A quantum chemical study of the infrared absorption intensities of the isolectronic C3v systems NH3, H3O+ and CH−3

The dipole moment derivatives and the infrared absorption intensities for the isoelectronic, isostructural species NH₃, H₃O⁺ and CH⁻₃, calculated by ab initio quantum methods within the double harmonic approximation, are reported. The calculations were performed at the SCF, CI and CPA″ levels of theory using basis sets of triple zeta+two polarization functions quality. For the ions H₃O⁺ and CH⁻₃, in the absence of adequate experimental information, the calculations are fully ab initio, since the equilibrium geometries as well as the force constants had to be computed. The applicability of the harmonic treatment to systems with inversion potentials is discussed, especially with regard to H₃O⁺. The dipole moment derivatives of the three systems show interesting, regular trends in accordance with the amount of electronic charge associated with the hydrogen atoms.     

RISM-SCF study of the free-energy profile of the Menshutkin-type reaction NH3+CH3Cl→NH3CH3++Cl− in aqueous solution

The free-energy profile for the Menshutkin-type reaction NH₃ + CH₃Cl → NH₃CH₃ ⁺ + Cl⁻ in aqueous solution is studied using the RISM-SCF method. The effect of electron correlation on the free-energy profile is estimated by the RISM-MP2 method at the HF optimized geometries along the reaction coordinate. Solvation was found to have a large influence on the vibrational frequencies at the reactant, transition state and product; these vibrational frequencies are utilized to calculate the zero-point energy correction of the free-energy profile. The computed barrier height and reaction exothermicity are in reasonable agreement with those of experiment and previous calculations. The change of solvation structure along the reaction path is represented by radial distribution functions between solute-solvent atomic sites. The mechanisms of the reaction are discussed from the view points of solute electronic and solvation structures. Received: 26 June 1998/Accepted: 28 August 1998 / Published online: 2 November 1998     

A quantum chemical study of the infrared absorption intensities of the isoelectronic C2v systems H2F+, H2O and NH−2

The results of a comparative theoretical study of the dipole moment derivatives and infrared absorption intensities within the double harmonic approximation are presented for the isoelectronic, isostructural C_2v molecules: H₂F⁺, H₂O and NH⁻₂. The calculations, performed at the ab initio SCF and CI levels of theory, utilize basis sets of triple zeta+two polarization functions quality. For the ions H₂F⁺ and NH⁻₂, in the absence of adequate experimental data the equilibrium geometries and force constants were also calculated. The trends observed in the dipole moment derivatives for the three systems are indicative of the amount of electronic charge associated with the hydrogen atoms and are very similar to the trends noted for a set of C_3v hydrides.     

Spectral shift of the n → π* transition for acetone and formic acid with an explicit solvent model

In our recent work, a new form of the electrostatic solvation energy for the nonequilibrium polarization has been derived by introducing the method of constrained equilibrium state in the framework of continuous medium theory. Up until now, the idea of the constrained equilibrium state method has not been introduced into the explicit solvent model by others; therefore this nonequilibrium energy form was further equivalently extended to the explicit solvent model in this work based on the discrete representation of the solvent permanent charges and induced dipoles. Making use of this expression in explicit solvent model, we modified the nonequilibrium module in the averaged solvent electrostatic potential/molecular dynamics program to implement numerical calculations. Subsequently, the new codes were applied to study the solvatochromic shifts of the n → π* absorption spectra for acetone and trans-formic acid in aqueous solution. The calculation results show a good agreement with the experimental observations. When our results of spectral shift are compared with those achieved directly from the continuum model, it can be seen that both the explicit solvent model and continuum model derived based on the constrained equilibrium approach can give reasonable predictions. The hydrogen bond effect was also discussed and deemed to be a dominant contribution to the spectral shift by calculating the n → π* absorption spectra of acetone-water complexes.     

