Polymerization of 1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne homologs containing two silicon atoms by tantalum- and niobium-based catalysts

Polymerization of new 1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne homologs containing two silicon atoms [CH₃C?CSi(CH₃)₂CH₂Si(CH₃)₃ and CH₃C?CSi(CH₃)₂CH₂CH₂Si(CH₃)₃] was investigated by use of Ta and Nb catalysts. CH₃C?CSi(CH₃)₂CH₂Si(CH₃)₃ was polymerized quantitatively by TaCl₅ alone to provide a polymer having molecular weight over 10⁶. CH₃C?CSi(CH₃)₂CH₂CH₂Si(CH₃)₃ was polymerized in good yield by an equimolar mixture of TaCl₅ with an appropriate organometallic cocatalyst such as Ph₄Sn to give a polymer with molecular weight of ca. 4 X 10⁵. Nb catalysts were less active toward these monomers than the corresponding Ta catalysts. These two kinds of polymers had alternating double bonds along the main chain according to IR and ¹³C-NMR spectra. Both polymers were white solids completely soluble in low-polarity solvents like toluene, and solution casting afforded uniform, tough films. These polymers were thermally fairly stable, and their softening points were above 350°C. Films of these polymers showed smaller oxygen permeability coefficients [P = 4 × 10^?9 – 8 × 10^?9 cm³(STP) · cm/(cm²·sec·cmHg)] but larger separation factors [(P/P) = 3.4 – 3.6] than a poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] film.     

Barriers to internal rotation in neopentylbenzenes substituted on the benzyl group. A 13C NMR band shape study

Two series of neopentylbenzenes with one or two substituents on the benzyl group have been synthesized. In one series the substituents were H, F, Cl, Br, I, OCH₃, OCOCH₃, OSi(CH₃)₃ CH₃ and CH₂CH₃, and in the other OH and R [R ? H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, (CH₂)₃CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂ and C(CH₃)₃]. Barriers to internal C? C and C? C rotation have been estimated by ¹³C NMR band shape methods. Estimated barriers were found to increase as the size of the substituent increases. The results are discussed in terms of possible initial and transition states, based on summations of results from molecular mechanics (MM) calculations, using the Allinger MMP1 program. Barriers estimated experimentally are compared with results from other systems found in the literature.     

Über die Reaktion von Schwefel mit Aminen und Formaldehyd. Eine neue Methode zur Herstellung von Thioformamiden und Dithiocarbamaten

The reaction of sulfur with primary or secondary amines and formaldehyde has been studied. A simple one step process for the preparation of thioformamides (RR′NCHS; R ? H, R′ ? CH₃, C₂H₅; R ? R′ ? CH₃, C₂H₅; R+R′ ? ? (CH₂), ? (CH₂), ? C₂H₄OC₂H) and the amine salts of N, N-dialkyl-dithiocarbamic acids (R₂NCS₂ · H₂NR₂, R ? CH₃, C₂H₅, C₄H₉; R₂ ? ? (CH₂), ? (CH₂), ? C₂H₄OC₂H) is reported. In addition, the isolation of diethylamidosulfoxylic acid, (C₂H₅)₂NSOH · 1/2 H₂O, the first derivative of a new class of compounds, is described. The physical properties and the ¹H-NMR. spectra of the above mentioned compounds are given.     

