Density Functional Calculations of C-NO2 Bond Dissociation Energies for Nitroalkanes Molecules

Bond dissociation energies for the removal of nitrogen dioxide group in some nitroalkane energetic materials have been calculated by using the three hybrid density functional theory （DFT） methods B3LYP, B3PW91 and B3P86 with 6-31g^＊＊ and 6-311g^＊＊ basis sets. The computed BDEs have been compared with the available experimental results. It is found that the B3P86 method with 6-31g^＊＊ and 6-311g^＊＊ basis sets can obtain satisfactory bond dissociation energies （BDEs）, which are in extraordinary agreement with the experimental data. Considering the smaller mean absolute deviation and maximum difference, the reliable B3P86/6-311g^＊＊ method was recommended to compute the BDEs for the removal of nitrogen dioxide group in the nitroalkane energetic materials. Using the method, the BDEs of 8 other nitroalkane energetic materials have been calculated and the maximum difference from experimental value is 1.76 kcal.mo1^-1 （for the BDE of tC4Hg-NOz）, which further proves the reliability of B3P86/6-311g^＊＊ method. In addition, it is noted that the BDEs of C-NO2 bond change slightly for main chain nitroalkane compounds with the maximum difference of only 3.43 kcal mo1^-1.     

Theoretical Study of the N-NO2 Bond Dissociation Energies for Energetic Materials with Density Functional Theory

The N-NO2 bond dissociation energies （BDEs） for 7 energetic materials were computed by means of accurate density functional theory （B3LYP, B3PW91 and B3P86） with 6-31G＊＊ and 6-311G＊＊ basis sets. By comparing the computed energies and experimental results, we find that the B3P86/6-311G＊＊ method can give good results of BDE, which has the mean absolute deviation of 1.30kcal/mol. In addition, substituent effects were also taken into account. It is noted that the Hammett constants of substituent groups are related to the BDEs of the N-NO2 bond and the bond dissociation energies of the energetic materials studied decrease when increasing the number of NO2 group.     

Theoretical Studies on Intermolecular Hydrogen-bond Interactions between Hexamethylenetetramine and Nitric Acid

The structures of the complexes generated by hexamethylenetetramine and nitric acid have been fully optimized by B3LYP method at the 6-311++G** and aug-cc-pVTZ levels. The intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions have been calculated by the B3LYP/6-311++G**, B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ, MP2(full)/6-311++G** and CCSD(T)/6-311++G** methods, respectively. The NBO (nature bond orbital), AIM (atom in molecule), temperature effect and solvation effect have been analyzed to reveal the origin of the interactions. The results indicate that the stable hydrogen-bonded complexes could be generated by hexamethylenetetramine and nitric acid. The interactions follow the order of (a)>>(e)>(b)>(c)>(d)>(f)>(g). The C-N bonds which are adjacent to the methylene involving the hydrogen bonds tend to break in the chemical reaction. Due to the exothermic process, low temperature is conducive to the formation of the composition, which tallies with the experimental result.     

Mechanism and Kinetics for the Reaction of NCS and OH Radicals

The mechanism and dynamical properties for the reaction of NCS and OH radicals have been investigated theoretically. The minimum energy paths (MEP) of the reaction were calculated using the density functional theory(DFT) at the B3LYP/6-311 G^** level, and the energies along the MEP were further refined at the QCISD(T)/6-311 G^** level. As a result, the reaction mechanism of the title reaction involves three channels, producing HCS NO and HNC SO products, respectively. Path Ⅰ and path Ⅱ are competitive, with some advantages for path Ⅰ in kinetics. As for path Ⅲ, it looks difficult to react for its high energy barrier. Moreover, the rate constant have been calculated over the temperature range of 8190-2500K using canonical variational transition-state theory (CVT). It was found that the rate constants for both path Ⅰ and path Ⅱ are negatively dependent on temperature, which is similarwith the experimental results for reactions of NCS with NO and NO2, and the variational effect for the rate constant calculation olavs an important role in whole temperature range.     

