Degenerate lithium-hydrogen exchange reactions: Ab initio models for metallation mechanisms involving H2, CH4, NH3, H2O,and HF

Hydrogen exchange reactions between lithium and sodium compounds, MX (M=Li: X=H, CH₃, NH₂, OH, F; M=Na: X=CH₃), and the corresponding hydrides, HX, have been modelled by means of ab initio calculations including electron correlation and zero point energy (ZPE) corrections. Small or no activation barriers (from the initial complexes) are encountered in systems involving lone pairs (10.8, 2.4, 0.0 kcal/mol for X=NH₂, OH, F, respectively). Since the association energies of the initial complexes are much larger (21.0, 20.4, 23.5 kcal/mol, respectively; MP2/6–31+G*/6–31+G* + ZPE), such exchange reactions should occur spontaneously in the gas phase. The methyl systems (X=CH₃) have the largest barriers: 26.7 (M=Li) and 31.7 (M=Na) kcal/mol (MP2/6–31+G*/6–31G* + ZPE), and the initial complexes are only weakly bound. The significance of these systems as models for hydrogen exchange reactions in complexes of electropositive transition metals is discussed. However, the gegenion-free exchange of hydrogen between CH₃ and CH₄ has a much lower, 11.8 kcal/mol barrier (MP2/6–31+G*/6–31+G* + ZPE). All the transition structures are highly ionic (charges on the metals > +0.8). The effect of aggregation has been considered by examining the hydrogen exchange between (LiX)₂ and HX(X=H, CH₃, NH₂, OH). Although these dimer reactions formally involve six, instead of four electrons, no “aromatic” preference is observed.     

On the additivity of basis set effects in some simple fluorine containing systems

The reactions F + H₂ → HF + H, HF → H + F, F → F⁺ + e^? and F + e^? → F^? were used as simple test cases to assess the additivity of basis set effects on reaction energetics computed at the MP4 level. The 6-31G and 6-311G basis sets were augmented with 1, 2, and 3 sets of polarization functions, higher angular momentum polarization functions, and diffuse functions (27 basis sets from 6-31Gd, p) to 6-31 ++ G(3df, 3pd) and likewise for the 6-311G series). For both series substantial nonadditivity was found between diffuse functions on the heavy atom and multiple polarization functions (e.g., 6-31 + G(3d, 3p) vs. 6-31 + G(d, p) and 6-31G(3d, 3p)). For the 6-311G series there is an extra nonadditivity between d functions on hydrogen and multiple polarization functions. Provided that these interactions are taken into account, the remaining basis set effects are additive to within ±0.5 kcal/mol for the reactions considered. Large basis set MP4 calculations can also be estimated to within ±0.5 kcal/mol using MP2 calculations, est. E_MP4(6-31 ++ G(3df, 3pd)) ≈ E_MP4(6-31G(d, p)) + E_MP2(6-31 ++ G(3df, 3pd)) – E_MP2(6-31G(d, p)) or E_MP4(6-31 + G(d, p) + E_MP2(6-31 ++ G(3df, 3pd)) – E_MP2(6-31 + G(d, p)) and likewise for the 6-311G series.     

Hetero‐π‐systems from 2 + 2 cycloreversion,part 2.1Ab initio thermochemical study of heterocyclobutanes 2 + 2 cycloreversion to form heteroethenes H2C=X (X=NH,O, SiH2, PH,S)

