A microwave spectroscopic and quantum chemical study of 3-butyne-1-selenol (HSeCH2CH2C[triple bond]CH)

The microwave spectrum of 3-butyne-1-selenol has been studied by means of Stark-modulation microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations employing the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ and MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd) methods. Rotational transitions attributable to the H80SeCH2CH2C[triple bond]CH and H78SeCH2CH2C[triple bond]CH isotopologues of two conformers of this molecule were assigned. One of these conformers possesses an antiperiplanar arrangement for the atoms Se-C-C-C, while the other is synclinal and seems to be stabilized by the formation of a weak intramolecular hydrogen bond between the hydrogen atom of the selenol group and the pi electrons of the CC triple bond. The energy difference between these conformers was determined to be 0.2(5) kJ/mol by relative intensity measurements, and the hydrogen-bonded form was slightly lower in energy.     

Microwave spectrum and conformational composition of 2-fluoroethylisocyanide

The microwave spectrum of 2-fluoroethylisocyanide, FCH(2)CH(2)N≡C, has been investigated in the whole 50-120 GHz spectral region. Selected portions of the spectrum in the range of 18-50 GHz have also been recorded. The microwave spectra of the ground state and vibrationally excited states of two conformers have been assigned. Accurate spectroscopic constants have been derived from a large number of microwave transitions. The F-C-C-N chain of atoms is antiperiplanar in one of these rotamers and synclinal in the second conformer. The energy difference between the two forms was obtained from relative intensity measurements. It was found that the synclinal conformer is favored over the antiperiplanar form by 0.7(5) kJ/mol. Quantum chemical calculations at the high CCSD/cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory were performed. Most, but not all, of the spectroscopic constants predicted in these calculations are in good agreement with the experimental counterparts. The theoretical calculations correctly indicate that the F-C-C-N dihedral angle in the synclinal form is about 67° but underestimate the magnitude of the gauche effect and erroneously predict the antiperiplanar rotamer to be 1.3-1.6 kJ/mol more stable than the synclinal conformer.     

Microwave spectrum and conformational composition of 3-fluoropropionitrile (FCH2CH2CN)

The microwave spectrum of 3-fluoropropionitrile, FCH(2)CH(2)C≡N, has been investigated in the whole 17-75 GHz spectral region. Selected portions of the spectrum in the 75-95 GHz have also been recorded. The microwave spectra of the ground state as well as of three vibrationally excited states of each of two conformers have been assigned. The spectra of the vibrationally excited states belong to the lowest torsional and bending vibrations. The F-C-C-C chain of atoms is exactly antiperiplanar in one of these rotamers and synclinal in the second conformer. The F-C-C-C dihedral angle is 65(2)° in the synclinal form. The energy difference between the two forms has been obtained from relative intensity measurements performed on microwave transitions. It was found that the antiperiplanar conformer is more stable than the synclinal form by 1.4(5) kJ/mol. It is argued that the gauche effect is a significant force in this compound. Quantum chemical calculations at the high CCSD(full)/cc-pVTZ, MP2(full)/cc-pVTZ, and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory have been performed. Most, but not all, of the theoretical predictions are in good agreement with experiment.     

Microwave spectrum, conformation and intramolecular hydrogen bonding of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanethiol (CF3CH2SH)

The microwave spectrum of 2,2,2-trifluoroethanethiol, CF3CH2SH, and of one deuterated species, CF3CH2SD, has been investigated in the 7-80 GHz spectral interval. The microwave spectra of the ground and three vibrationally excited states belonging to three different normal modes of one conformer were assigned for the parent species, and the vibrational frequencies of these fundamentals were determined by relative intensity measurements. Only the ground vibrational state was assigned for the deuterated species. The identified form has a synclinal arrangement for the H-S-C-C chain of atoms and the corresponding dihedral angle is 68(5) degrees from synperiplanar (0 degrees). A weak intramolecular hydrogen bond formed between the thiol (SH) group and one of the fluorine atoms is stabilizing this conformer. There is no evidence in the microwave spectrum for the H-S-C-C antiperiplanar form. The hydrogen atom of the thiol group should have the ability to tunnel between two equivalent synclinal potential wells, but no splittings of spectral lines due to tunneling were observed. The microwave work was augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ and MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory.     

