Structural scaffold of 18-crown-6 tetracarboxylic acid for optical resolution of chiral amino acid: X-ray crystal analyses and energy calculations of complexes of D- and L-isomers of tyrosine, isoleucine, methionine and phenylglycine

To clarify the structural scaffold of (+)-18-crown-6 tetracarboxylic acid ((+)-18C6H4) for the optical resolution of a chiral amino acid, the crystal structures of its equimolar complexes with L- and D-isomers of tyrosine (Tyr), isoleucine (Ile), methionine (Met) and phenylglycine (PheG) were analysed by X-ray diffraction methods. (+)-18C6H4 took very similar conformations for all complexes. Although the chemical structure of (+)-18C6H4 is C2-symmetric, it took a similar asymmetric ring conformation of radius ca. 6.0 A. In all complexes, the amino group of chiral amino acids was located near the center of the ring and formed three hydrogen bonds and five electrostatic interactions with eight oxygen atoms of the ether ring and carboxyl groups. Also, the Calpha atom of chiral amino acids participated in Calpha-H...O interaction with the oxygen atom of (+)-18C6H4. In contrast, the carboxyl group of chiral amino acids did not directly interact with (+)-18C6H4. These results indicate that the structural scaffold of (+)-18C6H4 for the optical resolution of chiral amino acids is mainly based on the mode of interaction of (+)-18C6H4 with the amino and Calpha-H groups of chiral amino acids. The differences in interaction pattern and binding energy between the L- and D-isomers of each amino acid are discussed in relation to the chiral recognition of (+)-18C6H4.     

Thermochemistry of N-N containing ions: a threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy study of ionized methyl- and tetramethylhydrazine

The unimolecular dissociation reactions of the methylhydrazine (MH) and tetramethylhydrazine (TMH) radical cations have been investigated using tandem mass spectrometry and threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy in the photon energy ranges 9.60-31.95 eV (for the MH ion) and 7.74-29.94 eV (for the TMH ion). Methylhydrazine ions (CH3NHNH2(+*)) have three low-energy dissociation channels: hydrogen atom loss to form CH2NHNH2(+) (m/z 45), loss of a methyl radical to form NHNH2(+) (m/z 31), and loss of methane to form the fragment ion m/z 30, N2H2(+*). Tetramethylhydrazine ions only exhibit two dissociation reactions near threshold: that of methyl radical loss to form (CH3)2NNCH3(+) (m/z 73) and of methane loss to form the fragment ion m/z 72 with the empirical formula C3H8N2(+*). The experimental breakdown curves were modeled with Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory, and it was found that, particularly for methyl radical loss, variational transition state theory was needed to obtain satisfactory fits to the data. The 0 K enthalpies of formation (delta(f)H0) for all fragment ions (m/z 73, m/z 72, m/z 45, m/z 31, and m/z 30) have been determined from the 0 K activation energies (E0) obtained from the fitting procedure: delta(f)H0[(CH3)2NNCH3(+)] = 833 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1), delta(f)H0 [C3H8N2(+*)] = 1064 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1), delta(f)H0[CH2NHNH2(+)] = 862 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1), delta(f)H0[NHNH2(+)] = 959 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1), and delta(f)H0[N2H2(+*)] = 1155 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1). The breakdown curves have been measured from threshold up to h nu approximately 32 eV for both hydrazine ions. As the photon energy increases, other dissociation products are observed and their appearance energies are reported.     

Cadmium(II) and zinc(II) complexes of pyrrole-appended oxacarbaporphyrin: a side-on coordination mode of O-confused carbaporphyrin

