the E/Z ratio at the equilibrium depends on the used solvent, light source, and temperature. Both diastereomers are visible‐light photosensitive tending to coexist together in equilibrium solutions at a determined ratio, which is always in favor of the Z‐product assuming a minimum thermodynamic energy and an increased entropy of the system. Time‐dependent density functional theory calculations suggest that the photoisomerization mechanism proceeds via a conical intersection involving the first‐excited state: Upon irradiation, the E-5 isomer is excited to the S1 potential energy surface, where it relaxes through rotation of the C=C bond and reaches a conical intersection with the ground‐state potential energy surface, thus yielding the Z-5 isomer. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical calculations for neighboring group participation in gas‐phase elimination kinetics of 2‐hydroxyphenethyl chloride and 2‐methoxyphenethyl chloride

Theoretical calculation of the kinetics and mechanisms of gas‐phase elimination of 2‐hydroxyphenethyl chloride and 2‐methoxyphenethyl chloride has been carried out at the MP2/6‐31G(d,p), B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p), B3LYP/6‐31 + G(d,p), B3PW91/6‐31G(d,p) and CCSD(T) levels of the theory. The two substrates undergo parallel elimination reactions. The first process of elimination appears to proceed through a three‐membered cyclic transition state by the anchimeric assistance of the aromatic ring to produce the corresponding styrene product and HCl. The second process of elimination occurs through a five‐membered cyclic transition state by participation of the oxygen of o‐OH or the o‐OCH₃ to yield in both cases benzohydrofuran. The B3PW91/6‐31G(d,p) method was found to be in good agreement with the experimental kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for both substrates in the two reaction channels. However, some differences in the performance of the different methods are observed. NBO analysis of the pyrolysis of both phenethyl chlorides implies a C? Cl bond polarization, in the sense of C^δ+…Cl^δ?, which is a rate‐determining step for both parallel reactions. Synchronicity parameters imply polar transition states of these elimination reactions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure and NMR properties of 6‐substituted‐5,6‐dihydrobenzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids

We report a preparation of new 6‐substituted‐5,6‐dihydrobenzo[c]phenanthridines by the reaction of azoles with quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids sanguinarine and chelerythrine. The prepared compounds have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Conformational behaviors of carbazole derivatives in solution have been investigated by low‐temperature NMR experiments. Barriers to rotation around newly formed C6–N bonds were determined to be 12–13 kcal/mol. Quantum chemical calculations have been used to reproduce the experimental observations. Large structural effects on several ¹H NMR resonances were observed experimentally, analyzed by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p)/PCM level, and interpreted by ring‐current effects of the benzo[c]phenanthridine and carbazole units. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photochromism of dihydroindolizines Part XIX. Efficient one‐pot solid‐state synthesis,kinetic, and computational studies based on dihydroindolizine photochromes

For the first time, one‐pot solid‐state synthesis of 12 photochromic materials based on photochromic dihydroindolizine system substituted in both fluorene part (region A) and the heterocyclic part (region C) has been established. This method has immense advantages, which are short‐time reaction, high‐yield and low‐yield by‐products, and easily purification and separation processes. In addition, this method will help in getting over the tremendously purification and low‐yield problems faced since the worth‐finding of this family of photochromic materials. The absorption maxima (λ_max) and the half‐lives (t_1/2) of the colored betaines were detected in all cases using multichannel UV/Vis spectrophotometric measurements. The rate constants of the thermal back reaction of the betaines were determined at constant temperature by measuring the decrease in the maximum absorption intensity (λ_max) with time. The half‐lives (t_1/2) and rate constants (k) of betaines under examination were calculated by plotting lnA against time (t). The kinetic measurements could be detected by both spectra scan and time‐dependent decay measurements. Examination of the Arrhenius parameters reveals an underlying compensation between E_a and log A, whereby an increase in E_a is opposed by an increase in log A. The compensation appears in the corresponding Eyring parameters, ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠; betaine structural changes that lead to lower, more favorable enthalpies of activation engender opposing entropic changes. At the isokinetic temperature T_iso = β, structural changes do not affect the rate constant of a reaction series because the changes of ΔH^≠ are counterbalanced by changes of ΔS^≠. The existence of an isokinetic relationship indicates a common structure of the transition state of all thermal back reaction of betaine under investigation. The computational results suggest that the decoloration reaction is a two‐step mechanism. The first step corresponds to the transoid–cisoid isomerization with an activation barrier of 10.3 kJ mol^?1, and the second step is the ring closure from the cisoid intermediate with a barrier 71.3 kJ mol^?1, which represent the rate determining step for thermal decoloration. The photochemical ring opening of DHIs to betaines is a disrotatory 1,5‐electrocyclic reaction, whereas the thermal ring‐closing occurs in the conrotatory mode. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NMR Studies of Hindered Rotation and Magnetic Anisotropy: The Diels–Alder Adducts of Phencyclone with N‐Phenylmaleimide and N‐(2‐Trifluoromethylphenyl)maleimide. Ab Initio Calculations for Optimized Structures

