Uracil and the tautomer 4-hydroxyuracil: An ab initio study with geometry optimization

Ab initio STO -3G geometries and relative energies for uracil (U) and the tautomer 4-hydroxyuracil (U*) were obtained with the HONDO program utilizing the rapidly convergent method of Murtaugh and Sargent for geometry optimization. ΔE for U?U* is 6.61 kcal/mole. The reaction field continuum model for solvent effect indicates a preferential stabilization of U* by 1.0 kcal/mole. The calculated gas phase K_t and solution K_t for U?U* are 1.44×10^?5 and 1.3×10^?4, respectively.     

ab initio calculations and thermochemical analysis on C1 atom abstractions of chlorine from chlorocarbons and the reverse alkyl abstractions: Cl2 + R· ↔ Cl· + RCl

Thermodynamic properties (ΔH°_f(298), S°₍₂₉₈₎ and Cp(T) from 300 to 1500 K) for reactants, adducts, transition states, and products in reactions of CH₃ and C₂H₅ with Cl₂ are calculated using CBSQ//MP2/6‐311G(d,p). Molecular structures and vibration frequencies are determined at the MP2/6‐311G(d,p), with single‐point calculations for energy at QCISD(T)/6‐311 + G(d,p), MP4(SDQ)/CbsB4, and MP2/CBSB3 levels of calculation with scaled vibration frequencies. Contributions of rotational frequencies for S°₍₂₉₈₎ and Cp(T)'s are calculated based on rotational barrier heights and moments of inertia using the method of Pitzer and Gwinn [1]. Thermodynamic parameters, ΔH°_f(298), S°₍₂₉₈₎, and C_P(T), are evaluated for C₁ and C₂ chlorocarbon molecules and radicals. These thermodynamic properties are used in evaluation and comparison of Cl₂ + R· → Cl· + RCl (defined forward direction) reaction rate constants from the kinetics literature for comparison with the calculations. Data from some 20 reactions in the literature show linearity on a plot of Ea_fwd vs. ΔH_rxn,fwd, yielding a slope of (0.38 ± 0.04) and intercept of (10.12 ± 0.81) kcal/mole. A correlation of average Arrhenius preexponential factor for Cl· + RCl → Cl₂ + R· (reverse rxn) of (4.44 ± 1.58) × 10¹³ cm³/mol‐sec on a per‐chlorine basis is obtained with Ea_Rev = (0.64 ± 0.04) × ΔH_rxn,Rev + (9.72 ± 0.83) kcal/mole, where Ea_Rev is 0.0 if ΔH_rxn,Rev is more than 15.2 kcal/mole exothermic. Kinetic evaluations of literature data are also performed for classes of reactions. Ea_fwd = (0.39 ± 0.11) × ΔH_rxn,fwd + (10.49 ± 2.21) kcal/mole and average A_fwd = (5.89 ± 2.48) × 10¹² cm³/mole‐sec for hydrocarbons: Ea_fwd = (0.40 ± 0.07) × ΔH_rxn,fwd + (10.32 ± 1.31) kcal/mole and average A_fwd = (6.89 ± 2.15) × 10¹¹ cm³/mole‐sec for C₁ chlorocarbons: Ea_fwd = (0.33 ± 0.08) × ΔH_rxn,fwd + (9.46 ± 1.35) kcal/mole and average A_fwd = (4.64 ± 2.10) × 10¹¹ cm³/mole‐sec for C₂ chlorocarbons. Calculation results on the methyl and ethyl reactions with Cl₂ show agreement with the experimental data after an adjustment of +2.3 kcal/mole is made in the calculated negative Ea's. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 32: 548–565, 2000     

A flash photolysis–resonance fluorescence kinetics study of the reactions of ground-state sulfur atoms. V. Rate parameters for the reaction of S(3P)with cis-2-butene and tetramethylethylene

