Matrix isolation study of the reaction of dimethyl sulfoxide with CrCl2O2 and OVCl3

The matrix isolation technique, combined with infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, has been employed to investigate the thermal and photochemical reactions of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with CrCl₂O₂ and OVCl₃. Twin jet codeposition leads to formation and isolation of a photochemically unstable 1:1 complex. The photoproduct in the twin jet DMSO + CrCl₂O₂ experiments is identified as dimethyl sulfone, (CH₃)₂SO₂, interacting with the Cl₂CrO fragment, while in the analogous OVCl₃ reaction, the photoproduct bands were too weak to allow product identification. Merged jet codeposition led to rapid gas phase reaction, and in the case of DMSO + CrCl₂O₂, dimethyl sulfone is formed in high yield. This marks the first demonstration of a gas phase thermal oxygen atom transfer from CrCl₂O₂ to an organic substrate. For the reaction of DMSO with OVCl₃, no volatile products are deposited in the matrix and dimethyl sulfone is not a product. These results support differing pathways for the reactions of CrCl₂O₂ and OVCl₃, a conclusion that is supported by density functional calculations.     

Acetylenic/cyanoacetylenic complexes: simulation of the Titan’s atmosphere chemistry

The structures and energies of the 1:1 acetylene/cyanoacetylene, acetylene/dicyanoacetylene and cyanoacetylene/dicyanoacetylene complexes in solid argon matrices have been investigated using FT-IR spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory. For the three complexes, predicted frequency shifts for the L shaped structures, characterized by a hydrogen bond between the nitrogen of the cyano group and the acetylenic proton, were found to be in good agreement with those experimental. Only in the case of acetylene/cyanoacetylene complex, we obtained a second minimum with a T shaped structure characterized by an interaction between the proton of cyanoacetylene and the Π system of acetylene. It appears clearly that HC₃N acts as an electrophile or as a nucleophile in these complexes.     

An ab initio and matrix isolation infrared study of the 1:1 C2H2–CHCl3 adduct

The details of weak C–Hπ interactions that control several inter and intramolecular structures have been studied experimentally and theoretically for the 1:1 C₂H₂–CHCl₃ adduct. The adduct was generated by depositing acetylene and chloroform in an argon matrix and a 1:1 complex of these species was identified using infrared spectroscopy. Formation of the adduct was evidenced by shifts in the vibrational frequencies compared to C₂H₂ and CHCl₃ species. The molecular structure, vibrational frequencies and stabilization energies of the complex were predicted at the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels. Both the computational and experimental data indicate that the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex has a weak hydrogen bond involving a C–Hπ interaction, where the C₂H₂ acts as a proton acceptor and the CHCl₃ as the proton donor. In addition, there also appears to be a secondary interaction between one of the chlorine atoms of CHCl₃ and a hydrogen in C₂H₂. The combination of the C–Hπ interaction and the secondary ClH interaction determines the structure and the energetics of the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex. In addition to the vibrational assignments for the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex we have also observed and assigned features owing to the proton accepting C₂H₂ submolecule in the acetylene dimer.     

Water/cyanobutadiyne complexes: an infrared matrix isolation and theoretical study

The structures and energies of the 1:1 HC5N:H2O complexes in solid argon matrices have been investigated using FTIR spectroscopy and ab initio calculations, at the B3LYP/6-31G** and MP2/6-31G** levels of theory. Two types of 1:1 complexes are observed. The first one corresponds to the NH structure characterized by a hydrogen bond between H2O and the nitrogen of HC5N. The second corresponds to the OH form that involves a van der Waals interaction between the hydrogen of HC5N and the oxygen of water. HC5N can thus act either as an electrophile or as a nucleophile in complexes with water.     

The structures of some trimers of carbon monoxide—An infrared matrix isolation spectroscopic and ab initio molecular orbital study

Using a number of potential models for the gas-phase structure of the trimer of carbon monoxide as a guide, ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been carried out on this aggregate in order to determine its probable structure and vibrational spectrum in cryogenic matrices. The Fourier transform infrared spectra of carbon monoxide trapped in argon and nitrogen matrices have been recorded and, on the basis of the results of the theoretical calculations, a search for possible absorptions which may be assigned to trimeric species has been undertaken.     

