AM1 and DFT study of polarizability of nitrogen-containing octatetraene with donor substituents: Comparative investigation

We report density functional theory (DFT) studies of the dipole polarizabilities of nitrogen-containing octatetraene with a number of Π-electron donor substituent at the end parts. All geometries were optimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory and polarizabilities were done at the same level of theory. The results indicate that for the NO₂–(CHCH)₄–Y systems we find group polarizabilities in the order: N(Me)₂ > NBr₂ > OCH₃ > Br > NH₂ > OH > CH₃ > NF₂ > H～F.Semi empirical AM1 and QSAR-quality empirical calculations show poor quantitative agreement with the DFT results, but give excellent statistical correlation coefficients with the DFT values. This implies that the results of such cheaper calculations can suitably scaled for predictive purpose.     

A DFT study of the reactivity of Cp2AnMe2 with pyridine N-oxide: Towards a predicted different reactivity of U/Pu and Np

A predictive reactivity of Cp₂An(IV)Me₂ (with An = uranium [U], neptunium [Np] and plutonium [Pu]) with pyridine N-oxide has been studied at the theoretical level. The predictive reaction, which consists in the formation of a formaldehyde complex, begins after the initial formation of a cyclometalated complex produced by a C-H activation of the pyridine N-oxide. A difference of reactivity between U/Pu and Np has been observed and has been attributed to the presence of a more covalent bond between Np and the carbene group in the transition state of formation of a transient carbene intermediate.     

A new π-acidity scale for several N-donor heterocycles as ligands in neutral gold(III) complexes

A computational DFT approach for the comparison of the π-acceptor character of some N-donor heterocycles L {L = pyridines (py), pyrimidines (pm), imidazoles (im), pyrazoles (pz) and isoxazoles (io)} in neutral AuCl₃L complexes is reported. The electronic properties of these ligands have been tuned by adding methyl and/or trifluoromethyl groups in various positions. Linear relationships between the Mulliken charge of the AuCl₃ fragment in AuCl₃L and the computed proton affinity (PA) of the heterocycle were obtained for all the considered ligands. The different slopes found on changing the N-donor type represent a measure of the π-acidity of these nitrogen ligands once coordinated to AuCl₃, and as a consequence the π-acceptor ability scale pyridines ≈ pyrimidines < imidazoles < pyrazoles ≈ isoxazoles has been derived. Moreover, on the basis of the metal fragment charge variation, a minimum proton affinity value for a meaningful interaction between the ligands and the AuCl₃ fragment has been estimated.     

Vibrational spectroscopy and DFT calculations of 1,3-dibromo-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene: Anharmonicity,coupling and methyl group tunneling

The Raman, IR and INS spectra of 1,3-dibromo-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (DBMH) were recorded in the 80–3200 cm⁻¹ range. The molecular conformation and vibrational spectra of DBMH were computed at the MPW1PW91/LANL2DZ level. Except for the methyl 2 environment, the agreement between the DFT calculations and the neutron diffraction structure is almost perfect (deviations < 0.01 Å for bond lengths, <0.2° for angles). The frequencies of the internal modes of vibration were calculated with the harmonic and anharmonic approximations; the later method yields results that are in remarkable agreement with the spectroscopic data, resulting in a confident assignment of the vibrational bands. Thus, no scaling is necessary. The coupling, in phase or anti-phase, of the motions of symmetrical CBr and CMe bonds is highlighted. Our DFT calculations suggest that the torsion of methyl groups 4 and 6 is hindered in deep wells, whereas methyl group 2 is a quasi-free rotor. The failure of the calculations to determine the frequencies of the methyl torsional modes is explained as follows: DFT does not consider the methyl spins and assumes localization of the protons, whereas the methyl groups must be treated as quantum rotors.     

Dimethyl sulfoxide oxidation mediated by a copper(II) diamine complex: A possible source of problem in the synthesis of molecular magnetic compounds

In the present work we report a reaction in which dimethyl sulfoxide, initially used as solvent, undergoes oxidation to form sulfate, which then participates to the formation of a linear one-dimensional copper chain. Indeed, using [Cu(bipy)Cl₂], a building block largely applied in synthesis of molecular magnetic compounds, the coordination compound [Cu(bipy)(H₂O)₂(SO₄)]_n, where bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine was obtained. Magnetic characterization of complex shows a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the copper(II) ions with J = ?0.53 cm^?1. DFT calculations demonstrate that the pathway for the weak antiferromagnetic interaction is through the sulfate bridge.     

