Carbon-to-carbon identity proton transfers from propyne, acetimide, thioacetaldehyde, and nitrosomethane to their respective conjugate anions in the gas phase. An ab initio study.

Gas-phase acidities of CH3Y (Y: NO, C identical to CH, CH=NH, and CH=S), barriers to the identity proton-transfer CH3Y + CH2=Y- reversible CH2=Y- + CH3Y, as well as geometries and charge distributions of CH3Y, CH2=Y- and the transition states of the proton transfers were determined by ab initio methods at the MP2/6-311 + G(d,p)//MP2/6-311 + G(d,p), B3LYP/6-311 + G(d,p), and BPW-91/6-311 + G-(d,p) levels of theory. The acidities were also calculated at the CCSD(T)/6-311 + G(2df,2p) level. To make more meaningful comparisons, the same quantities for previously studied systems (Y: H, CH=CH2, CH=O, CN, NO2) were recalculated at the levels used in the present work. The geometric parameters as well as the group charges indicate that the transition states for all the reactions are imbalanced, although there is no correlation between the degree of imbalance and the pi-acceptor strength of the Y group. Based on multi-parameter correlations with the field (sigma F), resonance (sigma R), and polarizability effect (sigma alpha) substituent constants, the contributions of each of these effects to the acidities and barriers were evaluated. For the Y groups whose sigma F, sigma R, and sigma alpha are unknown (CH=NH, CH=S, C identical to CH), a method for estimating these substituent constants is proposed. The barriers for the CH3Y/CH2=Y- systems are all lower than for the CH4/CH3- system; this contrasts with the situation in solution where the Y groups lead to an increase in the barrier. The reasons for this reversal are analyzed. We also make an attempt to clarify the issue as to why the transition states of these reactions are imbalanced, a question which continues to draw attention in the literature.     

Molecular structure of the octatetranyl anion, C8H-: a computational study

The equilibrium molecular structure of the octatetranyl anion, C8H(-), which has been recently detected in two astronomical environments, is investigated with the aid of both ab initio post-Hartree-Fock and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The model chemistry adopted in this study was selected after a series of benchmark calculations performed on molecular acetylene for which accurate gas-phase structural data are available. Geometry optimizations performed at the CCSD/6-311+G(2d,p), QCISD/6-311+G(2d,p), and MP4(SDQ)/6-311+G(2d,p) levels of theory yield for C8H(-) an interesting polyyne-type structure that defies the chemical formula displaying a simple alternation of triple and single carbon-carbon bonds, [:C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]CH](1-). In the optimized geometry of C8H(-), as one proceeds from the naked carbon atom on one side of the chain to the CH unit on the opposite side of the chain, the short (formally triple) carbon-carbon bonds decrease in length from 1.255 to 1.213 A whereas the long (formally single) carbon-carbon bonds increase (albeit only slightly) in length from 1.362 to 1.378 A (CCSD results). In striking contrast, both MP2 and DFT (B3LYP and PBE0) calculations fail in reproducing the pattern of the carbon-carbon bond lengths obtained with the CCSD, QCISD, and MP4 methods. The structures of three shorter n-even chains, C(n)H(-) (n = 2, 4, and 6), along with those of four n-odd compounds (n = 3, 5, 7, and 9) are also investigated at the CCSD/6-311+G(2d,p) level of theory.     

