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.     

Computational study on the mechanisms and kinetics of the CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>=CHCH<Subscript>2</Subscript>I with OH reaction

The potential energy surface for the reaction of OH with CH₂═CHCH₂I has been studied at the CCSD(T)//M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Three different reaction entrances were revealed, namely, terminal-C addition, central-C addition, and H-abstraction, leading to CH₂OHCHCH₂I (IM1), CH₂CHOHCH₂I (IM2), and H₂O?+?C₃H₄I, respectively. Several conceivable decomposition and isomerization channels were also examined for IM1 and IM2. The total and individual rate constants were calculated by using multichannel RRKM and TST theories over a wide range of temperatures (200–3000 K) and pressures(10^?14–10¹⁴ Torr).     

Anharmonic Effect of the Unimolecular Dissociation of Ethyl Radical

The anharmonic and harmonic rate constants have been calculated for the unimolecular dissociation of ethyl radical using the method proposed by Yao and Lin (YL method) at both B3LYP/6‐311++G** and MP2/6‐311++G** levels. The different rate constants indicate that the results obtained from B3LYP and MP2 method are very close. The anharmonic and tunneling effect of the title reaction has also been examined. The comparison shows that, both in microcanonical and canonical systems, the anharmonic rate constants are higher than those for harmonic cases, especially in the case of high total energies and temperatures, which indicates that anharmonic effect of the unimolecular dissociation of ethyl into C₂H₄ and H is so significant that cannot be neglected. The tunneling effect is very small for the decomposition of C₂H₅ radical.     

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.     

Anharmonic Effect of N‐Propyl Peroxy Dissociation

The anharmonic and harmonic dissociation rate constants of alkylperoxy (RO₂) in different pathways, as well as those for the reactions of the n‐propyl peroxy radical, were calculated using the Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM) theory. When the temperature/total energy increased, the rate constants of the different pathways varied independently, causing changes in the dominating/leading products. Anharmonic rate constants were larger than harmonic rate constants, and their difference increased with increasing temperature/energy. Therefore, the anharmonic effect cannot be neglected. The rate‐determining steps of CH₃CH₂CH₂OO dissociation are discussed. Then the anharmonic effect was found clearly for CH₃CH₂CH₂OO dissociation, especially for the hydroperoxyalkyl radical (QOOH) dissociation. At low temperature, the rate constants were similar to those found from experiment, which indicated the RRKM theory was suitable for calculating the dissociation rates of RO₂ species.     

Theoretical studies on the pentacoordinate silylenoid PhCH<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>SiLiF

The structures of pentacoordinate silylenoid PhCH₂(NH₂)CH₃SiLiF were studied by density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Three equilibrium structures, the three-membered ring (1), the p-complex (2), and the σ-complex (3) structures, were located. Their energies are in the order of 2 > 1 > 3 both in vacuum and in THF. To exploit the stability of PhCH₂(NH₂)CH₃SiLiF, the insertion reactions of 1 and PhCH₂(NH₂)CH₃Si into C–F have been investigated, respectively. The results show that the insertion of PhCH₂(NH₂)CH₃Si is more favorable. To probe the influence of amine-coordination to the stability of PhCH₂(NH₂)CH₃SiLiF, the insertion reaction of PhCH₃CH₃SiLiF was also investigated. The calculations indicate that the insertion of PhCH₃CH₃SiLiF is more favorable than that of 1. So the N atom plays an important role on the stability of silylenoid PhCH₂(NH₂)CH₃SiLiF.     

Ab Initio Theoretical Studies on the Kinetics of Hydrogen Abstraction Type Reactions of Hydroxyl Radicals with CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>F and CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CClF<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The hydrogen abstraction reactions from CH₃Cl₂F (R-141b) and CH₃CClF₂ (R-142b) by OH radicals are studied theoretically by semi-classical transition state theory. The stationary points for the reactions are located by using KMLYP density functional method along with 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set and MP2 method along with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. Single-point energy calculations are performed by the CBS-Q and G4 combination methods on the geometries optimized at the KMLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of theory. Vibrational anharmonicity coefficients, x _ij , which are needed for semi-classical transition state theory calculations, are computed at the KMLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) and MP2/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory. The computed barrier heights are slightly sensitive to the quantum-chemical method. Thermal rate coefficients are computed over the temperature range from 200 to 2000 K and they are shown to be in accordance with available experimental data. On the basis of the computed rate coefficients, the tropospheric lifetime of the CH₃CCl₂F and CH₃CClF₂ are estimated to be about 6.5 and 12.0 years, respectively.     