Rate parameters for the reaction of ground-state atomic sulfur, S(³P), with the olefins cis-2-butene and tetramethylethylene have been determined over a temperature range of ∽280°K. A major finding of this study was that the rate constants for both reactions showed negative temperature dependencies. When k is expressed in the form of an Arrhenius equation, this necessarily leads to negative activation energies: k₁ = (4.68 ± 0.70) × 10^?12 exp ^{(+0.23 ± 0.09 kcal/mole)/RT} (219°-500°K) k₂ = (4.68 ± 1.70) × 10^?12 exp ^{(+1.29 ± 0.23 kcal/mole)/RT} (252°-500°K) Units are cm³ molec^?1s^?1. When a threshold energy of 0.0 kcal/mole is assumed for reaction (2), the temperature dependence of the preexponential term has a value of T^?2. Making the usual simplifying assumptions, neither collision theory nor transition state theory leads to a preexponential factor with a strong enough negative temperature dependence. A comparison of these results with those derived from studies of the reactions of atomic oxygen, O(³P), with the same olefins shows that in both studies simple bimolecular processes were being examined. Also discussed are the possible experimental and theoretical ramifications of these new results.     

Kinetics of chemically activated ethane

Chemically activated ethane, with an excitation energy of 114.9 ± 2 kcal/mole, was formed by reaction with methane of excited singlet methylene radicals produced by the 4358 Å photolysis of diazomethane. A decomposition rate constant of (4.6 ± 1.2) × 10⁹ sec^?1 was measured for the chemically activated ethane. This result agrees, via RRKM theory, with most other chemically activated ethane data, and the result predicts, via RRKM and absolute rate theory for E₀ = 85.8 kcal/mole, E* = 114.9 kcal/mole, and k_E = 4.6 × 101 sec^?1, a thermal A-factor at 600°K of 10^16.6±0.2 sec^?1, in approximate agreement with the more recent experimental values. Combining 2 kcal/mole uncertainties in E₀ and E* with the uncertainty in our rate constant yields an A-factor range of 10^16.6±0.7 sec^?1. It is emphasized that this large uncertainty in the A-factor results from an improbable combination of uncertainty limits for the various parameters. These decomposition results predict, via absolute rate theory (with E₀(recombination) = 0) and statistical thermodynamic equilibrium constants, methyl radical recombination rates at 25°C of between 4.4 × 10⁸ to 3.1 × 10⁹ l.-mole^?1-sec^?1, which are 60 to 8 times lower, respectively, than the apparently quite reliable experimental value. A value of E₀(recombination) greater than zero offers no improvement, and a value less than zero would be quite unusual. Activated complexes consistent with the experimental recombination rate and E₀(recombination) = 0 greatly overestimate the experimental chemical activation and high pressure thermal decomposition rate data. Absolute rate theory as it is applied here in a straightforward way has failed in this case, or a significant amount of internally consistent data are in serious error. Some corrections to our previous calculations for higher alkanes are discussed in Appendix II.     

Polymerization of acrylamide with persulfate–thiomalic acid initiator

The redox system of potassium persulfate–thiomalic acid (I₁–I₂) was used to initiate the polymerization of acrylamide (M) in aqueous medium. For 20–30% conversion the rate equation is where R_p is the rate of polymerization. Activation energy is 8.34 kcal deg^?1 mole^?1 in the investigated range of temperature 25–45°C. M_n is directly proportional to [M] and inversely to [I₁]. The range of concentrations for which these observations hold at 35°C and pH 4.2 are [I₁] = (1.0–3.0) × 10^?3, [I₂] = (3.0–7.5) × 10^?3, and [M] = 5.0 × 10^?2–3.0 × 10^?1 mole/liter.     