A pyrrole adduct of 5,20-diphenyl-10,15-di(p-tolyl)-2-oxa-21-carbaporphyrin [(H,pyr)OCPH]H(2) reacted with sodium ethanolate to yield 5,20-diphenyl-10,15-di(p-tolyl)-3-ethoxy-3-(2'-pyrrol)-2-oxa-21-carbaporphyrin [(EtO,pyr)OCPH]H(2). Subsequently, "true" O-confused oxaporphyrin with a pendant pyrrole ring [(pyr)OCPH]H was formed by the addition of acid to [(EtO,pyr)OCPH]H(2), which triggered an ethanol elimination. In the course of this process, the tetrahedral-trigonal rearrangements originated at the C(3) atom. Insertion of zinc(II), cadmium(II), and nickel(II) into [(pyr)OCPH]H yielded [(pyr)OCPH]Zn(II)Cl, [(pyr)OCPH]Cd(II)Cl, and [(pyr)OCP]Ni(II). The formation of [(pyr)OCP]Ni(II) was accompanied by the C(21)H dehydrogenation step. The nickel(II) ion of [(pyr)OCP]Ni(II), coordinated to a dianionic macrocyclic ligand, is bound by three pyrrolic nitrogens and a trigonally hybridized C(21) atom of the inverted furan. The pyrrole-appended O-confused carbaporphyrin acts as a monoanionic ligand toward zinc(II) and cadmium(II) cations. Three nitrogen atoms and the C(21)H fragment of the inverted furan occupy equatorial positions. In (1)H NMR spectra, the unique inner C(21)H resonances of the inverted furan ring are located at 0.15 ppm for [(pyr)OCPH]Zn(II)Cl, and at 0.21 ppm for [(pyr)OCPH]Cd(II)Cl. The proximity of the furan fragment to the metal ion induces direct scalar couplings between the spin-active nucleus of the metal ((111/113)Cd) and the adjacent (1)H nucleus. The interaction of the metal ion and C(21)H was also reflected by significant changes in carbon chemical shifts ([(pyr)OCPH]Zn(II)Cl, 78.3 ppm; [(pyr)OCPH]Cd(II)Cl, 81.4 ppm; the free base, 101.3 ppm). The density functional theory (DFT) has been applied to model the molecular structures of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of O-confused oxaporphyrin with an appended pyrrole ring. The Cd...C(21) distance in the optimized structure exceeds the typical Cd-C bond lengths, but is much shorter than the corresponding van der Waals contact.     

Positive and negative photoion spectroscopy study of monochlorothiophenes

Photolysis dynamics of monochlorothiophenes (2- and 3-chlorothiophenes) is investigated using positive and negative photoion mass spectrometry combined with the synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet radiation. A dozen of the daughter cations are observed in the time-of-flight mass spectra, and their appearance energies are determined by the photoion efficiency spectroscopy measurements. At the energetic threshold, the concerted process rather than a stepwise reaction for C(4)H(3)SCl(+) → C(2)HSCl(+) + C(2)H(2) and the ring-open isomers of the dehydrogenated thiophene cations (C(4)H(3)S(+) and C(4)H(2)S(+)) formed in C(4)H(3)SCl(+) → C(4)H(3)S(+) + Cl and C(4)H(2)S(+) + HCl are proposed on the basis of the B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,3pd) calculations. The chlorine anion (Cl(-)) is observed as the product of the photoion-pair dissociations in the energy range of 10.70-22.00 eV. A set of valence-to-Rydberg state transitions 12a' → np (n = 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.) and several series of vibrational excitations are tentatively assigned in the Cl(-) spectrum of 2-chlorothiophene in the lower energy range of 10.90-12.00 eV.     

On the gas-phase reactivity of complexed OH+ with halogenated alkanes

OH(+) is an extraordinarily strong oxidant. Complexed forms (L--OH(+)), such as H(2)OOH(+), H(3)NOH(+), or iron-porphyrin-OH(+) are the anticipated oxidants in many chemical reactions. While these molecules are typically not stable in solution, their isolation can be achieved in the gas phase. We report a systematic survey of the influence on L on the reactivity of L--OH(+) towards alkanes and halogenated alkanes, showing the tremendous influence of L on the reactivity of L--OH(+). With the help of with quantum chemical calculations, detailed mechanistic insights on these very general reactions are gained. The gas-phase pseudo-first-order reaction rates of H(2)OOH(+), H(3)NOH(+), and protonated 4-picoline-N-oxide towards isobutane and different halogenated alkanes C(n)H(2n+1)Cl (n=1-4), HCF(3), CF(4), and CF(2)Cl(2) have been determined by means of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance measurements. Reaction rates for H(2)OOH(+) are generally fast (7.2x10(-10)-3.0x10(-9) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1)) and only in the cases HCF(3) and CF(4) no reactivity is observed. In contrast to this H(3)NOH(+) only reacts with tC(4)H(9)Cl (k(obs)=9.2x10(-10)), while 4-CH(3)-C(5)H(4)N-OH(+) is completely unreactive. While H(2)OOH(+) oxidizes alkanes by an initial hydride abstraction upon formation of a carbocation, it reacts with halogenated alkanes at the chlorine atom. Two mechanistic scenarios, namely oxidation at the halogen atom or proton transfer are found. Accurate proton affinities for HOOH, NH(2)OH, a series of alkanes C(n)H(2n+2) (n=1-4), and halogenated alkanes C(n)H(2n+1)Cl (n=1-4), HCF(3), CF(4), and CF(2)Cl(2), were calculated by using the G3 method and are in excellent agreement with experimental values, where available. The G3 enthalpies of reaction are also consistent with the observed products. The tendency for oxidation of alkanes by hydride abstraction is expressed in terms of G3 hydride affinities of the corresponding cationic products C(n)H(2n+1) (+) (n=1-4) and C(n)H(2n)Cl(+) (n=1-4). The hypersurface for the reaction of H(2)OOH(+) with CH(3)Cl and C(2)H(5)Cl was calculated at the B3 LYP, MP2, and G3(m*) level, underlining the three mechanistic scenarios in which the reaction is either induced by oxidation at the hydrogen or the halogen atom, or by proton transfer.     