Microwave spectrum and conformational composition of 2-chloroethylisocyanide

2-Chloroethylisocyanide (ClCH(2)CH(2)N≡C) has been synthesized, and its microwave spectrum has been investigated in the 20-97 GHz spectral region. The spectra of (35)Cl and (37)Cl isotopologues of two conformers have been assigned. The Cl-C-C-N chain of atoms is antiperiplanar in one of these rotamers and synclinal in the second. The energy difference between the two forms has been obtained from relative intensity measurements. It was found that the antiperiplanar conformer is favored over the synclinal form by 4.3(8) kJ/mol. Quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD/cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory have been performed. Most, but not all, of the spectroscopic constants predicted in these calculations are in good agreement with their experimental counterparts. The theoretical calculations correctly predict that the 2-chloroethylisocyanide exists as a mixture of an antiperiplanar and a synclinal conformer, with the former about 3.5 kJ/mol more stable than the latter. Both methods of calculations find that the antiperiplanar rotamer has a symmetry plane. The dihedral angle formed by the Cl-C-C-N link of atoms of the synclinal form is 67° according to the CCSD calculations. It is estimated from a comparison with the experimental rotational constants that this dihedral angle is uncertain by ±3°.     

Structural and conformational properties of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol investigated by microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

The microwave spectrum of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanol, CF(3)CH(OH)CH(3), and one deuterated species, CF(3)CH(OD)CH(3), have been investigated in the 20.0-62.0 GHz spectral region at about -50 degrees C. The rotational spectrum of one of the three possible rotameric forms was assigned. This conformer is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond formed between the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group and the nearest fluorine atoms. The hydrogen bond is weak and assumed to be mainly a result of attraction between the O-H and the C-F bond dipoles, which are nearly antiparallel. The identified rotamer is at least 3 kJ/mol more stable than any other rotameric form. Two vibrationally excited states belonging to two different normal modes were assigned for this conformer, and their frequencies were determined by relative intensity measurements. The microwave work has been assisted by quantum chemical computations at the MP2/cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/6-311++G** levels of theory, as well as by the infrared spectrum of the O-H stretching vibration.     

Microwave spectrum of 3-butyne-1-thiol: evidence for intramolecular S-H...pi hydrogen bonding

The microwave spectrum of 3-butyne-1-thiol has been studied by means of Stark-modulation microwave spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations employing the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd), MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, MP2/6-311++G(3df,2pd), and G3 methods. Rotational transitions attributable to two conformers of this molecule were assigned. One of these conformers possesses an antiperiplanar arrangement of the atoms S-C1-C2-C3, while the other is synclinal and stabilized by the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the H-atom of the thiol group and the pi-electrons of the C[triple bond]C triple bond. The energy difference between these conformers was estimated to be 1.7(4) kJ mol(-1) by relative intensity measurements, with the hydrogen-bonded conformer being lower in energy. The spectra of five vibrationally excited states of the synclinal conformer were observed, and an assignment of these states to particular vibrational modes was made with the aid of a density functional theory (DFT) calculation of the vibrational frequencies at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd) level of theory.     

High resolution millimeter-wave spectroscopy of cyclopropylphosphine-borane

The microwave spectrum of cyclopropylphosphine-borane, C(3)H(5)PH(2)-BH(3), has been investigated in the frequency range 150-195 GHz. The spectral assignment was supported by high level ab initio calculations. Two stable conformations have been predicted: the most stable antiperiplanar form and synclinal form that is higher in energy by 7.3 kJ/mol. In the observed spectra, only the most stable antiperiplanar (ap) form has been assigned. The analysis of the rotational spectra in the lowest excited vibrational states of the ap conformer has enabled determination of the potential function for the C-P torsional mode in the vicinity of equilibrium position. The barrier to internal rotation of the BH(3) top has been determined to be 9.616(15) kJ/mol and agrees well with quantum chemical calculations.     

Microwave spectrum, conformational composition, and intramolecular hydrogen bonding of (2-chloroethyl)amine (ClCH2CH2NH2)

The microwave spectrum of (2-chloroethyl)amine, ClCH(2)CH(2)NH(2), has been investigated in the 22-120 GHz region. Five rotameric forms are possible for this compound. In two of these conformers, denoted I and II, the Cl-C-C-N chain of atoms is antiperiplanar, with different orientations of the amino group. The link of the said atoms is synclinal in the three remaining forms, III-V, which differ with respect to the orientation of the amino group. The microwave spectra of four of these conformers, I-IV, have been assigned. In two of these rotamers, III and IV, the amino group is oriented in such a manner that rare and weak five-membered N-H···Cl intramolecular hydrogen bonds are formed. The geometries of conformers I and II preclude a stabilization by this interaction. The energy differences between the conformers were obtained from relative intensity measurements of spectral lines. The hydrogen-bonded conformer IV represents the global energy minimum. This rotamer is 0.3(7) kJ/mol more stable than the other hydrogen-bonded conformer III, 4.1(11) kJ/mol more stable than II, and 5.5(15) kJ/mol more stable than I. The spectroscopic work has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD/cc-pVTZ and MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd) levels of theory. The CCSD rotational constants and energy differences are in good agreement with their experimental counterparts.     

