Gas‐Phase Structure Determination of Dihydroxycarbene,One of the Smallest Stable Singlet Carbenes

Carbenes are reactive molecules of the form R¹ C̈ R² that play a role in topics ranging from organic synthesis to gas‐phase oxidation chemistry. We report the first experimental structure determination of dihydroxycarbene (HO C̈ OH), one of the smallest stable singlet carbenes, using a combination of microwave rotational spectroscopy and high‐level coupled‐cluster calculations. The semi‐experimental equilibrium structure derived from five isotopic variants of HO C̈ OH contains two very short CO single bonds (ca. 1.32 Å). Detection of HO C̈ OH in the gas phase firmly establishes that it is stable to isomerization, yet it has been underrepresented in discussions of the CH₂O₂ chemical system and its atmospherically relevant isomers: formic acid and the Criegee intermediate CH₂OO.     

Infrared Spectra of Cyanoacetaldehyde (NCCH2CHO): A Potential Prebiotic Compound of Astrochemical Interest

Cyanoacetaldehyde (NC? CH₂CH?O) and its isomer, cyanovinylalcohol (NC? CH?CH? OH), as possible components of the interstellar medium, comets, or planetary atmospheres, exist in equilibrium in the gas phase, although the latter compound is very much in the minority (2 %). The recording and analysis of the gas‐phase infrared spectrum of the former compound within the 4000–500 cm^?1 spectroscopic range and the potential presence of the latter isomer, which could be vital for their detection in these media, are reported. CCSD(T) and G4 high‐level ab initio methods, as well as density functional theory calculations, predict the existence of two stable rotamers of cyanoacetaldehyde. The global minimum has a structure with an unusual O‐C‐C‐C dihedral angle (150°) that falls between the antiperiplanar (180°) and anticlinal forms (120°). The second rotamer, which is about 4.0 kJ mol^?1 less stable in terms of free energy, has a planar structure that corresponds to the synperiplanar form (O‐C‐C‐C dihedral angle: 0°). The absorption vibrational bands of the two aldehyde rotamers that are present in the mixture lead to a spectrum with a very complex structure in the region of deformation movements, in which several low‐intensity bands overlap. A complete and unambiguous assignment of the experimental spectrum has been achieved by using the calculated harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies.     

New telechelic polymers and sequential copolymers by polyfunctional initiator-transfer agents (inifers). VII. Synthesis and characterization of α,ω-di(hydroxy)polyisobutylene

A new telechelic polyisobutylene diol, HO? CH₂? PIB? CH₂? OH, carrying two terminal primary hydroxyl end groups has been prepared from α,ω-di(isobutenyl)polyisobutylene, CH₂?C(CH₃)- CH₂? PIB? CH₂C(CH₃)?CH₂, by regioselective hydroboration followed by alkaline hydrogen peroxide oxidation. Infrared (IR) spectra, ¹H-NMR analysis of the pure and silylated products, and ultraviolet (UV) spectra of phenylisocyanate-treated diols indicate quantitative yields and two ? CH₂OH termini per polyisobutylene chain. The viscosity of HO? CH₂? PIB? CH₂? OH is higher than that of the starting α,ω-diolefin. The telechelic diol prepolymer opens new avenues to the synthesis of many new materials, e.g., polyurethanes.     

Substituent effect on electron affinity,gas‐phase basicity,and structure of monosubstituted propynyl radicals and their anions: A theoretical study

The substituent effect of electron‐withdrawing groups on electron affinity and gas‐phase basicity has been investigated for substituted propynl radicals and their corresponding anions. It is shown that when a hydrogen of the α‐CH₃ group in the propynyl system is substituted by an electron‐withdrawing substituent, electron affinity increases, whereas gas‐phase basicity decreases. These results can be explained in terms of the natural atomic charge of the terminal acetylene carbon of the systems. The calculated electron affinities are 3.28 eV (?C?C? CH₂F), 3.59 eV (?C?C? CH₂Cl) and 3.73 eV (?C?C? CH₂Br), and the gas‐phase basicities of their anions are 359.5 kcal/mol (^?:C?C? CH₂F), 354.8 kcal/mol (:C?C? CH₂Cl) and 351.3 kcal/mol (^?:C?C? CH₂Br). It is concluded that the larger the magnitude of electron‐withdrawing, the greater is the electron affinity of radical and the smaller is the gas‐phase basicity of its anion. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009     