Unimolecular elimination of HF and HCl from chemically activated CF3CFClCH2Cl

The unimolecular reactions of CF3CFClCH2Cl molecules formed with 87 kcal mol(-1) of vibrational energy by recombination of CF3CFCl and CH2Cl radicals at room temperature have been characterized by the chemical activation technique. The 2,3-ClH and 2,3-FH elimination reactions, which have rate constants of (2.5 +/- 0.8) x 10(4) and (0.38 +/- 0.11) x 10(4) s(-1), respectively, are the major reactions. The 2,3-FCl interchange reaction was not observed. The trans (or E)-isomers of CF3CFCHCl and CF3CClCHCl are favored over the cis (or Z)-isomers. Density functional theory at the B3PW91/6-31G(d',p') level was used to evaluate thermochemistry and structures of the molecule and transition states. This information was used to calculate statistical rate constants. Matching the calculated to the experimental rate constants for the trans-isomers gave threshold energies of 62 and 63 kcal mol(-1) for HCl and HF elimination, respectively. The threshold energy for FCl interchange must be 3-4 kcal mol(-1) higher than for HF elimination. The results for CF3CFClCH2Cl are compared to those from CF3CFClCH3; the remarkable reduction in rate constants for HCl and HF elimination upon substitution of one Cl atom for one H atom is a consequence of both a lower E and higher threshold energies for CF3CFClCH2Cl.     

Photodissociation and photoisomerization of alpha-fluorotoluene and 4-fluorotoluene in a molecular beam

The photodissociation of jet-cooled alpha-fluorotoluene and 4-fluorotoluene at 193 and 248 nm was studied using vacuum ultraviolet (vuv) photoionization/multimass ion imaging techniques as well as electron impact ionization/photofragment translational spectroscopy. Four dissociation channels were observed for alpha-fluorotoluene at both 193 and 248 nm, including two major channels C6H5CH2F-->C6H5CH2 (or C7H7)+F and C6H5CH2F-->C6H5CH (or C7H6)+HF and two minor channels C6H5CH2F-->C6H5CHF+H and C6H5CH2F-->C6H5+CH2F. The vuv wavelength dependence of the C7H7 fragment photoionization spectra indicates that at least part of the F atom elimination channel results from the isomerization of alpha-fluorotoluene to a seven-membered ring prior to dissociation. Dissociation channels of 4-fluorotoluene at 193 nm include two major channels C6H4FCH3-->C6H4FCH2+H and C6H4FCH3-->C6H4F+CH3 and two minor channels C6H4FCH3-->C6H5CH2 (or C7H7)+F and C6H4FCH3-->C6H5CH (or C7H6)+HF. The dissociation rates for alpha-fluorotoluene at 193 and 248 nm are 3.3 x 10(7) and 5.6 x 10(5) s(-1), respectively. The dissociation rate for 4-fluorotoluene at 193 nm is 1.0 x 10(6) s(-1). An ab initio calculation demonstrates that the barrier height for isomerization from alpha-fluorotoluene to a seven-membered ring isomer is much lower than that from 4-fluorotoluene to a seven-membered ring isomer. The experimental observed differences of dissociation rates and relative branching ratios between alpha-fluorotoluene and 4-fluorotoluene may be explained by the differences in the six-membered ring to seven-membered ring isomerization barrier heights, F atom elimination threshold, and HF elimination threshold between alpha-fluorotoluene and 4-fluorotoluene.     

Rhenium chemistry of azooximes: oxygen atom transfer, azoimine chelation, and imine-oxime contrast

The concerned azooximes (L1OH, 1) are of type p-X-C6H4C(N2Ph)(NOH) (X = H, Me, Cl). The reaction of [Re(MeCN)Cl3(PPh3)2] with [Ag(L1OH)(L1O)] in cold dichloromethane-acetonitrile solvent has furnished the green colored ionized azoimine complex [ReV(O)Cl(PPh3)2(L1)](PF6), 2. In effect L1O- has undergone oxidative addition, the oxygen atom being transferred to the metal site. Upon treatment of [ReV(NPh)Cl3(PPh3)2] with L1OH in solution, the neutral azoimine complex [ReV(NPh)Cl3(L1H)], 3, resulted due to the spontaneous transfer of the oxime oxygen atom to a PPh3 ligand, which is eliminated as OPPh3. In contrast, the oxime of 2-acetylpyridine (L2OH, 4) did not undergo oxygen atom transfer and simply afforded the imine-oxime complex [ReV(NC6H4Y)Cl2(PPh3)(L2O)], 5, upon reacting with [ReV(NC6H4Y)Cl3(PPh3)2] (Y = H, Me, Cl). The spectral and electrochemical properties of 2, 3, and 5 and the structures of three representative compounds are reported. In the cation of 2 (X = H) the two PPh3 ligands lie trans to each other and the equatorial plane is defined by the five-membered azoimine chelate ring and the oxo and chloro ligands. The oxo ligand which forms a model triple bond (Re-O length 1.616(6) A) lies cis to the imine-N atom. In 3 (X = Cl) the ReCl3 fragment has meridional geometry and the imido nitrogen lies trans to the imine nitrogen of the planar azoimine chelate ring. In 5 x H2O (Y = Me), the Cl, oximato-N, and P atoms define an equatorial plane and the pyridine-N lies trans to the imido-N. The water of crystallization is hydrogen bonded to the oximato oxygen atom (O...O, 2.829(5) A). Reaction models in which chelation of the azooxime precedes oxygen atom transfer are proposed on the basis of oxophilicity of trivalent rhenium, Lewis acid activity of pentavalent rhenium, electron withdrawal by the azo group, and observed relative disposition of ligands in products.     