Ab initio and DFT thermochemical study of diradical mechanism of 2 + 2 cycloreversion of parent heterocyclobutanes and 1,3‐diheterocyclobutanes, cyclo‐(CH₂CH₂CH₂X), and cyclo‐(CH₂XCH₂X), where X = NH, O, SiH₂, PH, S, was undertaken by calculating closed‐shell singlet molecules at three levels of theory: MP4/6‐311G(d)//MP2/6‐31G(d)+ZPE, MP4/6‐311G(d,p)//MP2/6‐31G (d,p)+ZPE, and B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p)+ZPE. The enthalpies of 2 + 2 cycloreversion decrease on going from group 14 to group 16 elements, being substantially higher for the second row elements. Normally endothermic 2 + 2 cycloreversion is predicted to be exothermic for 1,3‐diazetidine and 1,3‐dioxtane. Strain energies of the four‐membered rings were calculated via the appropriate homodesmic reactions. The enthalpies of ring opening via the every possible one‐bond homolysis that results in the formation of the corresponding 1,4‐diradical were found by subtracting the strain energies from the central bond dissociation energies of the heterobutanes CH₃CH₂—CH₂XH, CH₃CH₂—XCH₃, and HXCH₂—XCH₃. The latter energies were determined via the enthalpies of the appropriate dehydrocondensation reactions, using C—H and X—H bond energies in CH₃XH calculated at G2 level of theory. Except 1,3‐disiletane, in which ring‐opening enthalpy attains 69.7 kcal/mol, the enthalpies of the most economical ring openings do not exceed 60.7 kcal/mol. The 1,4‐diradical decomposition enthalpies found as differences between 2 + 2 cycloreversion and ring‐opening enthalpies were negative, the least exothermicity was calculated for ⋅ CH₂SiH₂CH₂CH₂. The only exception was 1,3‐disiletane, which being diradical, CH₂SiH₂CH₂SiH₂, decomposed endothermically. Since decomposition of the diradical containing two silicon atoms required extra energy, raising the enthalpy of the overall reaction to 78.9 kcal/mol, 1,3‐disiletane was predicted to be highly resisting to 2 + 2 cycloreversion. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:704–720, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20377     

A quantum-chemical study of the LiH + LiH⋅− ⇄ LiH2− + Li⋅ reaction

Parts of the potential energy surface of the title process and related processes have been investigated at the SCF /6-31G **, SCF /6-31++G **, and MP 2/6-31++G ** levels. The investigated reaction is exothermic (?6.23 kcal/mol, MP 4/6-31++G **//MP 2/6–31++G** level, ZPE included): A linear intermediate radical anion, Li? H? Li? H??, is significantly stabilized with respect to LiH + LiH?? (?38.74 kcal/mol, the same level as above). The BSSE at MP 2/6–31++G **//MP 2/6–31++G ** amounts to 1.8 kcal/mol. The title process seems to be suitable for experimental study in molecular beams.     

The N4 molecule has an open-chain triplet C2h structure

The lowest-energy N₄ is computed ab initio to be the planar C_2h(³B_u) open-chain structure 13 . The open-chain N₄ singlet-state structures dissociate on geometry optimization. The tetraazatetrahedrane T_d structure 1 and the tetrazete D_2h structure 2 are minima at MP 2/6-31G *. However, both are higher in energy than 13 (24.1 and 21.2 Kcal/mol [UQCISD ) (T )(full)/6-311+G *//MP 2/6-31G * + ZPE (MP 2/6-31G )*, respectively]. The energy of 13 is 157.5 kcal/mol higher than that of two N₂(¹∑ molecules [UQCISD (T )(Full)/6-311+G *//MP 2/6-31G *] © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ab initio investigation on stability and properties of XYCO... HZ complexes. II: Post hartree-fock studies on H2CO... HF

Ab initio MP2 level of theory in conjunction with three basis sets of a triple-zeta quality was applied to study the molecular geometry and stability of the H₂CO... HF complex. An interaction energy predicted for this system at the highest, MP4(SDTQ)/6-311 + +G(2df, 2pd)//MP2/6-311 + +G(2df, 2pd), level corrected for the BSSE and ZPE contributions amounts to -4.85 kcal/ mol. BSSE contributes significantly to the interaction energies at all applied levels. Reliable MP2/ 6-311 + +G(2df, 2pd) level harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, and the predicted isotopic shifts upon deuteration and¹⁸O substitution are presented in order to facilitate experimental studies on the IR spectrum of the title complex.     