The pyrolysis of 2-nitrosoisobutane and the bond dissociation energies of nitroso compounds

Study of the reaction by very-low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) in the temperature range of 550–850°K yields for the high-pressure Arrhenius parameters where θ = 2.303RT in kcal/mole. These in turn yield for the high-pressure second-order recombination of tBu + NO, k_?1 = (3.5 ± 1.7) × 10⁹ 1./mole·sec at 600°K. For the competing reaction l./mole·sec and E₄ ≥ 4.2 kcal/mole. The bond dissociation energy DH^o (tBu-NO) was determined to be (39.5 ± 1.5) kcal/mole, both from the equilibrium constant and from the activation energy of reaction (1), obtained from RRKM calculations. A ‘free-volume’ model for the transition state for dissociation is consistent with the data. A limited study of the system at 8–200 torr showed an extremely rapid inhibition by products and a very complex set of products.     

Kinetics of styrylquinolinc formation

A comprehensive kinetic investigation of reactions occurring in the formation of styryl-quinolines has been conducted. Specific rate data such as rate equations, rate constants, and thermodynamic activation values have been determined and utilized in a study of which factors are of greatest importance in the reactions forming 2-styrylquinolines. A mechanism has been proposed for the condensation reaction which agrees with rate relationships found. Gas-liquid partition chromatography was used to follow the kinetics of the condensation reactions. A rate constant of 5.41 × 10^?2M^?1min^?1 was found for the reaction of benzaldehyde with 2-methyl-quinoline using zinc chloride as a catalyst at 104.0°. Rate constants of 1.28 × 10^?2 MT^?1 min^?1 and 1.05 × 10^?2 M^?1 min^?1 were found for the reactions of p-methylbenzaldehyde and p-methoxybenzaldehyde with quinaldine to form 2-(p-methylstyryl)quinoline and 2-(p-methoxystyryl)-quinoline, respectively at 92.4°. A linear relationship was found using the Hammett equation. An Arrhenius plot was constructed from rate constants determined at five different temperatures for the reaction of benzaldehyde and quinaldine to form 2-styrylquinoline, using zinc chloride as a catalyst. The energy of activation, E_a, was found to be 22.2 kcal/mole for this reaction. The enthalpy of activation, ΔH?, free energy of activation, ΔF?, and entropy of activation, ΔS?, were found to be 21.4 kcal/mole, 27.7 kcal/mole and -16.7 eu/mole, respectively, at 104.0°. The mechanism proposed in the formation of 2-styrylquinoline involves the fast formation of a carbanion-zinc chloride complex, which then attacks, in the rate determining step, the aldehyde utilized in the reaction. The lack of reaction of certain methylquinolines is attributed to the inadequacy of the carbanion formed and not to the difficulty involved in the initial formation of the carbanion.     

Reactivity ratios of styrene and methyl methacrylate at 90°C

From the conversion–composition data of Gruber and Elias, the reactivity ratios of styrene (M₁) and methyl methacrylate (M₂) were calculated to be r₁ = 0.55 ± 0.02 and r₂ = 0.58 ± 0.06 at 90°C. The least-squares method was then used on these and literature values at other temperatures to obtain the Arrhenius expressions: In r₁ = 0.04736 – (235.45/T), and ln r₂ = 0.1183 – (285.36/T). Using literature values for the homopolymerization steps, A₁₁ = 2.2 × 10⁷l./mole-sec., E₁₁ = 7.8 kcal./mole, and A₂₂ = 0.51 × 10⁷ l./mole-sec.^?1, E₂₂ = 6.3 kcal./mole, activation energies and frequency factors were then calculated for the cross-polymerization steps: A₁₂ = 2.1 × 10⁷ l./mole-sec., E₁₂ = 7.3 kcal./mole, and A₂₁ = 0.45 × 10⁷ l./mole-sec., E₂₁ = 5.7 kcal./mole.     