Influence of "alternative" C-terminal amino acids on the formation of [b3 + 17 + Cat]+ products from metal cationized synthetic tetrapeptides

The aim of this study was to investigate the dissociation patterns, and in particular the relative abundance of [b(3) + 17 + Cat](+), for peptides with C-termini designed to allow transfer of the -OH required to generate the product ion, but not necessarily as the most favored pathway. Working with the hypothesis that formation of a five-membered ring intermediate, including intramolecular nucleophilic attack by a carbonyl oxygen atom, is an important mechanistic step, several model peptides with general sequence AcFGGX were synthesized, metal cationized by electrospray ionization and subjected to collision-induced dissociation (CID). The amino acid at position X was one that either required a larger ring intermediate (beta-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and epsilon-amino-n-caproic acid to generate six-, seven- or nine- membered rings, respectively) to transfer -OH, lacked a structural element required for nucleophilic attack (aminoethanol) or prohibited cyclization because of the inclusion of a rigid ring (p- and m-aminobenzoic acid). For Ag(+), Li(+) and Na(+) cationized peptides, our results show that amino acids requiring the adoption of larger ring intermediates suppressed the formation of [b(3) + 17 + Cat](+), while amino acids that prohibit cyclization eliminated the reaction pathway completely. Formation of [b(3) - 1 + Cat](+) from the alkali metal cationized versions was not a favorable process upon suppression or elimination of the [b(3) + 17 + Cat](+) pathway: the loss of H(2)O to form [M - H(2)O + Cat](+) was instead the dominant dissociation reaction observed. Multiple-stage dissociation experiments suggest that [M - H(2)O + Cat](+) is not [b(4) - 1 + Cat](+) arising from the loss of H(2)O from the C-terminus, but may instead be a species that forms via a mechanism involving the elimination of an oxygen atom from an amide group.     

Understanding the complex dissociation dynamics of energy selected dichloroethylene ions: neutral isomerization energies and heats of formation by imaging photoelectron-photoion coincidence

The dissociative photoionization of 1,1-C(2)H(2)Cl(2), (E)-1,2-C(2)H(2)Cl(2), and (Z)-1,2-C(2)H(2)Cl(2) has been investigated at high energy and mass resolution using the imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence instrument at the Swiss Light Source. The asymmetric Cl-atom loss ion time-of-flight distributions were fitted to obtain the dissociation rates in the 10(3) s(-1) < k < 10(7) s(-1) range as a function of the ion internal energy. The results, supported by ab initio calculations, show that all three ions dissociate to the same C(2v) symmetry ClC═CH(2)(+) product ion. The 0 K onset energies thus establish the relative heats of formation of the neutral isomers, that is, the isomerization energies. The experimental rate constants, k(E), as well as ab initio calculations indicate an early isomerization transition state and no overall reverse barrier to dissociation. The major high energy channels are the parallel HCl loss and the sequential ClC═CH(2)(+) → HCCH(+) + Cl process, the latter in competition with a ClC═CH(2)(+) → ClCCH(+) + H reaction. A parallel C(2)H(2)Cl(2)(+) → C(2)HCl(2)(+) + H channel also weakly asserts itself. The 0 K onset energy for the sequential Cl loss reaction suggests no barrier to the production of the most stable acetylene ion product; thus the sequential Cl-atom loss is preceded by a ClC═CH(2)(+) → HC(Cl)CH(+) reorganization step with a barrier lower than that of the second Cl-atom loss. The breakdown diagram corresponding to this sequential dissociation reveals the internal energy distribution of the first C(2)H(2)Cl(+) daughter ion, which is determined by the kinetic energy release in the first, Cl loss reaction at high excess energies. At low kinetic energy release, this distribution corresponds to the predicted two translational degrees of freedom, whereas at higher energies, the excess energy partitioning is characteristic of only one translational degree of freedom. New Δ(f)H(o)(298K) of 3.7, 2.5, and 0.2 ± 1.75 kJ mol(-1) are proposed for 1,1-C(2)H(2)Cl(2), (E)-1,2-C(2)H(2)Cl(2), and (Z)-1,2-C(2)H(2)Cl(2), respectively, and the proton affinity of ClCCH is found to be 708.6 ± 2.5 kJ mol(-1).     

