Characterization by theory of H-transfers and onium reactions of CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>N<Superscript>+</Superscript>H=CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>

H-transfers by 4-, 5-, and 6-membered ring transition states to the pi-bonded methylene of CH3CH2CH2NH+=CH2 (1) are characterized by theory and compared with the corresponding transfers in cation radicals. Four-membered ring H-transfers converting 1 to CH3CH2CH=N+HCH3 (2) and CH3N+H=CH2 to CH2=NH+CH3 are high-energy processes involving rotation of the source and destination RHC= groups (R = H or C2H5) to near bisection by skeletal planes; migrating hydrogens move near these planes. The H-transfer 1 --> CH3C+HCH2NHCH3 (3) has a higher energy transition-state than 1 --> 2, in marked contrast to the corresponding relative energies of 4- and 5-membered ring H-transfers in cation-radicals. Six-membered ring H-transfer-dissociation (1 --> CH2=CH2 + CH2=N+HCH3) is a closed shell analog of the McLafferty rearrangement. It has a lower energy transition-state than either 1 --> 2 or 1 --> 3, but is still a much higher energy process than 6-membered ring H-transfers in aliphatic cation radicals. In contrast to the stepwise McLafferty rearrangement in cation radicals, H-transfer and CC bond breaking are highly synchronous in 1 --> CH3N+H=CH2 + CH2=CH2. H-transfers in propene elimination from 1 are ion-neutral complex-mediated: 1--> [CH3CH2CH2+ ---NH=CH2] --> [CH3C+HCH3 NH=CH2] --> CH3CH = CH2 + CH2=NH2+. Intrinsic reaction coordinate tracing demonstrated that a slight preference for H-transfer from the methyl containing the carbon from which CH2=NH is cleaved is due to CH2=NH passing nearer this methyl than the other on its way to abstracting H, i.e., some memory of the initial orientation of the partners accompanies this reaction.     

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.     

Anharmonic Effect in CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>C(=O)OCH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>3</Subscript> Decomposition

In this paper, using the B3LYP functional and CCSD(T) method with 6-311++G** basis set, the harmonic and anharmonic rate constants in the unimolecular dissociation of ethyl propanoate have been calculated using Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus theory. The anharmonic rate constants of the title reaction have also been examined, the comparison shows that, the anharmonic effect especially in the case of high total energies and temperature for channels 3 to 6 is significant, so that the anharmonic effect cannot be neglected for unimolecular dissociation reaction of CH₃CH₂C(=O)OCH₂CH₃ both in microcanonical and canonical systems.     

A theoretical study of the solvent effect on the interaction of C<Subscript>20</Subscript> and N<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>2</Subscript>

In this work, the interaction of C₂₀ and the N₂H₂ fragment is investigated at the M062X/6-311G(d,p) level of theory in both gas and solution phases. The interaction energies obtained by the standard method are corrected by the basis set superposition error (BSSE) during the geometry optimization for all molecules at the same levels of theory. The results obtained from these calculations reveal that the interaction between C₂₀ and N₂H₂ increases in the presence of more polar solvents. Values of the electrophilic charge transfer show the charge flow from C₂₀ to N₂H₂. The influence of the solvent on the hyperpolarizability indicates that β_tot values decrease on passing from vacuum to the solution phase.     

Molecular structure and conformational preferences of 1-chloro-1-silacyclohexane,CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiH-Cl,as studies by gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemistry

The molecular structure of axial and equatorial conformer of the 1-chloro-1-silacyclohexane molecule, CH₂(CH₂CH₂)₂SiH-Cl, as well as thermodynamic equilibrium between these species were investigated by means of gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemistry on the MP2(full)/AUG-cc-PVTZ level of theory. According to electron diffraction data, the compound exists in the gas-phase as a mixture of conformers possessing the chair conformation of the six-membered ring and Cs symmetry and differing in the axial and equatorial position of the Si-Cl bond at 352 K. NBO analysis revealed that axial conformer of 1-chloro-1-silacyclohexane molecule is an example of the stabilization of the form that is unfavorable from the point of view steric effects and effects of conjugations and that stabilization is achieved due to electrostatic interactions.     