The hydroxyl radical reaction rate constant and products of 3,5‐dimethyl‐1‐hexyn‐3‐ol

A bimolecular rate constant,k_DHO, of (29 ± 9) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 was measured using the relative rate technique for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical (OH) with 3,5‐dimethyl‐1‐hexyn‐3‐ol (DHO, HC?CC(OH)(CH₃)CH₂CH(CH₃)₂) at (297 ± 3) K and 1 atm total pressure. To more clearly define DHO's indoor environment degradation mechanism, the products of the DHO + OH reaction were also investigated. The positively identified DHO/OH reaction products were acetone ((CH₃)₂C?O), 3‐butyne‐2‐one (3B2O, HC?CC(?O)(CH₃)), 2‐methyl‐propanal (2MP, H(O?)CCH(CH₃)₂), 4‐methyl‐2‐pentanone (MIBK, CH₃C(?O)CH₂CH(CH₃)₂), ethanedial (GLY, HC(?O)C(?O)H), 2‐oxopropanal (MGLY, CH₃C(?O)C(?O)H), and 2,3‐butanedione (23BD, CH₃C(?O)C(?O)CH₃). The yields of 3B2O and MIBK from the DHO/OH reaction were (8.4 ± 0.3) and (26 ± 2)%, respectively. The use of derivatizing agents O‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentalfluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine (PFBHA) and N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) clearly indicated that several other reaction products were formed. The elucidation of these other reaction products was facilitated by mass spectrometry of the derivatized reaction products coupled with plausible DHO/OH reaction mechanisms based on previously published volatile organic compound/OH gas‐phase reaction mechanisms. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 534–544, 2004     

The [CH5NO]+ ˙ potential energy surface: Distonic ions,lon-dipole complexes and hydrogen-bridged radical cations

By combining results from a variety of mass spectrometric techniques (metastable ion, collisional activation, collision-induced dissociative ionization, neutralization-reionization spectrometry, ²H, ¹³C and ¹⁸O isotopic labelling and appearance energy measurements) and high-level ab initio molecular orbital calculations, the potential energy surface of the [CH₅NO]^{+ ˙} system has been explored. The calculations show that at least nine stable isomers exist. These include the conventional species [CH₃ONH₂]^{+ ˙} and [HO? CH₂? NH₂]^{+ ˙}, the distonic ions [O? CH₂? NH₃]^{+ ˙}, [O? NH₂? CH₃]^{+ ˙}, [CH₂? O(H)? NH₂]^{+ ˙}, [HO? NH₂? CH₂]^{+ ˙}, and the ion-dipole complex CH₂?NH₂⁺ …? OH˙. Surprisingly the distonic ion [CH₂? O? NH₃]^{+ ˙} was found not to be a stable species but to dissociate spontaneously to CH₂?O + NH₃^{+ ˙}. The most stable isomer is the hydrogen-bridged radical cation [H? C?O …? H …? NH₃]^{+ ˙} which is best viewed as an immonium cation interacting with the formyl dipole. The related species [CH₂?O …? H …? NH₂]^{+ ˙}, in which an ammonium radical cation interacts with the formaldehyde dipole is also a very stable ion. It is generated by loss of CO from ionized methyl carbamate, H₂N? C(?O)? OCH₃ and the proposed mechanism involves a 1,4-H shift followed by intramolecular ‘dictation’ and CO extrusion. The [CH₂?O …? H …? NH₂]^{+ ˙} product ions fragment exothermically, but via a barrier, to NH₄^{+ ˙} HCO^…? and to H₃N? C(H)?O^{+ ˙} H˙. Metastable ions [CH₃ONH₂]^+…? dissociate, via a large barrier, to CH₂?O + NH₃⁺ + and to [CH₂NH₂]⁺ + OH˙ but not to CH₂?O^{+ ˙} + NH₃. The former reaction proceeds via a 1,3-H shift after which dissociation takes place immediately. Loss of OH˙ proceeds formally via a 1,2-CH₃ shift to produce excited [O? NH₂? CH₃]^{+ ˙}, which rearranges to excited [HO? NH₂? CH₂]^{+ ˙} via a 1,3-H shift after which dissociation follows.     