Kinetics of the I2-catalyzed isomerization of allyl chloride to cis- and trans-1-chloro-1-propene. The stabilization energy of the chloroallyl radical

The I₂-catalyzed isomerization of allyl chloride to cis- and trans- l-chloro-l-propene was measured in a static system in the temperature range 225–329°C. Propylene was found as a side product, mainly at the lower temperatures. The rate constant for an abstraction of a hydrogen atom from allyl chloride by an iodine atom was found to obey the equation log [k,/M^?1 sec^?1] = (10.5 ± 0.2) ?; (18.3 ± 10.4)/θ, where θ is 2.303RT in kcal/mole. Using this activation energy together with 1 ± 1 kcal/mole for the activation energy for the reaction of HI with alkyl radicals gives DH⁰ (CH₂CHCHCl? H) = 88.6 ± 1.1 kcal/mole, and 7.4 ± 1.5 kcal/mole as the stabilization energy (SE) of the chloroallyl radical. Using the results of Abell and Adolf on allyl fluoride and allyl bromide, we conclude DH⁰ (CH₂CHCHF? H) = 88.6 ± 1.1 and DH⁰ (CH₂CHCHBr? H) = 89.4 ± 1.1 kcal/ mole; the SE of the corresponding radicals are 7.4 ± 2.2 and 7.8 ± 1.5 kcal/mole. The bond dissociation energies of the C? H bonds in the allyl halides are similar to that of propene, while the SE values are about 2 kcal/mole less than in the allyl radical, resulting perhaps more from the stabilization of alkyl radicals by α-halogen atoms than from differences in the unsaturated systems.     

Aqueous polymerization of acrylamide initiated by acidic potassium permanganate–ascorbic acid redox system

The polymerization of acrylamide initiated by the acidic permanganate–ascorbic acid redox pair has been studied in aqueous media at 30 ± 0.2°C in nitrogen atmosphere. The initial rate of polymerization has been found to be proportional to nearly the first power of the catalyst KMnO₄ concentration within the range 6.0 × 10^?3–14.0 × 10^?3 mole/l. The rate is proportional to the first power of the monomer concentration within the range 4.00 × 10^?2–12.0 × 10^?2 mole/l. However, the rate of polymerization is independent of ascorbic acid concentration within the range 3.0 × 10^?3–6.0 × 10^?3 mole/l., but the further increase of the concentration depresses the rate of polymerization as well as maximum conversion. The initial rate increases but the maximum conversion decreases as the temperature is increased within the range 20–35°C. The overall energy of activation has been found to be 9.8 kcal/mole. The optimum amount of sulfuric acid is essential to initiate the polymerization but its presence in excess produces no effect either on the rate of reaction or the maximum conversion. Water-miscible organic solvents and salts, e.g., CH₃OH, C₂H₅OH, (CH₃)₂CHOH, KCl, and Na₂SO₄, depress the rate. Slight amounts of MnSO₄ · H₂O and a complexing agent NaF increase the rate of polymerization. Cationic and anionic detergents have been found to decrease and increase the rate, respectively, while nonionic surfactants have no effect on the rate of polymerization.     

Kinetic studies of polymerization of propylene with active TiCl3–Zn(C2H5)2

In order to elucidate the structure of the Ziegler-Natta polymerization center, we have carried out some kinetic studies on the polymerization of propylene with active TiCl₃—Zn(C₂H₅)₂ in the temperature range of 25–56°C. and the Zn(C₂H₅)₂ concentration range of 4 × 10^?3–8 × 10^?2 mole/1., and compared the results with those obtained with active TiCl₃—Al(C₂H₅)₃. The following differences were found: (1) the activation energy of the stationary rate of polymerization is 6.5 kcal/mole with Zn(C₂H₅)₂ and 13.8 kcal./mole with Al(C₂H₅)₃; (2) the growth rate of the polymer chains with Zn(C₂H₅)₂ is about times slower at 43.5°C.; and (3) the polymerization centers formed with Zn(C₂H₅)₂ are more unstable. It can be concluded that the structure of the polymerization center with Zn(C₂H₅)₂ is different from that with Al(C₂H₅)₃.     