A theoretical study of hydrogen- and lithium-bonded complexes of F-H∕Li and Cl-H∕Li with NF3, NH3, and NH2(CH3)

Hydrogen- and lithium-bonded complexes of A-H∕Li (A = F, Cl) with the amine analogues NF(3), NH(3), and NH(2)(CH(3)) were studied at the MP2∕6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Bond extensions and redshifts were obtained for the H-bonded complexes, while bond extensions and blueshifts were obtained for the Li-bonded species. The variation of these and other properties with the basicity of the amines was investigated and rationalized by comparing the ab initio results with predictions from a model derived from perturbation theory.     

Why edge inversion? Theoretical characterization of the bonding in the transition states for inversion in F n NH(3−n) and FnPH(3−n) (n = 0–3)

As first noted by Dixon et al. (J Am Chem Soc 108:2461–2462, 1986), heavily fluorinated pyramidal phosphorus compounds, e.g., F _n PH_(3?n) with n > 1, invert through a T-shaped transition state (edge inversion) rather than the D_3h-like transition states (vertex inversion) found in the corresponding nitrogen compounds and less fluorinated phosphorus compounds. Subsequent studies by Dixon and coworkers established that this is a general phenomenon and has important chemical consequences. But what is the reason for the change in the structure of the transition state? Recent theoretical investigations have resulted in the discovery of a new type of chemical bond, the recoupled pair bond. In particular, it was found that recoupled pair bond dyads account for the hypervalency of the elements beyond the first row. In this paper, we show that recoupled pair bond dyads also account for the existence of the edge inversion pathway in heavily fluorinated phosphorus compounds and likely account for the presence of the lower energy inversion pathways in pyramidal compounds of other elements beyond the first row.     

A time-resolved EPR study of the magnetic and decay properties of short-lived non-phosphorescent 3nπ* pyridazine

The properties of ³nπ^* pyridazine were investigated by time-resolved EPR. The zfs (X = 0.092 cm⁻¹, Y = −0.162 cm⁻¹, Z = 0.071 cm⁻¹), the sublevel decay rate constants (k_x ≈ k_z ≈ 2.0×10⁵ s⁻¹, k_y = 1.7×10⁶ s⁻¹) and the relative populating rates (P_x: P_y: P_z ≈ 0.1 : 1 : 0.1) were determined. The lack of phosphorescence is ascribed to a very large radiationless decay rate constant (k^nr ≈ 10⁶ s⁻¹).     

Vibrational circular dichroism of 2,6-di-sec-butyl-4-methylpyridine and 2,6-di-sec-butyl-4-methylpyridine-N-oxide: theoretical evidence on the existence of multiple –CH, –CH2, and –CH3⋯O intramolecular hydrogen bonds on the nitroxide oxygen

Enantiopure (±)-2,6-di-sec-butyl-4-methylpyridine and its oxidized form (±)-2,6-di-sec-butyl-4-methylpyridine-N-oxide were prepared and then separated by chiral HPLC. Their stereochemical structures and their conformational distribution in solution were investigated using vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) combined with density functional theory (DFT). The experimental spectra have been compared with theoretical data. This comparison indicated that (−)-2,6-di-sec-butyl-4-methylpyridine and its oxidized form (+)-2,6-di-sec-butyl-4-methylpyridine-N-oxide have an (S,S)-configuration and exist in several conformations. The good fit confirms the reliability of the conformational analysis. Our results indicated that going from the reduced form to the oxidized one strongly influences the type of conformers in solution. Moreover, DFT calculations showed that for all of the conformers of (S,S)-2,6-di-sec-butyl-4-methylpyridine-N-oxide, the formation of four centered intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the hydrogen of the –CH, –CH₂, and –CH₃ groups and the nitroxide oxygen is possible. Moreover the stability of the conformers of both compounds is influenced by the all-trans structure of the sec-butyl moieties.     

A comparison of the structure and bonding in the donor–acceptor complexes H3N → BR(OH)2 and H3N → BRH(OH) (R = H; NH2, OH,and F): a computational investigation

Structural Chemistry - Boronic acids, R–B(OH)2, play an important role in synthetic, biological, medicinal, and materials chemistry. Borinic acids, R–BH(OH), find relevance in similar...     