Structure and formation of gaseous [C4H5O]+ Ions. II–Ions of the type HCC?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}(OH)(CH3)

Loss of an alkyl group X? from acetylenic alcohols HC?C? CX(OH)(CH₃) and gas phase protonation of HC?C? CO? CH₃ are both shown to yield stable HC?C? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}(OH)(CH₃) ions. Ions of this structure are unique among all other [C₄H₅O]⁺ isomers by having m/z 43 [C₂H₃O]⁺ as base peak in both the metastable ion and collisional activation spectra. It is concluded that the composite metastable peak for formation of m/z 43 corresponds to two distinct reaction profiles which lead to the same product ion, CH₃\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}?O, and neutral, HC?CH. It is further shown that the [C₄H₅O]⁺ ions from related alcohols (like HC?C? CH(OH)(CH₃)) which have an α-H atom available for isomerization into energy rich allenyl type molecular ions, consist of a second stable structure, H₂C?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}? C(OH)?CH₂.     

Lignin-type, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes of lignin-type in organic solvents

A 1:1 reaction of [HO(CH₂)₃]₃P with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cinnamaldehyde (coniferaldehyde) or 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (sinapaldehyde) in acetone at room temperature affords phosphonium zwitterions of the type R₃P⁺CH(4-O^?-Ar)CH₂CHO; other phosphines [R = Et, n-Bu, (CH₂)₂CN, and p-Tol] do not react under the same conditions. In alcohols R??OH(D) [R?? = CD₃, Et, (CD₃)₂CD, s-Bu, HOCH₂CH₂], the above phosphines (except the cyano-derivative) and those where R = i-Pr, Cy, Me₂Ph, MePh₂ do react within an equilibrium established between the reactants and the zwitterion-hemiacetal products R₃P⁺CH(4-O^?-Ar)CH₂CH(OH)(OR??) that are formed as a mixture of two diastereomers. The nature of the phosphine and the alcohol affects the equilibrium and the diastereomeric ratio.     

Theoretical Study on the Dissociation of Ligands in the Rhodium and Iridium Complexes Containing 1,1,1,5,5,5-Hexafluoroacetylacetonato

Functionalization of the inert C? H bonds of unsaturated molecules by transition metal complex is an important means to form new C? C bonds. The functionalization is usually initiated by the ligand dissociation of a complex. In this paper we employ both ab initio and density functional methods to explore the influence of central metals, conformation, solvent and protonation on the ligand dissociation of the (hfac‐O,O)₂M(L)(py) complexes [M=Rh(III) or Ir(III), hfac‐O,O=k²‐O,O‐1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoroacetylacetonato, L=CH₃, CH₃CO₂, (CH₃CO)₂CH, CH₃O or OH, py=pyridine]. We demonstrate that ligand pyridine dissociates more easily than the "L" ligands under study in aprotic solvent and gas phase and the dissociation of pyridine is more facile in the trans‐conformation than in the cis‐isomer. These phenomena are rationalized based on electronic structure and molecular orbital interactions. We show that solvation only slightly stabilizes the complexes and does not change the ligand dissociation ordering. In particular, we show that pyridine is no longer the labile ligand in protic media. Instead, the oxygen‐containing ligands (apart from those like hfac that form a cyclic structure with the central metal) that coordinate to the central metal via oxygen atom become the labile ones. Finally our calculations indicate that hfac is a stable ligand, even in protic media.     