Interaction in trans-2-halocyclohexanols — an infrared and theoretical study

The O–H and C–O stretching frequencies of trans-2-halocyclohexanols in CCl₄ solutions have been measured and theoretical calculations have been performed to elucidate the main interactions, which are responsible for the conformational equilibria in these systems. It can be concluded that hydrogen bonding is predominant for trans-2-fluorocyclohexanol, leading to a stabilization of the eq–eq conformation, while for the chlorine, bromine and iodine derivatives, besides hydrogen bonding, gauche and steric interactions are also present.     

Noncovalent complexes between dimethyl ether and formic acid--an ab initio and matrix isolation study.

The complexes formed by noncovalent interactions between formic acid and dimethyl ether are investigated by ab initio methods and characterized by matrix isolation spectroscopy. Six complexes with binding energies between -2.26 and -7.97 kcal mol(-1) (MP2/cc-pVTZ+zero point vibrational energy+basis set superposition erros) are identified. The two strongest bound complexes are, within a range of 0.3 kcal mol(-1), isoenergetic. The binding in these six dimers can be described in terms of OH...O, C=O...H, C-O...H and CH...O interactions. Matrix isolation spectroscopy allowed to characterize the two strongest bound complexes by their infrared spectra.     

Volumetric and infrared measurements on amorphous ice structure

We have simultaneously used adsorption isotherm volumetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in order to take the investigations on amorphous ice structure a step further, especially concerning porosity and annealing-induced modifications. We have studied surface reorganization during annealing and found that the number of surface sites decreases before crystallization, their relative ratios being different for amorphous and crystalline ice. We also present results confirming that ice can have a large specific surface area and nevertheless be non-microporous.     

In Pursuit of the PO2+ Cation. The Reaction of KPO2F2 and SbF5 leads to an Eight‐membered Antimony‐Oxygen‐Phosphorus‐bridged Ring

The reaction of KPO₂F₂ with the strong Lewis acid SbF₅ was studied as a potential pathway to the unknown PO₂⁺ cation. The resulting product has the desired PO₂SbF₆ composition but consists of an eight‐membered, antimony‐oxygen‐phosphorus‐bridged ring that was characterized by vibrational and NMR spectroscopy, ab initio methods, and a single crystal x‐ray diffraction study. The preferred formation of the ring and its mechanism are discussed.     

Matrix isolation and theoretical study of the photochemical reaction of CH3CN with CrO2Cl2 and OVCl3

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with theoretical calculations to identify and characterize the photoproducts in the reactions of CH₃CN with CrCl₂O₂ and OVCl₃. Twin jet co-deposition of these reagents led to the formation of a 1:1 molecular complex which was observed using UV/visible spectroscopy. Irradiation of these matrices with light of λ>300 nm led to the observation of new bands in the infrared spectra, the most intense of which was seen at 1942 cm⁻¹ for the CrCl₂O₂/CH₃CN system. The product bands are assigned to the ²η complexes of acetonitrile n-oxide with CrCl₂O and VCl₃, respectively. Identification of these species was supported by extensive isotopic labeling (²H and ¹⁵N), as well as by B3LYP/6-311++G(d,2p) density functional calculations.     

Intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding in formohydroxamic acid complexes with water and ammonia: infrared matrix isolation and theoretical study

The complexes of formohydroxamic acid with water and ammonia have been studied using FTIR matrix isolation spectroscopy and MP2 calculations with a 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set. The analysis of the experimental spectra of the HCONHOH/H₂O(NH₃)/Ar matrixes indicates formation of strongly hydrogen-bonded complexes in which the NH group of formohydroxamic acid acts as a proton donor toward the oxygen atom of water or the nitrogen atom of ammonia. The NH stretching vibration of formohydroxamic acid exhibits 150 cm⁻¹ red shift in the complex with water and 443 cm⁻¹ red shift in the complex with ammonia as compared to the NH stretch of the HCONHOH monomer. The theoretical calculations indicate stability of five isomers for the water complex and three isomers for the ammonia complex. The most stable are the cyclic structures in which the water or ammonia molecules are inserted within the intramolecular hydrogen bond of the formohydroxamic acid molecule and act as proton donors for the CO group and proton acceptors for the OH group of the formohydroxamic acid molecule. In spite of their stability the cyclic structures have not been observed in the matrixes which indicates high energy barrier for their formation, the reaction of complex formation is under kinetic and not thermodynamic control.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study of noble gas coordinated dipalladium–dioxygen complexes