Deformation mechanisms of constrained polymer chains. II. Deformation energetics of tie molecules

Energy-deformation characteristics for the primary T, S, and U conformational units of tie molecules were obtained from the analysis of data generated from a constrained minimization algorithm. Energy-deformation profiles (covering the range from compact equilibrium defect structures to the fully extended chain) are reported for the S₀ and S₁ members of the S_λ family and for the U₀₀ member of the U_mn family. Estimates of the energy content V⁰ and the elastic modulus E were obtained from the computed energy-deformation data in the vicinity of the equilibrium Structure—S₀ → {60°, 180°, ?60°}, V = 1.7 kcal/mole, E = 60 kcal/cm³ [250 × 10¹⁰ dyn/cm²];S₁ → {60°, 180°, 180°, 180°, ?60°}: V = 1.7 kcal/mole, E = 25 kcal/cm³ [100 × 10¹⁰ dyn/cm²]; and U₀₀ → {60°, 180°, 60°, 180°, 60°}: V = 2.7 kcal/mole, E = 80 kcal/cm³ [340 × 10¹⁰ dyn/cm²]. Although the elastic modulus of the U₀₀ unit is comparable to the elastic modulus of the fully extended chain, the highenergy content of this unit (V₀ = 2.7 Kcal/mole) prohibits a significant population and thereby mitigates an appreciable reinforcing effect from this rigid unit. A model for a surrogate force constant is introduced to generalize the results from this study to any member of the S_λ or U_mn family as well as any combination of S_λ and U_mn units. This generalization provides a basis for estimating the deformation characteristics of tie molecules comprised of various populations of these primary conformational building blocks.     

Kinetics and rate constants for the reaction of tri-n-butylgermanium hydride with methyl iodide and carbon tetrachloride. The combination of methyl and trichloromethyl radicals in solution.

The kinetics of the photoinitiated reductions of methyl iodide and carbon tetrachloride by tri-n-butylgermanium hydride in cyclohexane at 25°C have been studied and absolute rate constants have been measured. Rate constants for the combination of CH₃? and CCl₃? radicals are equal within experimental error and are also equal to the values found for the self-reactions of most non-polymeric radicals in low viscosity solvents, i.e. ～1–3 × 10⁹ M^?1 sec^?1. Rate constants for hydrogen atom abstraction by CH₃? and CCl₃? radicals are both ～1?2 × 10⁵ M^?1 sec^?1. Tri-n-butyltin hydride is about 10–20 times as good a hydrogen donor to alkyl radicals as is tri-n-butylgermanium hydride. The strength of the germanium–hydrogen bond, D(n-Bu₃Ge–H) is estimated to be approximately 84 kcal/mole.     

Thermal decomposition of 1-butyne in shock waves

1-Butyne diluted with Ar was heated behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range of 1100–1600 K and the total density range of 1.36 × 10^?5?1.75 × 10^?5 mol/cm³. Reaction products were analyzed by gas-chromatography. The progress of the reaction was followed by IR laser kinetic absorption spectroscopy. The products were CH₄, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, allene, propyne, C₄H₂, vinylacetyiene, 1,2- butadiene, 1,3-butadiene, and benzene. The present data were successfully modeled with a 80 reaction mechanism. 1-Butyne was found to isomerize to 1,2-butadiene. The initial decomposition was dominated by 1-butyne → C₃H₃ + CH₃ under these conditions. Rate constant expressions were derived for the decomposition to be k₇ = 3.0 × 10¹⁵ exp(?75800 cal/RT) s^?1 and for the isomerization to be k₄ = 2.5 × 10¹³ exp(?65000 cal/RT) s^?1. The activation energy 75.8 kcal/mol was cited from literature value and the activation energy 65 kcal/mol was assumed. These rate constant expressions are applicable under the present experimental conditions, 1100–1600 K and 1.23–2.30 atm. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Molecular beam chemiluminescence. VIII: Pressure dependence and kinetics of Sm + (N2O,O3, F2, Cl2) and Yb + (O3, F2, Cl2) reaction. Dissociation energies of the diatomic reaction products

