Density functional theoretical study of a series of binary azides M(N3)n (n = 3, 4)

Geometrical structures of a series of binary azides M(N3)n (M = elements in groups 3 and 13 (n = 3) and in groups 4 and 14 (n = 4)) were investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G level of theory. Our calculations found that binary group 3 triazides M(N3)3 (M = Sc, Y, La) and binary group 4 tetraazides M(N3)4 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) turn out to be stable with all frequencies real having a similar linear M-N-NN structural feature, as previously reported for M(N3)4 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf). However, binary azides of group 13 M(N3)3 (M = B, Al, Ga, In, Tl) and group 14 elements M(N3)4 (C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) with bent M-N-NN bond angles differ obviously from binary group 3 and 4 azides in geometrical structure. These facts are mainly explained by the difference in electronic density overlap between the central atom and the alpha-N atoms of the azido groups. Two lone-pair electrons on the sp hybridization alpha-N atoms in the binary group 3 and 4 azides donate electron density into two empty d orbitals of the central transition metal atom and a pair of valence bonding electrons, resulting in the alpha-N atoms acting as a tridentate ligand. The sp2 hybridization alpha-N atoms of the binary group 13 and 14 azides only give one valence electron to form one valence bonding electron pair acting virtually as monodentate donors.     

Ab initio study of energetic solids: cupric azide, mercuric azide, and lead azide

We presented a detailed study on the electronic structure and optical properties of cupric azide (Cu(N(3))(2)), mercuric azide (alpha-Hg(N(3))(2)), and lead azide (alpha-Pb(N(3))(2)) by using density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. Relaxed crystal structures compare well with experimental data. An analysis of electronic structure, charge transfer, and bond order shows that Cu(N(3))(2) and alpha-Hg(N(3))(2) are covalent-type solids, whereas alpha-Pb(N(3))(2) is an ionic-type solid but has weak covalent character. The valence bands of Cu(N(3))(2) and alpha-Hg(N(3))(2) arise from the contributions of the metal-d and N-p states, whereas that of alpha-Pb(N(3))(2) are strongly dominated by N-p states and not from Pb-d states. The general shapes of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, adsorption coefficient, and photoconductivity spectra for the three azides are similar. Our calculated optical properties are found to be in agreement with available experimental data. The absorption spectra show a number of absorption peaks in the fundamental absorption region. All the photoconductivity spectra display a broad photocurrent response in the fundamental absorption region. The density of states of the three azides reveal the effects of the metal states on the valence electron of the azide group and so are correlated with their impact sensitivity.     

Comparative first-principles study of structural and optical properties of alkali metal azides

A comparative first-principles study of the structural and optical properties of the alkali metal azides has been performed with density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. The crystal structures of the alkali azides compare well with experimental data. Their ionic character is manifested by the closeness of their internitrogen distances to the calculated N-N bond length for the free azide ion. An analysis of electronic structure, charge transfer, and bond order shows that the alkali azides are all wide-gap insulators and ionic compounds. The energy band and density of states for lithium azide and alpha-sodium azide are very similar, while these for potassium azide, alpha-rubidium azide, and alpha-cesium azide are alike, but some modifications are observed with the increment of alkali metals' electropositivity. These changes are closely related to the differences of the crystal structures. The general shapes of the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, adsorption coefficient, and electron energy-loss spectra are quite similar. The peaks originate from the electron transitions from the alkali metal s and p states to the conduction band. Our calculated optical properties for the alkali azides are found to be in good agreement with available experimental data. The absorption spectra of the alkali azides show a number of absorption peaks, which are believed to be associated with different exciton states, in the fundamental absorption region. In general, the electron energy-loss spectra have two plasma frequencies.     