Computational study of the reaction of fluorine atom with acetone

The reaction of F(2P) with acetone has been studied theoretically using ab initio quantum chemistry methods and transition state theory. The potential energy surface was calculated at the G3MP2 level using the MP2/6-311G(d,p) optimized structures. Additionally, to ensure the accuracy of the calculations, optimizations with either larger basis set (e.g., MP2/G3MP2Large) or higher level electron correlation [e.g., CCSD/ 6-311G(d,p)] were also performed. It has been revealed that the F + CH3C(O)CH3 reaction proceeds via two pathways: (1) the direct hydrogen abstraction of acetone by F gives the major products HF + CH3C(O)CH2; (2) the addition of F atom to the >C=O double bond of acetone and the subsequent C-C bond cleavage gives the minor products CH3 + CH3C(O)F. All other product channels are of no importance due to the occurrence of significant barriers. Both abstraction and addition appear to be barrierless processes. Variational transition state model and multichannel RRKM theory were employed to calculate the temperature- and pressure-dependent rate constants and branching ratios. The predicted rate constants for the abstraction channel and the yields of HF + CH3C(O)CH3 and CH3 + CH3C(O)F are both in good agreement with the experimental data at 295 K and 700 Torr. A negative temperature dependence of the overall rate constants was predicted at temperatures below 500 K.     

Electronic properties of multifurcated bent hydrogen bonds CH3...Y and CH2...Y

H-bonding angle angleYHX has an important effect on the electronic properties of the H-bond Y...HX, such as intra- and intermolecular hyperconjugations and rehybridization, and topological properties of electron density. We studied the multifurcated bent H-bonds of the proton donors H3CZ (Z = F, Cl, Br), H2CO and H2CF2 with the proton acceptors Cl(-) and Br(-) at the four high levels of theory: MP2/6-311++G(d,p), MP2/6-311++G(2df,2p), MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd) and QCISD/6-311++G(d,p), and found that they are all blue-shifted. These complexes have large interaction energies, 7-12 kcal mol(-1), and large blue shifts, delta r(HC) = -0.0025 --0.006 A and delta v(HC) = 30-90 cm(-1). The natural bond orbital analysis shows that the blue shifts of these H-bonds Y...HnCZ are mainly caused by three factors: rehybridization; indirect intermolecular hyperconjugation n(Y) -->sigma*(CZ), in that the electron density from n(Y) of the proton acceptor is transferred not to sigma*(CH), but to sigma*(CZ) of the donor; intramolecular hyperconjugation n(Z) -->sigma*(CH), in that the electron density in sigma*(CH) comes back to n(Z) of the donor such that the occupancy in sigma*(CH) decreases. The topological properties of the electron density of the bifurcated H-bonds Y...H2CZ are similar to those of the usual linear H-bonds, there is a bond critical point between Y and each hydrogen, and a ring critical point inside the tetragon YHCH. However, the topological properties of electron density of the trifurcated H-bonds Y...H3CZ are essentially different from those of linear H-bonds, in that the intermolecular bond critical point, which represents a closed-shell interaction, is not between Y and hydrogen, but between Y and carbon.     

N(4S)+CH3X(X=Cl、Br)反应机理的理论研究

The reaction of N(4S)+CH3X(X=Cl、Br) was studied by the ab initio method. The geometries of the reactants, transition states and products were optimized at the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) level. The corresponding vibration frequencies were calculated at the same level. The single-point calculations for all the stationary points were carried out at the MP2/6-311++G(3df,2p) and the QCISD(T)/6-311+G(d,p) levels using the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) optimized geometries. The energies of all the stationary points were calculated by the G2MP2 method. The results of this theoretical study indicate that the reaction has three reaction channels: H abstraction reaction channel a, Cl or Br abstraction reaction channel b and substitution reaction channel c. For the N(4S)+CH3Cl reaction, reaction channel a is the main reaction channel. Reaction channels b and c may have a slight contribution in the reaction. For the N(4S)+CH3Br reaction, reaction channel a is the main reaction channel. Reaction channels b and c may have some contribution in the reaction.     