Approaching the gas-phase structures of [AgS8]+ and [AgS16]+ in the solid state

Upon treating elemental sulfur with [AgSbF(6)], [AgAl(hfip)(4)], [AgAl(pftb)(4)] (hfip=OCH(CF(3))(2), pftb =OC(CF(3))(3)) the compounds [Ag(S(8))(2)][SbF(6)] (1), [AgS(8)][Al(hfip)(4)] (2), and [Ag(S(8))(2)](+)[[Al(pftb)(4)](-) (3) formed in SO(2) (1), CS(2) (2), or CH(2)Cl(2) (3). Compounds 1-3 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determinations: 1 by Raman spectroscopy, 2 and 3 by solution NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Single crystals of [Ag(S(8))(2)](+)[Sb(OTeF(5))(6)](-) 4 were obtained from a disproportionation reaction and only characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The Ag(+) ion in 1 coordinates two monodentate SbF(6) (-) anions and two bidentate S(8) rings in the 1,3-position. Compound 2 contains an almost C(4v)-symmetric [AgS(8)](+) moiety; this is the first example of an eta(4)-coordinated S(8) ring (d(Agbond;S)=2.84-3.00 A). Compounds 3 and 4, with the least basic anions, contain undistorted, approximately centrosymmetric Ag(eta(4)-S(8))(2) (+) cations with less symmetric eta(4)-coordinated S(8) rings (d(Agbond;S)=2.68-3.35 A). The thermochemical radius and volume of the undistorted Ag(S(8))(2) (+) cation was deduced as r(therm)(Ag(S(8))(2) (+))=3.378+ 0.076/-0.120 A and V(therm)(Ag(S(8))(2) (+))=417+4/-6 A(3). AgS(8) (+) and several isomers of the Ag(S(8))(2) (+) cation were optimized at the BP86, B3LYP, and MP2 levels by using the SVP and TZVPP basis sets. An analysis of the calculated geometries showed the MP2/TZVPP level to give geometries closest to the experimental data. Neither BP86 nor B3LYP reproduced the longer weak dispersive Agbond;S interactions in Ag(eta(4)-S(8))(2) (+) but led to Ag(eta(3)-S(8))(2) (+) geometries. With the most accurate MP2/TZVPP level, the enthalpies of formation of the gaseous [AgS(8)](+) and [Ag(S(8))(2)](+) cations were established as Delta(f)H(298)([Ag(S(8))(2)](+), g)=856 kJ mol(-1) and Delta(f)H(298)([AgS(8)](+), g)=902 kJ mol(-1). It is shown that the [AgS(8)](+) moiety in 2 and the [AgS(8)](2) (+) cations in 3 and 4 are the best approximation of these ions, which were earlier observed by MS methods. Both cations reside in shallow potential-energy wells where larger structural changes only lead to small increases in the overall energy. It is shown that the covalent Agbond;S bonding contributions in both cations may be described by two components: i) the interaction of the spherical empty Ag 5s(0) acceptor orbital with the filled S 3p(2) lone-pair donor orbitals and ii) the interaction of the empty Ag 5p(0) acceptor orbitals with the filled S 3p(2) lone-pair donor orbitals. This latter contribution is responsible for the observed low symmetry of the centrosymmetric Ag(eta(4)-S(8))(2) (+) cation. The positive charge transferred from the Ag(+) ion in 1-4 to the coordinated sulfur atoms is delocalized over all the atoms in the S(8) ring by multiple 3p(2)-->3sigma* interactions that result in a small long-short-long-short Sbond;S bond-length alternation starting from S1 with the shortest Agbond;S length. The driving force for all these weak bonding interactions is positive charge delocalization from the formally fully localized charge of the Ag(+) ion.     