Small Molecule Activation by POCOP‐Nickel Complexes

This contribution describes the reactivities of CO₂, CO, O₂, and ArNC with the pincer‐type complexes [(κ^P,κ^C,κ^P′‐POCOP)NiX] (POCOP=(R₂POCH₂)₂CH; R=iPr; X=OSiMe₃, NArH; Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃). Reaction of the amido derivative with CO₂ and CO leads to a simple insertion into the Ni?N bond to give stable carbamate and carbamoyl derivatives, respectively, the pincer ligand backbone remaining intact in both cases. In contrast, the analogous reactions with the siloxide derivative produced kinetically labile insertion products that either revert to the starting material (in the case of CO₂) or react further to give the mixed‐valent, dinickel species [(POCOP)Ni^II{μ,κ^O,κ^P,κ^P′‐OCOCH(CH₂CH₂OPR₂)₂}Ni⁰(CO)₂]. The zero‐valent center in the latter compound is ligated by a new ligand arising from transformation of the POCOP ligand backbone. The carbonylation and carboxylation of the siloxido derivative also produced minor quantities of a side‐product identified as the trinickel species, [{(η³‐allyl)Ni(μ^O,κ^P‐R₂PO)₂}₂Ni], arising from total dismantling of the POCOP ligand. Similar reactivities were observed with isonitrile, ArNC: reaction with the siloxido derivative resulted in a complex sequence of steps involving initial insertion, a 1,3‐hydrogen shift, and an Arbuzov rearrangement to give [Ni(CNAr)₄] and a methacrylamide based on fragments of the POCOP ligand. Oxygenation of the amido and siloxido derivatives led to the phosphinate derivative, [(POCOP)Ni(OP(O)R₂)], arising from oxidative transformation of the original ligand frame; the reaction with the Ni‐NHAr derivative also gave ArHNP(O)R₂ through a complex N?P bond‐forming reaction.     

Kinetics for the gas‐phase reactions of OH radicals with the hydrofluoroethers CH2FCF2OCHF2, CHF2CF2OCH2CF3, CF3CHFCF2OCH2CF3, and CF3CHFCF2OCH2CF2CHF2 at 268–308 K

Rate constants were determined for the reactions of OH radicals with the hydrofluoroethers (HFEs) CH₂FCF₂OCHF₂(k₁), CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃ (k₂), CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₃(k₃), and CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₂CHF₂(k₄) by using a relative rate method. OH radicals were prepared by photolysis of ozone at UV wavelengths (>260 nm) in 100 Torr of a HFE–reference–H₂O–O₃–O₂–He gas mixture in a 1‐m³ temperature‐controlled chamber. By using CH₄, CH₃CCl₃, CHF₂Cl, and CF₃CF₂CF₂OCH₃ as the reference compounds, reaction rate constants of OH radicals of k₁ = (1.68) × 10^?12 exp[(?1710 ± 140)/T], k₂ = (1.36) × 10^?12 exp[(?1470 ± 90)/T], k₃ = (1.67) × 10^?12 exp[(?1560 ± 140)/T], and k₄ = (2.39) × 10^?12 exp[(?1560 ± 110)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were obtained at 268–308 K. The errors reported are ± 2 SD, and represent precision only. We estimate that the potential systematic errors associated with uncertainties in the reference rate constants add a further 10% uncertainty to the values of k₁–k₄. The results are discussed in relation to the predictions of Atkinson's structure–activity relationship model. The dominant tropospheric loss process for the HFEs studied here is considered to be by the reaction with the OH radicals, with atmospheric lifetimes of 11.5, 5.9, 6.7, and 4.7 years calculated for CH₂FCF₂OCHF₂, CHF₂CF₂OCH₂CF₃, CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₃, and CF₃CHFCF₂OCH₂CF₂CHF₂, respectively, by scaling from the lifetime of CH₃CCl₃. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 35: 239–245, 2003     

Chiral Fluorinated α‐Sulfonyl Carbanions: Enantioselective Synthesis and Electrophilic Capture,Racemization Dynamics,and Structure