Understanding the rate of spin-forbidden thermolysis of HN3 and CH3N3

The pyrolysis of the simplest azides HN(3) and CH(3)N(3) has been studied computationally. Nitrogen extrusion leads to the production of NH or CH(3)N. The azides have singlet ground states but the nitrenes CH(3)N and NH have triplet ground states. The competition between spin-allowed decomposition to the excited state singlet nitrenes and the spin-forbidden N(2) loss is explored using accurate electronic structure methods (CASSCF/cc-pVTZ and MR-AQCC/cc-pVTZ) as well as statistical rate theories. Nonadiabatic rate theories are used for the dissociation leading to the triplet nitrenes. For HN(3), (3)NH formation is predicted to dominate at low energy, and the calculated rate constant agrees very well with energy-resolved experimental measurements. Under thermal conditions, however, the singlet and triplet pathways are predicted to occur competitively, with the spin-allowed product increasingly favored at higher temperatures. For CH(3)N(3) thermolysis, spin-allowed dissociation to form (1)CH(3)N should largely dominate at all temperatures, with spin-forbidden formation of (3)CH(3)N almost negligible. Singlet methyl nitrene is very unstable and should rearrange to CH(2)NH immediately upon formation, and the latter species may lose H(2) competitively with vibrational cooling, depending on temperature and pressure.     

A strain-promoted [3 + 2] azide-alkyne cycloaddition for covalent modification of biomolecules in living systems

Selective chemical reactions that are orthogonal to the diverse functionality of biological systems have become important tools in the field of chemical biology. Two notable examples are the Staudinger ligation of azides and phosphines and the Cu(I)-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azides and alkynes ("click chemistry"). The Staudinger ligation has sufficient biocompatibility for performance in living animals but suffers from phosphine oxidation and synthetic challenges. Click chemistry obviates the requirement of phosphines, but the Cu(I) catalyst is toxic to cells, thereby precluding in vivo applications. Here we present a strain-promoted [3 + 2] cycloaddition between cyclooctynes and azides that proceeds under physiological conditions without the need for a catalyst. The utility of the reaction was demonstrated by selective modification of biomolecules in vitro and on living cells, with no apparent toxicity.     

叠氮根电负性的量子化学研究

用ab initio, MINDO/3, MNDO和DV-Xa等量子化学方法计算研究了一些分子型和离子型(碱金属)叠氮化物及相应氯化物的平衡构型和电子结构。结构表明: 在分子型叠氮化物中叠氮根的电负性较氯小、与氮相当; 而在离子型金属叠氮化物中,叠氮根的电负性和氯相当或较氯稍大。将计算所得正则离域分子轨道进行定域化处理, 发现产生这种电负性差异的主要原因是上述两类叠氮化物中N2的成键状况不同, 本文对此进行了较为细致的分析。     

Structural, electronic, bonding, and elastic properties of NH3BH3: a density functional study

The structural, electronic, bonding, and elastic properties of the low-temperature orthorhombic phase of NH(3)BH(3) are studied by means of first-principles total energy calculations based on the pseudopotential method. The calculated structural parameters of NH(3)BH(3) are found to be in good agreement with the experimental values. From the band structure calculations, the compound is found to be an indirect bandgap insulator with the bandgap of 5.65 eV (5.90 eV) with LDA(GGA) along the Γ-Z direction. The Mulliken bond population and the charge density distributions are used to analyze the chemical bonding in NH(3)BH(3) . The study reveals that B-H bonds are more covalent than N-H bonds. The elastic constants are predicted for ambient as well as pressures up to 6 GPa, from which theoretical values of all the related mechanical properties such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and anisotropy factors are calculated. It is found that NH(3)BH(3) is mechanically stable at ambient and also external pressures up to 6 GPa. As pressure increases all the calculated elastic moduli of NH(3)BH(3) increase, indicating that the compound becomes more stiffer and hard under pressure. From the ratio of shear modulus to bulk modulus (G/B), we conclude NH(3)BH(3) to be ductile in nature, and the ductility increases with pressure. The present results confirm the experimentally observed less plastic nature of the low-temperature phase of NH(3)BH(3) .     

