Reaction profiles and substituent effects for the reduction of carbonyl compounds with monomer and dimer simple metal hydride reagents

Reaction profiles and energetics for the reactions of substituted benzaldehydes with a series of different simple metal hydrides (BH(3), BMeH(2), BMe(2)H, AlH(3), and AlMe(2)H) are examined computationally. B3LYP/6-31G optimizations and MP2/6-311G single point energy calculations revealed that the Al reagents are more reactive than B reagents. Replacement of H with Me on BH(3) or AlH(3) makes the reduction transition state (TS) less stable. Accordingly the overall reactivity is in the order AlH(3) > AlMe(2)H > BH(3) > BMe(2)H. The Hammett rho value for substituted benzaldehydes (BAs) is negative for the initial complex formation and positive for the hydride-transfer step. The size and the sign of the apparent rho value depend on the relative stabilities of the separated reactants and the complex. The TS structures vary according to the Hammond postulate for substituted BAs and the variation is reflected in carbonyl-carbon and aldehyde-deuterium isotope effects. Comparison of the reaction profiles of the monomer and dimer reagents reveals that the real reacting species is the monomer in the gas phase for BH(3) but the dimer for BMe(2)H.     

Thermodynamic properties of molecular borane phosphines, alane amines, and phosphine alanes and the [BH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)], [AlH(4)(-)][NH(4)(+)], and [AlH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)] salts for chemical hydrogen storage systems from ab initio electronic structure theory

The heats of formation for the molecules BH(3)PH(3), BH(2)PH(2), HBPH, AlH(3)NH(3), AlH(2)NH(2), HAlNH, AlH(3)PH(3), AlH(2)PH(2), HAlPH, AlH(4)(-), PH(3), PH(4), and PH(4)(+), as well as the diatomics BP, AlN, and AlP, have been calculated by using ab initio molecular orbital theory. The coupled cluster with single and double excitations and perturbative triples method (CCSD(T)) was employed for the total valence electronic energies. Correlation consistent basis sets were used, up through the augmented quadruple-zeta, to extrapolate to the complete basis set limit. Additional d core functions were used for Al and P. Core/valence, scalar relativistic, and spin-orbit corrections were included in an additive fashion to predict the atomization energies. Geometries were calculated at the CCSD(T) level up through at least aug-cc-pVTZ and frequencies were calculated at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ level. The heats of formation of the salts [BH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)](s), [AlH(4)(-)][NH(4)(+)](s), and [AlH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)](s) have been estimated by using an empirical expression for the lattice energy and the calculated heats of formation of the two component ions. The calculations show that both AlH(3)NH(3)(g) and [AlH(4)(-)][NH(4)(+)](s) can serve as good hydrogen storage systems that release H(2) in a slightly exothermic process. In addition, AlH(3)PH(3) and the salts [AlH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)] and [BH(4)(-)][PH(4)(+)] have the potential to serve as H(2) storage systems. The hydride affinity of AlH(3) is calculated to be -70.4 kcal/mol at 298 K. The proton affinity of PH(3) is calculated to be 187.8 kcal/mol at 298 K in excellent agreement with the experimental value of 188 kcal/mol. PH(4) is calculated to be barely stable with respect to loss of a hydrogen to form PH(3).     

Theoretical study of reactions between AlH(1Σ) and HF molecule

Reaction mechanisms between AlH (¹Σ) and HF molecule are theoretically investigated. Ab initio calculations demonstrate that there are two parallel reaction channels: one is an addition reaction to give H₂AlF via the three‐membered ring transition state (TS) and the other is a dehydrogenation reaction to give AlF+H₂ via the four‐membered ring TS. The addition reaction is thermodynamically favorable and the dehydrogenation reaction is kinetically favorable. Thermodynamics and Eyring transition state theory (TST) with the Wigner correction are also used to compute the thermodynamic functions, the equilibrium constants, A factors, and the rate constants of these reaction channels at 200–1000 K. From the thermodynamics and TST calculations, it is valuable to point out that consideration on the entropy and thermal enthalpy is quite important in the study of chemical reactions on the basis of ab initio method. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 73: 417–424, 1999     