Weakly coordinating anions: crystallographic and NQR studies of halogen-metal bonding in silver, thallium, sodium, and potassium halomethanesulfonates

35Cl, (79,81)Br, and (127)I NQR (nuclear quadrupole resonance) spectroscopy in conjunction with X-ray crystallography is potentially one of the best ways of characterizing secondary bonding of metal cations such as Ag(+) to halogen donor atoms on the surfaces of very weakly coordinating anions. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of Ag(O(3)SCH(2)Cl) (a = 13.241(3) A; b = 7.544(2) A; c = 4.925(2) A; orthorhombic; space group Pnma; Z = 4) and compared it with the known structure of Ag(O(3)SCH(2)Br) (Charbonnier, F.; Faure, R.; Loiseleur, H. Acta Crystallogr., Sect. B 1978, 34, 3598-3601). The halogen atom in each is apical (three-coordinate), being weakly coordinated to two silver ions. (127)I NQR studies on Ag(O(3)SCH(2)I) show the expected NQR consequences of three-coordination of iodine: substantially reduced NQR frequencies nu(1) and nu(2) and a fairly small NQR asymmetry parameter eta. The reduction of the halogen NQR frequency of the coordinating halogen atom in Ag(O(3)SCH(2)X) becomes more substantial in the series X = Cl < Br < I, indicating that the coordination to Ag(+) strengthens in this series, as expected from hard-soft acid-base principles. The numbers of electrons donated by the organic iodine atom to Ag(+) have been estimated; these indicate that the bonding to the cation is weak but not insignificant. We have not found any evidence for the bonding of these organohalogen atoms to another soft-acid metal ion, thallium. A scheme for recycling of thallium halide wastes is included.     

Isomerization and fragmentation reactions of gaseous phenylarsane radical cations and phenylarsanyl cations. A study by tandem mass spectrometry and theoretical calculations

The unimolecular reactions of radical cations and cations derived from phenylarsane, C6H5AsH2 (1) and dideutero phenylarsane, C6H5AsD2 (1-d2), were investigated by methods of tandem mass spectrometry and theoretical calculations. The mass spectrometric experiments reveal that the molecular ion of phenylarsane, 1*+, exhibits different reactivity at low and high internal excess energy. Only at low internal energy the observed fragmentations are as expected, that is the molecular ion 1*+ decomposes almost exclusively by loss of an H atom. The deuterated derivative 1-d2 with an AsD2 group eliminates selectively a D atom under these conditions. The resulting phenylarsenium ion [C6H5AsH]+, 2+, decomposes rather easily by loss of the As atom to give the benzene radical cation [C6H6]*+ and is therefore of low abundance in the 70 eV EI mass spectrum. At high internal excess energy, the ion 1*+ decomposes very differently either by elimination of an H2 molecule, or by release of the As atom, or by loss of an AsH fragment. Final products of these reactions are either the benzoarsenium ion 4*+, or the benzonium ion [C6H7]+, or the benzene radical cation, [C6H6]*+. As key-steps, these fragmentations contain reductive eliminations from the central As atom under H-H or C-H bond formation. Labeling experiments show that H/D exchange reactions precede these fragmentations and, specifically, that complete positional exchange of the H atoms in 1*+ occurs. Computations at the UMP2/6-311+G(d)//UHF/6-311+G(d) level agree best with the experimental results and suggest: (i) 1*+ rearranges (activation enthalpy of 93 kJ mol(-1)) to a distinctly more stable (DeltaH(r)(298) = -64 kJ mol(-1)) isomer 1 sigma*+ with a structure best represented as a distonic radical cation sigma complex between AsH and benzene. (ii) The six H atoms of the benzene moiety of 1 sigma*+ become equivalent by a fast ring walk of the AsH group. (iii) A reversible isomerization 1+<==>1 sigma*+ scrambles eventually all H atoms over all positions in 1*+. The distonic radical cation 1*+ is predisposed for the elimination of an As atom or an AsH fragment. The calculations are in accordance with the experimentally preferred reactions when the As atom and the AsH fragment are generated in the quartet and triplet state, respectively. Alternatively, 1*(+) undergoes a reductive elimination of H2 from the AsH2 group via a remarkably stable complex of the phenylarsandiyl radical cation, [C6H5As]*+ and an H2 molecule.     

Reaction mechanism of Cl2 and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquids

Systems containing 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid and chlorine gas were investigated. Using relativistic density functional theory, we calculated the formation mechanism of trichloride and hydrogen dichloride anions in an Emim(+)Cl(-) + Cl(2) system. Emim(+)Cl(3)(-) forms without energy barriers. The more stable species ClEmim(+)HCl(2)(-) forms through chlorine substitution. Substitution of a H on the imidazolium ring is much easier than substitution on the alkyl side chains. Infrared, Raman, ESI-MS, and (1)H NMR spectra were measured for EmimCl, BmimCl, and DmimCl with and without Cl(2) gas. The coexistence of Cl(3)(-) and HCl(2)(-), as well as chlorine-substituted cations, was confirmed by detection of their spectroscopic signals in the Cl(2) added ionic liquids. Cl substitution appears less serious for cations with longer side chains.     