Packed Bed DBD Discharge Experiments in Admixtures of N<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The physical, chemical and electrical properties of a coaxial Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) fed by various mixtures of N₂ and CH₄ at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature has been studied. FTIR spectral measurements of the products formed in the discharge have shown that the main chemical products are C₂H_2, HCN and C₂H₆ produced by dissociation of CH₄, with small but significant traces of NH₃.such a chemical transformation may provide some insight into the chemical processes prevalent in the atmosphere of Titan. During operation of the discharge a solid brown-yellowish deposit was formed on the central rod electrode and the dielectric pellets. Such a deposit is similar to that observed in other N₂:CH₄ discharges and is believed to be an analogue of the aerosol and dust observed in Titan’s atmosphere being composed of chemical species commonly known as ‘tholins’.     

Structure and some properties of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>{CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CON(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

A new complex [UO₂CrO₄{CH₃CON(CH₃)₂}₂] (I) was studied by thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The crystals are monoclinic: a = 13.8108(11) Å, b = 8.6804(7) Å, c = 13.0989(10) Å, β = 104.777(1)°, V = 1518.4(2) ų, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, R = 2.39%. The structure of I contains infinite chains of the [UO₂CrO₄{CH₃CON(CH₃)₂}₂] composition running along [001]; the complex belongs to the AT¹¹M¹ ₂ crystal-chemical group (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , T¹¹ = CrO ₄ ^2? , M¹ = CH₃CON(CH₃)₂) of uranyl complexes. The chains are linked into a three-dimensional framework due to hydrogen bonds between oxygen atoms of chromate ions and hydrogen atoms of methyl groups of the dimethylacetamide.     

Computational study on the reaction of CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>SCH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>3</Subscript> with OH radical: mechanism and enthalpy of formation

The reaction mechanism of CH₃SCH₂CH₃ with OH radical is studied at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(3df,p)//MP2/6-31+G(2d,p) level of theory. Three hydrogen abstraction channels, one substitution process and five addition–elimination channels are identified in the title reaction. The result shows hydrogen abstraction is dominant. Substitution process and addition–elimination reactions may be negligible because of the high barrier heights. Enthalpies of formation [ \Updelta_f H_{(298.15\textK)}^o \Updelta_{f} H_{(298.15{\text{K}})}^{o} ] of the reactants and products are evaluated at the CBS-QB3, G3 and G3MP2 levels of theory, respectively. It is found that the calculated enthalpies of formation by the aforementioned three methods are in consistent with the available experimental data. Rate constants and branching ratios are estimated by means of the conventional transition state theory with the Wigner tunneling correction over the temperature range of 200–900 K. The calculation shows that the formations of P1 (CH₂SCH₂CH₃ + H₂O) and P2 (CH₃SCHCH₃ + H₂O) are major products during 200–900 K. The three-parameter expressions for the total rate constant is fitted to be k_\texttotal = 1.45 ×10 ^{- 21} T^3.24 exp( - 1384.54/T) k_{\text{total}} = 1.45 \times 10^{ - 21} T^{3.24} \exp ( - 1384.54/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ from 200 to 900 K.     

Elimination of H<Subscript>2</Subscript> from CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CH=N<Superscript>+</Superscript>HCH<Subscript>3</Subscript>: A synchronous,concerted 1,4-H<Subscript>2</Subscript> elimination

Most H2 eliminations from cations in the gas phase are formally 1,1- or 1,2- processes. Larger ring size H2 eliminations are rare and little studied. Thus, whether the 6-center, 1,4- elimination CH3CH=N+HCH3-->CH2=CHN+H=CH2+H2 is concerted and synchronous, as indicated by isotope effects and predicted by conservation of orbital symmetry, is a significant question. This reaction is characterized here by application of QCI and B3LYP theories. CH bond-breaking and H-H bond-making in this reaction are found by theory to be highly synchronized, consistent with previously established isotope effects and in contrast to "forbidden" 1,2-eliminations from organic cations in the gas phase. This reaction is made feasible by its conservation of orbital symmetry, the energy supplied by formation of the H-H bond, and a favorable geometry of the ion for eliminating H2.     