The role of chalcogen-chalcogen interactions in the intrinsic basicity acidity of beta-chalcogenovinyl(thio)aldehydes HC([double bond]X)[bond]CH[double bond]CH[bond]CYH

The intrinsic acidity and basicity of a series of beta-chalcogenovinyl(thio)aldehydes HC([double bond]X)[bond]CH[double bond]CH[bond]CYH (X=O, S; Y=Se, Te) were investigated by B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) density functional and G2(MP2) calculations on geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level for neutral molecules and at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level for anions. The results showed that selenovinylaldehyde and selenovinylthioaldehyde should behave as Se bases in the gas phase, because the most stable neutral conformer is stabilized by an X[bond]H...Se (X=O, S) intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB). In contrast the Te-containing analogues behave as oxygen or sulfur bases, because the most stable conformer is stabilized by typical X...Y[bond]H chalcogen-chalcogen interactions. These compounds have a lower basicity than expected because either chalcogen-chalcogen interactions or IHBs become weaker upon protonation. Similarly, they are also weaker acids than expected because deprotonation results in a significantly destabilized anion. Loss of the proton from the X[bond]H or Y[bond]H groups is a much more favorable than from the C[bond]H groups. Therefore, for Se compounds the deprotonation process results in loss of the X[bond]H...Se (X=O, S) IHBs present in the most stable neutral conformer, while for Te-containing compounds the stabilizing X...Y[bond]H chalcogen-chalcogen interaction present in the most stable neutral conformer becomes repulsive in the corresponding anion.     

Theoretical study of (CH...C)- hydrogen bonds in CH(4-n)X(n) (X = F, Cl; n = 0, 1, 2) systems complexed with their homoconjugate and heteroconjugate carbanions

This work deals with a theoretical study of the (CH...C)- hydrogen bonds in CH4, CH3X, and CH2X2 (X = F, Cl) complexed with their homoconjugate and heteroconjugate carbanions. The properties of the complexes are calculated with the B3LYP method using the 6-311++G(d,p) or 6-311++G(2df,2p) basis sets. The deprotonation enthalpies (DPE) of the CH bond or the proton affinities of the carbanions (PA(C-) are calculated as well. All the systems with the exception of the CH4...CHCl2(-) one are characterized by a double minimum potential. In some of the complexes, the (CH(b)...C)- hydrogen bond is linear. In other systems, such as CH3F...CH2F- and CH3F...CHF2(-), there is a large departure from linearity, the systems being stabilized by electrostatic interactions between the nonbonded H of the neutral molecule and the F atom of the carbanion. In the transition state, the (CH(b)...C)- bond is linear, and there is a large contraction of the intermolecular C...C distance. The binding energies vary within a large range, from -1.4 to -11.1 kcal mol(-1) for the stable complexes and -8.6 to -44.1 kcal mol(-1) for the metastable complexes. The energy barriers to proton transfer are between 5 and 20 kcal mol(-1) for the heteroconjugate systems and between 3.8 and 8.3 kcal mol(-1) for the homoconjugate systems. The binding energies of the linear complexes depend exponentially on 1.5DPE - PA(C-), showing that the proton donor is more important than the proton acceptor in determining hydrogen bond strength. The NBO analysis indicates an important electronic reorganization in the two partners. The elongations of the CH bond resulting from the interaction with the carbanion depend on the occupation of the sigma*(CH(b)) antibonding orbitals and on the hybridization of the C bonded to H(b). The frequency shifts of the nu(CH)(A1) stretching vibration range between 15 and 1150 cm(-1). They are linearly correlated to the elongation of the CH(b) bond.     

Theoretical studies on the reaction of pentafulvenone with water in gas phase and aqueous solvent

In gas phase, the hydrations of pentafulvenone to generate three types of cyclopentadienyl carboxylic acids are studied theoretically at the MP2/6-311+G**//B3LYP/6-311+G** level. A water molecule attacking the C=O double bond of pentafulvenone can yield cyclopentadienyl carboxylic acids via the formation of fulvenediols, and attacking the C=C double bond of pentafulvenone can directly yield cyclopentadienyl carboxylic acid. The barriers of rate-determining transition states are 42.2 and 30.4 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. The barriers of rate-determining transition states for two water molecules system are 20.2 and 19.6 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. The products can isomerize to each other. In aqueous solvent, the hydrations of pentafulvenone are investigated using PCM-UAHF model at the MP2 (PCM)/6-311+G**// B3LYP (PCM)/6-311+G** and MP2 (PCM)/6-311+G**// B3LYP/6-311+G** levels. The barriers of all rate-determining transition states are decreased. The added water molecule acts as catalyst in both gas phase and aqueous solvent. Electronic Supplementary Material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Electronic and molecular structure of aminimides (1-acyl-2,2,2-trimethyldiazan-2-ium-1-ide). 1. Formaminimide (HCON- N+ Me3)