Theoretical Investigations into the Intermolecular Hydrogen-bonding Interactions between Azacyclopentane-2-one and N-Methylol Ethanone

The structures of the complexes formed between N-methylol ethanone(model molecule of ceramide) and azacyclopentane-2-one(the model molecule of azone) have been fully optimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level.The intermolecular hydrogen bonding interaction energies have been calculated by using the B3LYP/6-311++G**,B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2p),MP2(full)/6-311++G** and MP2(full)/6-311++G(2df,2p) methods,respectively.The results show that strong O–H···O=C,N–H···O=C and C–H···O=C hydrogen bonds could exist between azacyclopentane-2-one and N-methylol ethanone.The formation of the complexes might change the conformation of ceramide molecule and thus cause better percutaneous permeation for the drugs.This is perhaps the origin of the permeation enhances the activity of azone for medicament,as is in accordance with the experimental results.The hydrogen-bonding interactions follow the order of(a) (c) (b) (d) (g) ≈(e) ≈(i) (h) (f).The analyses of frequency,NBO,AIM and electron density shift are used to further reveal the nature of the complex formation.In the range of 263.0~328.0 K,the complex is formed via an exothermic reaction,and the solvent with lower temperature and dielectric constant is favorable to this process.     

Theoretical Study and NBO Analysis of the Decomposition Kinetics of Oxetane, 2-Methyloxetane and 2,2-Dimethyloxetane

A theoretical study of the thermal decomposition kinetics of oxetane (1), 2-methyloxetane (2), and 2,2-dimethyloxetane (3) has been carried out at the B3LYP/6-311+G**, B3PW91/6-311+G**, and MPW1PW91/6-311+G** levels of theory. The MPW1PW91/6-311+G** method was found to give a reasonable good agreement with the experimental kinetics and thermodynamic parameters. The decomposition reaction of compounds 1～3 yields formaldehyde and the corresponding substituted olefin. Based on the optimized ground state geometries using MPW1PW91/6-311+G** method, the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of donor-acceptor (bond-antibond) interactions revealed that the stabilization energies associated with the electronic delocalization from σC3-C4 bonding to σ*O1-C2 antibonding orbitals decrease from compounds 1 to 3. The σC3-C4→σO1-C2 resonance energies for compounds 1～3 are 2.63, 2.59 and 2.45 kcal mol-1, respectively. Further, the results showed that the energy gaps between σC3-C4 bonding and σ*O1-C2 antibonding orbitals decrease from compounds 1 to 3. Also, the decomposition process in these compounds are controlled by σ→σ* resonance energies. Moreover, the obtained order of energy barriers could be explained by the number of electron-releasing methyl groups substituted to the Csp3 atom (which is attached to oxygen atom). NBO analysis shows that the occupancies of σCsp3-O bonds decrease for compounds 1～3 as 3<2<1, and those of σCsp3-O bonds increase in the opposite order (3 > 2 > 1). This fact illustrates a comparatively easier thermal decomposition of the sCsp3-O bond in compound 3 compared to compound 2, and in compound 2 compared to compound 1. NBO results indicate that these reactions are occurring through a concerted and asynchronous four-membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism.     

Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Ethane Halides and Derivatives（C_2H_（6-n）X_n（n = 1～3）;X = F,Cl,Br）：DFT Study and NBO Analysis

A theoretical study of the thermal decomposition kinetics of ethane halides(C2H6-nXn(n = 1～3);X = F,Cl,Br) has been carried out at the B3LYP/6-31++G** and B3PW91/631++G** levels of theory.Among these methods and comparison of activation parameters with available experimental values,the B3PW91/6-31++G** method is in good agreement with the experimental data.The analysis of bond order and natural bond orbital(NBO) charges,bond indexes,and synchronicity parameters suggest the elimination of HX in reactions 1～9(HF:compounds 1～3,HCl:compounds 4～6,and HBr:compounds 7～9) occur through a concerted and slightly asynchronous four-membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism.     

Theoretical Studies on the Reaction Mechanism of 1-Chloroethane with Hydroxyl Radical

The reaction mechanism of 1-chloroethane with hydroxyl radical has been inves- tigated by using density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) method. All bond dissociation enthalpies were computed at the same theoretical level. It was found that hydrogen abstraction pathway is the most favorable. There are two hydrogen abstraction pathways with activation barriers of 0.630 and 4.988 kJ/mol, respectively, while chlorine abstraction pathway was not found. It was observed that activation energies have a more reasonable correlation with the reaction enthalpy changes (△Hr) than with bond dissociation enthalpies (BDE).     

Synthesis and Chemical Shifts Calculation of a-Acyloxycarboxamides Derived from Indane-l,2,3-trione by DFT and HF Methods

α-Acyloxycarboxamides are synthesized from three-component Passerini reaction between indane-1,2,3-trione, isocyanides, and thiophenecarboxylic acids in quantitative yields. The structures of the final products were confirmed by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The B3LYP/HF calculations for computation of 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts have been carried out for the title compounds at the 6-311+G** and 6-311++G** basis set levels within GIAO and CSGT approaches. Predicted 1H and 13C NMR che-mical shifts have been assigned and compared with experimental 1H and 13C NMR spectra and they are supported each other.     

