The High‐Pressure Phase of MgB2C2

A high‐pressure modification of MgB₂C₂ was synthesized and structurally characterized. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnnm, with the lattice parameters a = 7.19633(3) Å, b = 4.61791(13) Å and c = 2.77714(8) Å. The compound contains heterographene B–C nets, isoelectronic to graphite, just like the ambient pressure modification. The layers are intercalated by magnesium atoms, which are arranged in a chain‐like manner. According to Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, the high‐pressure form of MgB₂C₂ is a semiconductor with a band gap of 1.02 eV. The compound does not undergo a superconducting transition down to 2 K.     

Atom Exchange Versus Reconstruction: (GexAs4−x)x− (x=2, 3) as Building Blocks for the Supertetrahedral Zintl Cluster [Au6(Ge3As)(Ge2As2)3]3−

The Zintl anion (Ge₂As₂)²⁻ represents an isostructural and isoelectronic binary counterpart of yellow arsenic, yet without being studied with the same intensity so far. Upon introducing [(PPh₃)AuMe] into the 1,2-diaminoethane (en) solution of (Ge₂As₂)²⁻, the heterometallic cluster anion [Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]³⁻ is obtained as its salt [K(crypt-222)]₃[Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]⋅en⋅2 tol ( 1 ). The anion represents a rare example of a superpolyhedral Zintl cluster, and it comprises the largest number of Au atoms relative to main group (semi)metal atoms in such clusters. The overall supertetrahedral structure is based on a (non-bonding) octahedron of six Au atoms that is face-capped by four (Ge_xAs_4−x)^x− (x=2, 3) units. The Au atoms bind to four main group atoms in a rectangular manner, and this way hold the four units together to form this unprecedented architecture. The presence of one (Ge₃As)³⁻ unit besides three (Ge₂As₂)²⁻ units as a consequence of an exchange reaction in solution was verified by detailed quantum chemical (DFT) calculations, which ruled out all other compositions besides [Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]³⁻. Reactions of the heavier homologues (Tt₂Pn₂)²⁻ (Tt=Sn, Pb; Pn=Sb, Bi) did not yield clusters corresponding to that in 1 , but dimers of ternary nine-vertex clusters, {[AuTt₅Pn₃]₂}⁴⁻ (in 2 – 4 ; Tt/Pn=Sn/Sb, Sn/Bi, Pb/Sb), since the underlying pseudo-tetrahedral units comprising heavier atoms do not tend to undergo the said exchange reactions as readily as (Ge₂As₂)²⁻, according to the DFT calculations.     

The Arachno-Zintl Ion (Sn5Sb3)3− and the Effects of Element Composition on the Structures of Isoelectronic Clusters: Another Facet of the Pseudo-Element Concept

The pseudo-element concept, in its most general formulation, states that isoelectronic atoms form equal numbers of bonds. Hence, clusters such as Zintl ions usually retain their structure upon isoelectronic replacement of some or all atoms. Here, a deviation from this common observation is presented, namely the formation of (Sn₅Sb₃)³⁻ ( 1 ), a rare example of an eight-vertex Zintl ion, and an unprecedented example of a Zintl ion synthesized by solution means that has an arachno-type structure according to the Wade–Mingos rules. Three structure-types of interest for (Sn₅Sb₃)³⁻ were identified by DFT calculations: one that matched the X-ray diffraction data, and two that that were reminiscent of fragments of known clusters. A study on the isoelectronic series of clusters, (Sn_xSb_8−x)^2−x (x=0–8), showed that the relative energies of these three isomers vary significantly with composition (independent of electron count) and that each is the global minimum at least once within the series.     

An ab initio molecular orbital study of the deprotonation of amines

The geometries of the amines NH₂X and amido anions NHX^?, where X = H, CH₃, NH₂, OH, F, C₂H, CHO, and CN have been optimized using ab initio molecular orbital calculations with a 4-31G basis set. The profiles to rotation about the N? X bonds in CH₃NH^?, NH₂NH^?, and HONH^? are very similar to those for the isoprotic and isoelectronic neutral compounds CH₃OH, NH₂OH, and HOOH. The amines with unsaturated bonds adjacent to the nitrogen atoms undergo considerable skeletal rearrangement on deprotonation such that most of the negative charge of the anion is on the substituent. The computed order of acidity for the amines NH₂X is X = CN > HCO > F ≈ C₂H > OH > NH₂ > CH₃ > H and for the reaction NHX^? + H⁺ → NH₂X the computed energies vary over the range 373–438 kcal/mol.     