Synthesis and structure of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>){CONH<Subscript>2</Subscript>N(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

The single crystals of [UO₂(C₂O₄){CONH₂N(CH₃)₂}₂] were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, a = 7.461(2) Å, b = 8.828(2) Å, c = 11.756(2) Å, β = 107.21(3)°, space group Pc, Z = 2, R = 2.94%. The structure comprises infinite chains [UO₂(C₂O₄){CONH₂N(CH₃)₂}₂] extended along [001] and corresponding to the AT¹¹M ₂ ¹ crystallochemical group (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , T¹¹ = C₂O ₄ ^2? , M¹ = N,N-CONH₂N(CH₃)₂) of uranyl complexes. The chains are connected into a three-dimensional framework by hydrogen bonds involving the oxygen atoms of oxalate and uranyl ions and the N,N-dimethylcarbamide methyl groups.     

Crystal Structure of [UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>{(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)HNCONH(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)}<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

The single crystals of [UO₂SO₄{(CH₃)HNCONH(CH₃)}₂] (I) were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, a = 6.847(1) Å, b = 14.259(3) Å, c = 14.297(3) Å, β = 93.451(4)°, space group P2₁/n, Z = 4. The main structural units of crystals I are ribbons whose composition coincides with the composition of the compound. The crystal chemical formula of the complex is AT³M ₂ ¹ (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ ).     

Influence of activated carbon in zeolite X/activated carbon composites on CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>/N<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption separation ability

A series of zeolite X/activated carbon composites with different ratio of zeolite X and activated carbon were prepared, which were adjusted by adding solid pitch powder and silicon dioxide as additional carbonaceous and silica source, respectively. The corresponding modified samples were obtained by treatment with the ammonium chloride solution. CH₄ and N₂ adsorption isotherms on all composites were determined within the pressure of 0–100 kPa at 298 K, and fitted with Henry model and Freundlich model. The results showed the adsorption separation abilities for CH₄ and N₂ were strongly influenced by activated carbon content, micropore structure and surface properties. The increase of activated carbon content increased the BET surface area, micropore surface area and micropore volume, leading to an enhanced CH₄ adsorption capacity and CH₄/N₂ adsorption selectivity. Compared with the unmodified composites, the modified composites showed higher CH₄/N₂ adsorption selectivity, and CH₄ adsorption capacity decreased slightly, which can be attributed to the reduction of the micropore structure parameters, the surface basic amount and basic strength. Furthermore, the modified composite HAX-3 presented the highest CH₄/N₂ selectivity of 3.4, and high CH₄ adsorption capacities, which is favorable for application in pressure swing adsorption processes.     

Radical–molecule reaction CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl + NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: a mechanistic study

The radical–molecule reaction mechanism of CH₂Cl with NO₂ has been explored theoretically at the B3LYP/6–311G(d,p) and MC–QCISD (single-point) levels of theory. Our results indicate that the title reaction proceeds mostly through singlet pathways, less go through triplet pathways. The initial association between CH₂Cl and NO₂ is found to be the carbon-to-nitrogen attack forming the adduct a H₂ClCNO₂ with no barrier, followed by isomerization to b ₁ H₂ClCONO-trans which can easily convert to b ₂ H₂ClCONO-cis. Subsequently, the most feasible pathway is the C–Cl and O–N bonds cleavage along with the N–Cl bond formation of b (b ₁ , b ₂ ) leading to product P ₁ CH₂O + ClNO, which can further dissociate to give P ₅ CH₂O + Cl + NO. The second competitive pathway is the 1,3-H-shift associated with O–N bond rupture of b ₁ to form P ₂ CHClO + HNO. Because the intermediates and transition states involved in the above two favorable channels all lie below the reactants, the CH₂Cl+NO₂ reaction is expected to be rapid, as is confirmed by experiment. The present results can lead us to understand deeply the mechanism of the title reaction and may be helpful for further experimental investigation of the reaction.     