“Roll‐over” Cyclometalation of 2,2′‐Bipyridine Platinum(II) Complexes in the Gas Phase: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

In a combined experimental/computational investigation, the gas‐phase behavior of cationic [Pt(bipy)(CH₃)((CH₃)₂S)]⁺ ( 1 ) (bipy=2,2′‐bipyridine) has been explored. Losses of CH₄ and (CH₃)₂S from 1 result in the formation of a cyclometalated 2,2′‐bipyrid‐3‐yl species [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ ( 2 ). As to the mechanisms of ligand evaporation, detailed labeling experiments complemented by DFT‐based computations reveal that the reaction follows the mechanistically intriguing “roll‐over” cyclometalation path in the course of which a hydrogen atom from the C(3)‐position is combined with the Pt‐bound methyl group to produce CH₄. Activation of a C? H‐bond of the (CH₃)₂S ligand occurs as well, but is less favored (35 % versus 65 %) as compared to the C(3)? H bond activation of bipy. In addition, the thermal ion/molecule reactions of [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ with (CH₃)₂S have been examined, and for the major pathway, that is, the dehydrogenative coupling of the two methyl groups to form C₂H₄, a mechanism is suggested that is compatible with the experimental and computational findings. A hallmark of the gas‐phase chemistry of [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ with the incoming (CH₃)₂S ligand is the exchange of one (and only one) hydrogen atom of the bipy fragment with the C? H bonds of dimethylsulfide in a reversible “roll‐over” cyclometalation reaction. The Pt^II‐mediated conversion of (CH₃)₂S to C₂H₄ may serve as a model to obtain mechanistic insight in the dehydrosulfurization of sulfur‐containing hydrocarbons.     

Synthesis of hydroxy‐terminated,oligomeric poly(silarylene disiloxane)s via rhodium‐catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling and their use in the aminosilane–disilanol polymerization reaction

A series of oligomeric, hydroxy‐terminated silarylene–siloxane prepolymers of various lengths were prepared via dehydrogenative coupling between 1,4‐bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene [H(CH₃)₂SiC₆H₄Si(CH₃)₂H] and excess 1,4‐bis(hydroxydimethylsilyl)benzene [HO(CH₃)₂SiC₆H₄Si(CH₃)₂OH] in the presence of a catalytic amount of Wilkinson's catalyst [(Ph₃P)₃RhCl]. Attempts to incorporate the diacetylene units via dehydrogenative coupling polymerization between 1,4‐bis(dimethylsilyl)butadiyne [H(CH₃)₂Si? C?C? C?C? Si(CH₃)₂H] and the hydroxy‐terminated prepolymers were unsuccessful. The diacetylene units were incorporated into the polymer main chain via aminosilane–disilanol polycondensation between 1,4‐bis(dimethylaminodimethylsilyl)butadiyne [(CH₃)₂N? Si(CH₃)₂? C?C? C?C? (CH₃)₂SiN(CH₃)₂] and the hydroxy‐terminated prepolymers. Linear polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis, and they were thermally crosslinked through the diacetylene units, producing networked polymeric systems. The thermooxidative stability of the networked polymers is discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1334–1341, 2002     

Organotin–Oxido Cluster‐Based Multiferrocenyl Complexes Obtained by Hydrolysis of Ferrocenyl‐Functionalized Organotin Chlorides

Three organotin–oxido clusters were formed by hydrolysis of ferrocenyl‐functionalized organotin chloride precursors in the presence of NaEPh (E=S, Se). [R^FcSnCl₃?HCl] ( C ; R^Fc = CMe₂CH₂C(Me)?N?N?C(Me)Fc) and [SnCl₆]^2? formed {(R^FcSnCl₂)₃[Sn(OH)₆]}[SnCl₃] ( 3 a ) and {(R^FcSnCl₂)₃[Sn(OH)₆]}[PhSeO₃] ( 3 b ), bearing an unprecedented [Sn₄O₆] unit, in a one‐pot synthesis or stepwise through [(R^FcSnCl₂)₂Se] ( 1 ) plus [(R^FcSnCl₂)SePh] ( 2 ). A one‐pot reaction starting out from FcSnCl₃ gave [(FcSn)₉(OH)₆O₈Cl₅] ( 4 ), which represents the largest Fc‐decorated Sn/O cluster reported to date.     