Alkali‐Metal Azides Interacting with Metal–Organic Frameworks

Interactions between alkali‐metal azides and metal–organic framework (MOF) derivatives, namely, the first and third members of the isoreticular MOF (IRMOF) family, IRMOF‐1 and IRMOF‐3, are studied within the density functional theory (DFT) paradigm. The investigations take into account different models of the selected IRMOFs. The mutual influence between the alkali‐metal azides and the π rings or Zn centers of the involved MOF derivatives are studied by considering the interactions both of the alkali‐metal cations with model aromatic centers and of the alkali‐metal azides with distinct sites of differently sized models of IRMOF‐1 and IRMOF‐3. Several exchange and correlation functionals are employed to calculate the corresponding interaction energies. Remarkably, it is found that, with increasing alkali‐metal atom size, the latter decrease for cations interacting with the π‐ring systems and increase for the azides interacting with the MOF fragments. The opposite behavior is explained by stabilization effects on the azide moieties and determined by the Zn atoms, which constitute the inorganic vertices of the IRMOF species. Larger cations can, in fact, coordinate more efficiently to both the aromatic center and the azide anion, and thus stabilizing bridging arrangements of the azide between one alkali‐metal and two Zn atoms in an η² coordination mode are more favored.     

Density functional study on highly energetic organic azides with empirical formula Cn(N3)m

The structural, electronic, and thermodynamical properties of C_n(N₃)_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) organic azides have been investigated using Density Functional Calculations. The ground state structures of organic azides were compared with C_nH_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) cumulenes which shows their higher relative stability. The stability and reactivity of organic azides were analyzed by calculating the HOMO-LUMO gap, binding energies, and harmonic frequencies of the azides. The binding energy and formation energy of C_n(N₃)_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) organic azides suggest their energetic stability. The structural analysis of the azide group in C_n(N₃)_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) organic azide shows a tendency to stabilize at a maximum separation between functional azide groups. Ionization potential, electron affinities, and global hardness have been computed for C_n(N₃)_m (n = 1–7) (m = 4, 6) organic azides and the odd–even alternation rule was observed. The molecular dynamic simulation performed at 300 K for 1 fs confirms organic azide's structural stability at room temperature, except for C₄(N₃)₄, and the members of their family can be synthesized.     

The heI photoelectron spectra of the halogen azides,XN3(X = Cl and Br) and the halogen isocyanates,XNCO(X = Cl,Br and I)

High yield routes to the unstable halogen azides and isocyanates have permitted vacuum ultraviolet photoelectron spectra to be obtained for the chlorine and bromine azides, and the chlorine, bromine and iodine isocyanates. The results are compared with ab initio and semi-empirical calculations, leading to a reassignment of the photoelectron spectra of the parent acids, HN₃ and HNCO in the high energy region. The halogen azide and isocyanate photoelectron spectra provide an interesting investigation into how the orbitals of a linear pseudohalide grouping are perturbed by an off-azis halogen atom. A photoelectron spectrum for the unknown molecule FNCO is predicted.     

BrO与CH3SH反应机理的量子化学及拓扑研究

利用密度泛函和电子密度拓扑分析方法对BrO与CH₃SH反应的微观机理进行了理论研究. 在B3LYP/6-311G (d, p)水平上对反应势能面上的各驻点进行几何构型的全优化; 振动分析和IRC计算证实了中间体和过渡态的真实性和相互连接关系; 计算得到了各反应通道的活化能, 并进行了零点能校正. 计算结果表明: 该反应存在7个反应通道, 其中生成CH₃S＋HOBr和CH₃SO＋HBr的通道为主要反应通道. 通过对反应过程中部分驻点的电子密度拓扑分析, 首次发现了接近平面的四元环状过渡态, 从而拓展了原来对环状结构过渡态定义的适用范围.     

