Matrix IR spectra and quantum chemical studies of the reaction between difluorostannylene and hept-1-yne. The first direct observation of a carbene analog π-complex with alkne

IR studies of SnF₂ and hept-1-yne codeposited in an argon matrix at 12 K has revealed new bands at 540, 565, 1011, 2088 and 3256 cm^–1, assigned to the formation of a complex between SnF₂ and the alkyne. Quantum chemical AM1 and PM3 calculations confirm this assignment to the -complex of SnF₂ and the triple bond of hept-1-yne, and show that the complex forms without an activation barrier. The energy of the formation of the complex according to AM1 and PM3 calculations is 7.4 and 9.1 kcal/mol, respectively. The calculations indicate that the product of the cycloaddition of SnF₂ to a triple bond, stannyrene, is significantly less stable than the -complex.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 54–56, January, 1994.     

Reexamination of the C2H4F potential surface. the status of the classical 2-fluoroethyl cation: a local minimum or transition structure?

According to ab initio molecular orbital calculations carried out with full geometry optimization at the MP2/6–31G^** level, the classical 2-fluoroethyl cation, FCH₂CH₂⁺, is a transition structure for H-scrambling in CH₃CHF⁺. Single point MP4/6–31G^** calculations at the optimized geometries predict the cyclic ethylene fluoronium ion to lie 24.2 kcal mol⁻¹ above CH₃CHF⁺ and 5.4 kcal mol⁻¹ below the 2-fluoroethyl cation. ΔG‡ for ring opening of the cyclic fluoronium ion at -60° is estimated to be ca 15 kcal mol⁻¹. This barrier is largely attributable to the powerful negative fluorine hyperconjugation in the transition state as described by Hoffmann and coworkers. When electron correlation effects are ignored a qualitatively different potential surface is obtained on which the 2-fluoroethyl cation is calculated to be a local minimum separated from the stable 1-fluoroethyl cation by an H-bridged transition state.     

The vibrational and NMR spectra,conformations and ab initio calculations of aminomethylene,propanedinitrile and itsN-methyl derivatives

The IR and Raman spectra of aminomethylene propanedinitrile (AM) [H₂N-CH=C(CN)₂], (methylamino)methylene propanedinitrile (MAM) [CH₃NH-CH=C(CN)₂] and (dimethylamino)methylene propanedinitrile (DMAM) [(CH₃)₂N-CH=C(CN)₂] as solids and solutes in various solvents have been recorded in the region 4000-50 cm^–1. AM and DMAM can exist only as one conformer. From the vibrational and NMR spectra of MAM in solutions, the existence of two conformers with the methyl group orientedanti andsyn toward the double C=C bond were confirmed. The enthalpy difference H ⁰ between the conformers was measured to be 3.7±1.4 kJ mol^–1 from the IR spectra in acetonitrile solution and 3.4±1.1 kJ mol^–1 from the NMR spectra in DMSO solution. Semiempirical (AM1, PM3, MNDO, MINDO3) and ab initio SCF calculations using a DZP basis set were carried out for all three compounds. The calculations support the existence of two conformersanti andsyn for MAM, withanti being 7.8 kJ mol^–1 more stable thansyn from ab initio and 8.6, 13.4, 11.6, and 10.8 kJ mor^–1 from AM1, PM3, MNDO, and MINDO3 calculations, respectively. Finally, complete assignments of the vibrational spectra for all three compounds were made with the aid of normal coordinate calculations employing scaled ab initio force constants. The same scale factors were optimized on the experimental frequencies of all three compounds, and a very good agreement between calculated and experimental frequencies was achieved.     