DFT study of group 8 catalysts for the hydrophenylation of ethylene: Influence of ancillary ligands and metal identity

Computational methods are used to investigate catalytic hydrophenylation of ethylene using complexes of the type [(Y)M(L)(CH₃)(NCMe)]ⁿ⁺ [Y = Mp, n = 1; Y = Tp, n = 0; M = Ru or Os; L = PMe₃, PF₃, or CO; Mp = tris(pyrazolyl)methane; Tp = hydrido-tris(pyrazolyl)borate]. The conversion of ethylene and benzene to ethylbenzene with [(Y)M(L)(Ph)]ⁿ⁺ as catalyst involves four steps: (1) ethylene coordination, (2) ethylene insertion into the M–Ph bond, (3) benzene coordination, and (4) benzene C–H activation. DFT calculations form the basis to compare stoichiometric benzene C–H activation by [(Y)M(L)(CH₃)(NCMe)]ⁿ⁺ complexes to yield methane and [(Y)M(L)(Ph)(NCMe)]ⁿ⁺. In addition, starting from the 16-electron species [(Y)M(L)(Ph)]ⁿ⁺, potential energy surfaces for the formation of ethylbenzene are calculated to reveal the impact of modifications to the scorpionate ligand (Mp or Tp), co-ligand (L) and metal center (M).     

Binary diffusion coefficients of l-histidine methyl ester dihydrochloride in aqueous solutions

The Taylor dispersion technique has been used for measuring mutual diffusion coefficients of l-histidine methyl ester as its dihydrochloride at T = 298.15 K and finite concentrations from (0.001 to 0.100) mol · dm⁻³. On the basis of experimental mutual diffusion coefficients, the hydrodynamic radii, R_h, the diffusion coefficient at infinite dilution D⁰ and the dependence of thermodynamic factors, F_T, on the concentration, have been estimated using the Onsager–Fuoss equation. Further insight on the diffusion has been obtained from ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations, which suggest that the l-histidine methyl ester is present as its dication in acidic solution in a fully extended conformation, with considerable charge delocalization over the imidazolium ring. These experimental and computational results allow us to have a better understanding of the thermodynamic and kinetic behavior of this amino acid derivative in aqueous solutions.     

Trimethylsilyl trichloroacetate vibrational,structural and electronic properties and their comparison with related acetates

The molecular structure of trimethylsilyl trichloroacetate, CCl₃C(O)OSi(CH₃)₃, was determined by ab initio (MP2) and DFT calculations using 6-31G(d), 6-311G(d,p), 6-311++G(d,p) and 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis sets. The infrared and Raman spectra for the liquid phase were also recorded and the bands observed assigned to the vibrational normal modes. The study was completed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and atoms in molecules (AIM) calculations. The comparison between the calculated molecular geometrical parameters, conformation and vibrational properties and those measured for CX₃C(O)OR [X = F, Cl and R = CH₃, Si(CH₃)₃] was of particular interest in order to check the behavior of the CO and CO with respect to the different substitutions. The experimental vibrational data, along with calculated theoretical force constants, were used to define a scaled quantum mechanical force field for the target system that enabled us to estimate the measured wavenumbers with a final root-mean-square deviation of 8.92 cm⁻¹.     

Diels-Alder reaction with cyclopentadiene and electronic structures of (η5-cyclopentadienyl)M(CO)x(η1-N-maleimidato) (M = Fe,Mo, W,x = 2 or 3)

Diels-Alder reaction of (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)M(CO)_x(η¹-N-maleimidato) complexes (M = Fe, Mo, W, x = 2 or 3) with cyclopentadiene has been studied. The observed order of reactivity was: N-ethylmaleimide > W complex > Mo complex > Fe complex. The X-ray structures of the adducts have been determined for M = W and Fe. DFT calculations on the starting complexes have been performed to explain the observed reactivity order.     