精确模型化学中MPn微扰外推的一个问题

通过对ＢＨ、ＡｌＨ、ＢＦ和ＡｌＦ的高级别ａｂ ｉｎｉｔｉｏ势能曲线计算和理论分析,发现在分子的几何构型偏离平衡时,由于参考态级成不充分的问题,Ｈａｒｔｒｅｅ－Ｆｏｃｋ单参考态的ＭＰｎ微扰计算可能给出错误的能量值。从而表明,目前的精确模型化学方法（Ｇ１、Ｇ２、Ｇ３和ＣＢＳ系列）中用ＭＰｎ微扰外推的办法拟合高级别ａｂ ｉｎｉｔｉｏ,对偏离平衡构型体系（如动力学研究中的过渡态、中间体等）的能量计算,在一     

Hydrazine bisalane is a potential compound for chemical hydrogen storage. A theoretical study

Electronic structure calculations suggest that hydrazine bisalane (AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2)AlH(3), alhyzal) is a promising compound for chemical hydrogen storage (CHS). Calculations are carried out using the coupled-cluster theory CCSD(T) with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. Potential energy surfaces are constructed to probe the formation of, and hydrogen release from, hydrazine bisalane which is initially formed from the reaction of hydrazine with dialane. Molecular and electronic characteristics of both gauche and trans alhyzal are determined for the first time. The gauche hydrazine bisalane is formed from starting reactants hydrazine + dialane following a movement of an AlH(3) group from AlH(3)AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2) rather than by a direct attachment of a separate AlH(3) group, generated by predissociation of dialane, to AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2). The energy barriers for dehydrogenation processes from gauche and transalhyzal are in the range of 21-28 kcal mol(-1), which are substantially smaller than those of ca. 40 kcal mol(-1) previously determined for the isovalent hydrazine bisborane (bhyzb) system. H(2) release from hydrazine bisalane is thus more favored over that from hydrazine bisborane, making the Al derivative an alternative candidate for CHS.     

Hydrogen storage in LiAlH4: predictions of the crystal structures and reaction mechanisms of intermediate phases from quantum mechanics

We use the density functional theory and x-ray and neutron diffraction to investigate the crystal structures and reaction mechanisms of intermediate phases likely to be involved in decomposition of the potential hydrogen storage material LiAlH(4). First, we explore the decomposition mechanism of monoclinic LiAlH(4) into monoclinic Li(3)AlH(6) plus face-centered cubic (fcc) Al and hydrogen. We find that this reaction proceeds through a five-step mechanism with an overall activation barrier of 36.9 kcal/mol. The simulated x ray and neutron diffraction patterns from LiAlH(4) and Li(3)AlH(6) agree well with experimental data. On the other hand, the alternative decomposition of LiAlH(4) into LiAlH(2) plus H(2) is predicted to be unstable with respect to that through Li(3)AlH(6). Next, we investigate thermal decomposition of Li(3)AlH(6) into fcc LiH plus Al and hydrogen, occurring through a four-step mechanism with an activation barrier of 17.4 kcal/mol for the rate-limiting step. In the first and second steps, two Li atoms accept two H atoms from AlH(6) to form the stable Li-H-Li-H complex. Then, two sequential H(2) desorption steps are followed, which eventually result in fcc LiH plus fcc Al and hydrogen: Li(3)AlH(6)(monoclinic)-->3 LiH(fcc)+Al(fcc)+3/2 H(2) is endothermic by 15.8 kcal/mol. The dissociation energy of 15.8 kcal/mol per formula unit compares to experimental enthalpies in the range of 9.8-23.9 kcal/mol. Finally, we explore thermal decomposition of LiH, LiH(s)+Al(s)-->LiAl(s)+12H(2)(g) is endothermic by 4.6 kcal/mol. The B32 phase, which we predict as the lowest energy structure for LiAl, shows covalent bond characters in the Al-Al direction. Additionally, we determine that transformation of LiH plus Al into LiAlH is unstable with respect to transformation of LiH through LiAl.     