Matrix IR-spectroscopic and quantum-chemical study of difluorostannylene complexation with dinitrogen

Complexes of difluorostannylene with dinitrogen of composition 1∶1 and 1∶2 were stabilized in Ar matrix (12 K) and characterized by IR spectra. The bands at 588, 565, and 583, 557 cm⁻¹, respectively, were assigned to these complexes. Potential energy surfaces of the systems SnF₂+N₂ and SnF₂+2N₂ were studied by theab initio MP2/3-21G(d2)//HF/3-21G(d2) method using the basis set including polarization functions at Sn, F, and N atoms. Equilibrium structures of the complexes haveC _s andC _2v symmetry and correspond to coordination of lone electron pairs of nitrogen molecules with vacant p-AO of the carbenic center. The calculated complexation energies are equal to 4.6 and 8.9 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. Based on results of quantum-chemical calculations an interpretation of the IR spectra of the complexes was given and it was shown that cycloaddition of SnF₂ to a triple N≡N bond with formation ofcyclo-SnF₂N₂ is energetically unfavorable. The absorption band belonging to SiF₄·N₂ complex in Ar matrix was detected and assigned. Dedicated to the memory of Academician M. E. Vol'pin timed to his 75th birthday. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1087–1093, June, 1998.     

Structure and stability of closo-hexaboranes and their heteroanalogs

The molecular and electronic structures of closo-hexaboranes B₆H₆ ^2–, B₆H₇ ^–, and B₆H₈ and closo-heterohexaboranes XYB₄H₄ (X = Y = CH, N; X = BH, Y = CH^–, N^–, NH, O) were studed by the ab initio (MP2(full)/6-311+G**) and density functional (B3LYP/6-311+G**) methods. The bridging H atoms in closo-hexaboranes B₆H₇ ^– and B₆H₈ can undergo facile low-barrier migrations around the boron cage (the barrier heights are about 10—15 kcal mol^–1). All heteroboranes having octahedron-like structures with hypercoordinated N and O atoms are rather stable and can be the subject of synthetic research efforts.     

A theoretical study of the relative stability of the isomeric forms of N2O3

The electronic structure, geometrical parameters and relative stability of the isomeric forms of N₂O₃ are analysed by means of ab initio calculations. Total energies of the different isomers are given. The energy difference between the most stable conformers of the symmetric N₂O₃ is 4.31 Kcal mol^–1 as provided by 6–31G basis set. The height of the rotational barrier determined by the ab initio technique is 7.12 kcal mol^–1.Member of the Carrera del Investigador CICPBA, R. Argentina.Member of the Carrera del Investigador CONICET, R. Argentina.Predoctoral fellow of CONICET, R. Argentina.     

Effects of substituents and n-donors on the energies of Si←N,Si←O,and Si=C bonds in hypervalent silenes

The effect of the nature of substituents at sp²-hybridized silicon atom in the R₂Si=CH₂ (R = SiH₃, H, Me, OH, Cl, F) molecules on the structure and energy characteristics of complexes of these molecules with ammonia, trimethylamine, and tetrahydrofuran was studied by the ab initio (MP4/6-311G(d)//MP2/6-31G(d)+ZPE) method. As the electronegativity, χ, of the substituent R increases, the coordination bond energies, D(Si← N(O)), increase from 4.7 to 25.9 kcal mol⁻¹ for the complexes of R₂Si=CH₂ with NH₃, from 10.6 to 37.1 kcal mol⁻¹ for the complexes with Me₃N, and from 5.0 to 22.2 kcal mol⁻¹ for the complexes with THF. The n-donor ability changes as follows: THF ≤ NH₃ < Me₃N. The calculated barrier to hindered internal rotation about the silicon—carbon double bond was used as a measure of the Si=C π-bond energy. As χ increases, the rotational barriers decrease from 18.9 to 5.2 kcal mol⁻¹ for the complexes with NH₃ and from 16.9 to 5.7 kcal mol⁻¹ for the complexes with Me₃N. The lowering of rotational barriers occurs in parallel to the decrease in D _π(Si=C) we have established earlier for free silenes. On the average, the D _π(Si=C) energy decreases by ∼25 kcal mol⁻¹ for NH₃· R₂Si=CH₂ and Me₃N·R₂Si=CH₂. The D(Si←N) values for the R₂Si=CH₂· 2Me₃N complexes are 11.4 (R = H) and 24.3 kcal mol⁻¹ (R = F). sp²-Hybridized silicon atom can form transannular coordination bonds in 1,1-bis[N-(dimethylamino)acetimidato]silene (6). The open form (I) of molecule 6 is 35.1 and 43.5 kcal mol⁻¹ less stable than the cyclic (II, one transannular Si←N bond) and bicyclic (III, two transannular Si←N bonds) forms of this molecule, respectively. The D(Si←N) energy for structure III was estimated at 21.8 kcal mol⁻¹. Dedicated to Academician N. S. Zefirov on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1952–1961, September, 2005.     