FT-IR, FT-Raman vibrational spectra and molecular structure investigation of 2-chloro-4-methylaniline: A combined experimental and theoretical study

In this work, the experimental and theoretical vibrational spectra of 2-chloro-4-methylaniline (2Cl4MA, C₇H₈NCl) were studied. FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 2Cl4MA in the liquid phase have been recorded in the region 4000–400 cm⁻¹ and 3500–50 cm⁻¹, respectively. The structural and spectroscopic data of the molecule in the ground state have been calculated by using Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (B3LYP) with the 6-31G(d), 6-31G(d,p), 6-31+G(d,p), 6-31++G(d,p) and 6-311G(d), 6-311G(d,p), 6-311+G(d,p), 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets. The vibrational frequencies have been calculated and scaled values have been compared with experimental FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra. The observed and calculated frequencies are found to be in good agreement. The complete assignments were performed on the basis of the total energy distribution (TED) of the vibrational modes, calculated with scaled quantum mechanics (SQM) method. The DFT-B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations have been found more reliable than the ab initio HF/6-311++G(d,p) calculations for the vibrational study of 2Cl4MA. The optimized geometric parameters (bond lengths and bond angles) were compared with experimental values of aniline and p-methylaniline molecules.     

An ab initio study of the structure,dissociation energy,and heat of formation of Na2S

The equilibrium geometries and fundamental frequencies of Na₂S are calculated at HF, MP2(FC, FU), and MP3 with the 6–31G(d) basis set and at HF and MP2(FC, FU) with the 6–31G(d) basis set, respectively. The total energy at MP2(FU)/6–31G(d)-optimized geometry is computed at MP4 with 6–311G(d, p), 6–311 + G(d, p), and 6–311G(2df, p), at QCISD(T)/6–311G(d, p), and at MP2/6–311G(3df, 2p) levels, respectively. The dissociation energy, the atomization energy, and the heat of formation for Na₂S are evaluated using the G1 and G2 models. The calculated results indicated that Na₂S in its ground state was a bent structure (C_2v). Electron correlation corrections on the bending angle are very significant. The equilibrium geometrical parameters are R_e(Na-S) = 2.45 Å and ∠Na-S-Na = 111.13° at the MP2(FU)/6–31G(d) level. The theoretically estimated dissociation energy, total atomization energy, and heat of formation are 67.07, 117.55, and 0.35 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively, at 298.15 K. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A quantum mechanical approach to the kinetics of the hydrogen abstraction reaction H2O2 + •OH → HO2 + H2O

The kinetics of the hydrogen abstraction from H₂O₂ by ^?OH has been modeled with MP2/6‐31G*//MP2/6‐31G*, MP2‐SAC//MP2/6‐31G*, MP2/6‐31+G**//MP2/6‐31+G**, MP2‐SAC// MP2/6‐31+G**, MP4(SDTQ)/6‐311G**//MP2/6‐31G*, CCSD(T)/6‐31G*//CCSD(T)/6‐31G*, CCSD(T)/6‐31G**//CCSD(T)/6‐31G**, CCSD(T)/6‐311++G**//MP2/6‐31G* in the gas phase. MD simulations have been used to generate initial geometries for the stationary points along the potential energy surface for hydrogen abstraction from H₂O₂. The effective fragment potential (EFP) has been used to optimize the relevant structures in solution. Furthermore, the IEFPCM model has been used for the supermolecules generated via MD calculations. IEFPCM/MP2/6‐31G* and IEFPCM/CCSD(T)/6‐31G* calculations have also been performed for structures without explicit water molecules. Experimentally, the rate constant for hydrogen abstraction by ^?OH drops from 1.75 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 in the gas phase to 4.48 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 in solution. The same trend has been reproduced best with MP4 (SDTQ)/6‐311G**//MP2/6‐31G* in the gas phase (0.415 × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) and with EFP (UHF/6‐31G*) in solution (3.23 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 502–514, 2005     

Does CH prefer a C2v rather than a Cs structure?

The closely related C_s ( 1 ) and C_2v ( 3 ) structures of CH have been reinvestigated at many ab initio levels using MP2/6-31G** and MP2/6-311 + + G(2df, 2pd) geometries. The largest basis sets employed were 6-311G(3df, 2p), 6-311 + + G(3df, 3pd), and the Dunning “correlation consistent” polarized triple-split valence basis set (cc-pVTZ). Electron correlation was probed at the MP4 level, but the QCISD method was also used with the largest basis sets. While electron correlation favors 3 over 1 by about 2 kcal/mol, the correlated relative energies with all basis sets employed range from 0.36–1.03 kcal/mol in favor of 1 . The best estimate of this difference, 0.86 kcal/mol, is essentially identical with the (scaled) zero-point energy difference, 0.84 kcal/mol, favoring 3 over 1 . These results indicate that 1 and 3 have almost exactly the same energy at 0 K. Our best value for the dissociation energy of CH is 42.0 kcal/mol [QCISD(T)/6-311 + + G(3df, 3pd)//MP2(fu)/6-311 + + G(2df, 2pd), corrected to 298 K], which agrees very well with the experimental value. © 1992 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Weakly bound complexes of N2O: an ab initio theoretical analysis toward the design of N2O receptors