机械球磨固相化学反应制备AlH3及其放氢性能

以LiAlH4和AlCl3为原料, 采用机械球磨固相化学反应方法制备了铝氢化合物, 通过X射线衍射(XRD)、热分析(TG-DSC)和质谱(MS)分析等方法对反应产物进行分析和表征, 研究了不同球磨时间(4、8、15和20 h)对LiAlH4+AlCl体系的固相反应转变规律﹑合成产物和放氢性能的影响. 研究结果表明, 随球磨时间的增加, 球磨固相反应按3LiAlH4+AlCl3→4AlH3+3LiCl方向进行, 形成了非晶态铝氢化合物AlH3, 球磨20 h时反应基本完全. 球磨产物的放氢动力学特性随球磨时间增加而改善, 其放氢起始温度均低于100 ℃, 最大放氢量达到2.6%-3.6%(H2)(w), 接近反应体系的理论储氢量4.85%(H2)(w). 球磨过程中反应产物形成LiCl·H2O以及少量AlH3发生分解是影响球磨产物最大放氢量的主要因素.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermally robust amidinato group 13 hydride complexes

The reactivity of two sterically bulky amidines, ArNC(R)N(H)Ar (Ar=2,6-diisopropylphenyl; R=H (HFiso); tBu, (HPiso)) towards LiMH4, M=Al or Ga, [AlH3(NMe3)], and [GaH3(quin)] (quin=quinuclidine) has been examined. This has given rise to a variety of very thermally stable aluminum and gallium hydride complexes. The structural motif adopted by the prepared complexes has been found to be dependent upon both the amidinate ligand and the metal involved. The 1:1 reaction of HFiso with LiAlH4 yielded dimeric [{AlH3(mu-Fiso)Li(OEt2)}2]. Amidine HFiso reacts in a 1:1 ratio with [AlH3(NMe3)] to give the unusual hydride-bridging dimeric complex, [{AlH2(Fiso)}2], in which the Fiso- ligand is nonchelating. The equivalent reaction with the bulkier amidine, HPiso, yielded a related hydride-bridging complex, [{AlH2(Piso)}2], in which the Piso- ligand is chelating. In contrast, the treatment of [GaH3(quin)] with one equivalent of HFiso afforded the four-coordinate complex [GaH2(quin)(Fiso)], in which the Fiso- ligand acts as a localized monodentate amido-imine ligand. The 2:1 reactions of HFiso with [AlH3(NMe3)] or [GaH3(quin)] gave the monomeric complexes [MH(Fiso)2], which are thermally robust and which exhibit chelating amidinate ligands. In contrast, HPiso did not give 2:1 complexes in its reactions with either of the Group 13 trihydride precursors. For sake of comparison, the reactions of [AlH3(NMe3)] and [GaH3(quin)] with the bulky carbodiimide ArN=C=NAr and the thiourea Ar(H)NC(=S)N(H)Ar were examined. These last reactions afforded the five-coordinate thioureido complexes, [MH{N(Ar)C[N(H)(Ar)]S}2], M=Al or Ga.     

LiAlH4与Li3AlH6的成键特性及热力学稳定性

采用基于密度泛函理论(DFT)的平面波赝势(PW-PP)方法, 计算了LiAlH4分解反应中各个产物的晶胞参数、电子结构、生成焓和分解反应的反应焓. 反应中各固态、气态物质的晶胞的结构优化后的晶格参数与相应的实验值均符合得较好. 对LiAlH4与Li3AlH6的电子结构分析均表明, 其中的Al—H键为共价键、Li—H键为离子键. 对各分解反应的反应焓计算结果表明, (1) LiAlH4→1/3Li3AlH6+2/3Al+H2,(2) 1/3Li3AlH6→LiH+1/3Al+1/2H2及(3) LiH+Al→LiAl+1/2H2均为吸热反应, 298 K时计算的反应焓分别为14.3、14.9 与50.9 kJ·mol-1, 与相应的实验值符合得较好.     