A G2(MP2) theoretical study of substituent effects on H3BNHnCl3−n (n= 3-0) donor-acceptor complexes

The complexation energies of H₃BNH_nCl_3−n (n= 3-0) complexes and the proton affinities of NH_nCl_3−n compounds have been computed at the G2(MP2) level of theory. G2(MP2) results show that the successive chlorine substitution on the ammonia decreases both the basicity of the NH_nCl_3−n ligands and the stability of H₃BNH_nCl_3−n complexes. The findings are interpreted in terms of the rehybridisation of the nitrogen lone-pair orbital. The NBO partitioning scheme shows that the variation of the N-H and N-Cl bond lengths, upon complexation, is due to variation of “s” character in these bonds.      

A density functional study for the isomers of anionic sulfur clusters Sn− (n=3–20)

The signals of anionic sulfur clusters are intense in the mass spectrum of sulfur clusters generated in direct laser vaporization. We have acquired numerous isomers of sulfur clusters by means of the B3LYP DFT method. According to total energies, the most stable S_n⁻ (n=3–13) isomers are predicted. The helical S_n (n=14–20) structures are also calculated. Most of the anionic clusters are with chain configurations; the ring clusters with threefold atom(s) are higher in total energy. The most stable forms of isomers, from S₉⁻ to S₁₃⁻, show helical configurations that are completely different from those of the corresponding neutral and cationic clusters.     

Kinetics and dynamics of the NH3 + H → NH2 + H2 reaction using transition state methods, quasi-classical trajectories, and quantum-mechanical scattering

On a recent analytical potential energy surface developed by two of the authors, an exhaustive kinetics study, using variational transition state theory with multidimensional tunneling effect, and dynamics study, using both quasi-classical trajectory and full-dimensional quantum scattering methods, was carried out to understand the reactivity of the NH(3) + H → NH(2) + H(2) gas-phase reaction. Initial state-selected time-dependent wave packet calculations using a full-dimensional model were performed, where the total reaction probabilities were calculated for the initial ground vibrational state and for four excited vibrational states of ammonia. Thermal rate constants were calculated for the temperature range 200-2000 K using the three methods and compared with available experimental data. We found that (a) the total reaction probabilities are very small, (b) the symmetric and asymmetric N-H stretch excitations enhance the reactivity, (c) the quantum-mechanical calculated thermal rate constants are about one order of magnitude smaller than the transition state theory results, which reproduce the experimental evidence, and (d) quasi-classical trajectory calculations, which were performed with the main goal of analyzing the influence of the zero-point energy problem on the final dynamics results, reproduce the quantum scattering calculations on the same surface.     

Gas-phase solvation of Cl− with H2O,CH3OH,C2H5OH,i-C3H7OH,n-C3H7OH,and t-C4H9OH

The gas-phase clustering reactions Cl⁻ (ROH)n−1 + ROH ⇄ Cl⁻ (ROH)_n with n ⩽ 11 for ROH = H₂O, CH₃OH, C₂H₅OH, i-C₃H₇OH, n-C₃H₇OH, and t-C₄H₉OH were measured using a high-pressure mass spectrometer. It seems likely that for CH₃OH and C₂H₅OH, six ligands complete the shell structure and that ligands with n ⩾ 7 belong to the outer shell. The bond energies D(ROH---Cl⁻) increase in the order H₂O < CH₃OH < C₂H₅OH < i-C₃H₇OH < t-C₄H₉OH < n-C₃H₇OH. The observed strong bond of n-C₃H₇OH---Cl⁻ may be due to the fact that both the acidic hydrogen atoms in the −OH and terminal −CH₃ of n-C₃H₇OH interact with Cl⁻ with the most favorable configuration. For Cl⁻ switching reactions, Cl⁻ (H₂O)_n + (ROH)_n ⇄ Cl⁻ (ROH)_n + (H₂O)_n, the ΔG⁰_n values converge to the values of free energies of transfer of Cl⁻ from water to ROH solvent ( = ΔG⁰_n with n → ∞) with n ≈ 7. The observed convergence of ΔG⁰_n is due to compensation of changes in enthalpy and entropy, i.e. both ΔH⁰_n and TΔS⁰_n show increasing divergence from the values of enthalpies and entropies of transfer of Cl⁻ from water to ROH solvent, respectively, with n = 1 → 7. This is due to the stronger interactions of ROH with Cl⁻ than that of H₂O in the inner shell of Cl⁻ (ROH)_n at the expense of the less favorable entropy changes (less freedom of motion for ligands in the inner shell).     