Spectra and Structure of Silicon-Containing Compounds. XXV. Raman and Infrared Spectra,r 0 Structural Parameters,Vibrational Assignment,and Ab Initio Calculations of Ethyl Chlorosilane-Si-d2

The infrared (3200 to 400 cm^–1) spectra of gaseous and solid and Raman (3200 to 20 cm^–1) spectra of liquid and solid ethyl chlorosilane-Si-d₂, CH₃CH₂SiD₂Cl, have been recorded. Both the gauche and trans conformers have been identified in the fluid phases, but only the gauche conformer remains in the solid phase. Variable temperature (–105 to –150°C) studies of the infrared spectra of CH₃CH₂SiH₂Cl dissolved in liquid krypton have been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 78±11 cm^–1 (0.93±0.13 kJ/mol), with the gauche conformer the more stable form. Utilizing the frequencies of the silicon-hydrogen stretches, from the chlorosilane-Si-d isotopomer, Si—H bond distances of 1.481 and 1.480 Å have been obtained for the gauche conformer and 1.481 Å for the trans conformer. Complete vibrational assignments are proposed for both isotopomers which are consistent with the predicted frequencies utilizing the force constants from ab initio MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. Both the infrared intensities and the Raman activities and depolarization values have been obtained from the ab initio calculations. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined by ab initio calculations employing the 6-31(d), 6-311++G(d,p), and 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis sets with full electron correlation by the Moller–Plesset (MP) perturbation method to second order. Continuing the previously reported rotational constants from five different isotopomers and the ab initio predicted structural parameters, adjusted r ₀ parameters have been calculated, which are compared to the corresponding r _s parameters. The results are discussed and the theoretical values are compared to the experimental values when appropriate.Taken in part from the dissertation of Y. E. Nashed, which will be submitted to the Department of Chemistry in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree     

The influence of aniline and its derivatives on the corrosion behaviour of copper in acid solution

The inhibiting action of aniline and its derivatives on the corrosion of copper in hydrochloric acid has been investigated, with emphasis on the role of substituents. With this purpose five different anilines were selected: aniline, p-chloro aniline, p-nitro aniline, p-methoxy and p-methyl aniline. The electrochemical and gravimetric results, obtained in the absence and presence of different concentrations of inhibitors, revealed that aniline reduces the corrosion of copper, with a critical concentration of 10^–2 M. Furthermore, the interaction energy calculated as G_ads gave a value of 4.2 kcal mol^–1 indicating physisorption of the organic compound at the copper surface. The results have also shown that substituents, either electron donors (–CH₃, –OCH₃) or, electron acceptors (–NO₂, –Cl) in para position, decrease the inhibition action of aniline. A theoretical study using molecular mechanic and ab initio Hartree Fock methods, to model the adsorption of aniline on copper (100) showed results in good agreement with the experimental data. Aniline adsorbs parallel to the copper surface, showing no preference for a specific adsorption site. On the other hand, from ab initio Hartree Fock calculations, an adsorption energy between 2 kcal/mol and 5 kcal/mol is obtained, which is close to the experimental value, confirming that the adsorption of aniline on the metal substrate is rather weak. In view of these results, the orientation of the aniline molecule with respect to the copper surface is considered to be the dominant effect.     

Thermal isomerization of acetylnitrene: a quantum-chemical study

The electronic structure and pathways of thermal isomerization of formylnitrene and acetylnitrene were studied by the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) density functional method and ab initio G2(MP2,SVP) computational procedure using the geometries obtained from B3LYP calculations. According to G2 calculations, both nitrenes have singlet ground states while the energies of the corresponding triplet states are 2.8 and 5.7 kcal mol^–1 higher. For acetylnitrene, the activation barrier to the nitrene isocyanate isomerization was estimated at 28.9 kcal mol^–1 (G2). Calculations revealed no pathway for single-step isomerization of nitrene into cyanate in both systems. The formation of methyl cyanate from isocyanate is thermodynamically unfavorable (E = 26.5 kcal mol^–1) and requires a high activation barrier (89.4 kcal mol^–1) should be overcome. Based on the results obtained, the pathways of transformation of nitrene formed in thermal decomposition of acetyl azide (Curtius rearrangement) were analyzed.     