Theoretical Study of the Low-Lying Excited States of Butoxy Radicals and Non-Radiative Decay Routes

The potential energy surfaces for the butoxy radical dissociation into R·＋O on the six low-lying electronic states have been determined with the combined CASSCF and MR-CI methods. The isomerization reactions between the different conformers of 1- and 2-butoxy radicals at the X and B states have been also investigated with the MP2, B3LYP, and CASSCF methods. The non-radiative decay mechanisms of butoxy radicals at the B state have been characterized with the computed potential energy surfaces and intersections. Supported by recent LIF experimental results, it was predicted that the t-butoxy radical would predissociate via the B/C intersection. As to 1- and 2-butoxy radicals, the relative energies of the transition states for the isomerization reactions between conformers at the B state are much lower than those of the B/C intersections, resulting in the predominance of the isomerization in the decay of the B state for 1- and 2-butoxy radicals.     

Theoretical Studies on the Intermolecular Interactions of Aza-calix[2]arene[2]-triazines with RDX

Six fully optimized structures of the aza-calix[2]arene[2]-triazines/RDX supramo-lecular complexes have been obtained at the DFT-B3LYP/6-311++G** level,and the corresponding intermolecular interactions have been investigated using the B3LYP,mPWPW91 and MP2 methods at the 6-311++G** level,respectively.The natural bond orbital(NBO) and atoms in molecules(AIM) analyses have been performed to reveal the origin of interactions.To our interest,the result indicates that the strongest interaction is up to -22.34 kJ/mol after basis set superposition error(BSSE) and zero point energy(ZPE) correction at the MP2/6-311++G** level.Furthermore,the intermolecular interactions between aza-calix[2]arene[2]-triazines with the substituted amidos and RDX are stronger than those of other complexes.Thus,the complexes with amidos can be used as the candidates to increase the stability of explosive and eliminate the explosive wastewater.     

Molecular Spectra and Dissociation Dynamics of Oxalyl Chloride: Effect of External Electrical Fields

Oxalyl chloride is a highly toxic and caustic substance, which widely exists in human production and life as a kind of volatile organic compound. Based on the density functional theory B3 LYP at 6-311++G(d, p) level, the influences of external electric field on the bond length, bond energy, dipole moment and dissociation mechanism are optimized. The results indicate that the C_1–Cl_3 bond length increases while the C_4–Cl_6 bond decreases. At the same time, the carbon-carbon bond length gradually increases with the increase of electric field. The total energy decreases while the dipole moment gradually increases with the increase of electric field. In the infrared spectra, the vibration frequency of the carbon-chlorine(C_4–Cl_6) bond decreases while the vibration frequency of the carbon-oxygen bond increases. In the ultraviolet-visible spectra, the wavelength of the strongest absorption peak increases as the external electric field increases and shows an observable red shift phenomenon. Additionally, single point energies of oxalyl chloride along the carbon-carbon bond are scanned with the equation-of-motion coupled cluster method restricted to single and double excitations(EOM-CCSD) method and the potential energy curves under different external electric fields are obtained. The dissociation barrier in potential energy curve decreases because of the breakage of carbon-carbon bond with the increase of external electric field. These results provide reference for further researches on the properties of oxalyl chloride and offer a theoretical basis for the study of oxalyl chloride degradation.     

FT-IR, Raman and NMR Spectra, Molecular Geometry, Vibrational Assignments, ab initio and Density Functional Theory Calculations for Diethyl Phthalate

Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) possess endocrine disruptive effects and can produce reproductive and developmental toxicities. In this paper, both experimental and theoretical studies on FT-IR, Raman and 1H NMR spectra of diethyl phthalate (DEP) have been carried out. The geometrical structure of DEP was optimized at the HF/6-31G*, HF/6-311G**, B3LYP/6-31G*, and B3LYP/6-311G** levels, respectively. The harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensity, Raman activity and 1H NMR chemical shifts have been computed at the B3LYP/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-311G** levels. Anharmonic corrections to frequencies were obtained by means of second-order perturbation theory (PT2) at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. Based on potential energy distribution (PED), the vibrational assignments have also been performed. The theoretical calculation values were compared with the experimental observations and the results indicate they are in excellent agreement.     