Enantiomerically pure triflones R¹CH(R²)SO₂CF₃ have been synthesized starting from the corresponding chiral alcohols via thiols and trifluoromethylsulfanes. Key steps of the syntheses of the sulfanes are the photochemical trifluoromethylation of the thiols with CF₃Hal (Hal=halide) or substitution of alkoxyphosphinediamines with CF₃SSCF₃. The deprotonation of RCH(Me)SO₂CF₃ (R=CH₂Ph, iHex) with nBuLi with the formation of salts [RC(Me)? SO₂CF₃]Li and their electrophilic capture both occurred with high enantioselectivities. Displacement of the SO₂CF₃ group of (S)‐MeOCH₂C(Me)(CH₂Ph)SO₂CF₃ (95 % ee) by an ethyl group through the reaction with AlEt₃ gave alkane MeOCH₂C(Me)(CH₂Ph)Et of 96 % ee. Racemization of salts [R¹C(R²)SO₂CF₃]Li follows first‐order kinetics and is mainly an enthalpic process with small negative activation entropy as revealed by polarimetry and dynamic NMR (DNMR) spectroscopy. This is in accordance with a C_α? S bond rotation as the rate‐determining step. Lithium α‐(S)‐trifluoromethyl‐ and α‐(S)‐nonafluorobutylsulfonyl carbanion salts have a much higher racemization barrier than the corresponding α‐(S)‐tert‐butylsulfonyl carbanion salts. Whereas [PhCH₂C(Me)SO₂tBu]Li/DMPU (DMPU = dimethylpropylurea) has a half‐life of racemization at ?105 °C of 2.4 h, that of [PhCH₂C(Me)SO₂CF₃]Li at ?78 °C is 30 d. DNMR spectroscopy of amides (PhCH₂)₂NSO₂CF₃ and (PhCH₂)N(Ph)SO₂CF₃ gave N? S rotational barriers that seem to be distinctly higher than those of nonfluorinated sulfonamides. NMR spectroscopy of [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂R]M (M=Li, K, NBu₄; R=CF₃, tBu) shows for both salts a confinement of the negative charge mainly to the C_α atom and a significant benzylic stabilization that is weaker in the trifluoromethylsulfonyl carbanion. According to crystal structure analyses, the carbanions of salts {[PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]Li? L }₂ ( L =2 THF, tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA)) and [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]NBu₄ have the typical chiral C_α? S conformation of α‐sulfonyl carbanions, planar C_α atoms, and short C_α? S bonds. Ab initio calculations of [MeC(Ph)SO₂tBu]^? and [MeC(Ph)SO₂CF₃]^? showed for the fluorinated carbanion stronger n_C→σ* and n_O→σ* interactions and a weaker benzylic stabilization. According to natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations of [R¹C(R²)SO₂R]^? (R=tBu, CF₃) the n_C→σ*_{S? R} interaction is much stronger for R=CF₃. Ab initio calculations gave for [MeC(Ph)SO₂tBu]Li ? 2 Me₂O an O,Li,C_α contact ion pair (CIP) and for [MeC(Ph)SO₂CF₃]Li ? 2 Me₂O an O,Li,O CIP. According to cryoscopy, [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]Li, [iHexC(Me)SO₂CF₃]Li, and [PhCH₂C(Ph)SO₂CF₃]NBu₄ predominantly form monomers in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at ?108 °C. The NMR spectroscopic data of salts [R¹(R²)SO₂R³]Li (R³=tBu, CF₃) indicate that the dominating monomeric CIPs are devoid of C_α? Li bonds.     

New Polyoxometalates Containing Hybrid Polymers and Their Potential for Nano‐Patterning

Two new polyoxometalate (POM)‐based hybrid monomers (Bu₄N)₅(H)[P₂V₃W₁₅O₅₉{(OCH₂)₃CNHCO(CH₃)C?CH₂}] ( 2 ) and (S(CH₃)₂C₆H₄OCOC(CH₃)=CH₂)₆[PVMo₁₀O₄₀] ( 5 ) were developed by grafting polymerizable organic units covalently or electrostatically onto Wells–Dawson and Keggin‐type clusters and were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques including ESI‐MS and/or single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses. Radical initiated polymerization of 2 and 5 with organic monomers (methacryloyloxy)phenyldimethylsulfonium triflate (MAPDST) and/or methylmethacrylate (MMA) yielded a new series of POM/polymer hybrids that were characterized by ¹H, ³¹P NMR and IR spectroscopic techniques, gel‐permeation chromatography as well as thermal analyses. Preliminary tests were conducted on these POM/polymer hybrids to evaluate their properties as photoresists using electron beam (E‐beam)/extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithographic techniques. It was observed that the POM/polymer hybrid of 2 with MAPDST exhibited improved sensitivity under EUV lithographic conditions in comparison to the MAPDST homopolymer resist possibly due to the efficient photon harvesting by the POM clusters from the EUV source.     