Mechanism of formation and monomolecular decomposition of aci-nitromethanes: a quantum-chemical study

A quantum-chemical study of the reactions of formation of aci-nitromethane (aci-NM) and aci-dinitromethane (aci-DNM) and their decomposition with elimination of water was carried out. The methods employed were the ab initio RHF method with inclusion of electron correlation at the MP2 level of theory and the Dunning—Hay double zeta basis set augmented with polarization d-functions on heavy-element atoms, the DFT approach at the B3LYP level, and the semiempirical PM3 method. The formation of aci-NM and aci-DNM was found to be the limiting stage of the mechanism under study. For DNM, the barrier to reaction is substantially lower than for NM. The estimates of the heights of the barriers to formation found from density functional calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(df,p) level (258 kJ mol^–1 for aci-NM and 218.5 kJ mol^–1 for aci-DNM) are thought to be the most reliable.     

Formation of a rhodium(II) monohydrido complex derived from wilkinson's complex RhCl(PPh3)3 in the interlamellar spaces of montmorillonite and catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene

The interaction of molecular hydrogen with [Rh(PPh₃)₃]⁺ (1a) “immobilized” in the interlamellar spaces of montmorillonite resulted in the formation of a monohydrido complex, [Rh^IIH(PPh₃)₃] (2a), characterized by electrochemical data of the clay-loaded electrode, IR, EPR and hydrogen absorption studies. Heterogenized homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene catalysed by 1a was investigated in the temperature range 283–313 K. The order of reaction with respect to cyclohexene and hydrogen concentration is fractional and first order with respect to catalyst concentration. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ corresponding to the formation of the monohydrido species were found to be 18 kcal mol⁻¹ and 61 e.u., respectively. The activation enthalpy, ΔH^‡, and entropy, ΔS^‡, for the hydrogenation of cyclohexene by the Rh^II—H complex in clay are more negative by about 2 kcal mol⁻¹ and 7 e.u. compared to Wilkinson's catalyst, RhCl(PPh₃)₃ (1), in homogeneous solution.     

An ab initio study of the structures and energetics of CH3OCl and CH3ClO

The equilibrium structures, vibrational spectra, and heats of formation for CH₃OCl and CH₃ClO have been estimated using high levels of ab initio molecular orbital theory. The lowest energy isomer is found to be CH₃OCl, and its heat of formation is estimated to be −13.5±2 kcal mol⁻¹, in good agreement with bond additivity estimates. Results for the CH₃ClO isomer are presented for the first time, and it is found to be 40.5 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy relative to CH₃OCl. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 73: 29–35, 1999     

Quantum calculation of the intrinsic torsional barrier of C-C and C-O bonds

PCILO and ab initio calculations have been performed to investigate the energies associated to rotation about the central bond in n-butane and methyl ethyl ether. Quantum mechanical energies have been fit to a classical intramolecular force field, containing torsional and nonbonded (Lennard-Jones 6–12 plus Coulomb) contributions, with a standard deviation comprised between 0.03 and 0.09 kcal mol^–1. Two conditions have proved indispensable to reach such level of accuracy: (a) the use of a torsional potential with threefold periodicity, which corrects for the part of the rotation barrier not covered by van der Waals repulsions and may be interpreted as bond-bond repulsion; (b) the introduction in the force field for ethers of terms accounting for orbital interaction effects of different nature than the normal molecular mechanics nonbonded interactions; these terms are represented either by low order rotational potential functions or preferably by interactions of atoms simulating lone-pair orbitals and bonded to oxygen in such a way as to render it sp ³-hybridized. According to ab initio, the height of the threefold torsional potential about C-C and C-O bonds is comparable and is of the order of 3 kcal mol^–1. According to PCILO, it is larger for C-C (ca. 1.5 kcal mol^–1) than for C-O (ca. 0.5 kcal mol^–1).     