The CL spectra of the title reactions and their pressure dependences have been studied over the 5 × 10^?6 ? 5 × 10^?3 torr range in a beam-gas experiment. In the Sm + N₂O, O₃ and Yb + O₃ reactions simple bimolecular formation of the short lived (radiative lifetime τ_R < 3 × 10^?6 s) MO* emitters dominates the entire pressure range. In the other systems Sm + (F₂, Cl₂), Yb + (F₂, Cl₂) the CL spectra are strongly pressure dependent, indicating extensive energy transfer from long-lived intermediates. Reaction mechanisms are suggested. The quantum yields Φ, obtained by calibrating relative quantum yields with Dickson and Zare's absolute value for Sm + N₂O [Chem. Phys. 7 (1975) 367], range from Φ = 2.3% (for Sm + F₂, the most efficient reaction) down to Φ = 0.005% for Yb + Cl₂. The following lower limit estimates were obtained for the product dissociation energies from the short wavelength CL cutoffs: D⁰₀(SmF) ? 121.3 ± 2.4 kcal/mole, D⁰₀(SmCl) ? ? 100 ± 3 kcal/mole, D⁰₀(YbO) ? 94.2 ± 1.5 kcal/moie, D⁰₀(YbF) ? 123.7 ± 2.3 kcal/mole.     

The rate of the gas phase iodination of cyclobutane. The heat of formation of the cyclobutyl radical

The gas phase iodination of cyclobutane was studied spectrophotometrically in a static system over the temperature range 589° to 662°K. The early stage of the reaction was found to correspond to the general mechanism where the Arrenius parameters describing k₁ are given by log k₁/M^?1 sec^?1 = 11.66 ± 0.11 – 26.83 ± .31/θ, θ = 2.303RT in kcal/mole. The measured value of E₁, together with the fact that E_?1 = 1 ± 1 kcal/mole, provides ΔH(c-C₄H_7.) = 51.14 ± 1.0 kcal/mole, and the corresponding bond dissociation energy, D(c-C₄H₇? H) = 96.8 ± 1.0 kcal/mole. A bond dissociation energy of 1.8 kcal/mole higher than that for a normal secondary C? H bond corresponds to one half of the extra strain energy in cyclobutene compared to cyclobutane and is in excellent agreement with the recent value of Whittle, determined in a completely different system. Estimates of ΔH and entropy of cyclobutyl iodide are in very good agreement with the equilibrium constant K₁₂ deduced from the kinetic data. Also in good agreement with estimates of Arrhenius parameters is the rate of HI elimination from cyclobutyl iodide.     

Very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) of alkyl cyanides. II. n-propyl cyanide and isobutyl cyanide. The heat of formation and stabilization energy of the cyanomethyl radical

The very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) technique has been used to study the pyrolysis of n-propyl cyanide over the temperature range of 1090–1250°K. Decomposition proceeds via two pathways, C₂? C₃ bond fission and C₃? C₄ bond fission, with the former accounting for >90% of the overall decomposition. Application of unimolecular reaction rate theory shows that the experimental unimolecular rate constants for C₂? C₃ fission are consistent with the high-pressure Arrhenius parameters given by where θ=2.303RT kcal/mole. The activation energy leads to DH₂₉₈⁰[C₂H₅? CH₂CN]=76.9±1.7 kcal/mole and ΔH(?H₂CN, g)=58.5±2.2 kcal/mole. The stabilization energy of the cyanomethyl radical has been found to be 5.1±2.6 kcal/mole, which is the same as the value for the α-cyanoethyl radical. This result suggests that DH[CH₂(CN)? H] ～ 93 kcal/mole, which is considerably higher than previously reported. The value obtained for ΔH_?⁰(?H₂CN) should be usable for prediction of the activation energy for C₂? C₃ fission in primary alkyl cyanides, and this has been confirmed by a study of the VLPP of isobutyl cyanide over the temperature range of 1011–1123°K. The decomposition reactions parallel those for n-propyl cyanide, and the experimental data for C₂? C₃ fission are compatible with the Arrhenius expression A significant finding of this work is that HCN elimination from either compound is practically nonexistent under the experimental conditions. Decomposition of the radical, CH₃CHCH₂CN, generated by C₃? C₄ fission in isobutyl cyanide, yields vinyl cyanide and not the expected product, crotonitrile. This may be explained by a radical isomerization involving either a 1,2-CN shift or a 1,2-H shift.     