Carbofunctional fluorine-containing triethoxysilanes: synthesis,film forming and properties

Novel fluorine-containing carbofunctional organosilicon monomers were synthesized: 3-pentafluorobenzylideneaminopropylethoxysilane (EtO)₃Si(CH₂)₃N=CH-C₆F₅, N-3-methoxydiethoxysilylpropyltrifluoroacetamide (EtO)₂(MeO)Si(CH₂)₃NHC(O)CF₃, and 1,1,5-trihydrooctafluoroamyl N-3-triethoxysilylpropylaminopropanoate (EtO)₃Si(CH₂)₃NH(CH₂)₂C(O)OCH₂(CF₂)₃CHF₂. Compositions for the formation of transparent thermally stable films were prepared from these monomers. The films have low absorbance intensity near 1550 nm, i.e., in the region of photosignal transmission of modern optical communication systems. The compositions can dissolve complexes with organofluorine ligands and produce transparent homogeneous films doped with rare-earth metals. The concentrations of the complexes in the matrices are 3.7–21.4 wt.% (metal concentrations are 0.6–3.7%). Fluorescence and fluorescence excitation spectra of the matrices and electronic absorption spectra of the doped films were studied. __________ Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 1131–1138, May, 2005.     

The 13C and D kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of CH4 with Cl

The kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of methane (CH₄) with Cl atoms are studied in a relative rate experiment at 298 ± 2 K and 1013 ± 10 mbar. The reaction rates of ¹³CH₄, ¹²CH₃D, ¹²CH₂D₂, ¹²CHD₃, and ¹²CD₄ with Cl radicals are measured relative to ¹²CH₄ in a smog chamber using long path FTIR detection. The experimental data are analyzed with a nonlinear least squares spectral fitting method using measured high‐resolution spectra as well as cross sections from the HITRAN database. The relative reaction rates of ¹²CH₄, ¹³CH₄, ¹²CH₃D, ¹²CH₂D₂, ¹²CHD₃, and ¹²CD₄ with Cl are determined as k/k = 1.06 ± 0.01, k/k = 1.47 ± 0.03, k/k = 2.45 ± 0.05, k/k = 4.7 ± 0.1, k/k = 14.7 ± 0.3. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 110–118, 2005     

Trivalent-pentavalente Phosphorverbindungen/Phosphazene. IV. Darstellung und Eigenschaften neuer N-silylierter Diphosphazene

Trivalent-Pentavalent Phosphorus Compounds/Phosphazenes. IV. Preparation and Properties of New N-silylated Diphosphazenes Phosphazeno-phosphanes, R₃P = N? P(OR′) ₂ (R = CH₃, N(CH₃)₂; R′ = CH₂? CF₃) react with trimethylazido silane to give N-silylated diphosphazenes, R₃P = N? P(OR′)₂ = N? Si(CH₃)₃ compounds decompose by atmospherical air to phosphazeno-phosphonamidic acid esters, R₃ P?N? P(O)(O? CH₂? CF₃)(NH₂). Thermolysis of diphosphazene R₃P = N? P(OR′) ₂ = N? Si(CH₃)₃ (R = CH₃, R′ = CH₂? CF₃) produces phosphazenyl-phosphazenes [N?P(N?P(CH₃)₃)OR′] _n. The compounds are characterized by elementary analysis, IR-, ¹H_-, ²⁹Si-, ³¹P-n.m.r., and mass spectroscopy.     