Ab initio calculations at MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) and MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd) computational levels have been used to analyze the interactions between nitrous oxide and a series of small and large molecules that act simultaneously as hydrogen bond donors and electron donors. The basis set superposition error (BSSE) and zero point energy (ZPE) corrected binding energies of small N2O complexes (H2O, NH3, HOOH, HOO*, HONH2, HCO2H, H2CO, HCONH2, H2CNH, HC(NH)NH2, SH2, H2CS, HCSOH, HCSNH2) vary between -0.93 and -2.90 kcal/mol at MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd) level, and for eight large complexes of N2O they vary between -2.98 and -3.37 kcal/mol at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level. The most strongly bound among small N2O complexes (HCSNH2-N2O) contains a NH..N bond, along with S-->N interactions, and the most unstable (H2S-N2O) contains just S-->N interactions. The electron density properties have been analyzed within the atoms in molecules (AIM) methodology. Results of the present study open a window into the nature of the interactions between N2O with other molecular moieties and open the possibility to design N2O abiotic receptors.     

Conformational energies for 2-substituted butanes

The conformational free energies for some 2-substituted butanes where X = F, Cl, CN, and CCH were calculated using G3-B3, CBS-QB3, and CCSD(T)/6-311++G(2d,p) as well as other theoretical levels. The above methods gave consistent results with free energies relative to the trans conformers as follows: X = CCH, g+ = 0.77 +/- 0.05 kcal/mol. g- = 0.88 +/- 0.05 kcal/mol; X = CN, g+ = 0.85 +/- 0.05 kcal/mol, g- = 0.75 +/- 0.05 kcal/mol; X = Cl, g+ = 0.70 +/- 0.05 kcal/ml, g- = 0.80 +/- 0.05 kcal/mol; and X = F, g+ = 0.53 +/- 0.05 kcal/mol, g- = 0.83 +/- 0.05 kcal/mol. The conformational free energies also were estimated using the observed liquid phase IR spectra and intensities calculated using B3LYP/6-311++G** and MP2/6-311++G**. The rotational free energy profiles for all of the compounds were estimated at the G3-B3 level.     

Theoretical study and rate constant computation on the reaction HFCO + OH --> CFO + H2O

The potential energy surface, including the geometries and frequencies of the stationary points, of the reaction HFCO + OH is calculated using the MP2 method with 6-31+G(d,p) basis set, which shows that the direct hydrogen abstraction route is the most dominating channel with respect to addition and substitution channels. For the hydrogen abstraction reaction, the single-point energies are refined at the QCISD(T) method with 6-311++G(2df,2pd) basis set. The calculated standard reaction enthalpy and barrier height are -17.1 and 4.9 kcal mol(-1), respectively, at the QCISD(T)/6-311++G(2df,2pd)//MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. The reaction rate constants within 250-2500 K are calculated by the improved canonical variational transition state theory (ICVT) with small-curvature tunneling (SCT) correction at the QCISD(T)/6-311++G(2df,2pd)//MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. The fitted three-parameter formula is k = 2.875 x 10(-13) (T/1000)1.85 exp(-325.0/T) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The results indicate that the calculated ICVT/SCT rate constant is in agreement with the experimental data, and the tunneling effect in the lower temperature range plays an important role in computing the reaction rate constants.     