TPEPICO spectroscopy of vinyl chloride and vinyl iodide: neutral and ionic heats of formation and bond energies

The 0 K dissociative ionization onsets of C2H3X --> C2H3(+) + X (X = Cl, I) are measured by threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy. The heats of formation of C2H3Cl (Delta H(f,0K)(0) = 30.2 +/- 3.2 kJ mol(-1) and Delta(H f,298K)(0) = 22.6 +/- 3.2 kJ mol(-1)) and C2H3I (Delta(H f,0K)(0) = 140.2 +/- 3.2 kJ mol(-1) and Delta(H f,298K)(0) = 131.2 +/- 3.2 kJ mol(-1)) and C- X bond dissociation enthalpies as well as those of their ions are determined. The data help resolve a longstanding discrepancy among experimental values of the vinyl chloride heat of formation, which now agrees with the latest theoretical determination. The reported vinyl iodide heat of formation is the first reliable experimental determination. Additionally, the adiabatic ionization energy of C2H3I (9.32 +/- 0.01 eV) is measured by threshold photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Origin of the SN2 benzylic effect

The S N2 identity exchange reactions of the fluoride ion with benzyl fluoride and 10 para-substituted derivatives (RC6H 4CH 2F, R = CH3, OH, OCH 3, NH2, F, Cl, CCH, CN, COF, and NO2) have been investigated by both rigorous ab initio methods and carefully calibrated density functional theory. Groundbreaking focal-point computations were executed for the C6H5CH 2F + F (-) and C 6H 5CH2Cl + Cl (-) SN2 reactions at the highest possible levels of electronic structure theory, employing complete basis set (CBS) extrapolations of aug-cc-pV XZ (X = 2-5) Hartree-Fock and MP2 energies, and including higher-order electron correlation via CCSD/aug-cc-pVQZ and CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ coupled cluster wave functions. Strong linear dependences are found between the computed electrostatic potential at the reaction-center carbon atom and the effective SN2 activation energies within the series of para-substituted benzyl fluorides. An activation strain energy decomposition indicates that the SN2 reactivity of these benzylic compounds is governed by the intrinsic electrostatic interaction between the reacting fragments. The delocalization of nucleophilic charge into the aromatic ring in the SN2 transition states is quite limited and should not be considered the origin of benzylic acceleration of SN2 reactions. Our rigorous focal-point computations validate the benzylic effect by establishing SN2 barriers for (F (-), Cl (-)) identity exchange in (C6H5CH2F, C6H 5CH2Cl) that are lower than those of (CH3F, CH3Cl) by (3.8, 1.6) kcal mol (-1), in order.     

Intramolecular electron transfer in heterosubstituted benzene derivatives as probed by dissociative electron attachment

The electron transmission and dissociative electron attachment spectra of the 1-chloroalkyl benzene derivatives, C(6)H(5)(CH(2))(3)Cl and C(6)H(5)(CH(2))(4)Cl, and of the sulfur and silicon derivatives, C(6)H(5)SCH(2)Cl, C(6)H(5)Si(CH(3))(2)CH(2)Cl and C(6)H(5)CH(2)Si(CH(3))(2)CH(2)Cl, are presented for the first time. The relative Cl(-) fragment anion currents generated by electron attachment to the benzene pi* LUMO are measured in the series C(6)H(5)(CH(2))(n)Cl, with n = 1-4, and in the heteroatomic compounds. The Cl(-) yield reflects the rate of intramolecular electron transfer between the pi-system and the remote chlorine atom, which in turn depends on the extent of through-bond coupling between the localized pi* and sigma*(Cl-C) orbitals. In compounds C(6)H(5)(CH(2))(n)Cl the Cl(-) current rapidly decreases with increasing length of the saturated chain. This decrease is significantly attenuated when a carbon atom of the alkyl skeleton is replaced with a third-row heteroatom. This greater ability to promote through-bond coupling between the pi* and sigma*(Cl-C) orbitals is attributed to the sizably lower energy of the empty sigma*(S-C) and sigma*(Si-C) orbitals with respect to the sigma*(C-C) orbitals. In the sulfur derivative the increase of the Cl(-) current is larger than in the silicon analogue. In this case, however, other negative fragments are observed, due to dissociation of the S-C bonds.     

Concerning the reaction between singlet nitrenium ions and water: a computational investigation on competitive reaction paths