The electronic structure and geometries of (Z)- and (E)-H-CON- N+(CH3)3 have been examined at two levels of theory: B3LYP (basis sets 6-311+G(d,p), 6-311++G(d,p), and 6-311G(3df,3pd)) and MP2(full)/6-311++G(d,p). The (Z) conformation about the C(O)-N(-) bond is thermodynamically preferred over the (E) configuration. Natural bond orbital calculation locates one lone pair of the N- in the HOMO, which is the p(z) natural hybrid orbital (perpendicular to the O=CN- N+ plane). The second lone pair (of lower energy) of N- occupies the HOMO-3, which is the natural hybrid orbital sp(1.12) (sp(1.01) for the (E) conformation, sp(1.74) in the rotational transition state). The carbonyl pi bond is the HOMO-2. The charge-transfer ability of the negative nitrogen in H-CON- N+ (CH3)3 is more powerful than that of the neutral amidic nitrogen in dimethylformamide. The following facts convincingly sustain this view: (1) the higher rotational barrier (stronger C-N(-) bond) in the case of H-CON- N+ (CH3)3, (2) natural resonance theory analysis predicts almost equal weights for the (Z)-H-C(=O)N- N+ (CH3)3 and the (Z)-H-C(O-)=NN+ (CH3)3 canonical resonance structures whereas the weight of the HCON(CH3)2 structure is almost twice as large as that of HC(O-)=N+ (CH3)2, and (3) the second-order perturbation stabilization, as a result of the donor (N-)/acceptor (carbonyl) interaction, is 101.3 kcal/mol for H-CON- N+ (CH3)3 and only 64.4 kcal/mol for dimethylformamide.     

Lithiated hydrocarbons, their conjugate bases, and corresponding radicals: a computational study of RLi (R = CH3, CH3CH2, CH2=CH, and HC triple bond C)

Organolithium compounds RLi (R = CH(3), CH(3)CH(2), CH(2)=CH, and HC(triple bond)C) and their corresponding hydrocarbons were fully optimized at the MP2/6-311+G(2df,2pd) level. Single-point energy calculations also were carried out at the CCSD(T) and B3LYP levels with the same triple split-valence basis set. Acidities, electron affinities, and bond dissociation energies are reported, and the following general results were found: (1) Alpha-lithio anions are ground-state triplet molecules. (2) Lithium is an acid-enhancing substituent. (3) Conjugate bases of organolithiums are stable with respect to electron loss and therefore are attractive targets for mass spectrometry investigations. (4) Lithium weakens alpha- and beta-C-H bonds, the latter by approximately 25 kcal mol(-1). Consequently, radical chemistry of lithiated compounds at remote sites is a promising area for exploration.     