Thermal decomposition of benzotrifluoride. The C?C bond strength and the heat of formation of the phenyl radical

The kinetics of the decomposition of benzotrifluoride was studied from 720°c to 859°c in a flow system with and without carrier gas. Consideration of the product distribution made possible the study of the decomposition into CF₃ and C₆H₅ radicals, which appeared to be truly homogeneous in character. The first-order rate constant of the C? C bond fission, log k (sec^?1) = (17.9 ± 0.5) (99.7 ± 2.5)/θ, did not change with change of initial concentration, pressure of the carrier gas, or contact time. The Arrhenius parameters have been related to the appropriate thermodynamic data. Assumption of 0 kcal/mole for the activation energy of the reverse combination reaction yielded DH(C₆H₅? CF₃) = 103.6 ± 2.5 kcal/mole and ΔH(C₆H₅) = 77.1 ± 3.0 kcal/mole. Applicability of the simple first-order formula to calculation of the rate constant has been also dealt with.     

Substituentenabhängigkeit der Ringinversion des Ungesättigten Siebenringes bei Benzocycloheptenderivaten. Konformative Beweglichkeit flexibler Ringsysteme—XIV: Untersuchungen mit Hilfe der Protonenresonanzspektroskopie

NMR spectroscopy has been used to investigate the ring inversions of the unsaturated seven membered ring system in a total of 20 benzocycloheptene derivatives with 1, 2 and 3 pairs of geminal substituents. For all compounds the inversion of the ring at ? 80°C is ‘frozen’ and at this temperature only one conformation is present in detectable quantity, presumably that of the chair form. The free activation enthalpies ΔG^≠ for the chair inversions lie between 9·9 and 13·7 kcal/mole. For disubstituted and tetrasubstituted benzocycloheptenes the ΔG^≠ values vary according to the positions of the ligands: for disubstituted derivatives ΔG^≠ is largest for the 5-position and smallest for the 3-position. For the tetrasubstituted derivatives the inversion of the ring—compared to that in the comparable dimethyl derivatives—is made more difficult when the ligands are in the 3,6- or 3,7- positions, but is facilitated when in the 3,5- or 4,6- positions. The effect observed in the 3,5- and 4,6- substituted rings is due to transanular repulsion of synaxial substituents, which leads to a flattening of the ring. Such a repulsion does not occur when the ligands are in the 3,6- positions. On the other hand, when the ligands are in 3,7- positions the transanular repulsion leads to a stronger puckering of the chair; the inversion could be hindered by this. For benzocycloheptene the activation energies for the inversions between chair, boat and twist (S, W, T) conformations were determined from model calculations. The best route for the inversion of the chair is the version way S → W via the transitional conformation V₄₅ and V₅₆. The calculated activation energy for this (14·6 kcal/mole) agrees well with the experimentally determined value (13 ± 1·5 kcal/mole). For the pseudorotation W → T a slightly lower calculated value of 11·1 kcal/mole was found.     

Kinetics of the association of H+3 with H2 at low temperatures

The rate constant for the formation of H⁺₅ (D⁺₅) at (86 ± 3) °K by the three-body process has been determined (k₃(H) = (2.16 ± 0.10) × 10^?28 × 10^?28 cm⁶/molecule² sec and k₃(D) = (1.47 ± 0.20) × 10^?28 cm⁶/molecule² sec) in a high pressure mass spectrometer. Comparison of this result with published rate data at 300 °K indicates the reaction has an apparent activation energy of ?1.5 kcal/mole.