Finite size effects on aluminum/Teflon reaction channels under combustive environment: a Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus and transition state theory study of fluorination

The effect of particle size on combustion efficiency is an important factor in combustion research. Gas-phase aluminum clusters in oxidizing environment constitute a relatively simple and extensively studied system. In an attempt to underscore the correlation between electronic structure, finite size effect, and reactivity in small aluminum clusters, reactions between aluminum, [Al(13)](-) cluster, and Teflon decomposition fragments were studied using theoretical calculations at the density functional theoretical level. The unimolecular rate constants calculated using transition state and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory show that reactions with COF and CF(2) species with aluminum are faster than those involving CF(3) and COF(2). The results show that the kinetic barriers along different exothermic reaction channels correlate with the trends in HOMO(R)-HOMO(TS) (HOMO denotes highest occupied molecular orbital) energy gap and related shifts of the HOMO levels of reactants. Overall reactions involving carbonyl fluoride species (COF and COF(2)) lead to CO elimination and fluorination of the Al cluster. The CF(3)/CF(2) fragments lead to stable multicenter Al-C bond formation on the fluorinated Al cluster surface. Temperature-, energy-, and pressure-dependent rate constants are provided for extrapolating the expected reaction kinetics to conditions similar to known combustion reactions.     

Infrared spectra of aluminum hydrides in solid hydrogen: Al2H4 and Al2H6

The reaction of laser-ablated Al atoms and normal-H(2) during co-deposition at 3.5 K produces AlH, AlH(2), and AlH(3) based on infrared spectra and the results of isotopic substitution (D(2), H(2) + D(2) mixtures, HD). Four new bands are assigned to Al(2)H(4) from annealing, photochemistry, and agreement with frequencies calculated using density functional theory. Ultraviolet photolysis markedly increases the yield of AlH(3) and seven new absorptions for Al(2)H(6) in the infrared spectrum of the solid hydrogen sample. These frequencies include terminal Al-H(2) and bridge Al-H-Al stretching and AlH(2) bending modes, which are accurately predicted by quantum chemical calculations for dibridged Al(2)H(6), a molecule isostructural with diborane. Annealing these samples to remove the H(2) matrix decreases the sharp AlH(3) and Al(2)H(6) absorptions and forms broad 1720 +/- 20 and 720 +/- 20 cm(-1) bands, which are due to solid (AlH(3))(n). Complementary experiments with thermal Al atoms and para-H(2) at 2.4 K give similar spectra and most product frequencies within 2 cm(-1). Although many volatile binary boron hydride compounds are known, binary aluminum hydride chemistry is limited to the polymeric (AlH(3))( solid. Our experimental characterization of the dibridged Al(2)H(6) molecule provides an important link between the chemistries of boron and aluminum.     

CF3O2自由基和NO反应机理的理论研究

用密度泛函理论(DFT)的B3LYP方法, 分别在6-31G、6-311G、6-311+G(d)基组水平上研究了CF3O2自由基和NO反应机理. 研究结果表明, CF3O2自由基和NO反应存在三条可行的反应通道, 优化得到了相应的中间体和过渡态. 从活化能看, 通道CH3O2+NO→IM1→TS1→IM2→TS2→CF3O+ONO的活化能最低, 仅为70.86 kJ•mol-1, 是主要反应通道, 主要产物是CF3O和NO2. 而通道CH3O2+NO→IM1→TS3→CF3ONO2和CH3O2+NO→TS4→IM3→TS5→IM4→TS6→CF3O+NOO的活化能较高, 故该反应难以进行.     

Theoretical study of reactions between MH (M=B,Al) and the H2S molecule

Reaction mechanisms between MH (M=B, Al) and the H₂S molecule have been theoretically studied. The G3 ab initio and DFT calculations demonstrate that only one stable addition complex (HM:SH₂, M=B, Al) can be formed, and that, starting from the addition complex (HM:SH₂) two parallel reaction channels have been found: one is an addition reaction to give H₂MSH via the three‐membered ring transition state (TS), and the other is a dehydrogenation reaction to give MSH+H₂ via the four‐membered ring TS. Thermodynamics and Eyring transition state theory (TST) with the Wigner correction are also used to compute the thermodynamic functions, the equilibrium constants, A factors, and the rate constants of these reaction channels at 300–1500 K. The calculated results predict that the product H₂BSH in the system of BH+H₂S and the product AlSH+H₂ in the system of AlH+H₂S will be mainly observed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001     