Abstract

N‐Phenylmaleimide, 2, and N‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)maleimide, 3, were separately added to phencyclone, 1, to yield the corresponding phencyclone Diels–Alder adducts, 4 and 5. The resulting adducts (and some precursors) have been characterized by one‐ and two‐dimensional ¹H and ¹³C NMR at 300 and 75 MHz, and by ¹⁹F NMR at 282 MHz, at ambient temperatures. The NMR data are consistent, for both adducts, with: (a) hindered rotation of the bridgehead unsubstituted phenyl groups about the C(sp²)–C(sp³) bonds, based on slow exchange limit (SEL) spectra and (b) endo adduct configuration based on magnetic anisotropic effects in the ¹H NMR. The NMR spectra of the phencyclone adduct, 4, of N‐phenylmaleimide, indicate free rotation on the NMR timescales (fast exchange limit, FEL spectra) about the N‐phenyl bond. The spectra for the adduct, 5, of N‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)maleimide are interpreted as consistent with SEL regimes, for the N‐aryl rotations, with a single rotamer present in which the trifluoromethyl group is directed “out of” the adduct cavity, and away from the phenanthrenoid moiety. This conclusion is based, in part, on NMR data suggesting the apparent slow N‐aryl bond rotation in a pair of atropisomers corresponding to the acetic acid addition products from the N‐(2‐trifluoromethylphenyl)maleimide. Evidence of magnetic anisotropic effects due to the phenanthrenoid moiety and proximal carbonyls is discussed. ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹F assignments are presented and interpreted. Molecular modeling calculations at the Hartree–Fock level, 6‐31G* basis set, were performed to provide geometry optimizations for energy‐minimized structures of selected compounds.     

Computational study on structures,thermochemical properties,and bond energies of disulfide oxygen (S–S–O)‐bridged CH3SSOH and CH3SS(=O)H and radicals

Cleavage of disulfide bonds is a common method used in linking peptides to proteins in biochemical reactions. The structures, internal rotor potentials, bond energies, and thermochemical properties (Δ_fH°, S°, and Cp(T)) of the S–S bridge molecules CH₃SSOH and CH₃SS(=O)H and the radicals CH₃SS?=O and C?H₂SSOH that correspond to H‐atom loss are determined by computational chemistry. Structure and thermochemical parameters (S° and Cp(T)) are determined using density functional Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr (B3LYP)/6‐31++G (d, p), B3LYP/6‐311++G (3df, 2p). The enthalpies of formation for stable species are calculated using the total energies at B3LYP/6‐31++G (d, p), B3LYP/6‐311++G (3df, 2p), and the higher level composite CBS–QB3 levels with work reactions that are close to isodesmic in most cases. The enthalpies of formation for CH₃SSOH, CH₃SS(=O)H are ?38.3 and ?16.6 kcal mol^?1, respectively, where the difference is in enthalpy RSO–H versus RS(=O)–H bonding. The C–H bond energy of CH₃SSOH is 99.2 kcal mol^?1, and the O–H bond energy is weaker at 76.9 kcal mol^?1. Cleavage of the weak O–H bond in CH₃SSOH results in an electron rearrangement upon loss of the CH₃SSO–H hydrogen atom; the radical rearranges to form the more stable CH₃SS· = O radical structure. Cleavage of the C–H bond in CH₃SS(=O)H results in an unstable [CH₂SS(=O)H]* intermediate, which decomposes exothermically to lower energy CH₂ = S + HSO. The CH₃SS(=O)–H bond energy is quite weak at 54.8 kcal mol^?1 with the H–C bond estimated at between 91 and 98 kcal mol^?1. Disulfide bond energies for CH₃S–SOH and CH3S–S(=O)H are low: 67.1 and 39.2 kcal mol^?1. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A 13C NMR study of hindered rotation in N1N1 - 3-oxapentamethylene - N2 - substitutedphenyl - formamidines

Rates of rotation about partial double CN¹ bond in nine N¹N¹ - 3-oxapentamethylene - N² - substitutedphenylformamidines were determined from line shape analysis of ¹³C NMR spectra. The hight of the barrier to rotation i.e.ΔG^≠₂₉₈ correlates with i/ Hammett's 6 of substituent at phenyl ring ii/ δ ¹³C of functional carbon and iii/ the values of pKa of the above formamidines and is in the range: 54.8 to 62.9 kJ. mol⁻¹.     