Structural and energetic aspects of hydrogen bonding and proton transfer to ReH2(CO)(NO)(PR3)2 and ReHCl(CO)(NO)(PMe3)2 by IR and X-ray studies

The interaction of rhenium hydrides ReHX(CO)(NO)(PR₃)₂ 1 (X=H, R=Me (a), Et (b), iPr (c); X=Cl, R=Me (d)) with a series of proton donors (indole, phenols, fluorinated alcohols, trifluoroacetic acid) was studied by variable temperature IR spectroscopy. The conditions governing the hydrogen bonding ReHHX in solution and in the solid state (IR, X-ray) were elucidated. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic characteristics (−ΔH=2.3–6.1 kcal mol⁻¹) of these hydrogen bonded complexes were obtained. IR spectral evidence that hydrogen bonding with hydride atom precedes proton transfer and the dihydrogen complex formation was found. Hydrogen bonded complex of ReH₂(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ with indole (2a–indole) and organyloxy-complex ReH(OC₆H₄NO₂)(CO)(NO)(PMe₃)₂ (5a) were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A short NHHRe (1.79(5) Å) distance was found in the 2a–indole complex, where the indole molecule lies in the plane of the Re(NO)(CO) fragment (with dihedral angle between the planes 0.01°).     

Ab initio MP2 calculations of the products of acetylene addition to HgCl2

Gas-phase reaction of acetylene with HgCl₂ resulting in -chlorovinylmercury derivatives and their interaction with Cl^– and I^– anions and KI molecule was studied by the ab initio MP2 method with the Dunning—Hay double zeta basis set and LanL pseudopotential for Hg, K, and I atoms. The reaction was shown to proceed via a -complex of acetylene and HgCl₂ (the calculated enthalpy of formation is –6.5 kcal mol^–1). According to calculations, the activation energy of formation of cis--chlorovinylmercury chloride from acetylene and HgCl₂ is 31 kcal mol^–1. Chloride and iodide anions and KI molecule are readily added to both cis- and trans-isomer of -chlorovinylmercury chloride to give stable species.     

Reactions between germylenes (silylenes) and phosphaalkenes: an experimental and theoretical study. Preparation of the first representative of germaphosphacyclopropanes

Reactions of a number of germylenes and dimethylsilylene with a phosphaalkene, 2,2-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-phenyl-1-phosphaethene (1), were studied. The reaction of short-lived dimethylgermylene with 1 produced a phosphagermirane 3 (the first representative of a new class of heterocyclic compounds). Compound 3 was characterized in solution by ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. Subsequent reaction of 3 with dimethylgermylene results in 2,2,3,3-tetramethyl-4,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-phenyl-2,3-digerma-1-phosphacyclobutane 4, which has not been reported so far. In order to rationalize different reactivities of germylenes towards alkenes and phosphaalkenes, the addition products of GeH₂ to ethylene and phosphaethene (HP=CH₂) were studied using the G2 computational scheme and DFT PBE technique. The adducts of GeMe₂ (GeCl₂) with HP=CH₂ and of GeMe₂ with PhP=C(SiH₃)₂ were also calculated by the DFT PBE method. According to calculations, the exothermicity, DE, of cycloaddition of GeH₂ and GeMe₂ to the phosphaalkenes HP=CH₂ and PhP=C(SiH₃)₂ (43.5—39.7 kcal mol^–1) is nearly twice as high as the exothermicity of cycloaddition of these germylenes to ethylene. In addition to the minimum corresponding to the three-membered cycle, a number of minima corresponding to quite stable donor-acceptor complexes in which the Ge atom is coordinated by the lone electron pair of the P atom in the phosphaalkene molecule were located on the potential energy surface of the germylene—phosphaalkene system. The complexation energy of the complex of GeH₂ (GeMe₂) with phosphaethene is 25.0 (16.9) kcal mol^–1. For GeCl₂, the exothermicity of cycloaddition to HP=CH₂ decreases to 7.6 kcal mol^–1 and the complexation energy decreases to 8.2 kcal mol^–1.     