Ab initio calculations on the barrier height for the hydrogen addition to ethylene and formaldehyde. The importance of spin projection

Heats of reaction and barrier heights have been computed for H + CH₂CH₂ → C₂H₅, H + CH₂O → CH₃O, and H + CH₂O → CH₂OH using unrestricted Hartree-Fock and Møller–Plesset perturbation theory up to fourth order (with and without spin annihilation), using single-reference configuration interaction, and using multiconfiguration self-consistent field methods with 3-21G, 6-31G(d), 6-31G(d,p), and 6-311G(d,p) basis sets. The barrier height in all three reactions appears to be relatively insensitive to the basis sets, but the heats of reaction are affected by p-type polarization functions on hydrogen. Computation of the harmonic vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities with two sets of polarization functions on heavy atoms [6-31G(2d)] improves the agreement with experiment. The experimental barrier height for H + C₂H₄ (2.04 ± 0.08 kcal/mol) is overestimated by 7?9 kcal/mol at the MP2, MP3, and MP4 levels. MCSCF and CISD calculations lower the barrier height by approximately 4 kcal/mol relative to the MP4 calculations but are still almost 4 kcal/mol too high compared to experiment. Annihilation of the largest spin contaminant lowers the MP4SDTQ computed barrier height by 8?9 kcal/mol. For the hydrogen addition to formaldehyde, the same trends are observed. The overestimation of the barrier height with Møller-Plesset perdicted barrier heights for H + C₂H₄ → C₂H₅, H + CH₂O → CH₃O, and H + CH₂O → CH₂OH at the MP4SDTQ /6-31G(d) after spin annihilation are respectively 1.8, 4.6, and 10.5 kcal/mol.     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of the OH-initiated oxidation of CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>=C(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>OH

In the present work, the detailed reaction mechanism and possible products of the OH-initiated oxidation of CH₂=C(CH₃)CH₂CH₂OH (MBO331) have been revealed theoretically for the first time. The potential energy surfaces of various reaction channels both in the absence and presence of O₂ and NO are evaluated at the CCSD(T)/6−31++G(d,p)//MP2(full)/6−311G(d,p)+ZPE*0.95 level. The major products of HCHO + CH₃C(O)CH₂CH₂OH predicted for the title reaction in the presence of O₂ and NO are in agreement with those of similar reactions of unsaturated alcohols with OH radical.     

An ab initio quantum chemical study of reaction mechanisms in the C2H2/CH3OH/KOH/DMSO system

An ab initio quantum chemical study (MP2/6-311++G**//B3LYP/6-31+G*) of a number of possible interactions is performed for the gas phase system of acetylene—potassium hydroxide-dimethylsulfoxide(DMSO)—methanol and with regard to the solvent effect within the continuum model. Key structures in the vinylation reaction are shown to be methoxide ion complexes with the alkali metal hydroxide and acetylene molecules. The formation of these complexes results in the activation of the acetylene molecule and an increase in the nucleophilicity of the methoxide ion. In the C₂H₂/CH₃OH/KOH/DMSO reaction system, a proton exchange between the acetylene molecule and the anionic nucleophile ([OH]^- and [CH₃O]^-) is freely performed with the formation of systems with ethynideions, whereas the thermodynamically preferable formation of vinyl alcohol or methyl vinyl ether is determined by a barrier of 20 kcal/mol.     

Kinetics of the multichannel reaction of methanethiyl radical (CH3S*) with 3O2

The CH3S* + O2 reaction system is considered an important process in atmospheric chemistry and in combustion as a pathway for the exothermic conversion of methane-thiyl radical, CH3S*. Several density functional and ab initio computational methods are used in this study to determine thermochemical parameters, reaction paths, and kinetic barriers in the CH3S* + O2 reaction system. The data are also used to evaluate feasibility of the DFT methods for higher molecular weight oxy-sulfur hydrocarbons, where sulfur presents added complexity from its many valence states. The methods include: B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p), B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2p), CCSD(T)/6-311G(d,p)//MP2/6-31G(d,p), B3P86/6-311G(2d,2p)//B3P86/6-31G(d), B3PW91/6-311++G(3df,2p), G3MP2, and CBS-QB3. The well depth for the CH3S* + 3O2 reaction to the syn-CH3SOO* adduct is found to be 9.7 kcal/mol. Low barrier exit channels from the syn-CH3SOO* adduct include: CH2S + HO2, (TS6, E(a) is 12.5 kcal/mol), CH3 + SO2 via CH3SO2 (TS2', E(a) is 17.8) and CH3SO + O (TS17, E(a) is 24.7) where the activation energy is relative to the syn-CH3SOO* stabilized adduct. The transition state (TS5) for formation of the CH3SOO adduct from CH3S* + O2 and the reverse dissociation of CH3SOO to CH3S* + O2 is relatively tight compared to typical association and simple bond dissociation reactions; this is a result of the very weak interaction. Reverse reaction is the dominant dissociation path due to enthalpy and entropy considerations. The rate constants from the chemical activation reaction and from the stabilized adduct to these products are estimated as functions of temperature and pressure. Our forward rate constant and CH3S loss profile are in agreement with the experiments under similar conditions. Of the methods above, the G3MP2 and CBS-QB3 composite methods are recommended for thermochemical determinations on these carbon-sulfur-oxygen systems, when they are feasible.     