Gas-phase identity nucleophilic substitution reactions of cyclopropenyl halides

The gas-phase identity nucleophilic substitution reactions of halide anions (X = F, Cl, and Br) with cyclopropenyl halides, X(-) + (CH)(3)X <= => X(CH)(3) + X(-), are investigated theoretically at four levels of theory, B3LYP/6-311+G**, MP2/6-311+G**, G2(+)MP2//MP2/6-311+G**, and G2(+)//MP2/6-311+G**. Four types of reaction paths, the sigma-attack S(N)2, pi-attack S(N)2'-syn, and S(N)2'-anti and sigmatropic 1,2-shift, are possible for all the halides. In the fluoride anion reactions, two types of stable adducts, syn- and anti-1,2-difluorocyclopropyl anions, can exist on the triple-well-type potential energy surface of the identity substitution reactions with rearrangement of double bond (C=C), S(N)2'-syn, and S(N)2'-anti processes. The TSs for the sigma-attack S(N)2 paths have "open" (loose) structures so that the ring positive charges are high rendering strong aromatic cyclopropenyl (delocalized) cation-like character. In contrast, in the pi-attack S(N)2' paths, a lone pair is formed at the unsubstituted carbon (C3), which stabilizes the 1,2-dihalocyclopropyl (delocalized) anion-like TS by two strong n(C)-sigma*(C-F) vicinal charge-transfer delocalization interactions. The barrier height increases in the order S(N)2'-anti < sigma-attack S(N)2 < S(N)2'-syn for X = Cl and Br, whereas for X = F the order is changed to S(N)2'-anti < S(N)2'-syn < sigma-attack S(N)2 due to the stable difluoro adduct formation. The sigmatropic 1,2-shift (circumambulatory) reactions have high activation barriers and cannot interfere with the substitution reactions.     

CH3CH2+O(3P)反应机理的理论研究

The reaction for CH3CH2+O(3P) was studied by ab initio method. The geometries of the reactants, intermediates, transition states and products were optimized at MP2/6-311+G(d,p) level. The corresponding vibration frequencies were calculated at the same level. The single-point calculations for all the stationary points were carried out at the QCISD(T)/6-311+G(d,p) level using the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) optimized geometries. The results of the theoretical study indicate that the major products are the CH2O＋CH3, CH3CHO+H and CH2CH2+OH in the reaction. For the products CH2O＋CH3 and CH3CHO+H, the major production channels are A1: (R)→IM1→TS3→(A) and B1: (R)→IM1→TS4→(B), respectively. The majority of the products CH2CH2+OH are formed via the direct abstraction channels C1 and C2: (R)→TS1(TS2)→(C). In addition, the results suggest that the barrier heights to form the CO reaction channels are very high, so the CO is not a major product in the reaction.     

Quantum mechanical investigation of the atmospheric reaction CH3O2 + NO

The important stationary points on the potential energy surface of the reaction CH(3)O(2) + NO have been investigated using ab initio and density functional theory techniques. The optimizations were carried out at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and MP2/6-311++G(d,p) levels of theory while the energetics have been refined using the G2MP2, G3//B3LYP, and CCSD(T) methodologies. The calculations allow the proper characterization of the transition state barriers that determine the fate of the nascent association conformeric minima of methyl peroxynitrite. The main products, CH(3)O + NO(2), are formed through either rearrangement of the trans-conformer to methyl nitrate and its subsequent dissociation or via the breaking of the peroxy bond of the cis-conformer to CH(3)O + NO(2) radical pair. The important consequences of the proposed mechanism are (a) the allowance on energetic grounds for nitrate formation parallel to radical propagation under favorable external conditions and (b) the confirmation of the conformational preference of the homolytic cleavage of the peroxy bond, discussed in previous literature.     

硝基甲烷异构化反应势能面的ab initio研究

在B3LYP/6-311+ +G(2d,2p)水平上,优化得到硝基甲烷CH3NO2的10种异构体和23个异构化反应过渡态,并用G2MP2方法进行了单点能计算.根据计算得到的G2MP2相对能量,探讨了CH3NO2势能面上异构化反应的微观机理.研究表明,反应初始阶段的CH3NO2异构化过程具有较高的能垒,其中CH3NO2的两个主要异构化反应通道,即CH3NO2→CH3ONO和CH3NO2→CH2N(O)OH的活化能分别为270.3和267.8 kJ/mol,均高于CH3NO2的C-N键离解能.因而,从动力学角度考虑, CH3NO2的异构化反应较为不利.     