The quantum efficiency of the primary processes in formaldehyde photolysis at 3130 Å and 25°C

The mechanism of the photolysis of formaldehyde was studied in experiments at 3130 Å and in the pressure range of 1–12 torr at 25°C. The experiments were designed to establish the quantum yields of the primary decomposition steps (1) and (2), CH₂O + hν → H + HCO (1): CH₂O + hν → H₂ + CO (2), through the effects of added isobutene, trimethylsilane, and nitric oxide on Φ_CO and Φ. The ratio Φ_CO/Φ was found to be 1.01 ± 0.09(2σ) and (Φ + Φ_CO)/2 = 1.10 ± 0.08 over the range of pressures and a 12-fold change in incident light intensity. Isobutene and nitric oxide additions reduced Φ to about the same limiting value, 0.32 ± 0.03 and 0.34 ± 0.04, respectively, but these added gases differed in their effects on Φ_CO. With isobutene addition Φ_CO/Φ reached a limiting value of 2.3; with NO addition Φ_CO exceeded unity. The addition of small amounts of Me₃SiH reduced Φ to 1.02 ± 0.08 and lowered Φ_CO to 0.7. These findings were rationalized in terms of a mechanism in which the “nonscavengeable,” molecular hydrogen is formed in reaction (2) with ?₂ = 0.32 ± 0.03, while the “free radical” hydrogen is formed in reaction (1) with ?₁ = 0.68 ± 0.03. In the pure formaldehyde system these reactions are followed by (3)–(5): H + CH₂O → H₂ + HCO (3); 2HCO → CH₂O + CO (4); 2HCO → H₂ + 2CO (5). The data suggest k₄/k₅ ? 5.8. Isobutene reduced Φ by the reaction H + iso-C₄H₈ → C₄H₉ (20), and the results give k₂₀/k₃ ? 43 ± 4, in good agreement with the ratio of the reported values of the individual constants k₃ and k₂₀.     

Unusual H2-forming chain reaction in the 3130-Å photolysis of formaldehyde-oxygen mixtures at 25°C

A kinetic study has been made of the 3130-Å photolysis of CH₂O (8 torr) in O₂-containing mixtures (0.02–8 torr) and in the presence of added CO₂ (0–300 torr) at 25°C. Quantum yields of formation of H₂, CO, and CO₂ and the loss of O₂ were measured. Φ and Φ_CO were much above unity. In an explanation of these unexpected results, a new H-atom-forming chain mechanism was postulated involving HO₂ and HO addition to CH₂O: CH₂O + hν → H + HCO (1) H + CH₂O → H₂ + HCO (3) H + O₂ + M → HO₂ + M (6) HCO + O₂ → HO₂ + CO (8) HO₂ + CH₂O → (HO₂CH₂O) → HO + HCO₂H (15) HO + CH₂O → H₂O + HCO? (16); HCO? → H + CO (19) HO + CH₂O → H₂O + HCO (17) and HO + CH₂O → HCO₂H + H (18). When the results are rationalized in terms of this mechanism, the data suggest k₁₆ ? k₁₇ and k₁₆/k₁₈ ? 0.5. The data require that a reassessment of the relative rates of reactions (7) and (8) be made, since in the previous work HCO₂H formation was used as a monitor of the rate of reaction (7) HCO + O₂ + M → HCOO₂ + M (7). The present data from experiments at P = 8 torr and P = 1–4 torr give k₇[M]/(k₇[M] + k₈) ≥ 0.049 ± 0.017. These data coupled with the k₈ estimates of Washida and coworkers give k₇ ≥ (4.4 ± 1.6) × 10¹¹ l²/mol²·sec for M = CH₂O. The reaction sequence proposed here is consistent with the observed deterimental effect of O₂ addition on the laser-induced isotope enrichment in HDCO. In additional studies of CH₂O-O₂-isobutene mixtures it was found that Φ was equal to ?₂ as estimated in O₂-free CH₂O-isobutene mixtures. These results suggest that the increase in CO (ν = 1) product observed with O₂ addition in CH₂O photolysis does not result from perturbations in the fragmentation pattern of the excited CH₂O, but it is likely that it originates in the occurrence of the exothermic reaction HCO + O₂ → HO₂ + CO (ν = 1).     