Ligand‐site exchange in intramolecular complexes of silicon: substituent effects

The intramolecular complexes containing coordination bonds Si←N or Si←O are distinguished for their stereochemical nonrigidity resulting in interconversion between isomers, that is, ligand‐site exchange. The influence of the substituents bound to the silicon atom on the free energies of activation for ligand exchange ΔG^≠ of specific interest is poorly understood. In this work, the literature data on substituent influence on the energies ΔG^≠ for 13 series of the complexes have been considered, using the correlation analysis. On the basis of the obedience of the energies ΔG^≠ to the linear free energy relationship, it has been established for the first time that the ΔG^≠ values depend not only on the inductive and resonance effects but also on the polarizability and steric effects of substituents. The reason for the occurrence of the polarizability effect is the appearance of excess charges on Si and N (or O) atoms as a result of intramolecular coordination consisting in the charge transfer from the donor center (N or O atom) to the acceptor one (Si atom). In some series the contribution of the polarizability or steric effect to the overall change in ΔG^≠ because of the influence of substituents is a maximum. An understanding of these effects may give a better insight into the mechanism of nucleophilic substitution, involving organoelement compounds. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Substituent effects on cyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidenes: a quest for stable carbenes at density functional theory level

Nine boat‐shaped cyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidenes are compared and contrasted with respect to their multiplicity, nucleophilicity, electrophilicity, band gap (ΔE_{HOMO ? LUMO}), Natural bond orbital (NBO) atomic charge, force constant, as well as the aptitude for dimerization, and rearrangement through proper isodesmic reactions at B3LYP/AUG‐cc‐pVTZ and B3LYP/6‐311++G**//B3LYP/6‐31+G* levels of theory. The nine cyclic carbenes include unsubstituted (1_CH2) plus eight α‐cyclopropylcyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidenes, which are substituted with ?‐SiMe₂, ?‐NMe, ?‐PMe, ?‐O, ?‐S, ?‐CH₂, ?‐cyclopropyl, and ?‐CMe₂ (2_SiMe2, 2_NMe, 2_PMe, 2_O, 2_S, 2_CH2, 2_cyclopropyl, and 2_CMe2, respectively). The latter eight species enjoy the stabilizing interaction of the occupied Walsh orbital of cyclopropyl with the vacant p_π orbital of the carbene center (Walsh_cyclopropyl → p_{π carbene}). Among them, the singlet closed shell 2_NMe appears the most promising for exhibiting the highest relative singlet–triplet energy gap (ΔE_{s ? t} = 27.1 kcal mol^?1). In contrast, the least stable derivative is triplet 2_SiMe2, which exhibits the lowest relative ΔE_{s ? t} of ?5.5 kcal mol^?1. The overall trend of ΔE_s‐t is 2_NMe > 2_PMe > 2_S > 2_O > 2_cyclopropyl > 2_CMe2 > 2_CH2 > 1_CH2 > 2_SiMe2. With one negative force constant, the unsubstituted 1_CH2 turns out to be a transition state, whereas the rest emerge as minima. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and rotation barriers in 2, 6‐Di‐(o‐anisyl) anisole

Variable temperature ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies of 2, 6‐di(o‐anisyl) anisole show syn and anti atropisomers at low temperature. The barrier for interconverting these isomers by rotation about the aryl‐aryl bond, found by fitting the experimental data, is 41.2 kJ/mol. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The mechanism of the homogeneous,unimolecular gas‐phase elimination kinetic of 1,1‐dimethoxycyclohexane: experimental and theoretical studies