Theoretical Calculation about the High Energy Density Molecules of Nitrate Ester Substitution Derivatives of Prismane

The nitrate ester substitution derivatives of prismane were studied at the B3LYP/6-311G** level. The sublimation enthalpies and heats of formation in gas phase and solid state were calculated. The detonation performances were also predicted by using the famous Kamlet-Jacbos equation. Our calculated results show that introducing nitrate ester group into prismane is helpful to enhance its detonation properties. Stabilities were evaluated through the bond dissociation energies, bond order, characteristic heights(H50) and band gap calculations. The trigger bonds in the pyrolysis process of prismane derivatives were confirmed as O–ON_2 bond. The BDEs of all compounds were large, so these prismane derivatives have excellent stability consistent with the results of H50 and band gap.     

Substituent effect on the molecular stability, group interaction, detonation performance, and thermolysis mechanism of nitroamino-substituted cyclopentanes and cyclohexanes

Density functional theory (DFT) method has been employed to study the effect of nitroamino group as a substituent in cyclopentane and cyclohexane, which usually construct the polycyclic or caged nitra-mines. Molecular structures were investigated at the B3LYP/6-31G** level, and isodesmic reactions were designed for calculating the group interactions. The results show that the group interactions ac-cord with the group additivity, increasing with the increasing number of nitroamino groups. The dis-tance between substituents influences the interactions. Detonation performances were evaluated by the Kamlet-Jacobs equations based on the predicted densities and heats of formation, while thermal stability and pyrolysis mechanism were studied by the computations of bond dissociation energy (BDE). It is found that the contributions of nitroamino groups to the detonation heat, detonation velocity, detonation pressure, and stability all deviate from the group additivity. Only 3a, 3b, and 9a-9c may be novel potential candidates of high energy density materials (HEDMs) according to the quantitative cri-teria of HEDM (ρ≈ 1.9 g/cm3, D ≈ 9.0 km/s, P ≈ 40.0 GPa). Stability decreases with the increasing number of N-NO2 groups, and homolysis of N-NO2 bond is the initial step in the thermolysis of the title com-pounds. Coupled with the demand of thermal stability (BDE > 20 kcal/mol), only 1,2,4-trinitrotriazacy-clohexane and 1,2,4,5-tetranitrotetraazacyclohexane are suggested as feasible energetic materials. These results may provide basic information for the molecular design of HEDMs.     

DFT Calculations of the Ionization Potential and Electron Affinity of Alaninamide

Adiabatic and vertical ionization potentials (IPs) and valence electron affinities (EAs) of alaninamide in gas phase have been determined using density functional theory (BLYP,B3LYP,B3P86) methods with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set,respectively. IPs and EAs of alaninamide in solutions have been calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. Five possible conformers of alaninamide and their charged states have been optimized employing density functional theory B3LYP method with 6-311++(d,p) basis set,respectively.     

Synthesis and Infrared Spectra Computation of Sterically Congested 2,2-Disubstituted Indane-1,3-dione Derivatives

Sterically congested 2,2-disubstituted indane-1,3-dione derivatives have been syn-thesized and characterized by 1H NMR,13C NMR,FT-IR and elemental analysis.The B3LYP/HF calculations for computation of IR spectra have been carried out for the title compounds at the 6-31G and 6-311++G basis set levels.Predicted vibrational frequencies have been assigned and compared with the experimental FT-IR spectra and they are supported each other.     

Cycloaddition mechanism for the resin-OsO_4-catalyzed of styrene: A DFT study

The postulated intermediates in the base-free and base-assisted addition of OsO4 to styrene have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311G** level of the theory. N(CH3)2(Ph) was chosen as the base of the resin-OsO4. According to our model calculations the [2 3] addition was found to be favorable with an activation of <45.00 kJ/mol. In contract, the reaction barriers for the [2 2] cycloaddition remain high (>155.00 kJ/mol). In addition, the electronic structure analysis of the molecules was carried out by na- ture bond orbital (NBO). The computational results were in reasonable agreement with experimental results.     

Potential energy surface of the photolysis of isocyanic acid HNCO

The dissociation curves of the photolysis of the isocyanic acid HNCO→HN+CO corresponding to the ground state (S0), the first triplet excited state (TO and the first singlet excited state (S1) have been studied respectively at the UHF/6-311G** and CIS/6-311G** levels using ab initio method. The energy surface crossing points, S1/T1 T1/S0 and S1/S0, have been found and the characteristics of the energy minimum crossing point were given, based on which, the changes of the crossing points' geometries along the lower electronic energy surface and its end-result have been located according to the steepest descent principle. The computational result indicates thatthe photolysis of the isocyanic acid HNCO→HN + CO has three competitive reaction channels ((A)-(C)), and from the kinetic piont of view, channel (A) is the most advantageous.