The characterisation of molecular alkali-metal azides

Matrix isolation infrared (IR) studies have been carried out on the vaporisation of the alkali-metal azides MN3 (M = Na, K, Rb and Cs). The results show that under high vacuum conditions, molecular KN3, RbN3 and CsN3 are present as stable high-temperature vapour species, together with variable amounts of nitrogen gas and the corresponding metal atoms. The characterisation of these molecular azides is supported by ab initio molecular orbital calculations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and for CsN3 in particular, by the detection of the isotopomers Cs(14N15N14N) and Cs(15N14N14N). The IR spectra are assigned to a "side-on" (C(2v)) structure by comparison with the spectral features predicted both by vibrational analysis and calculation. The most intense IR features for KN3, RbN3 and CsN3 isolated in nitrogen matrices lie at 2005, 2004.4 and 2002.2 cm(-1), respectively, and correspond to the N3 asymmetric stretch. The N3 bending mode in CsN3 is identified at 629 cm(-1). An additional feature routinely observed in these experiments occurred at approximately 2323 cm(-1) and is assigned to molecular N2, perturbed by the close proximity of an alkali-metal atom. The position of this band appeared to show very little cation dependence, but its intensity correlated with the extent of sample thermal decomposition.     

Interaction of aryl azides with tungsten complexes. Three new types of reactions yielding coordinated RN3PR3, RN3H,and RN.

The first phosphazide and monosubstituted triazenide complexes have been prepared by allowing either phenyl or p-tolylazide to react with WBr₂ (CO)₃(PPh₃)₂ and WH(CO)₂(NO) (PPh₃)₂ under mild conditions to yield WBr₂ (CO)₃(RN₃PPh₃) and W(RN₃H) (CO) (NO) (PPh₃)₂, respectively. The same arly azides react with W(CO)₂ (S₂CNEt₂)₂)(PPh₃) to yield dinitrogen and the aryl nitrene complex, W(CO) (RN) (S₂CNEt₂)₂. The coordinated RN₃PR₃ and RN₃H₃ are of special interest because they may aid understanding the mechanism of nitrene and amide formation from azides.     

Reactions of cyclopropanone acetals with alkyl azides: carbonyl addition versus ring-opening pathways

The Lewis acid-mediated reactions of substituted cyclopropanone acetals with alkyl azides were found to strongly depend on the structure of the ketone component. When cyclopropanone acetal was treated with alkyl azides, N-substituted 2-azetidinones and ethyl carbamate products were obtained, arising from azide addition to the carbonyl, followed by ring expansion or rearrangement, respectively. When 2,2-dimethylcyclopropanone acetals were reacted with azides in the presence of BF3.OEt2, the products obtained were alpha-amino-alpha'-diazomethyl ketones, which arose from C2-C3 bond cleavage of the corresponding cyclopropanone, giving oxyallyl cations that were captured by azides. Aryl-substituted cyclopropanone acetals, when subjected to these conditions, afforded [1,2,3]oxaborazoles exclusively, which were also the result of C2-C3 bond rupture, azide capture, and then loss of nitrogen. In the reactions of n-hexyl-substituted cyclopropanone acetals with alkyl azides, a mixture of 2-azetidinones and regioisomeric [1,2,3]oxaborazoles was obtained. The reasons for the different behavior of the various systems are discussed.     

Measurement of electron densities by a microwave cavity method in 13.56-MHz RF plasmas of Ar,CF4, C2F6, and CHF3

Electron densit ies have been determined /or RF plasmas that were generated within a microwave resonant cavity by measuring the difference of the resonance frequencies with and without plasma. Since that method only yields a value of the electron density weighted ouer the microwave electric field distribution, to obtain real values an assumption on the spatial distribution of the electron density had to he made. Spatial profiles were taken of the emission of a 4s–5p Ar line at 419.8 not (with a small Ar admixture). The electron densities have been determined as a function of pressure and RF power in Ar, CF₄, C₂ F₆ and CHF, plasmas. The results indicate that the electron density for the last three gases decreases as a function of pressure above 50 m Torr. Typical values for the electron density for the investigated parameter range are 1–6 · 10³ cm^–3. Furthermore, the electron density is the lowest in gases with a high attachment cross .section.     