Theoretical investigation on homoleptic Yttrium tri-guanidinates

The electronic and molecular structures of the homoleptic Yttrium tris-guanidinates complexes Y[(NⁱPr)₂CNR₁R₂]₃, [R₁ = R₂ = Me, Et and iPr] have been investigated employing DFT calculations in order to understand the structures, bonding and energies of the interactions between Yttrium metal and guanidinate ligands. The effect of the substitution on nitrogen position of guanidinate in these complexes has been also investigated employing DFT and TDDFT calculations for six kinds of models obtained by alternative substitution of alkyl on nitrogen of the guanidinate ligands. The results reveal that the substitution position plays a crucial role in the geometric structure by affecting the torsion angle and the HOMO–LUMO transitions. The energy decomposition analysis indicates a majority of ionic bonding in all systems; the exception is in the M4 (Y[(N_YR)₂CN_CR₁R₂]₃; R = Et and R₁ = R₂ = H) which present a significant degree of covalency.     

Synthesis and structure of 1-benzyl-5-amino-1H-tetrazole in the solid state and in solution: Combining X-ray diffraction, 1H NMR,FT–IR,and UV–Vis spectra and DFT calculations

Compound 1-benzyl-5-amino-1H-tetrazole (BAT) was synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR, FT–IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopies and elemental (CHNS) analysis. The crystal structure was further elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations with B3LYP and PBE1PBE functionals of the BAT were performed to provide structural and spectroscopic information and guide spectral assignments. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic primitive system space group P2(1)/c with a = 14.91 Å, b = 5.12 Å, c = 11.19 Å, V = 852 Å³, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0428 at 298 K. The structure exhibits intermolecular hydrogen bonds of the type N–H(amino)···N(tetrazole). Simultaneous hydrogen bonds between amino···tetrazole and tetrazole···amino establish a dimeric intermolecular structure, whereas another hydrogen bond between the remaining H atom of the amino group and the other N atoms of the tetrazole ring extends the structure into another dimension. The crystal structure of BAT is properly reproduced by DFT calculations only when a dimeric or tetrameric model is employed in the modeling. Comparisons between experimental and calculated spectral properties suggest that the monomeric form of BAT is dominant in aprotic, polar, hydrogen-bonding solvents, such as DMSO and DMF.     

A combined laser flash photolysis,density functional theory and atoms in molecules study of the photochemical hydrogen abstraction by pyrene-4,5-dione

The photochemical hydrogen abstraction reaction of pyrene-4,5-dione (3) has been investigated by laser flash photolysis. Excitation (λ = 355 nm) of a degassed solution of 3 in acetonitrile resulted in the formation of a detectable transient with absorption maxima at 380 and 470 nm. This transient decays with a lifetime of around 4.8 μs and is quenched by oxygen. This transient is most probably a triplet state of 3. Addition of hydrogen donors, such as 2-propanol; 1,4-cyclohexadiene or 4-methoxyphenol led to the formation of a new transient with λ_max at 380, 500 nm and a broad absorption at 640 nm. This new transient slowly decays with second order kinetics and was assigned to the semiquinone radical obtained from the hydrogen abstraction reaction. Using DFT and AIM calculations the reactivity of 3 and 9,10-phenanthrenequinone (1) is best interpreted as a proton coupled electron transfer like mechanism for the hydrogen abstraction from 2-propanol.     

Fluoride affinities of fluorinated alanes

The fluoride affinities of fluorinated alanes, AlH_mF_3?m (m = 1–3) were measured using energy-resolved collision-induced dissociation of fluorinated aluminate anions. The AlH_mF_4?m^? anions were formed by reaction of dimethylethylamine-alane with fluoride ion and F₂. From the measured bond dissociation energies, the fluoride affinities of fluorinated alanes are determined to be 93.2 ± 3.1, 97.5 ± 4.0, and 108.6 ± 3.7 kcal/mol for m = 3, 2, and 1, respectively. The fluoride affinities are in good agreement with the theoretical calculations at the CCSD(T)/CBS and B3LYP/6-31 + G* levels of theory. The increased Lewis acidity of more fluorinated alanes is attributed to increased positive charge density on the aluminum.     

New tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene chelators for small molecule activation

In an effort to develop new tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands for small molecule activation, two new classes of tripodal NHC ligands TIME^R and TIMEN^R have been synthesized. The carbon-anchored tris(carbene) ligand system TIME^R (R = Me, t-Bu) forms bi- or polynuclear metal complexes. While the methyl derivative exclusively forms trinuclear 3:2 complexes [(TIME^Me)₂M₃]³⁺ with group 11 metal ions, the tert-butyl derivative yields a dinuclear 2:2 complex [(TIME^t-Bu)₂Cu₂]²⁺ with copper(I). The latter complex shows both “normal” and “abnormal” carbene binding modes and accordingly, is best formulated as a bis(carbene)alkenyl complex. The nitrogen-anchored tris(carbene) ligands TIMEN^R (R = alkyl, aryl) bind to a variety of first-row transition metal ions in 1:1 stoichiometry, affording monomeric complexes with a protected reactivity cavity at the coordinated metal center. Complexes of TIMEN^R with Cu(I)/(II), Ni(0)/(I), and Co(I)/(II)/(III) have been synthesized. The cobalt(I) complexes with the aryl-substituted TIMEN^R (R = mesityl, xylyl) ligands show great potential for small molecule activation. These complexes activate for instance dioxygen to form cobalt(III) peroxo complexes that, upon reaction with electrophilic organic substrates, transfer an oxygen atom. The cobalt(I) complexes are also precursors for terminal cobalt(III) imido complexes. These imido complexes were found to undergo unprecedented intra-molecular imido insertion reactions to form cobalt(II) imine species. The molecular and electronic structures of some representative metal NHC complexes as well as the nature of the metal–carbene bond of these metal NHC complexes was elucidated by X-ray and DFT computational methods and are discussed briefly. In contrast to the common assumption that NHCs are pure σ-donors, our studies revealed non-negligible and even significant π-backbonding in electron-rich metal NHC complexes.     

The effects of hydrogen on KOH activation of petroleum coke

KOH activation of petroleum coke (PC) was conducted with 30 vol%H₂ + 70 vol% N₂ as carrier gas. TG-DTG, FTIR, elemental analysis, N₂ adsorption, GC and XRD techniques were used to investigate the effects of hydrogen on the activation. During the initial stage of the activation, i.e. the carbonization of the PC, additional CH and CH₂ species were formed due to the chemisorption of hydrogen on the nascent sites of the PC created by the removal of the surface heteroatom groups. The formation of the CH and CH₂ species increased the quantity of ‘active sites’ which is favorable to the further activation reaction, and developed the porous structure of the activated carbons. The micropore volume and BET surface areas of the activated carbon prepared under 30 vol% H₂ + 70 vol% N₂ and with a relatively low KOH/PC weight ratio of 2:1 have been increased from 0.78 cm³/g and 1936 m²/g to 0.97 cm³/g and 2477 m²/g, respectively, compared to that prepared in pure N₂ atmosphere with the same KOH/PC ratio.     

Synthesis of unsymmetrically disubstituted ethynes by the palladium/copper(I)-cocatalyzed sila-Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling reactions of alkynylsilanes with aryl iodides,bromides, and chlorides through a direct activation of a carbon–silicon bond

In this paper, we explore the copper/palladium-cocatalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 1-aryl-2-trimethylsilylethynes with aryl iodides, bromides, and chlorides as coupling partners, to furnish unsymmetrically disubstituted ethynes in moderate to excellent yields. Various aryl iodides were subjected to reaction under the optimized conditions with 5 mol % of Pd(PPh₃)₂ and 50 mol % of CuCl. The steric properties of the aryl iodide proved more influential to the outcome of the cross-coupling reaction than electronic factors. In addition, we succeeded in synthesizing unsymmetrical diarylethynes using two different aryl iodides in one-pot. Furthermore, under the same reaction conditions with 10 mol % of PdCl₂, 40 mol % of P(4-FC₆H₄)₃, and 50 mol % of CuCl as catalyst, we succeeded in synthesizing unsymmetrical diarylethynes from various aryl bromides. Finally, we explored reactions with aryl chlorides and duly discovered that unsymmetrical diarylethynes were obtainable in moderate to good yields when 10 mol % of Pd(OAc)₂, 10 mol % of (?)-DIOP, and 10 mol % of CuCl were used. These reactions proceed through a direct activation of a carbon–silicon bond in alkynylsilanes by CuCl to generate the corresponding alkynylcopper species via transmetalation from silicon to copper. Mechanistic investigations on the reaction of alkynylsilanes with aryl bromides confirmed that the trimethylsilyl bromide generated in situ retarded both transmetalation steps between CuCl and alkynylsilane, and between palladium(II) species formed by oxidative addition and alkynylcopper species.     