A microwave spectroscopic and quantum chemical study of propa-1,2-dienyl selenocyanate (H(2)==C==CHSeC[triple bond]N) and cyclopropyl selenocyanate (C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N)

The microwave spectra of propa-1,2-dienyl selenocyanate, H(2)C==C==CHSeC[triple bond]N, and cyclopropyl selenocyanate, C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N, are reported. The spectra of the ground and two vibrationally excited states of the (80)Se isotopologue and the spectrum of the ground state of the (78)Se isotopologue were assigned for one rotameric form of H(2)C==C[double bond, length as m-dash]CHSeC[triple bond]N. This conformer is characterized by a C-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 129(5) degrees from synperiplanar (0 degrees ) and is shown to be the global minimum of H(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]CHSeC[triple bond]N. The spectra of the ground and of three vibrationally excited states of the (80)Se isotopologue, as well as of the ground state of the (78)Se isotopologue of one rotamer of C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N were assigned. This conformer has a H-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 80(4) degrees from synperiplanar and is at least 3 kJ mol(-1) more stable than any other form of the molecule. The microwave study has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+ +G(3df,3pd) and MP2/6-311+ +G(3df,3pd) levels of theory.     

Synthesis and characterization of (E)- and (Z)-3-mercapto-2-propenenitrile. Microwave spectrum of the Z-isomer

The kinetically unstable compound 3-mercapto-2-propenenitrile (HS-CH=CH-C[triple bond]N) has been prepared for the first time by flash vacuum pyrolysis at 800 degrees C of 3-(tert-butylthio)-2-propenenitrile with a yield of 77% and a Z:E ratio of 8:1. Several deuterium and 15N isotopologues were also prepared using isotopically enriched compounds. Quantum chemical calculations of the structural and conformational properties of the Z- and E-isomers were undertaken at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd), MP2/6-311++G(3df,2pd), MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, and G3 levels of theory. These methods all predict that the Z- and the E-forms each have two "stable" planar rotameric forms with the H-S-C=C link of atoms in either a synperiplanar or an antiperiplanar conformation, with the synperiplanar form of the Z-isomer as the global minimum. The Z-isomer has been investigated by means of Stark-modulation microwave spectroscopy. Spectra attributable to the parent and three deuterium-substituted isotopologues of a single conformer were recorded and assigned. Additionally, the spectrum belonging to the first excited state of the lowest bending vibration was assigned. The ground-state rotational constants obtained by the least-squares analysis of these transitions were found to be in excellent agreement with the corresponding approximate equilibrium values generated by the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations. The preferred conformer of this molecule was found to have a synperiplanar arrangement of the H-S-C=C chain of atoms and a planar or nearly planar geometry, with a stabilizing intramolecular hydrogen bond formed between the H atom of the thiol group and pi-electron density associated with the C[triple bond]N triple bond. The possible astrochemical/astrobiological significance of this compound is discussed.     

Structural and conformational properties and intramolecular hydrogen bonding of (methylenecyclopropyl)methanol, as studied by microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

The microwave spectra of (methylenecyclopropyl)methanol (H(2)C=C(3)H(3)CH(2)OH) and one deuterated species (H(2)C=C(3)H(3)CH(2)OD) have been investigated in the 20-80 GHz spectral range. Accurate spectral measurements have been performed in the 40-80 GHz spectral interval. The spectra of two rotameric forms, denoted conformer I and conformer IX, have been assigned. Both these rotamers are stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds formed between the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group and the pseudo-pi electrons on the outside of the cyclopropyl ring, the so-called "banana bonds". The carbon-carbon bond lengths in the ring are rather different. The bonds adjacent to the methylene group (H(2)C=) are approximately 7 pm shorter that the carbon-carbon bond opposite to this group. It is found from relative intensity measurements of microwave transitions that conformer IX, in which the hydrogen bond is formed with the banana bonds of the long carbon-carbon bond, is 0.4(3) kJ/mol more stable than conformer I, where the hydrogen bond is formed with the pseudo-pi electrons belonging to the shortest carbon-carbon bond of the ring. The microwave study has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/6-311++G, G3 and B3LYP/6-311++G levels of theory.     