Binukleare Nickel(0)-Alkin-Koordinationsverbindungen – Zusammenhang zwischen Ligandperipherie und supramolekularer Struktur

Binuclear Nickel(0) Alkyne Coordination Compounds – Correlation between Ligand Periphery and Supramolecular Structure Reaction of Ni(cdt: 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene) with functionalized alkynes and subsequent reaction with ethylenediamines gives binuclear compounds of the type (diamine)Ni(μ-alkyne)Ni(alkyne). Compounds with alkyne-diols (N?N)Ni₂(HOR¹R²C? C?C? CR¹R²OH)₂ show supramolecular structures in which two identical intramolecular and one intermolecular hydrogen bonds are realized. 1 and 2 (chelate ligand in each case N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, TMEDA, in 1 R¹ = R² = Me, in 2 R¹ = R² = Et) polymer-like chains are built up by connecting the binuclear units. Via two intermolecular hydrogen bonds per organometallic unit in 1 and via one intermoleculare hydrogen bond in 2 the chains are connected to give double chains. By substitution of one methyl group of TMEDA by hydrogen ( 3 : R¹ = R² = Me) a polymerlike network is produced by connecting the polymer-like chains. In compound 4 in which one of the methyl groups of TMEDA is substituted by CH₂CH₂NMe₂ the polymer-like chains remain unconnected. In 5 (diamine = TMEDA, alkyne = (CH₃)₃C? C?C? CMe₂OH) one intermolecular hydrogen bond per organometallic unit is observed forming again polymer-like chains that are independent of each other.     

Synthese d'ethers et de thioethers allyliques fluores par catalyse par transfert de phase

Several fluorinated allylic ethers, thioethers and diethers have been prepared in excellent yields by phase transfer catalysis (CTP). The used halogenated compounds are allyl chloride and bromide, p-chloromethylstyrene. The used fluorinated alcohols are aromatic pentafluorophenol and various aliphatics: CF₃CH₂OH, CF₂HCF₂CH₂OH ClCF₂CF₂CH₂OH,C₆F₁₃C₂H₄OH, HOCH₂CF₂CFClCF₂CH₂OH and HOC₆H₄C(CF₃)₂C₆H₄OH. All these new compounds have been characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. We conclude that CTP is the best method to obtain allylic and diallylic compounds.     

Dissociation constants of 2‐azidoethanamines in aqueous solution

Aqueous‐phase dissociation constants (K_a) for the conjugate acids of a series of 2‐azidoethanamine bases: R¹N(R²)CH₂CH₂N₃ ( 1 , R¹ = CH₃, R² = H; 2 , R¹ = CH₃, R² = CH₃; 3 , R¹ = CH₂CH₃, R² = CH₂CH₃; 4 , R¹/R² =  CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂ ; 5 , R¹/R² =  CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂ ; 6 , R¹ = CH₂CH₃, R² = CH₂CH₂N₃) were measured and found to fall between those for analogous unfunctionalized and cyano‐functionalized ethanamines. To explore the possibility of a relationship existing between the constants and molecular geometry, a theoretically based study was conducted. In it, the Gibbs free energies of aqueous‐phase (equilibrium) conformers of the bases and their conjugate acids were determined via a density functional theory/polarizable continuum model method. The results indicate that an attractive interaction between the amine and azide groups that underlies the lowest‐energy gas‐phase conformer of 2 is negated in an aqueous environment by solvent–solute interactions. The magnitudes of the free energy changes of solvation and −TS (entropic) energies of the conformers of the 2‐azidoethanamines and their conjugate acids are observed to correlate with the magnitude of the separation between the conformers' amine and azide groups. However, those correlations are not by themselves sufficient to predict the relative free energies of a molecule's conformers in an aqueous environment. That insufficiency is due to the influence of the correlations being mitigated by three other parameters that arise within the thermodynamic framework employed to compute the observable. The nature of those parameters is discussed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