The reaction products of palladium atoms with molecular oxygen in solid argon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. In addition to the previously reported mononuclear palladium–dioxygen complexes: Pd(η²–O₂) and Pd(η²–O₂)₂, dinuclear palladium–dioxygen complexes: Pd₂(η²–O₂) and Pd₂(η²–O₂)₂ were formed under visible light irradiation and were identified on the basis of isotopic substitution and theoretical calculations. In addition, experiments doped with xenon in argon coupled with theoretical calculations suggest that the Pd(η²–O₂), Pd₂(η²–O₂) and Pd₂(η²–O₂)₂ complexes are coordinated by two argon or xenon atoms in solid argon matrix, and therefore, should be regarded as the Pd(η²–O₂)(Ng)₂, Pd₂(η²–O₂)(Ng)₂ and Pd₂(η²–O₂)₂(Ng)₂ (NgAr or Xe) complexes isolated in solid argon.     

IR, Raman and theoretical ab initio RHF study of aminoglutethimide — an anticancer drug

A comparative analysis of the IR and Raman spectra of aminoglutethimide (AG) dissolved in CCl₄, CHCl₃ and CH₃CN was performed. Most of the absorption bands were assigned to characteristic group vibrations with the use of the IR and Raman spectra of deuterated AG, glutethimide, N-methyl glutethimide and glutarimide. The AG samples very weakly interacting with the environment were studied with the use of the Ar matrix isolation IR spectra. For comparison, the IR and Raman spectra of the crystalline samples formed by hydrogen-bonded AG molecules were recorded. The spectra were analyzed also in terms of normal modes and the harmonic approximation with the use of the ab initio restricted Hartree-Fock theory. It was found that increasing the solute concentration in CCl₄ and CHCl₃ leads to formation of the autoassociates. In CH₃CN the solute–solvent AG–CH₃CN dimers occur. Possible structures of the associates were theoretically studied on the model systems: the centrosymmetric glutarimide dimer and the linear AG–CH₃CN dimer. By a comparison of the theoretical and experimental spectra we were able to identify several peaks originating from the solute–solvent interactions.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic investigation of the coordination chemistry and reactivity of OVF3

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with infrared spectroscopy to identify and characterize the product of the codeposition of OVF₃ with NH₃ and with a series of nitrogen and oxygen donor bases into argon matrices at 14 K. This codeposition led to the formation of the isolated 1:1 complexes between OVF₃ and these bases. Each complex was characterized spectroscopically, including strong shifts to the V–F stretching modes, and a lesser shift to the V=O stretching mode. Numerous perturbed vibrational modes of the base subunits were noted, including a strong, 230 cm⁻¹ blue shift to the symmetric bending mode of NH₃. The magnitudes of these shifts indicate that OVF₃ is a moderate strength Lewis acid. However, in contrast to analogous reactions with OVCl₃, no further thermal or photochemical transformations of the complex occurred. Theoretical calculations were also carried out in support of the experimental work.     

Matrix and ab initio infrared spectra of germanium carbonyls

Germanium monocarbonyl has been prepared by high-temperature vaporization of Ge with excess carbon powder or CO co-condensation and trapped in various matrices at 12 K. Fourier transform infrared spectra, ab initio (MP2 and CISD) and density function (Becke3LYP) calculations suggested a linear species with the formula GeCO. A weak feature appearing only in annealed N₂ and CO matrices containing GeCO has tentatively been assigned to germanium dicarbonyl on grounds of isotopic substitution and theoretical calculations. SCF and CI methods predict a bent structure for this complex.     