The gas‐phase elimination of 1,1‐dimethoxycyclohexane yielded 1‐methoxy‐1‐cyclohexene and methanol. The kinetics were determined in a static system, with the vessels deactivated with allyl bromide, and in the presence of the free radical inhibitor cyclohexene. The working temperature was 310–360 °C and the pressure was 25–85 Torr. The reaction was found to be homogeneous, unimolecular, and follows a first‐order rate law. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficients is given by the following Arrhenius equation: log k(s^?1) = [(13.82 ± 0.07) – (193.9 ± 1.0)(kJ mol^?1)](2.303RT)^?1; r = 0.9995. Theoretical calculations were carried out using density functional theory (DFT) functionals B3LYP, MPW1PW91, and PBE with the basis set 6‐31G(d,p) and 6‐31G++(d,p). The calculated values for the energy of activation and enthalpy of activation are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental values using the PBE/6‐31G (d,p) level of theory. Both experimental results and theoretical calculations suggest a molecular mechanism involving a concerted polar four‐membered cyclic transition state. The transition state structure of methanol elimination from 1,1‐dimethoxycyclohexane is characterized by a significantly elongated C? O bond, while the C_β? H bond is stretched to a smaller extent, as compared to the reactant. The process can be described as moderately asynchronic with some charge separation in the TS. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of the 13C (C = N) chemical shifts of substituted N‐(phenyl‐ethylene)‐anilines and substituted N‐(benzylidene)‐anilines

Comparison of ¹³C NMR of C = N bond chemical shifts δ_C(C = N) in substituted N‐(phenyl‐ethylene)‐anilines XArC(Me) = NArY (XPEAYs) with that in substituted N‐(benzylidene)‐anilines XArCH = NArY (XBAYs) was carried out. The δ_C(C = N) of 61 samples of XPEAYs were measured, and the substituent effect on their δ_C(C = N) were investigated. The results show the factors affecting the δ_C(C = N) of XPEAYs are quite different from that of XBAYs. A penta‐parameter correlation equation was obtained for the 61 compounds, which has correlation coefficient 0.9922 and standard error 0.12 ppm. The result indicates that, in XPEAYs, the inductive effects of substituents X and Y are major factors affecting the δ_C(C = N), while the conjugative effect of them have very little effect on the δ_C(C = N) and can be ignored. The substituent‐specific cross‐interaction effects between X and Y and between Me of C = N bond and substituent Y are important factors affecting the δ_C(C = N). Also, the excited‐state substituent parameter of substitute Y has certain contribution to the δ_C(C = N). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hartree–Fock and density functional theory study of remote substituent effects on gas‐phase heterolytic Fe–O and Fe–S bond energies of p‐G‐C6H4OFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and p‐G‐C6H4SFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5)

The knowledge of accurate bond strengths is a fundamental basis for a proper analysis of chemical reaction mechanisms. Quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory have been used to investigate heterolytic Fe–O and Fe–S bond energies of para‐substituted phenoxydicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [p‐G‐C₆H₄O(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂, abbreviated as p‐G‐C₆H₄OFp ( 1 ), where G = NO₂, CN, COMe, CO₂Me, CF₃, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO, and NMe₂] and para‐substituted benzenethiolatodicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [p‐G‐C₆H₄S(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂, abbreviated as p‐G‐C₆H₄SFp ( 2 )] complexes. The results show that BP86 and TPSSTPSS can provide the best price/performance ratio and more accurate predictions in the study of ΔH_het(Fe–O)'s and ΔH_het(Fe–S)'s. The excellent linear free‐energy relations [r = 0.99 (g, 1a), 1.00 (g, 2b)] among the ΔΔH_het (Fe–O)'s and Δpk_a's of O–H bonds of p‐G‐C₆H₄OH or ΔΔH_het(Fe‐S)'s and Δpk_a's of S–H bonds of p‐G‐C₆H₄SH imply that the governing structural factors for these bond scissions are similar. And the linear correlations [r = ?0.99 (g, 1g), ?0.98 (g, 2h)] among the ΔΔH_het (Fe‐O)'s or ΔΔH_het(Fe‐S)'s and the substituent σ_p^? constants show that these correlations are in accordance with Hammett linear free‐energy relationships. The polar effects of these substituents and the basis set effects influence the accuracy of ΔH_het(Fe–O)'s or ΔH_het(Fe–S)'s. ΔΔH_het(Fe–O)'s(g) ( 1 ) and ΔΔH_het(Fe–S)'s(g)( 2 ) follow the Capto‐dative principle. The substituent effects on the Fe–O bonds are much stronger than those on the less polar Fe–S bonds. Insight from this work may help the design of more effective catalytic processes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.