Aluminum hydride cations stabilized by weakly coordinating carbaalanates

The reactions of t-BuCCLi with a mixture of AlH(3).NMe(3) and ClAlH(2).NMe(3) in boiling toluene with the addition of [t-BuCH(2)(Bzl)NMe(2)]Cl, or a bulky beta-diketimine instead, and [n-Bu(4)N]Cl led to the carbaalanates [H(2)Al(NMe(3))(2)](2)[(AlH)(8)(CCH(2)t-Bu)(6)], 3, and [n-Bu(4)N](2)[(AlH)(8)(CCH(2)t-Bu)(6)], 4, respectively. The reaction of Me(3)N.Al(CCt-Bu)(3) 5 and AlH(3).NMe(3) in boiling toluene yielded [H(n-Bu)Al(NMe(3))(2)][(AlH)(7)(AlNMe(3))(CCH(2)t-Bu)(6)], 6, in trace amounts. The single-crystal X-ray structures of 3 and 6 are reported. The compounds 3, 4, and 6 consist of well-separated ion pairs introducing carbaalanates as weakly coordinating anions and stabilizing aluminum hydride cations.     

Ring-expansion reaction of oximes with aluminum reductants

The ring-expansion reactions of heterocyclic ketoximes and carbocyclic ketoximes with several reductants such as AlHCl2, AlH3 (alane), LiAlH4, LiAlH(OtBu)3, and (MeOCH2CH2O)2AlH2Na (Red-Al) were examined. Among reductants, AlHCl2 (LiAlH4:AlCl3 = 1:3) in cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) has been found to be a suitable reagent for the reaction, and the rearranged cyclic secondary amines were obtained in good to excellent yields.     

用量子力学研究膦化三氢化铝储氢材料在磷化氢催化作用下的释氢反应机理

利用量子力学第一原理研究了储氢材料膦化三氢化铝(AlH3PH3)在催化剂膦(PH3)作用下的释氢反应机理;首先在MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ水平上计算了反应物、过渡态和产物的几何构型和频率,进而利用内禀反应坐标理论确定了反应的最小能量路径,随后在CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ水平上对基于MP2优化的几何构型进行了能量校正.结果表明,AlH3PH3释氢的能垒高于Al―P键的离解能,而催化剂PH3不能降低AlH3PH3的释氢能垒.因此,需要寻找其他的催化剂以使AlH3PH3成为一种合用的储氢材料.     

烯酮及取代烯酮与环戊二烯环加成反应机理的理论研究

利用半经验分子轨道理论AM1方法,研究了烯酮及取代烯酮与环戊二烯环加成反应机理。采用Berny梯度法优化得到各反应的过渡态和中间体,并进行了振动分析确认。计算结果表明,该环加成反应是按照协同的非同步途径进行的,经过一个四元环发生扭曲的过渡态,并有部分电荷从环戊二烯迁移到烯酮或取代烯酮上,前线轨道分析表明反应机理为“2×[1+1]”机理;而氯甲基取代的烯酮与环戊二烯的环加成反应是按照分步途径发生的。计算结果可以很好地说明实验所观察到的立体选择性,并根据烯酮上取代基的电子效应和位阻效应对反应机理的影响进行了分析。     

A first-principles analysis of hydrogen interaction in Ti-doped NaAlH4 surfaces: structure and energetics

First principles density functional theory studies have been carried out to investigate the hydrogen interactions in Ti-doped NaAlH4 (001) and (100) surfaces. In both surfaces, Ti was found to energetically favor the interstitial sites formed by three neighboring AlH4- units and interact directly with them. The resulting local structure corresponds to a formula of TiAl3Hx with x = 12 before hydrogen desorption starts. The hydrogen desorption energies from many positions of TiAl3Hx are reduced considerably as compared with that from the corresponding clean, undoped NaAlH4 surfaces. The almost invariant local environment surrounding Ti during dehydrogenation makes the TiAl3Hx complex a precursor state for the formation of experimentally observed TiAl3. The importance of the complex has been explored by analyzing the structures and energetics accompanying hydrogen desorption from the complex and from the neighboring AlH4- units. The TiAl3Hx has extended effects beyond the locally reducing hydrogen desorption energy. It facilitates low-energy hydrogen desorption by either transferring hydrogen to the TiAl3Hx complex or reducing hydrogen desorption energy in the neighboring AlH4- by linking these AlH4- units with the complex structure. The possible mechanisms for forming octahedral AlH6(3-) were also identified in the vicinity of TiAl3Hx. Desorbing hydrogen atoms between Ti and Al atoms causes a symmetrical expansion of Ti-Al bonds and leads to the formation of octahedral AlH6(3-).     