1‐Silacyclopent‐2‐enes and 1‐silacyclohex‐2‐enes bearing functionally substituted silyl groups in 2‐positions. Novel electron‐deficient Si?H?B bridges

The reactions of alkyn‐1‐yl(vinyl)silanes R₂Si[C?C‐Si(H)Me₂]CH?CH₂ [R = Me (1a), Ph (1b)], Me₂Si[C?C‐Si(Br)Me₂]CH?CH₂ (2a), and of alkyn‐1‐yl(allyl)silanes R₂Si[C?C‐Si(H)Me₂]CH₂CH?CH₂ (R = Me (3a), R = Ph (3b)] with 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane in a 1:1 ratio afford in high yield the 1‐silacyclopent‐2‐ene derivatives 4a, b and 5a, and the 1‐silacyclohex‐2‐ene derivatives 6a, b, respectively, all of which bear a functionally substituted silyl group in 2‐position and the boryl group in 3‐position. This is the result of selective intermolecular 1,2‐hydroboration of the vinyl or allyl group, followed by intramolecular 1,1‐organoboration of the alkynyl group. In the cases of 4a, b, potential electron‐deficient Si? H? B bridges are absent or extremely weak, whereas in 6a,b the existence of Si? H? B bridges is evident from the NMR spectroscopic data (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR). The molecular structure of 4b was determined by X‐ray analysis. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical Study of the Reactions M++CH3F (M=Ge,As, Se,Sb)

CASSCF–MRMP2 calculations have been carried out to analyze the reactions of the methyl fluoride molecule with the atomic ions Ge⁺, As⁺, Se⁺ and Sb⁺. For these interactions, potential energy curves for the low‐lying electronic states were calculated for different approaching modes of the fragments. Particularly, those channels leading to C? H and C? F oxidative addition products, H₂FC? M? H⁺ and H₃C? M? F⁺, respectively were explored, as well as the paths which evolve to the abstraction (M? F⁺+CH₃) and the elimination (CH₂M⁺+HF) asymptotes. For the reaction Ge⁺+CH₃F the only favorable channel leads to fluorine abstraction by the ion. As⁺ and Sb⁺ can react with CH₃F along pathways yielding stable addition products. However, a viable path joining the oxidative addition product H₃C? M? F⁺ with the elimination asymptote CH₂M⁺+HF was found for the reaction of the fluorocarbon compound with As⁺. No favorable channels were detected for the interaction of fluoromethane with Se⁺. The results discussed herein allow rationalizing some of the experimental data found for these interactions through gas‐phase mass spectrometry.     

Competition between H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH molecules in the formation of the simplest stable proton disolvates and their solvation in aqueous methanol solutions of KOH and CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OK

IR spectroscopic and quantum chemical methods are used to study the competition between water and methanol molecules in the formation of the simplest stable proton disolvates and their subsequent solvation in the case of solutions of KOH in CH₃OH and CH₃OK in H₂O with similar stoichiometries (~1:3-3.5). The complexes found in these solutions are analysed to determine their composition and structure: they are found to be heteroions (CH₃O?H?OH)^– solvated by two similar solvent molecules. In both cases, there are virtually no complexes of the second possible type (CH₃OH·(CH₃O?H?OCH₃)^–··H₂O or CH₃OH·(HO?H?OH)^–·H₂O), which appears to be due to the stoichiometric compositions of the solutions. It is shown that a DFT calculation (B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)) of linear complexes with strong (~15-30 kcal/mol) H bonds reproduces, with good accuracy, the IR spectra of the solutions, which consist mainly of these complexes.     