The reaction between singlet nitrenium ions XNH(+) (X = F and Cl) and H(2)O has been investigated by high-level of theory ab initio calculations. The geometries of the involved intermediates, transition structures, and dissociation products have been optimized at the MP2(full)/6-31G(d) level of theory, and accurate total energies have been obtained using the Gaussian-3 (G3) procedure. The reaction commences by the exothermic formation of the F-NH-OH(2) (+) and Cl-NH-OH(2) (+) intermediates, which are in turn able to undergo two distinct low-energy reaction paths, namely, the isomerization to the N-protonated isomers of the hydroxylamines F-NH-OH or Cl-NH-OH, and the eventual extrusion of HF or HCl. The competitive or alternative occurrence of these two processes strictly depends on the nature of the substituent X. In the reaction between FNH(+) and H(2)O, the energy gained in the formation of the complex F-NH-OH(2) (+) from the association between FNH(+) and H(2)O, 52.1 kcal mol(-1), is by far larger than the activation barrier for the loss of HF from F-NH-OH(2) (+), computed as 24.9 kcal mol(-1). In addition, the F-NH-OH(2) (+) intermediate requires 33.0 kcal mol(-1) to overcome the barrier for the isomerization to F-NH(2)-OH(+). Therefore, the reaction between FNH(+) and H(2)O is expected to occur practically exclusively by HF elimination with formation of the HN-OH(+) ionic product. On the other hand, for the reaction between ClNH(+) and H(2)O, it is not possible to get a definitive conclusion on the competitive or alternative occurrence of the two reaction paths. In fact, the transition structure involved in the elimination of HCl from Cl-NH-OH(2) (+) is only 3.4 kcal mol(-1) lower in energy than the transition structure for the isomerization of Cl-NH-OH(2) (+) to Cl-NH(2)-OH(+). In addition, the absolute values of the energy barriers of these two processes, 24.2 and 27.6 kcal mol(-1), respectively, are comparable with the energy gained in the formation of the complex Cl-NH-OH(2) (+) from the association between ClNH(+) and H(2)O, 24.0 kcal mol(-).1 Therefore, the ClNH(+) cation is predicted to react with water significantly slower than FNH(+).     

Kinetic energy release of C70(+) and its endohedral cation N@C70(+): activation energy for N extrusion

Unimolecular decomposition of C70(+) and its endohedral cation N@C70(+) were studied by high-resolution mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrometry. Information on the energetics and dynamics of these reactions was extracted. C70(+) dissociates unimolecularly by loss of a C2 unit, whereas N@C70(+) expels the endohedral N atom. Kinetic energy release distributions (KERDs) in these reactions were measured. By use of finite heat bath theory (FHBT), the binding energy for C2 emission from C70(+) and the activation energy for N elimination from N@C70(+) were deduced from KERDs in the light of a recent finding that fragmentation of fullerene cations proceeds via a very loose transition state. The activation energy measured for N extrusion from N@C70(+) was found to be lower than that for C2 evaporation, higher than the value from its neutral molecule N@C70 obtained on the basis of thermal stability measurements, and coincident with the theoretical value. The results provide confirmation that the proposed extrusion mechanism in which the N atom escapes from the cage via formation of an aza-bridged intermediate is correct.     

Positive and negative gas-phase ion chemistry of chlorofluorocarbons in air at atmospheric pressure

This paper presents a report on the ionization/dissociation of some representative chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) induced by corona discharges in air at atmospheric pressure. Both positive and negative ions formed from Freons 1,1,1-trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC 113a), 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC 113), and 1,1,1,2-tetrachlorodifluoroethane (CFC 112a) were analyzed using an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) instrument. Energy-resolved mass spectra were obtained by modulating the kinetic energy of the ions via adjustment of the sampling cone potential (V(cone)). Positive ion spectra of the CFCs (M) at low V(cone) show no signals due to either M(+)* or MH(+) but only those due to species [M - Cl](+) and CX(3)(+) (X = Cl, F), likely formed via C-Cl and C-C bond cleavages following ionization via charge exchange. Charge localization in the products of C-C bond cleavage in M(+)* is driven by the stability of the neutral fragment. At low V(cone) the hydrates [M - Cl](+)(H(2)O) are also observed. In the case of 1,1,2,-trichlorotrifluoroethane, [M - F](+) species also form as a result of ion-molecule reactions. As V(cone) is increased collision-induced dissociation of [M - Cl](+) and [M - F](+), i.e., the perhalogenated cations C(2)X(5)(+) (X = Cl, F), takes place via carbene elimination. In some cases such elimination is preceded or accompanied by rearrangements involving transfer of halogen from one carbon to the other. Evidence is also presented for the occurrence of a condensation reaction of C(2)Cl(3)F(2)(+) with water to form a C(2)Cl(2)F(2)HO(+) species via elimination of HCl. Negative ion spectra are dominated by Cl(-) and its ion-neutral complexes with M and with water. Additional components of the plasma include ion-neutral complexes O(3)(-)(M), the molecular anion M(-) (observed only with 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane), and an interesting species corresponding to [M - Cl + O](-). The origin and structure of these [M - Cl + O](-) species are discussed in terms of available thermochemical and reactivity data and current mechanistic views concerning reaction of O(2)(-) with halogenated compounds. The observation of both positive and negative ions containing oxygen is of special relevance to development of new processes for the treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) based on oxidative decomposition induced by corona discharges in air at room temperature and pressure.