Boron and aluminum complexes of sterically demanding phosphinimines and phosphinimides

Reactions of sterically demanding phosphinimines R3PNH [R=i-Pr (1), t-Bu (2)] were examined. Reactions with B(C6F5)3 formed the adducts (R3PNH)B(C6F5)3 [R=i-Pr (3), t-Bu (4)] in high yield. On the other hand, 2 reacts with HB(OBu)2, evolving H2 to give t-Bu3PNB(OBu)2 (5). The reaction of 2 equiv of 2 with BH3.SMe2 affords the species (t-Bu3PN)2BH (6). In contrast, the reaction of n-Bu(t-Bu)2PNH with BH3.SMe2 results in the formation of the robust adduct n-Bu(t-Bu)2PNH.BH3 (8). An alternative route to borane-phosphinimide complexes involves Me3SiCl elimination, as exemplified by the reaction of BCl2Ph with n-Bu3PNSiMe3, which gives the product n-Bu3PNBCl(Ph) (9). The corresponding reactions of the parent phosphinimines 1 and 2 with AlH3.NMe2Et give the dimers [(mu-i-Pr3PN)AlH2]2 (10) and [(mu-t-Bu3PN)AlH2]2 (11). Species 11 reacts further with Me3SiO3SCF3 to provide [(mu-t-Bu3PN)AlH(OSO2CF3)]2 (12). The reaction of the lithium salt [t-Bu3PNLi]4 (13) with BCl3 proceeds smoothly to give t-Bu3PNBCl2 (14), which is readily alkylated to give t-Bu3PNBMe2 (15). Subsequent reaction of 15 with B(C6F5)3 results in methyl abstraction and the formation of [(mu-t-Bu3PN)BMe]2[MeB(C6F5)3]2 (16). The reaction of 13 in a 2:1 ratio with BCl3 gives the salt [(t-Bu3PN)2B]Cl (17). This species can be methylated to give (t-Bu3PN)2BMe (18), which undergoes subsequent reaction with [Ph3C][X] (X=[B(C6F5)4], [PF6]) to form the related salts [(t-Bu3PN)2B][B(C6F5)4] (19) and [(t-Bu3PN)2B][PF6] (20), respectively. Analogous reactions with [Ph3C][BF4] afforded [t-Bu3PNBF2]2 (21). Compounds 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 17, 19, and 21 were characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Phonon, IR, and Raman spectra, NMR parameters, and elastic constant calculations for AlH3 polymorphs

The electronic structure, lattice dynamics, and mechanical properties of AlH(3) phases have been studied by density functional calculations. The chemical bonding in different polymorphs of AlH(3) are evaluated on the basis of electronic structures, charge density analysis, and atomic charges, as well as bond overlap population analysis and the Born effective charges. The phonon dispersion relations and phonon density of states of all the polymorphs of AlH(3) are calculated by direct force-constant method. Application of pressure induces seqauence of phase transitions in β-AlH(3) which are understood from the phonon dispersive curves of the involved phases. The previously predicted phases (Chem. Mater. 2008, 20, 5997) are found to be dynamically stable. The calculated single crystal elastic constants reveal that all the studied AlH(3) polymorphs are easily compressible. The chemical bonding of these polymorphs have noticeable covalent character (except the hp2 phase) according to the present chemical bonding analyses. For all these polymorphs, the NMR-related parameters, such as isotropic chemical shielding, quadrupolar coupling constant, and quadrupolar asymmetry, are also calculated. All IR- and Raman-active phonon frequencies, as well as the corresponding intensities, are calculated for all the AlH(3) polymorphs and are compared with available experimental results.