Thermotropic Liquid Crystals Based on Extended 2,5‐Disubstituted‐1,3,4‐Oxadiazoles: Structure–Property Relationships,Variable‐Temperature Powder X‐ray Diffraction,and Small‐Angle X‐ray Scattering Studies

A class of extended 2,5‐disubstituted‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles R¹‐C₆H₄‐{OC₂N₂}‐C₆H₄‐R² (R¹=R²=C₁₀H₂₁O 1 a , p‐C₁₀H₂₁O‐C₆H₄‐C?C 3 a , p‐CH₃O‐C₆H₄‐C?C 3 b ; R¹=C₁₀H₂₁O, R²=CH₃O 1 b , (CH₃)₂N 1 c ; F 1 d ; R¹=C₁₀H₂₁O‐C₆H₄‐C?C, R²=C₁₀H₂₁O 2 a , CH₃O 2 b , (CH₃)₂N 2 c , F 2 d ) were prepared, and their liquid‐crystalline properties were examined. In CH₂Cl₂ solution, these compounds displayed a room‐temperature emission with λ_max at 340–471 nm and quantum yields of 0.73–0.97. Compounds 1 d , 2 a – 2 d , and 3 a exhibited various thermotropic mesophases (monotropic, enantiotropic nematic/smectic), which were examined by polarized‐light optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Structure determination by a direct‐space approach using simulated annealing or parallel tempering of the powder X‐ray diffraction data revealed distinctive crystal‐packing arrangements for mesogenic molecules 2 b and 3 a , leading to different nematic mesophase behavior, with 2 b being monotropic and 3 a enantiotropic in the narrow temperature range of 200–210 °C. The structural transitions associated with these crystalline solids and their mesophases were studied by variable‐temperature X‐ray diffractometry. Nondestructive phase transitions (crystal‐to‐crystal, crystal‐to‐mesophase, mesophase‐to‐liquid) were observed in the diffractograms of 1 b, 1 d , 2 b, 2 d , and 3 a measured at 25–200 °C. Powder X‐ray diffraction and small‐angle X‐ray scattering data revealed that the structure of the annealed solid residue 2 b reverted to its original crystal/molecular packing when the isotropic liquid was cooled to room temperature. Structure–property relationships within these mesomorphic solids are discussed in the context of their molecular structures and intermolecular interactions.     

Tautomerism of monochalcogenosilanoic acids CH3Si(O)XH (X = S,Se, Te) in the gas phase and in the polar and aprotic solution: An ab initio computational investigation

Computational investigations by an ab initio molecular orbital method (HF and MP2) with the 6‐311+G(d,p) and 6‐311++G(2df, 2pd) basis sets on the tautomerism of three monochalcogenosilanoic acids CH₃Si(?O)XH (X = S, Se, and Te) in the gas phase and a polar and aprotic solution tetrahydrofuran (THF) was undertaken. Calculated results show that the silanol forms CH₃Si(?X)OH are much more stable than the silanone forms CH₃Si(?O)XH in the gas‐phase, which is different from the monochalcogenocarboxylic acids, where the keto forms CH₃C(?O)XH are dominant. This situation may be attributed to the fact that the Si? O and O? H single bonds in the silanol forms are stronger than the Si? X and X? H single bonds in the silanone forms, respectively, even though the Si?X (X = S, Se, and Te) double bonds are much weaker than the Si?O double bond. These results indicate that the stability of the monochalcogenosilanoic acid tautomers is not determined by the double bond energies, contrary to the earlier explanation based on the incorrect assumption that the Si?S double bond is stronger than the S?O double bond for the tautomeric equilibrium of RSi(?O)SH (R?H, F, Cl, CH₃, OH, NH₂) to shift towards the thione forms [RSi(?S)OH]. The binding with CH₃OCH₃ enhances the preference of the silanol form in the tautomeric equilibrium, and meanwhile significantly lowers the tautomeric barriers by more than 34 kJ/mol in THF solution. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008