Shock‐tube studies on the reactions of dimethyl ether with oxygen and hydrogen atoms

The reactions of dimethyl ether (CH₃OCH₃, DME) with O(³P) and H atoms have been studied at high temperatures by using a shock tube apparatus coupled with atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy (ARAS). The rate coefficients for the reactions CH₃OCH₃ + O(³P) → CH₃OCH₂ + OH (1) and CH₃OCH₃ + H → CH₃OCH₂ + H₂ (2) were experimentally determined from the decay of O(³P) and H atoms as: These results show that DME can react with O(³P) atoms more easily than with H atoms. By combining these results with the previous lower temperature data, we obtained the following modified Arrhenius expressions applied over the wide temperature range between 300 and 1500 K: Both reactions of DME are faster than those of ethane, because the dissociation energy of the C? H bond in DME is smaller. Furthermore, the rate coefficients for reactions ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) were calculated with the transition‐state theory (TST). Structural parameters and vibrational frequencies of the reactants and the transition states required for the TST calculation were obtained from the MP2(full)/6‐31G(d) ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculation. The energy barrier, E^?₀, was adjusted until the TST rate coefficient most closely matched the observed one. The fitting results of E(1) = 23 kJ mol^?1 and E(2) = 34 kJ mol^?1 were in agreement with the G2 energy barriers, within the expected uncertainty, demonstrating that the experimentally determined rate coefficients were theoretically valid. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 39: 97–108, 2007     

A theoretical approach to the thermochemistry of the polymerization of some derivatives of the monomers CH2X (X = CH2, NH,O)

In this work, we have calculated the thermodynamic parameters of the polymerization of some derivatives of the species CH₂X (X = CH₂, NH, O), using ab initio methods of quantum chemistry and the usual formalism of statistical thermodynamics. It is shown that the Gibbs functions ΔG(l, c) corresponding to CH₂NOCH₃, CNCHNCN, CF₂O and all the percyano derivatives are largely positive which indicates that the spontaneous (radical or ionic) chain polymerization of these monomers is thermodynamically prohibited.     

Die Kristall- und Molekülstruktur von (CH3)2SnSAB (SAB = Dianion von 2-Hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxybenzyliden)-anilin)

Crystal and Molecular Structure of (CH₃)₂SnSAB. (SAB = Dianion of 2-Hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-aniline) (CH₃)₂SnSAB, C₁₅H₁₅NO₂Sn (SAB = tridentate dianion of 2-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-aniline in SCHIFF base form) crystallizes in the space group Pben (D) with a = 19.271(5), b = 10.508(2), c = 13.379(1) Å and Z = 8. The structure has been solved using 1307 symmetrical independent reflections and applying the heavy atom method; the position of all atoms, except the H atoms, has been determined. As interatomic distances have been found: Sn? C: 2.117(14), Sn? O:2.112(9), Sn? N:2.229(11) N? C 10 (phenyl group II): 1.462(16), C9-N (SCHIFF base bridging group): 1.257(18), C 9? C8 (phenyl group I): 1.441(18) Å; mean C? C distances in the phenyl groups: 1.403(18) Å. Two molecules at a time have a centre of symmetry and weakly coordinate through two loose Sn? O bridges (intermolecular Sn? O distance: 2.881(8) Å). The individual molecules essentially form a distorted trigonal bipyramid with N and both methyl-C atoms in the equatorial plane; ? CSnC = 138.52(50)°; ? OSnO = 158.58(35)°.     