Theoretical calculations of the substituent effect on molecular properties of the RCN⋯HF hydrogen-bonded complexes with R = NH2, CH3O,CH3, OH,SH, H,Cl, F,CF3, CN and NO2

DFT calculations with B3LYP and PBE1PBE functionals and 6–311++G(d,p) basis set have been performed in order to obtain molecular geometries, binding energies and vibrational properties of the RCN?HF H-bonded complexes with R = NH₂, CH₃O, CH₃, OH, SH, H, Cl, F, CF₃, CN and NO₂. As expected, it has been verified as a red-shift of the HF stretching frequency (ν_HF), in conformity with the elongation of the bond after complexation. On the other hand, the CN stretching frequency (ν_CN) is blue-shifted and corresponds to a shortening of the bond. The binding energies (ΔE_c), including BSSE and ZPVE corrections, show a linear correlation with several structural, electronic and vibrational properties. In particular, an important linear dependence between the binding energy and the calculated dipole moment of the free RCN molecule (μ_RCN) has been found. This result suggests that μ_RCN can be a useful quantity in order to predict the ability of this fragment to form a hydrogen-bond. The IR intensities of stretching and bending modes of complexed HF acid fragment are adequately interpreted through the atomic polar tensor of the hydrogen atom in HF using the modified CCFO model for infrared intensities. The new vibrational modes arising from complexation show several interesting features.     

AB initio and configuration interaction calculations for some σ → π* superexcited states of the trans-1,3-butadiene molecule

Some σ → π¹ superexcited states of the trans-1,3-butadiene molcule have been calculated in order to establish them as possible candidates for the 9.52 eV and 11.04 eV transitions observed in the electron impact spectra of this molecule. Four states have been solved self-consistently ( 7a_g→ 2a_u2a_gand 2b_g and 6b_u→ 2a_u, 2bg) and on the basis of extensive CI calculations of transition energies and oscillator strengths, we assign the 11.04 eV transition to the ¹B_g (6b_u→ 2a_u) state. The transition observed at 9.52 eV is more likely to be either a π (la_u) → π1 transition or the first member of a Rydberg series converging to the second ionization potential.     

Negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy of solvated electron cluster anions, (H2O) n − and (NH3) n −

The photodetachment spectra of (H₂O) _n ^=2?69/? and (NH₃) _n ^=41?1100/? have been recorded, and vertical detachment energies (VDEs) were obtained from the spectra. For both systems, the cluster anion VDEs increase smoothly with increasing sizes and most species plot linearly withn ^?1/3, extrapolating to a VDE (n=∞) value which is very close to the photoelectric threshold energy for the corresponding condensed phase solvated electron system. The linear extrapolation of this data to the analogous condensed phase property suggests that these cluster anions are gas phase counterparts to solvated electrons, i.e. they are embryonic forms of hydrated and ammoniated electrons which mature with increasing cluster size toward condensed phase solvated electrons.     