A close look at short C-CH3...potassium contacts: synthetic and theoretical investigations of [M2Co2(mu3-OtBu)2(mu2-OtBu)4(thf)n] (M = Na, K, Rb, thf = tetrahydrofuran)

Agostic interactions of the type Si-CH3M+ (M = alkali metal) are frequently mentioned in discussions of solid-state structures of trimethylsilyl compounds and the purpose of this work was to elucidate if they also exist in the related tert-butyl species by using density functional theory. The compounds [M2Co2(mu3-OtBu)2(mu2-OtBu)4(thf)n] (M = Na, n = 2; M = K, n = 0; M = Rb, n = 1) have been synthesised and their crystal structures determined. Close contacts of methyl groups with K atoms are observed in the solid-state structure of [K2Co2(mu3-OtBu)2(mu2-OtBu)4], and calculations of the rotational barrier of a tert-butoxy group about the axis through the C-O bond were performed. It was shown that apparent short C-CH3K distances are in this case a consequence of the packing in the extended solid-state structure.     

Density Functional Theory Calculations of Structural,Electronic, and Magnetic Properties of the 3d Metal Trifluorides MF3 (M = Ti-Ni) in the Solid State

We employ density functional theory with Hubbard U correction or hybrid functionals to study the series of magnetic 3d metal trifluorides MF₃ (M = Ti-Ni). Experimental lattice parameters are reproduced with an error margin of 0.5%–4.3%. Cooperative Jahn–Teller distortions are reproduced for MnF₃, but also found in TiF₃ and CoF₃ at smaller levels compared to MnF₃. Trends in electronic structure with respect to positions of the d bands are linked to the magnetic properties where M = Ti-Cr are weak magnetic Mott–Hubbard insulators, M = Fe-Ni are strong magnetic charge-transfer insulators and MnF₃ falls in between. Our work contributes to the characterization of the relatively unknown NiF₃, since FeF₃ and CoF₃ have similar electronic and magnetic properties. However, NiF₃ does not show a Jahn–Teller distortion as present in CoF₃. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Mechanistic studies on the Cu-catalyzed three-component reactions of sulfonyl azides, 1-alkynes and amines, alcohols, or water: dichotomy via a common pathway

Combined analyses of experimental and computational studies on the Cu-catalyzed three-component reactions of sulfonyl azides, terminal alkynes and amines, alcohols, or water are described. A range of experimental data including product distribution ratio and trapping of key intermediates support the validity of a common pathway in the reaction of 1-alkynes and two distinct types of azides substituted with sulfonyl and aryl(alkyl) groups. The proposal that bimolecular cycloaddition reactions take place initially between triple bonds and sulfonyl azides to give N-sulfonyl triazolyl copper intermediates was verified by a trapping experiment. The main reason for the different outcome from reactions between sulfonyl and aryl(alkyl) azides is attributed to the lability of the N-sulfonyl triazolyl copper intermediates. These species are readily rearranged to another key intermediate, ketenimine, into which various nucleophiles such as amines, alcohols, or water add to afford the three-component coupled products: amidines, imidates, or amides, respectively. In addition, the proposed mechanistic framework is in good agreement with the obtained kinetics and competition studies. A computational study (B3LYP/LACV3P*+) was also performed confirming the proposed mechanistic pathway that the triazolyl copper intermediate plays as a branching point to dictate the product distribution.     

3-(4,5-二苄硫基-1,3-二硫杂环戊烯-2-亚基)萘吡喃酮的合成、性质及量子化学计算

设计合成了一种新的具有D-π-A体系的有机分子:3-(4,5-二苄硫基-1,3-二硫杂环戊烯-2-亚基)萘吡喃酮,通过UV-vis,1H NMR,13C NMR,TOFMS和IR确定了其结构.初步研究了该化合物的电子光谱、荧光光谱和热稳定性.运用Gaussian 03量子化学程序包,采用密度泛函(DFT)B3PW91的方法优化了其基态几何结构,得到的几何参数与实验结果吻合得很好.研究结果表明,体系中存在着分子内的电荷转移,有较好的荧光性质,为寻找新的发光材料具有一定的实际意义.     

RuCl3-promoted amide formation from azides and thioacids

Described here is the Ru(III)-promoted amide formation from azides and thioacids, which were shown not to form amides at room temperature in the absence of ruthenium. We believe that a complex formed by Ru(III) increases the reactivity of the thiocarbonyl species and therefore reaction with azides occurs at room temperature, even when less reactive (electron rich and/or sterically hindered) azides are employed.