Synthesis and microwave spectrum of vinyl isoselenocyanate (H2C═CHNCSe), a compound with a quasilinear CNCSe chain

The first α,β-unsaturated isoselenocyanate, vinyl isoselenocyanate (H(2)C═CHNCSe), has been synthesized, and its microwave spectrum has been investigated in the 11.5-77.0 GHz spectral range. The microwave work was augmented by quantum chemical calculations using four different methods, namely, CCSD(T), CCSD, B3LYP, and M062X, with the cc-pVTZ basis set. It is generally assumed that two rotamers having the isoselenocyanide group in an antiperiplanar or a synperiplanar position can exist for this compound. However, these four methods all predict that there is only one rotameric form of the molecule, namely, the antiperiplanar form. The CNC angle of the antiperiplanar rotamer is calculated to vary from 151° to 170° depending on the quantum chemical methodology. CCSD(T) and B3LYP potential functions of the in-plane CNC bending vibrations were calculated. These functions have one shallow minimum corresponding to the antiperiplanar form. The spectra of the ground and one vibrationally excited state of this rotamer were assigned. Spectral searches for the synperiplanar form were performed but were not successful, so this form must have a relatively high energy, if it exists at all. The vibrationally excited state is presumably the lowest in-plane bending vibration of the CNC angle. Relative intensity measurements yielded a very low frequency of 18(25) cm(-1) for this vibration. The large-amplitude vibration of this mode suggests that this compound should rather be regarded as having a quasilinear CNCSe link of atoms than a rigid, bent antiperiplanar form.     

A microwave and quantum chemical study of cyclopropaneselenol

The microwave spectrum of cyclopropaneselenol, C 3H 5SeH, has been investigated in the 21.9-80 GHz frequency range. The microwave spectra of the ground vibrational state of five isotopologues of cyclopropaneselenol (C 3H 5 (82)SeH, C 3H 5 (80)SeH, C 3H 5 (78)SeH, C 3H 5 (77)SeH, and C 3H 5 (76)SeH) of one conformer, as well as the spectra of two vibrationally excited states of each of the C 3H 5 (80)SeH and C 3H 5 (78)SeH isotopologues of this rotamer, have been assigned. The H-C-Se-H chain of atoms is synclinal in this conformer, and there is no indication of further rotameric forms in the microwave spectrum. The b-type transitions of the ground vibrational state of the more abundant species C 3H 5 (80)SeH and C 3H 5 (78)SeH were split into two components, which is assumed to arise from tunneling of the proton of the selenol group between two equivalent synclinal potential wells. The tunneling frequencies were 0.693(55) MHz for C 3H 5 (80)SeH and 0.608(71) MHz for C 3H 5 (78)SeH. The microwave study has been augmented by high-level density functional and ab initio quantum chemical calculations, which indicate that the H-C-Se-H dihedral angle is approximately 75 degrees from synperiplanar (0 degrees).     

Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of diethynyldimethylsilane

The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of diethynyldimethylsilane are examined theoretically using the Gaussian 98 set of quantum chemistry codes. Each of the vibrational modes was assigned to one of nine types of motion predicted by a group theoretical analysis (Si-C stretch, C[triple bond]C stretch, C-H stretch, C[triple bond]C-H bend, Si-C[triple bond]C bend, C-Si-C bend, H-C-H bend, CH3 wag, and CH3 twist) utilizing the C3v symmetry of the molecule. A set of uniform scaling factors was derived for each type of motion. Predicted infrared and Raman intensities are reported.     

A microwave and quantum chemical study of the conformational properties of etheneselenocyanate (H(2)C=CHSeC[triple bond]N)

The structural and conformational properties of etheneselenocyanate (H2C=CHSeC[triple bond]N) have been explored by microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations performed at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. The spectra of two rotameric forms were assigned. The more stable form has a synperiplanar conformation, whereas the less stable form has an anticlinal conformation characterized by a C-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 163(3) degrees from the synperiplanar position (0 degrees). The synperiplanar form was found to be 4.5(4) kJ/mol more stable than the anticlinal form by relative intensity measurements performed on microwave transitions. The spectra of several isotopologues and two vibrationally excited states were assigned for the synperiplanar conformer. The anticlinal rotamer displays a complicated pattern of low-frequency vibrational states, which is assumed to reflect the existence of a small potential hump at the antiperiplanar (180 degrees) conformation. The predictions made in the MP2 and B3LYP calculations are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental results in some cases, whereas rather large differences are seen for other molecular properties.     