Molecular structure of 1,1-dimethylsilacyclopentene-3,4-oxide from gas-phase electron diffraction

The molecular structure of 1,1-dimethylsilacyclopentene-3,4-oxide has been determined by electron diffraction in the gas phase. The experimental data are consistent withC _s molecular symmetry and boat conformation with a flattened end at the silicon atom. The flap angles characterizing the orientation of C-Si-C and C-O-C planes with respect to the four coplanar carbon atoms of the ring are 16.6 ± 0.6 and 73.3 ± 0.6, respectively. Bond lengths (r_g) are Si-C₆, 1.866 ±0.008; Si-C₂, 1.899 ± 0.008; C₂-C₃, 1.513 ± 0.005; C₃-C₄ (bridge), 1.477 ± 0.013; C-O, 1.443 ± 0.007; (C-H)_mean 1.116 ± 0.003 å. Bond angles are <C₅-Si-C₂, 96.2 ± 0.4; <Si-C₂-C₃, 103.9 ± 0.3; <C₂-C₃-C₄, 116.5 ± 0.3; <C₃-C₄-O, 59.2 ± 0.5; zC₄-C₃-H₉, 109.0 ± 3.5; <C₂-C₃-H₉, 132.9 ± 3.1; <C₆-Si-C₁₂, 114.6 ± 0.8; <Si-C₆-H₁₅, 109.7 ± 0.9.     

Magnetic properties and crystal structure of the dichlorobis(1-allyltetrazole)cobalt(ii) complex

The cobalt(ii) chloro complex with 1-allyltetrazole (Alltz) Co(Alltz)₂Cl₂ was studied by the magnetic susceptibility measurements and X-ray diffraction analysis. The coordination polyhedron of the complex is a distorted octahedron formed by the N(4) atoms of two Alltz cycles and four bridging Cl atoms (coordination unit CoN₂Cl₄). Each chlorine atom is bound with two cobalt atoms giving rise to a crimped polymeric network. The Co(Alltz)₂Cl₂ complex is a weak ferromagnetic with T _N = 102±1 K and spontaneous magnetization _S(5 K) = 710±5 G cm³ mol^–1. Hysteresis effects, depending on the intensity of the magnetic field in which the sample was cooled, were detected.     

The Arachno‐Zintl Ion (Sn5Sb3)3− and the Effects of Element Composition on the Structures of Isoelectronic Clusters: Another Facet of the Pseudo‐Element Concept

The pseudo‐element concept, in its most general formulation, states that isoelectronic atoms form equal numbers of bonds. Hence, clusters such as Zintl ions usually retain their structure upon isoelectronic replacement of some or all atoms. Here, a deviation from this common observation is presented, namely the formation of (Sn₅Sb₃)^3? ( 1 ), a rare example of an eight‐vertex Zintl ion, and an unprecedented example of a Zintl ion synthesized by solution means that has an arachno‐type structure according to the Wade–Mingos rules. Three structure‐types of interest for (Sn₅Sb₃)^3? were identified by DFT calculations: one that matched the X‐ray diffraction data, and two that that were reminiscent of fragments of known clusters. A study on the isoelectronic series of clusters, (Sn_xSb_8?x)^2?x (x=0–8), showed that the relative energies of these three isomers vary significantly with composition (independent of electron count) and that each is the global minimum at least once within the series.     

Atom Exchange Versus Reconstruction: (GexAs4−x)x− (x=2, 3) as Building Blocks for the Supertetrahedral Zintl Cluster [Au6(Ge3As)(Ge2As2)3]3−