A photoionization study of the ion-neutral complexes CH3CH +CH 3 · CH2CH3] and CH3CH2CH+CH 3 · CH3 in the gas phase: Formation,H-transfer and C—C bond formation between partners,and channeling of energy into dissociation

Photoionization mass spectrometry was used to investigate the dynamics of ion-neutral complex-mediated dissociations of the n-pentane ion (1). Reinterpretation of previous data demonstrates that a fraction of ions 1 isomerizes to the 2-methylbutane ion (2) through the complex CH₃CH⁺CH ₃ ^· CH₂CH₃ (3), but not through CH₃CH⁺CH₂CH ₃ ^· CH₃ (4). The appearance energy for C₃Hin ₇ ⁺ formation from 1 is 66 kJ mol^?1 below that expected for the formation of n-C₃H ₇ ⁺ and just above that expected for formation of i-C₃H ₇ ⁺ . This demonstrates that the H shift that isomerizes C₃H ₇ ⁺ is synchronized with bond cleavage at the threshold for dissociation to that product. It is suggested that ions that contain n-alkyl chains generally dissociate directly to more stable rearranged carbenium ions. Ethane elimination from 3 is estimated to be about seven times more frequent than is C-C bond formation between the partners in that complex to form 2, which demonstrates a substantial preference in 3 for H abstraction over C-C bond formation. In 1 → CH₃CH⁺CH₂CH₃ + CH₃ by direct cleavage of the C1–C2 bond, the fragments part rapidly enough to prevent any reaction between them. However, 1 → 2 → 4 → C4H ₈ ⁺ + CH₄ occurs in this same energy range. Thus some of the potential energy made available by the isomerization of n-C₄H₉ in 1 is specifically channeled into the coordinate for dissociation. In contrast, analogous formation of 3 by 1 → 3 is predominantly followed by reaction between the electrostatically bound partners.     

Solvent dependence of peak frequencies and bandwidths of the ν4 vibration of the series CH3MCl3, M  C,Si, Ge,Sn

The Raman spectra of the carbon—chlorine symmetric stretching mode, ν₄, of the Group IVA methylmetal trichlorides (CH₃MCl₃, M  C, Si, Ge, Sn) were acquired in a number of solvents of varying molecular properties. Non-linear curve fitting procedures were used to separate the four band components resulting from chlorine isotope splitting.The band maxima of the two lighter members of the series were observed to shift to lower frequency with increasing solvent polarizability, indicating the predominance of solute—solvent dispersion forces. In the germanium and tin compounds, on the other hand, the peak frequencies were correlated, instead, with solvent dipole moment. This result is in contrast to earlier studies on the ν₁ (CH₃ symmetric stretching) vibration, for which dispersion interactions are the dominant frequency displacement mechanism in all four compounds.The bandwidths of the ν₄ vibration were found to depend on dipolar interactions in the germanium and tin compounds. However, this correlation was not observed for the two lighter series members, nor for the carbon—chlorine antisymmetric stretching vibration in CH₃SnCl₃.     

Ab initio study of the complexes of first-row transition-metal ions with CH, CH_2, and CH_3

The geometries and bonding characteristics of the complexes of the first-row transition-metal ions with CH, CH_2 and CH_3 were investigated by ab initio molecular orbital theory. MCH~ and MCH_2~ are linear and coplanar, re spectively. Both of them are with obvious treble or double bond characteristics, but these multiple bonds are mostly "im perfect". The calculated bond dissociation energies of C--M~ , C=M~ and C≡M~ are mostly close to the experi mental values, and appear in similar periodic trends from Sc to Zn.     

A theoretical study of diborenes HLB=BLH for L=CO, NH3, OH2, PH3, SH2, ClH: structures, energies, and spin–spin coupling constants

Ab initio calculations were carried out to investigate the structures, binding energies, bonding, and NMR spin–spin coupling constants of complexes HLB=BLH, for L=CO, NH₃, OH₂, PH₃, SH₂, and ClH. Both B–B and B–H bonds lengthen on complex formation relative to singlet HBBH, and except for L=CO, the B–B bonds are double bonds. The order of stability of the trans isomers correlates with the ordering of ligands in the spectrochemical series of ligand field theory. The trans isomer is always more stable than the corresponding cis. Inverse correlations are found between ¹ J(B–B) and ¹ J(B–H) and the corresponding B–B and B–H distances. For the trans isomers, ¹ J(B–B) appears to be related to the ordering of ligands in the spectrochemical series, while ¹ J(B–H) is related to the protonation energy of the ligand L.