Ab initio study of the magnetic behavior of four dithiadiazolyl radical compounds

We have studied, by means of ab initio calculations, the magnetic interaction mechanisms in four radical crystals, X–C₆F₄–CNSSN (X = O₂N, α-NC, β-NC, Br), which has allowed us to explain their different magnetic behaviour (ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, paramagnetism, spin frustration, etc.). First, we have identified the magnetic exchange pathways considering those with distances between two atoms of different dithiadiazolyl rings shorter than 7 Å and those with an intermolecular distance between an atom of the heterocyclic ring and an atom in a neighbouring radical shorter than 4 Å. Second, the calculations have been carried out in the framework of the DFT Broken Symmetry. Following this procedure we have determined the magnitude and the sign of the relevant coupling constants for the X–C₆F₄–CNSSN (X = O₂N, α-NC, β-NC, Br) radicals. In the cases where the radicals order magnetically, ordering temperatures determined with our ab initio calculations agree very well with the experimental ones. Thus, in the case of the O₂N derivative ferromagnetic ordering is observed below 1.3 K, in very good agreement with an ordering temperature around 1.6 K predicted from our calculated exchange constants and using a mean field approximation.     

Assessing Si-based anodes for Ca-ion batteries: Electrochemical decalciation of CaSi2

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to investigate the basic electrochemical characteristics of Si-based anodes in calcium ion batteries (CIBs). The calculated average voltage of Ca alloying with fcc-Si to form the intermetallic Ca_xSi phases (0.5 < x ≤ 2) is of 0.4 V, with a volume variation of 306%. Decalciation of the lower Ca content phase, CaSi₂, is predicted at an average voltage between 0.57 V (formation of Si-fcc, 65% volume variation) and 1.2 V (formation of metastable deinserted-Si phase, 29% volume variation). Experiments carried out in conventional alkyl carbonate electrolytes show evidence that electrochemical “decalciation” of CaSi₂ is possible at moderate temperatures. The decalciation of CaSi₂ is confirmed by different characterization techniques.     

Molecular structure of caffeine as determined by gas electron diffraction aided by theoretical calculations

The molecular structure of caffeine (3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione) was determined by means of gas electron diffraction. The nozzle temperature was 185 °C. The results of MP2 and B3LYP calculations with the 6-31G⁷ basis set were used as supporting information. These calculations predicted that caffeine has only one conformer and some of the methyl groups perform low frequency internal rotation. The electron diffraction data were analyzed on this basis. The determined structural parameters (r_g and ∠_α) of caffeine are as follows: <r(NC)_ring> = 1.382(3) Å; r(CC) = 1.382(←) Å; r(CC) = 1.446(18) Å; r(CN) = 1.297(11) Å; <r(NC_methyl)> = 1.459(13) Å; <r(CO)> = 1.206(5) Å; <r(CH)> = 1.085(11) Å; ∠N₁C₂N₃ = 116.5(11)°; ∠N₃C₄C₅ = 121. 5(13)°; ∠C₄C₅C₆ = 122.9(10)°; ∠C₄C₅N₇ = 104.7(14)°; ∠N₉–C₄=C₅ = 111.6(10)°; <∠NCH_methyl> = 108.5(28)°. Angle brackets denote average values; parenthesized values are the estimated limits of error (3σ) referring to the last significant digit; left arrow in parentheses means that this parameter is bound to the preceding one.