A New Approach to the Design of Neutral 10‐C‐5 Trigonal‐Bipyramidal Carbon Compounds: A “π‐Electron Cap” Effect

DFT (B3LYP, M06‐2X) and MP2 methods are applied to the design of a wide series of the potentially 10‐C‐5 neutral compounds based on 6‐azabicyclotetradecanes: XC¹(YCH₂CH₂CH₂)₃N 1 – 3 , XC¹(YC₆H₄CH₂)₃N 4 – 6 , XC¹[Y(tBuC₆H₃)CH₂]₃N 7 – 9 and carbatranophanes 10 – 25 (X=Me, F, Cl; Y=O, NH, CH₂, SiH₂; Z=O, CH₂, (CH₂)₂, (CH₂)₃). Carbatranophanes 10 – 25 are characterized by a sterical compression of their axial 3c–4e XC¹←N fragment with respect to that in the parent molecules 4 – 6 . A magnitude of the revealed effect depends on a valence surrounding of the central carbon atom C¹, the size and the nature of the side chains (Z) that link the “π‐electron cap” with a tetradecane backbone. This circumstance allowed us to obtain 10‐C‐5 structures with the configuration of the bonds around the C¹ atom, which corresponds to practically an ideal trigonal bipyramid. In these compounds, the values of the covalence ratio χ of approximately 0.6 for the coordination C¹←N contacts with a covalent contribution (atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO)) are record in magnitude. These values lie close to a low limit of the interval of the χ_Si←D change (0.6–0.9) being characteristic of the dative and ionic‐covalent (by nature) Si←D bond (D=N, O) in the known 10‐Si‐5 silicon compounds.     

Gas-phase chemistry of the methyl carbamate radical cation,H2NCOOCH. II—A test case for ion structure assignment

The unimolecular chemistry of the methyl carbamate radical cation, H₂NCOOCH, 1, has been further investigated by a combination of mass spectrometry-based experiments (metastable ion (MI), collisional activation (CA), collision-induced dissociative ionization (CIDI), neutralization-reionization (NR) Spectrometry and ²H labelling) and ab initio molecular orbital calculations, executed at the MP3/6–31G*//4–31G level of theory and corrected for zero-point vibrational energies. Apart from the previously located maxima, i.e. H₂NCOOCH₃^+·, 1, the distonic ion H₂NC(OH)OCH₃^+·, 2, hydrogen-bridged ions [H₂N? C?O…? H…?O?CH₂]^+·, 5, and [H₂N? CH?O…?…?H…?O?C? H]^+·, 7, there exist at least two other equilibrium structures, viz. the iminol ion H? N?C(OH)? OCH, la, and the hydrogen-bridged species [H₂C?O…?H…?N(H)COH], 6a, which is closely related to ion 5. Although the iminol ion la lies only 30 kJ mol^?1 above 1, our calculations indicate that the barriers for its formation either directly from ionized methyl carbamate 1 via a 1,3-hydrogen shift or indirectly via 1,4-hydrogen shifts from the distonic ion 2 are too high to allow the iminol ion to be involved in the unimolecular chemistry of ionized methyl carbamate. This explains the earlier observation that there are no H-D exchange reactions prior to decomposition of ionized labelled methyl carbamate, in contrast to the related ion methyl acetate. However, attempts to generate the iminol ion by loss of CH₃CN from CH₃CH?N? NHCOOCH₃ produced the more stable distonic ion 2 instead, but it proved very difficult to assign its structure unequivocally because 2 can rapidly interconvert with 1 and so virtually identical dissociation characteristics ensue. Only by integration of results obtained from many experiments and from ab initio calculations could structure 2 be assigned. The distonic ion 2 can undergo two transformations: after stretching of the C? OCH₂ bond the incipient formaldehyde can migrate within the electrostatic field of ionized hydroxyaminocarbene to the OH end to generate 5, but it can also migrate to the NH end to generate 6a. This explains the previous puzzling observation that H₂NCOOCD forms both CD₂OD^· and CD₂OH^· in CA and NR experiments. The calculations and experiments indicate that, although the ion is exceedingly difficult to characterize, the distonic ion 2 is the key intermediate for all the observed dissociations of methyl carbamate.     