The Zintl anion (Ge₂As₂)^2? represents an isostructural and isoelectronic binary counterpart of yellow arsenic, yet without being studied with the same intensity so far. Upon introducing [(PPh₃)AuMe] into the 1,2‐diaminoethane (en) solution of (Ge₂As₂)^2?, the heterometallic cluster anion [Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]^3? is obtained as its salt [K(crypt‐222)]₃[Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]?en?2 tol ( 1 ). The anion represents a rare example of a superpolyhedral Zintl cluster, and it comprises the largest number of Au atoms relative to main group (semi)metal atoms in such clusters. The overall supertetrahedral structure is based on a (non‐bonding) octahedron of six Au atoms that is face‐capped by four (Ge_xAs_4?x)^x? (x=2, 3) units. The Au atoms bind to four main group atoms in a rectangular manner, and this way hold the four units together to form this unprecedented architecture. The presence of one (Ge₃As)^3? unit besides three (Ge₂As₂)^2? units as a consequence of an exchange reaction in solution was verified by detailed quantum chemical (DFT) calculations, which ruled out all other compositions besides [Au₆(Ge₃As)(Ge₂As₂)₃]^3?. Reactions of the heavier homologues (Tt₂Pn₂)^2? (Tt=Sn, Pb; Pn=Sb, Bi) did not yield clusters corresponding to that in 1 , but dimers of ternary nine‐vertex clusters, {[AuTt₅Pn₃]₂}^4? (in 2 – 4 ; Tt/Pn=Sn/Sb, Sn/Bi, Pb/Sb), since the underlying pseudo‐tetrahedral units comprising heavier atoms do not tend to undergo the said exchange reactions as readily as (Ge₂As₂)^2?, according to the DFT calculations.     

Ab initio SCF studies of the molecular structure of XeF6, IF 6 − , and TeF 6 2− in non-octahedral geometries

All-electron SCF calculations in contracted large Gaussian basis sets were performed for the molecules in the isoelectronic series XeF₆, IF ₆ ^– , and TeF ₆ ^2– . Molecular equilibrium geometry of these molecules was studied first in O _h symmetry. Then, the gradient minimization technique was used to determine molecular structure of the studied systems near the local minima corresponding to C _3v and C _2v geometries involved in the internal motion.In the O _h symmetry, TeF ₆ ^2– and IF ₆ ^– are bound by 172 and 104 kcal/mol, respectively. The total energy of XeF₆ is larger than the sum of total energies of the constituent atoms by 192 kcal/mol. Lowering the symmetry to C _3v and C _2v results in an energy gain of about 20 kcal/mol for all studied systems.     

Gradient optimization of polarization exponents inab initio MO calculations on H2SO → HSOH and CH3SH → CH2SH2

Summary Analytical gradients were used to optimize the polarization function exponents in the 6-31G(d) and 6-31G(d, p) basis sets for the reactants, transition structures and products in the reactions H₂SO HSOH and CH₃SH CH₂SH₂. The optimizedd exponents on the heavy atoms change by ±10% in the course of the reactions and depend on the bonding of the heavy atoms. Thep exponents on the hydrogens change by as much as a factor of 5 and depend on the element to which the hydrogen is bonded and its valency. The effect of exponent optimization on the relative energies is small (±3 kcal/mol). With the 6-31G(d, p) basis set, optimization of the polarization exponents can make some of the bonds significantly more polar, as judged by the Mulliken charges.     

Estimation of the upper limit of carbon concentration in boron carbide crystals

The existence of a boron carbide phase with ∼25 at % carbon was proven experimentally. To evaluate the maximum possible concentration of C atoms in boron carbide (B_{12 − x} C _x )(BC₂) crystals, we performed quantum-chemical calculations of (B_{12 − x} C _x )(BH₂)₆(CH₃)₆ model compounds (x = 0–4; the goal of calculations was to determine the upper limiting number of C atoms in the B_{12 − x} C _x icosahedron) by the density functional theory method (B3LYP, 6-31G** basis set, full geometry optimization). A comparison of the experimental and calculated data showed that the calculations of the model compounds reproduced the experimental dependences of the structural parameters of the icosahedron (mean bond length and volume) on the number of C atoms in it. The icosahedra were found to be stable at x ≤ 3. According to the results of the quantum-chemical calculations, the maximum carbon concentration in boron carbide was 33 at %, which corresponded to the composition B₁₀C₅ and the structural formula (B₉C₃)(BC₂).     

Manganese Complexes with Octaphenyltetraazaporphine: Acid–Base Interactions and Kinetic Stability in Proton-Donor Solvents

Complexes of manganese(III) and manganese(V) with octaphenyltetraazaporphine (H₂OPTAP) were synthesized. Acid–base interactions of these complexes in the CH₂Cl₂–CF₃COOH system and kinetics of their dissociation in concentrated sulfuric acid, as well as kinetics of octaphenyltetraazaporphine destruction in sulfuric acid solutions were studied by spectrophotometric methods. Acid–base interactions in CH₂Cl₂–CF₃COOH were shown to involve two macrocyclic meso-nitrogen atoms in succession. Concentration stability constants of the acid forms obtained pK ₁ = 0.29 ± 0.01 and pK ₂ = –0.62 ± 0.08 for (chlorine)manganese(III)octaphenyltetraazaporphine ((Cl)MnOPTAP); pK ₁ = 0.99 ± 0.02 and pK ₂ = – 0.70 ± 0.03 for (nitrido)manganese(V)octaphenyltetraazaporphine ((N)MnOPTAP). The rate of dissociation of the complexes in 94–98% H₂SO₄ does not depend on the acid concentration. The manganese(V) complex is three times as stable as the manganese(III) complex.     