Effect of structural features of molecules (Cl<Subscript>3</Subscript>PNZ)<Subscript>2</Subscript> (Z = CH<Subscript>3</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl) on the position exchange of chlorine atoms in the P-Cl fragments

Based on the analysis of structural parameters of molecules (Cl₃PNCH₃)₂ (I) and (Cl₃PNCH₂CH₂Cl)₂ (II) by the quantum-chemical nonempirical calculations the following was revealed. The structure of I and II dimers has geometric features, which have a decisive influence on the degree of inhibition of positional exchange of the chlorine atoms in the P-Cl fragments known for the chlorine derivatives of pentacoordinated phosphorus atom. The obstacles to this dynamic process in the mentioned intramolecular dimers is shown to result from the spatial nonvalent interactions due to the short contacts of the chlorine and hydrogen atoms.     

Structures and mutual transformations of isomers of germylium ions (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)H<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Superscript>+</Superscript> and (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>HGe<Superscript>+</Superscript> and their silicon analogs

The potential energy surfaces of the (CH₃)_nH_3?n M⁺ ions, where n = 1, 2; M = Si, Ge, were scanned using the B3LYP method with 6–31G* and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets. The major attention was given to isomeric species having the form of complexes of the HM⁺ and CH₃M⁺ ions with hydrogen, methane, and ethane molecules. These species were characterized previously neither by experimental nor by theoretical methods. It was found that these species become more stable in going from Si to Ge; the complex [CH₃Ge⁺CH₄] is the second isomer in the energy after (CH₃)₂HGe⁺. However, the heights of the activation barriers to formation of these complexes from the most stable isomer, though decreasing in going from Si to Ge, remain relatively high and, what is particularly important, somewhat exceed the activation barrier to formation of the complex [H₃Ge⁺·C₂H₄].     

Titanium tetrafluoride complexation with phosphorylated ketone Ph<Subscript>2</Subscript>P(O)(CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>C(O)Me in CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The products resulting from the reaction of TiF₄ with Ph₂P(O)(CH₂)₂C(O)Me (L') in CH₂Cl₂ have been studied by ¹⁹F{¹H} and 31P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. At a twofold excess of L', solution contains cis-TiF₄(L')2 (>90%), trans-TiF₄(L')₂, and fac-[TiF₃L₃']⁺, where L' is coordinated via the P=O group, as well as the dimer [(Ti₂F₇L'₂)₂]+, where L' is coordinated through the P=O and C=O groups. An equimolar solution contains dimeric and polynuclear complexes containing moieties with three terminal cis fluorine ions, while the other coordination sites are occupied by the P=O groups and F^– bridges. At a twofold excess of TiF₄, ligand L' coordinates via the P=O and C=O groups and behaves as a bridge along with F^– ions. Thermodynamic stability of the structures of the TiF₄L'₂ isomers and the structure of [(µ-F)(µ-L')₂(TiF₃)₂]⁺ has been calculated.     

A theoretical study of the CH2N isomers: Molecular structure and energetics

Molecular structure and energetics of the four isomers of CH₂N, namely H₂CN, trans‐HCNH, cis‐HCNH, and H₂NC, have been investigated by means of a highly accurate level of theory, i.e., using the coupled cluster method in conjunction with correlation consistent basis sets ranging in size from triple to sextuple zeta. Extrapolation to the complete basis set limit, higher excitations in the cluster operator as well as core correlation and relativistic effects have been considered. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 110:2483–2494, 2010     

Crystal structures and electronic properties of BaC<Subscript>2</Subscript> isomers by theoretical study based on DFT

Band structures and electronic properties of two BaC₂ isomers were calculated by using density functional theory (DFT) properly. The ionic bond features are all typical between cation (Ba) and anion clusters (C₂) in both structures of the isomers. However, a much stronger covalent bond exists in anion clusters which can be seen by inspecting the electron distribution contour that has a dull bell like shape between two carbon atoms. The shortest distance between Ba²⁺ and C₂²⁻ and the bond length in anion clusters are different in these isomers of BaC₂, which are 0.2945 nm and 0.1185 nm for the structure with the I4/mmm space group and 0.2744 and 0.1136 nm with the C2/c type, respectively. Band structures were clarified by combining the DOS to indicate the ionic bonding features more clearly. Population analysis provided further evidence on these ideas. Thermodynamical calculation results reveal that the transition temperature of these two polymorphs of BaC₂ locates near 132 K, which is consistent with the recent experimental results. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50361003) and the Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province (Grant No. 2006003Z) and Science Innovation Foundation of Kunming University of Science and Technology