Aryl‐Copper(III)‐Acetylides as Key Intermediates in CCsp Model Couplings under Mild Conditions

The mechanism of copper‐mediated Sonogashira couplings (so‐called Stephens–Castro and Miura couplings) is not well understood and lacks clear comprehension. In this work, the reactivity of a well‐defined aryl‐Cu^III species ( 1 ) with p‐R‐phenylacetylenes (R=NO₂, CF₃, H) is reported and it is found that facile reductive elimination from a putative aryl‐Cu^III‐acetylide species occurs at room temperature to afford the C_aryl?C_sp coupling species ( I_R ), which in turn undergo an intramolecular reorganisation to afford final heterocyclic products containing 2H‐isoindole ( P , P , P_Ha ) or 1,2‐dihydroisoquinoline ( P_Hb ) substructures. Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies support the postulated reductive elimination pathway that leads to the formation of C?C_sp bonds and provide the clue to understand the divergent intramolecular reorganisation when p‐H‐phenylacetylene is used. Mechanistic insights and the very mild experimental conditions to effect C_aryl?C_sp coupling in these model systems provide important insights for developing milder copper‐catalysed C_aryl?C_sp coupling reactions with standard substrates in the future.     

Analysis of the kinetics of the thermal and chemically activated elimination of HF from 1,1,1-trifluoroethane: the C?C bond dissociation energy and the heat of formation of 1,1,1-trifluoroethane

The thermal, unimolecular elimination of HF from CH₃CF₃ was studied by three different groups over the temperature range 1000° to 1800°K. While the reported kinetic parameters varied greatly, it is shown here that these data may be satisfactorily correlated in terms of a four-center transition state. This correlation results in ΔE = 69.2 kcal/mol, and log (k/s^?1) = 14.6 – 72.6/θ. These results may then be combined with the kinetics of the chemically activated elimination of HF from CH₃CF₃ formed by the recombination of methyl and trifluoromethyl radicals. The data from three different laboratories are shown to be in excellent agreement. These data, combined with extant thermal data, yield as a best value DH(CH₃? CF₃) = 99.6 ± 1.1 kcal/mol. This gives the unexpectedly high value of DH₂₉₈°(CH₃? CF₃) = 101.2 ± 1.1 kcal/mol. It is suggested that dipoledipole interactions, primarily in CH₃CF₃, account for this surprisingly strong C? C bond dissociation energy. These results also yield δH(CH₃CF₃; g, 298) = ?178.6 ± 1.5 kcal/mol.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the gas-phase thermal reaction between bis(fluoroxy) difluoromethane CF2(OF)2 and carbon monoxide

The kinetics of the gas-phase thermal reaction between CF₂(OF)₂ and CO has been studied in a static system at temperatures ranging between 110 and 140°C. The only reaction products were CF₂O and CO₂, giving the following stoichiometry: The reaction is homogeneous. The rate is strictly second order in CF₂(OF)₂ and CO, and is not affected by the total pressure or by the presence of reaction products. Oxygen promotes a sensitized oxidation of CO and inhibits the formation of CF₂O. The experimental results in the absence of oxygen can be explained by a chain mechanism similar to that proposed for the reaction between F₂O and CO with an overall rate constant of From the experimental data obtained on the oxygen-inhibited reaction, the rate constant for the primary process can be calculated: The chain length v = 2.5 is independent of the temperature. Taking for collision diameters σ = 6 Å and σ_CO = 3.74 Å, a value α = 5.3 × 10^?3 for the steric factor is obtained.