Matrix isolation study of the photochemical reaction of cyclohexane and cyclohexene with CrCl2O2

The matrix isolation technique, combined with infrared spectroscopy, has been used to characterize the products of the photochemical reactions of cyclohexane and cyclohexene with CrCl₂O₂. While initial twin jet deposition of the reagents led to no visible changes in the recorded spectra, strong product bands were noted following irradiation with light of λ > 300 nm. The irradiation was shown to lead to oxygen atom transfer, forming complexes between cyclic alcohol derivatives and CrCl₂O, although complexes between ring expansion products and CrCl₂O could not be ruled out. This latter result could arise from C-C bond activation and oxygen atom insertion into a C-C bond. For the cyclohexene system, the cyclohexanone-CrCl₂O complex was also observed. The identification of the complexes was further supported by isotopic labeling (²H) and by density functional calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G++(d,2p) level.     

Cis- and trans-3-hexene: infrared spectrum in liquid argon solution, ab initio calculations of equilibrium geometry, normal coordinate analysis, and vibrational assignments

The infrared spectra of cis-3-hexene and trans-3-hexene dissolved in liquid argon have been obtained at temperatures from 93 to 120 K. The absorptions were observed with a low-temperature cell and a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were performed to obtain the equilibrium geometry, vibrational frequencies, force fields, and infrared intensities. The calculations were done at the Hartree-Fock level using 6-31G basis set. The Cartesian force fields from ab initio calculations have been converted to the force field in symmetry coordinates. The scale factors of ab initio calculated force fields were determined. Normal coordinate calculations were performed using a scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field. Vibrational normal modes calculated for the lowest energy rotamers of cis- and trans-3-hexene have been assigned to infrared absorption bands observed in liquid argon solution. The assignments were based on calculated frequencies and potential energy distributions. The equilibrium geometries of the two lowest energy rotamers (symmetry C₂ and C_s) of cis-3-hexene and of the three lowest energy rotamers (symmetry C_i, C₂, and C₁) of trans-3-hexene were calculated. Variable temperature studies of the infrared spectrum of cis- and trans-3-hexenes dissolved in liquid argon were done to obtain the ΔH of conversion between the rotamers C₂ and C_s of cis-3-hexene and between the rotamers C_i, C₂, and C₁ of trans-3-hexene.     

Reactions of late lanthanide metal atoms with water molecules: a matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study

The reactions of late lanthanide metal atoms (Gd-Lu) with water molecules have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. The reaction intermediates and products were identified on the basis of isotopic substitution experiments and density functional theory calculations. All of the metal atoms except Lu react with water to form the M(H2O) complexes spontaneously upon annealing (M = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Yb). The Dy(H2O) and Ho(H2O) complexes are able to coordinate a second water molecule to form the Dy(H2O)2 and Ho(H2O)2 complexes. The M(H2O) complexes isomerize to the inserted HMOH isomers under visible light irradiation, which further decompose to give the MO and/or HMO molecules upon UV light irradiation. The M(OH)2 molecules (M = Gd-Lu) were also produced. The results have been compared with our earlier work covering the early lanthanide metal atoms (Nd, Sm, Eu) to observe the existent trends for the lanthanide metal atom reactions.     

Matrix-isolation FT-IR study and theoretical calculations of the vibrational, tautomeric and H-bonding properties of hypoxanthine

The neutral compound hypoxanthine is investigated using the technique of matrix-isolation FT-IR spectroscopy combined with density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio methods. Two theoretical methods (RHF and DFT/B3-LYP) are compared for vibrational frequency prediction, and four methods (RHF//RHF, MP2//RHF, DFT//DFT and MP2//DFT) for prediction of the relative energies of the tautomers and the interaction energies of the complexes. All the possible tautomeric forms have been considered theoretically, and the results indicate that two oxo forms (O17 and O19) and one hydroxy form (H9-r1) are the three most stable forms. The experimental FT-IR spectra are consistent with this prediction, and nearly all the characteristic spectral features of these forms have been identified in the spectrum. A theoretical study of the H-bonded complexes of these three tautomers with water is also performed. Several structures have been found for each form and the results demonstrate that the closed complexes with two H-bonds are the most stable systems due to the H-bond cooperative effect.