Molecular structure of ethynylbenzene from electron diffraction and ab initio molecular orbital calculations

The molecular structure and benzene ring distortions of ethynylbenzene have been investigated by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio MO calculations at the HF/6-31G^* and 6-3G^** levels. Least-squares refinement of a model withC _2v, symmetry, with constraints from the MO calculations, yielded the following important bond distances and angles:r _g(C _i -C _o )=1.407±0.003 Å,r _g(C _o -C _m )=1.397±0.003 Å,r _g(C _m -C _p )=1.400±0.003 Å,r _g(Cr _i -CCH)=1.436 ±0.004 Å,r _g(C=C)=1.205±0.005 Å, C _o -C _i -C _o =119.8±0.4°. The deformation of the benzene ring of ethynylbenzene given by the MO calculations, including o-C_i-C_o=119.4°, is insensitive to the basis set used and agrees with that obtained by low-temperature X-ray crystallography for the phenylethynyl fragment, C₆H₅-CC-, in two different crystal environments. The partial substitution structure of ethynylbenzene from microwave spectroscopy is shown to be inaccurate in the ipso region of the benzene ring.     

Ab initio study of hydrazoic acid

SCF and CI calculations were carried out on the ground^1A state of HN₃. The equilibrium geometry and vibration frequencies were computed. The results point to a planar structure (groupC _s) but to a non-linear (170 °) N-N-N conformation. The calculated vibration frequencies are in fair agreement with experimental assignments.The dissociation path of the molecule to NH and N₂ products was investigated and compared to the isoelectronic reaction of diazomethane. The dissociation energy of hydrazoic acid is estimated to be about –8 kcal/mole, with a potential barrier to dissociation of about 30 kcal/mole.Boursier IRSIA     

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.     

X-ray emission spectroscopy and electronic. Structure of heterocyclic compounds 2. Thiophene

The electronic structure of has been studied by X-ray spectroscopy. SK , SL _2,3- and CK _±-spectra were obtained. Theoretical spectra were constructed on the basis of ab initio and MNDO calculations and the experimental results were interpreted. The HOMO is an orbital in which the electron density is localized on the carbon atoms. Conclusions about the occupancy of the lowest 3d orbital were reached from the experimental results.For Communcation 1, see [1].Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 9, pp. 1188–1193, September, 1993.     

Molecular structure and conformational composition of 1-Chlorobutane, 1-Bromobutane,and 1-Iodobutane as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction and ab initio calculations

Gas-phase electron diffraction (ED), together with ab initio molecular orbital calculations, have been used to determine the structure and conformational composition of 1-chlorobutane, 1-bromobutane, and 1-iodobutane. These molecules may in principle exist as mixtures of five different conformers, but only three or four of these were observed in gas phase at temperatures of the ED experiments, 18C, 18C, and 23C, respectively. The observed conformational compositions (1-chlorobutane, 1-bromobutane, and 1-iodobutane) were AA (13 ± 12%, 21 ± 14%, 19 ± 17%), GA (60±13%, 33±32%, 17±31%), AG (12±16%, 8±12%, <1%), and GG (12 ±16%, 38± 34%, 64±31%). A and G denotesanti andgauche positions for the X-C₁-C₂-C₃ (X=Cl, Br, I), and the C₁-C₂-C₃-C₄ torsion angles. The results for the most important distances (r _g) and angles () from the combined ED/ab initio study for the GA conformer of 1-chlorobutane, with estimated 2 uncertainties, arer(C₁-C₂)=1.519(3)å,r (C₂-C₃)=1.530(3) å,r (C₃-C₄)=1.543(3) å,r (C₁-Cl)=1.800(4) å, <C₁C₂C₃=114.3(6), <C₂C₃C₄=112.0(6), <CCCl=112.3(5). The results for the GA conformer of 1-bromobutane arer (C₁-C₂)=1.513(4) å,r (C₂-C₃)=1.526(4) å,r (C₃-C₄)=1.540(4) å,r(C₁-Br)=1.959(8) å, <C₁C₂C₃=115.3(11), <C₂C₃C₄=112.8(11),<CCBr=112.1(14). The results for 1-chlorobutane and 1-bromobutane are compared with those from earlier electron diffraction investigations. The results for the GA conformer of 1-iodobutane arer (C₁-C₂)=1.506(5) å,r (C₂-C₃)=1.518(5) å,r (C₃-C₄)=1.535(5) å,r (C₁-I)=2.133(11) å, <C₁C₂C₃=116.8(15), <C₂C₃C₄=115.3(15), <CCI=110.2(14). Differences in length between the different C-H bonds in each molecule, between the different C-C bonds, between the different CCH angles, and between the different CCC angles were kept constant at the values obtained from the ab initio calculations.     