Spectra and structure of silicon containing compounds. XXVII. Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, vibrational assignment and ab initio calculations of vinyldichlorosilane

The infrared (3200-30 cm(-1) spectra of gaseous and solid and the Raman spectra of liquid (3200-30 cm(-1), with quantitative depolarization values, and solid vinyldichlorosilane, CH2=CHSiHCl2, have been recorded. Both the gauche and the cis conformers have been identified in the fluid phases. Variable temperature (105-150 degrees C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid krypton have been carried out. From these data the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 20 +/- 5 cm(-1) (235 +/- 59 J mol(-1) with the gauche conformer the more stable rotamer. It was not possible to obtain a single conformer in the solid even with repeated annealing of the sample. The experimental enthalpy difference is in agreement with the prediction from MP2/6-311 + G(2d,2p) ab initio calculations with full electron correlation. However, when smaller basis sets, i.e. 6-31G(d) and 6-311 + G(d,p) were utilized the cis conformer was predicted to be the more stable form. Complete vibrational assignments are proposed for both conformers based on infrared contours, relative infrared and Raman intensities, depolarization values and group frequencies, which are supported by normal coordinate calculations utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. From the frequencies of the Si-H stretches, the Si-H bond distance of 1.474 A has been determined for both the gauche and the cis conformers. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined for both rotamers by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31G(d), 6-311 + G(d,p) and 6-311 + (2d,2p) basis sets at level of Hartree-Fock (RHF) and/or Moller Plesset to the second order (MP2) with full electron correlation. The potential energy terms for the conformer interconversion have been obtained from the MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. The results are discussed and compared with those obtained for some similar molecules.     

Structural and spectral characteristics of the electrogenerated tetracyanoethylene dianion

Structural and spectral characteristics of the electrogenerated tetracyanoethylene dianion (TCNE2-) were experimentally and theoretically examined. Spectroelectrochemistry of TCNE gives the spectra of TCNE2- in CH3CN at 220 nm, and in CH2Cl2 at 300 nm. These spectral characteristics are well explained by CIS/6-31G(d) and semiempirical CNDO/S-CI calculations. The bands in CH3CN and in CH2Cl2 are assigned to the degenerate 1E<--1A1 transition at the D2d structure and the 1B2u<--1Ag transition at the D2h structure, respectively. The rotation barrier of the C=C bond in TCNE2- is estimated by Hartree-Fock (HF), second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation (MP2) and fourth-order MP (MP4) calculations with 6-31G(d), 6-31+G(d) and 6-311+G(d) basis sets as 42-51 kJ mol(-1). The D2d structure is most stable, and the D2h structure represents the transition state of the internal rotation. The calculations reveal that the two-electron addition to the antibonding LUMO of TCNE causes an easy rotation around the C=C bond of TCNE2- characterized by the formal single bond. These results show that TCNE2- preferentially adopts D2d and D2h structures in solvents depending upon the solvent nature by virtue of the easy rotation around the C=C bond.     

Methyl rotational barriers in amides and thioamides

The methyl rotational barriers for a series of N-methyl-substituted amides and thioamides have been calculated at the MP2/6-311+G** level. A comparison of the N-methylformamide and methyl formate barriers indicates that the H [bond] C(Me) [bond] N [bond] H eclipsed torsional arrangement destabilizes an amide by about 0.8 kcal/mol. A comparison of thioamides and amides showed the importance of steric repulsion between the sulfur and a methyl hydrogen in the Z-forms of the thioamides. The C [bond] N bond rotation transition states of the N,N-dimethyl amides have much larger methyl rotational barriers than found in the ground states. They can be attributed to the smaller CH(3)(-)N [bond] CH(3) bond angles in the transition states.     