H2CO与双卤分子间卤键的电子密度分析

运用B3LYP和MP2方法在6-311++G(d,p)基组水平上, 对H2CO-XY(XY=F2、Cl2、Br2、ClF、BrF、BrCl)卤键体系进行构型全优化, 得到了O…X—Y型卤键复合物. 结果表明, MP2/6-311++G(d,p)计算结果与实验值较吻合. 并在MP2水平下计算了分子间的相互作用能, 用完全均衡校正CP(counterpoise procedure)方法对基函数重叠误差(BSSE)进行了校正. 利用电子密度拓扑分析方法对卤键复合物的电子密度拓扑性质进行了分析研究.     

Structure of the boronic acid dimer and the relative stabilities of its conformers

Despite the widespread use of boronic acids in materials science and as pharmaceutical agents, many aspects of their structure and reactivity are not well understood. In this research the boronic acid dimer, [HB(OH)(2)](2), was studied by second-order M?ller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory and coupled cluster methodology with single and double excitations (CCSD). Pople split-valence 6-31+G*, 6-311G**, and 6-311++G** and Dunning-Woon correlation-consistent cc-pVDZ, aug-cc-pVDZ, cc-pVTZ, and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets were employed for the calculations. A doubly hydrogen-bonded conformer (1) of the dimer was consistently found to be lowest in energy; the structure of 1 was planar (C(2h)) at most computational levels employed but was significantly nonplanar (C(2)) at the MP2/6-311++G** and CCSD/6-311++G** levels, the result of an intrinsic problem with Pople-type sp-diffuse basis functions on heavy atoms. The dimerization energy, enthalpy, and free energy for the formation of (1) from the exo-endo conformer of the monomer were -10.8, -9.2, and +1.2 kcal/mol, respectively, at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level. Several other hydrogen-bonded conformers of the dimer were local minima on the potential energy surface (PES) and ranged from 2 to 5 kcal/mol higher in energy than 1. Nine doubly OH-bridged conformers, in which the boron atoms were tetracoordinated, were also local minima on the PES, but they were all greater than 13 kcal/mol higher in energy than 1; doubly H-bridged structures proved to be transition states. MP2 and CCSD results were compared to those from the BLYP, B3LYP, OLYP, O3LYP, PBE1PBE, and TPSS functionals with the 6-311++G** and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets; the PBE1PBE functional performed best relative to the MP2 and CCSD results. Self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) calculations predict that boronic acid dimerization is less favorable in solution than in vacuo.     

Vinyloxyborane and its isomers. An ab initio study of the C2H5BO potential energy surface,the barrier to 1,3-shifts in β-ketoboranes,and the mechanism of the carbonylation reaction of boranes

Vinyloxyboranes, CH₂?CH? ;O? ;BR₂, are shown by ab initio molecular orbital theory to be more stable than the isomeric β-aldoboranes, R₂B? CH₂? CH?O, by ca. 19 kcal/mol. The MP2/6-31G*/6-31G* + ZPE barrier for the [1,3] boron shift is only 10.9 kcal/mol (R ? Me) relative to the aldoborane. Other C₂H₅BO isomers (β-ketoboranes, boraepoxides and organoboron oxides), which are related to the proposed stages in the carbonylation reaction of boranes, are shown to be plausible intermediates. However, some of the computed barriers for methyl group migrations are unrealistically large, up to ca. 63 kcal/mol.