Gas‐Phase Photodissociation of CH3CHBrCOCl at 248 nm: Detection of Molecular Fragments by Time‐Resolved FT‐IR Spectroscopy

By employing time‐resolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy, the fragments HCl (v=1–3), HBr (v=1), and CO (v=1‐3) are detected in one‐photon dissociation of 2‐bromopropionyl chloride (CH₃CHBrCOCl) at 248 nm. Ar gas is added to induce internal conversion and to enhance the fragment yields. The time‐resolved high‐resolution spectra of HCl and CO were analyzed to determine the rovibrational energy deposition of 10.0±0.2 and 7.4±0.6 kcal mol^?1, respectively, while the rotational energy in HBr is evaluated to be 0.9±0.1 kcal mol^?1. The branching ratio of HCl(v>0)/HBr(v>0) is estimated to be 1:0.53. The bond selectivity of halide formation in the photolysis follows the same trend as the halogen atom elimination. The probability of HCl contribution from a hot Cl reaction with the precursor is negligible according to the measurements of HCl amount by adding an active reagent, Br₂, in the system. The HCl elimination channel under Ar addition is verified to be slower by two orders of magnitude than the Cl elimination channel. With the aid of ab initio calculations, the observed fragments are dissociated from the hot ground state CH₃CHBrCOCl. A two‐body dissociation channel is favored leading to either HCl+CH₃CBrCO or HBr+CH₂CHCOCl, in which the CH₃CBrCO moiety may further undergo secondary dissociation to release CO.     

Ab initio investigation of tautomeric stability,molecular structure,and internal rotation of methylphosphonic dicyanide,methoxydicyanophosphine, and their isocyano analogs

The equilibrium geometric parameters and structures of the transition states of internal rotation for MeP(O)(CN)₂, McOP(CN)₂, and their isocyano analogs, MeP(O)(NC)₂ and MeOP(NC)₂, have been calculated by theab initio SCF method and with inclusion of electron correlation effects according to the second-order Muuller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). At both levels the 6-31G* basis set has been used. The estimation of relative stability of these tautomeric forms depends largely on the calculation level. The total energies of the cyanides calculated by the MP2 method are 25–30 kcal mol^–1 lower than those of the corresponding isocyanides. The oxo-tautomeric forms containing four-coordinate phosphorus are 15–25 kcal mol^–1 more stable than the three-coordinate phosphorus aci-derivatives. The internal rotation potential curves of the aci-forms are characterized by a deep minimum for thetrans-arrangement of the methoxy group and phosphorus lone electron pair. Two additional less clearly pronounced minima are located symmetrically on both sides of the weak maximum, which corresponds to thecis-arrangement. The equilibrium oxo-form structures have a staggered configuration of the methyl group with respect to the phosphorus atom bonds.Translated from izvestiyaAkademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1104–1115, May, 1996.     

Molecular structure,conformational mobility,vibrational spectra,and thermochemistry of peroxyacetic acid: an ab initio and density functional study

The structure of the peroxyacetic acid (PAA) molecule and its conformational mobility under rotation about the peroxide bond was studied by ab initio and density functional methods. The free rotation is hindered by the trans-barrier of height 22.3 kJ mol^–1. The equilibrium molecular structure of AcOOH (C _s symmetry) is a result of intramolecular hydrogen bond. The high energy of hydrogen bonding (46 kJ mol^–1 according to natural bonding orbital analysis) hampers formation of intermolecular associates of AcOOH in the gas and liquid phases. The standard enthalpies of formation for AcOOH (–353.2 kJ mol^–1) and products of radical decomposition of the peroxide — AcO^· (–190.2 kJ mol^–1) and AcOO^· (–153.4 kJ mol^–1) — were determined by the G2 and G2(MP2) composite methods. The O—H and O—O bonds in the PAA molecule (bond energies are 417.8 and 202.3 kJ mol^–1, respectively) are much stronger than in alkyl hydroperoxide molecules. This provides an explanation for substantial contribution of non-radical channels of the decomposition of peroxyacetic acid. The electron density distribution and gas-phase acidity of PAA were determined. The transition states of the ethylene and cyclohexene epoxidation reactions were located (E _a = 71.7 and 50.9 kJ mol^–1 respectively).