Chemical bonding in oblatonido ditantalaboranes and related compounds

Abstract  

The recently discovered ditantalaboranes Cp₂Ta₂B _n H _n+6 (n = 4, 5) are isoelectronic with the previously discovered dimetallaboranes Cp₂M₂B _n H _n+4 of the group 6 metals Cr, Mo, and W where Cp = η⁵-cyclopentadienyl or substituted cyclopentadienyl. Their oblatonido polyhedral structures can be derived from the oblate (flattened) deltahedra of the oblatocloso dirhenaboranes Cp₂Re₂B _n+1H _n+1 by removal of an equatorial BH vertex with adjustment of the skeletal electron count by changing the metal atoms and adding hydrogen atoms. In these oblatocloso dirhenaborane deltahedra, the approximately antipodal rhenium atoms are close enough together to form a formal Re=Re double bond with lengths in the range 2.69–2.82 ?. Similarly, short M=M distances are maintained in the related oblatonido derivatives Cp₂Ta₂B _n H _n+6 (n = 4, 5) and Cp₂M₂B _n H _n+4 (M=Cr, Mo, W). However, the synthesis of Cp₂Ta₂B _n H _n+6 (n = 4, 5) from CpTaCl₄ + LiBH₄/BH₃ also gives a less-reduced product Cp₂Ta₂Cl₂B₅H₁₁ with a longer Ta–Ta distance of ~3.2 ?. This may be regarded as a formal single bond bridged by one of the hydrogen atoms. Vertices of degree 5 (excluding terminal atoms/groups but not edge-bridging hydrogens) are sites of highest stability/lowest chemical reactivity not only in metal-free boranes but also in the dimetallaboranes discussed in this paper. For example, all four boron vertices in Cp₂Ta₂B₄H₁₀ have the favorable degree or 5.     

Conformational Studies of Cyclopropylmethyl Ketone from Temperature-Dependent FT–IR Spectra of Xenon Solutions

Variable temperature (–60 to –100°C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm^–1) of cyclopropylmethyl ketone, c-C₃H₅C(CH₃)O, dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. Utilizing several doublets due to the cis and near-trans conformers, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 269 ± 26 cm^–1 (3.22 ± 0.31 kJ/mol) with the cis conformer (oxygen atom cis to the three-membered ring) the more stable rotamer. From these data it is estimated that 79 ± 3% of the cis form is present at ambient temperature. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with different basis sets up to 6-311+G(2df,2pd) at the restricted Hartree–Fock and/or with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order (MP2) from which structural parameters and conformation stabilities have been determined. These calculations support the experimental conformational conclusions that the cis form is the more stable conformer. A complete vibrational assignment is given for the cis conformer, which is supported from a normal coordinate calculation utilizing ab initio force constants. Several of the fundamentals of the near-trans conformer have been identified and assigned. Adjusted r ₀ structural parameters have been obtained from combined ab initio predicted values and previously reported rotational constants from the microwave investigation. The spectroscopic and theoretical results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.     

Accurate nonrelativistic energies for 2Pe states of the Li isoelectronic series

Highly accurate upper bounds for several ²P^e states of the Li isoelectronic series obtained by extensive Hylleraas-Cl calculations are given. The best value for the 2²P^e state (1s2p²) of Li is −5.2137392₀ au. The evaluation of the occurring integrals is given explicitly. Additionally, we present some expectation values and isotope energies of the Li isoelectronic series. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.