A computational study of intramolecular proton transfer in gaseous protonated glycine

The minimum energy paths for intramolecular proton transfer between the amino nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen atoms in gaseous protonated glycine were estimated at the Hartree-Fock (HF) and second-order M?ller-Plesset Perturbation (MP2) levels of theory. Potential energy profiles and their associated reactant, transition state, and product species calculated at the MP2/6-31G* level were shown to differ significantly from those obtained at the HF/6-31G* level. Effects of electron correlation and basis functions on the calculated geometries and energies of relevant species were examined at the HF, MP2, MP4, CCSD, and B3LYP levels using the 6-31G*, 6-31G**, 6-31+G**, 6-311+G**, 6-31+G(2d,2p), 6-311+G(3df,2p), cc-pVDZ, aug-cc-pVDZ, and cc-pVTZ basis sets. The HF and MP2 optimized levels with the 6-31G*, 6-31G**, 6-31+G**, and 6-311+G** bases were used to calculate the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the proton transfer reaction at 298.15 K and 1 atm, which include enthalpy, entropy, Gibbs free energy, equilibrium constant, potential energy barriers, tunneling transmission coefficients, and rate constants. Results indicate that the proton in a carbonyl O-protonated glycine undergoes a rapid migration to the amino nitrogen atom, while the reverse process is extremely unfavorable. The objective of this work is to develop practical theoretical procedures for studying proton transfer reactions in amino acids and peptides and to assemble physical data from these model calculations for future references.     

NMR chemical shifts. Substituted acetylenes

The MPW1PW91/6-311+G(2d,p) and MP2/6-311+G(2d,p) GIAO nuclear shieldings for a series of monosubstituted acetylenes have been calculated using the MP2/6-311G(2d,p) geometries. Axially symmetric substituents such as fluorine may lead to large changes in the isotropic shielding but have little effect on the tensor component (zz) about the C[triple bond]C bond axis. On the other hand, substituents such as vinyl and aldehyde groups lead to essentially no difference in the isotropic shielding but are calculated to give a large zz paramagnetic shift to the terminal carbon of the acetylene group, without having much effect on the inner carbon. The tensor components of the chemical shifts for trimethylsilylacetylene, methoxyacetylene, and propiolaldehyde have been measured and are in reasonable agreement with the calculations. The downfield shift at the terminal carbon of propiolaldehyde along with a small upfield shift at the adjacent carbon has been found to result from the coupling of the in-plane pi MO of the acetylene with the pi* orbital that has a node near the central carbon. The tensor components for acetonitrile also have been measured, and the shielding of cyano and acetylenic carbons are compared.     

Transition state structure and energetics of the N(2)O + X (X = Cl,Br) reactions

The structural and vibrational properties of the transition state of the N(2)O + X (X = Cl,Br) reactions have been characterized by ab initio methods using density functional theory. We have employed Becke's hybrid functional (B3LYP), and transition state optimizations were performed with 6-31G(d), 6-311G(2d,2p), 6-311+G(3d,2p), and 6-311+G(3df,2p) basis sets. For the chlorine atom reaction the coupled-cluster method (CCSD(T)) with 6-31G(d) basis set was also used. All calculations resulted in transition state structures with a planar cis arrangement of atoms for both reactions. The geometrical parameters of transition states at B3LYP are very similar, and the reaction coordinates involve mainly the breaking of the N-O bond. At CCSD(T)/6-31G(d) level a contribution of the O-Cl forming bond is also observed in the reaction coordinate. In addition, several highly accurate ab initio composite methods of Gaussian-n (G1, G2, G3), their variations (G2(MP2), G3//B3LYP), and complete basis set (CBS-Q, CBS-Q//B3LYP) series of models were applied to compute reaction energetics. All model chemistries predict exothermic reactions. The G3 and G2 methods result in the smallest deviations from experiment, 1.8 and 0 kcal mol(-1), for the enthalpies of reaction for N(2)O reaction with chlorine and bromine, respectively. The G3//B3LYP and G1 methods perform best among the composite methods in predicting energies of the transition state, with a deviation of 1.9 and 3.0 kcal mol(-1), respectively, in the activation energies for the above processes. However, the B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) method gives smaller deviations of 0.4 and -1.0 kcal mol(-1), respectively. The performance of the methodologies applied in predicting transition state energies was analyzed.