A microwave and quantum chemical study of (trifluoromethyl)thiolacetic acid, CF3COSH, a compound with an unusual double-minimum potential

The microwave spectra of CF3COSH and one deuterated species, CF3COSD, have been investigated by Stark spectroscopy in the 40-80 GHz spectral range at -78 degrees C and by quantum chemical calculations using the HF, MP2, and B3LYP procedures with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. The microwave spectrum of one conformer was assigned. The conformations of the COSH and CF3 groups determine the overall conformation of this rotamer. It was not possible experimentally to find precise values for the associated dihedral angles, but it appears that the COSH group is distorted somewhat from an exact synperiplanar arrangement, while the CF3 group is rotated several degrees from a position where one of the C-F bonds eclipses the C-S bond. This rotamer tunnels through a transition state that has an exact Cs symmetry, where one C-F bond eclipses the C-S bond and the COSH group is synperiplanar. Relative intensity measurements yielded 28(15) cm-1 for the tunneling frequency. Two additional vibrationally excited states were assigned and their frequencies determined to be 94(30) and 184(40) cm-1, respectively. The theoretical calculations predict conflicting conformational properties for the identified rotamer. The B3LYP calculations find an exact synperiplanar arrangement for the COSH group, whereas the MP2 and HF calculations predict that this group is distorted slightly form this conformation. One of the C-F bonds is found to eclipse the C-S bond in the B3LYP calculations, while the MP2 calculations predict a slight deviation and the HF calculations a large deviation from the eclipsed position, as the corresponding F-C-C-S dihedral angle is calculated to be 0.9 degrees (MP2) and 27.6 degrees (HF). All three methods of calculations predict that a second rotamer coexists with the identified form but is several kJ/mol less stable. The spectrum of this form, which has overall Cs symmetry and is predicted to have an antiperiplanar conformation for the COSH group with one of the C-F bonds eclipsing the C=O bond, was not identified.     

The microwave spectrum of the 1,1-difluoroprop-2-ynyl radical, F2*C-C[triple bond]CH

The rotational spectrum of the 1,1-difluoroprop-2-ynyl radical, F2*C-C[triple bond]CH, a partially fluorinated variant of the propargyl radical, has been recorded in the ground electronic, 2B1, state using pulsed discharge, pulsed-jet, Fabry-Perot Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Five successive a-type rotational transitions, from N = 1-0 to N = 5-4, and Ka = 0, 1, and 2, were measured between 6.5 and 32.5 GHz with an uncertainty of 5 kHz. The molecular constants, including fine and hyperfine constants, were precisely determined. These constants are compared with our predictions based on a density functional theory level ab initio calculations and with the fine and hyperfine constants of the propargyl radical. The measured electron spin densities suggest that both the difluoropropargyl and the difluoroallenyl resonance forms [F2*C-C[triple bond]CH<-->F2C=C=C*H] make major contributions to the electronic structure of the radical.     

Carbon-to-carbon identity proton transfer from allene, ketene, ketenimine, and thioketene to their respective conjugate anions in the gas phase. An ab initio study.

Gas-phase acidities of CH2=C=X (X = CH2, NH, O, and S) and barriers for the identity proton transfers (X=C=CH2 + HC triple bond C-X- right harpoon over left harpoon -X-C triple bond CH + CH2=C=X) as well as geometries and charge distributions of CH2=C=X, HC triple bond C-X- and the transition states of the proton transfer were determined by ab initio methods at the MP2/6-311+G(d,p)//MP2/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory. The acidities were also calculated at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(2df,p) level. A major objective of this study was to examine how the enhanced unsaturation of CH2=C=X compared to that of CH3CH=X may affect acidities, transition state imbalances, and intrinsic barriers of the identity proton transfer. The results show that the acidities are all higher while the barriers are lower than for the corresponding CH3CH=X series. The transition states are all imbalanced but less so than for the reactions of CH3CH=X.     

Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of triethynylmethylsilane

The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of Triethynylmethylsilane (CH3Si(CCH)3) are examined theoretically using the Gaussian98 set of quantum chemistry codes. Each of the vibrational modes was assigned to one of nine types of motion predicted by a group theoretical analysis (Si-C stretch, C triple bond C stretch, C-H stretch, C triple bond C-H bend, Si-C triple bond C bend, C-Si-C bend, H-C-H bend, CH3 wag, and CH3 twist) utilizing the C3v symmetry of the molecule. A set of uniform scaling factors was derived for each type of motion. Predicted infrared and Raman intensities are reported.