Dual-level direct dynamics studies on the hydrogen abstraction reactions of fluorine atoms with CF<Subscript>3</Subscript>CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>X(X=F,Cl)

The kinetic properties of the hydrogen abstraction reactions of CF₃CH₂F + F → CF₃CHF + HF (R1) and CF₃CH₂Cl + F → CF₃CHCl + HF (R2) have been studied by dual-level direct dynamics method. Optimized geometries and frequencies of all the stationary points and extra points along the minimum-energy path (MEP) were obtained at the B3LYP/6-311 + G(2d,2p) level. Two complexes with energies less than that of the reactants were located in the reactant side of each reaction. The energy profiles were further refined with the interpolated single-point energies (ISPE) method at the G3(MP2) level of theory. Using canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) with the small-curvature tunneling correction (SCT) method, the rate constants were evaluated over a wide temperature range of 200–2,000 K. Our calculations have shown that C–H bond activity decreases when one hydrogen atom of CF₃CH₃ is substituted by a fluorine atom, than when substituted with a chlorine atom. This is in good agreement with the experimental results.     

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’.     

Theoretical studies on the alkylidene germylenoid H<Subscript>2</Subscript>C=GeLiF and its insertion reaction with R-H (R = F,OH, NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>, CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)

The geometries and isomerization of the alkylidene germylenoid H₂C=GeLiF as well as its insertion reactions with R-H (R = F, OH, NH₂, CH₃) have been systematically investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+ G* level of theory. The potential barriers of the four insertion reactions are 110.6, 145.0, 179.4, and 250.6 kJ/mol, respectively. Here, all the mechanisms of the four reactions are identical to each other, i.e., an intermediate has been formed first during the insertion reaction. Then, the intermediate could dissociate into the substituted germylene (H₂C=GeHR) and LiF with a barrier corresponding to their respective dissociation energies. Correspondingly, the reaction energies for the four reactions are 43.6, 78.8, 113.5, and 128.0 kJ/mol, respectively. Compared with the insertion reaction of H₂C= Ge∶ and R-H, the introduction of LiF makes the insertion reaction occur more difficultly. Furthermore, the effects of halogen (F, Cl, Br) substitution and inorganic salts employed on the reaction activity have also been discussed. As a result, the relative reactivity among the four insertion reactions should be as follows: H-F > H-OH > H-NH₂ > H-CH₃.     

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].     

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite (C<Subscript>6</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>(CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>NH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>CdCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>: Synthesis,structural and thermal properties

The present research work reports the study on crystal structure, vibrational spectroscopy and thermal analysis of organic-inorganic hybrid compound (C₆H₅(CH₂)₂NH₃)₂CdCl₄. Single crystals of bis(phenethylammonium)tetrachlorocadmate (C₆H₅(CH₂)₂NH₃)₂CdCl₄ (PEA–Cd) were obtained by diffusion at room temperature. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group C2cb with unit cell parameters a = 7.4444(2) Å, b = 38.8965(3) Å, c = 7.3737(2) Å and Z = 4. Single crystal structure has been solved and refined to R = 0.036 and wR = 0.092. The structure consists of an extended [CdCl₄]^2– network and two [C₆H₅(CH₂)₂NH₃]⁺ cations to form a two-dimensional perovskite system. The infrared (IR) spectrum of the title compound was recorded at room temperature. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the phase transition; this compound exhibits a reversible single solid-solid phase transition.     

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.     

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.     

A comparative study on p-doping behavior of polythiophenes with CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>H

Four kinds of polythiophenes have been doped with CH3SO3H in CHCl3 under air, oxygen, and nitrogen. In the doping of two types of poly(3-hexylthiophene)s, P3HexTh(Zn/Ni) and P3HexTh(Fe) with different contents of a head-to-tail unit, the p-doping occurs at a similar rate. The reaction between poly(3-dodecylthiophene), P3DodTh, and the acid takes place more rapidly. P3OBuTh with a butoxy substituent undergoes more facile p-doping and receives photochemical reaction with CHCl3, and this reaction obeys a pseudo-first-order rate law with a rate constant kobs of 1.42×10-5 s-1 at room temperature.     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>CO<Superscript>.</Superscript> radical with NO

The reaction mechanism of (CH₃)₃CO^. radical with NO is theoretically investigated at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. The results show that the reaction is multi-channel in the single state and triplet state. The potential energy surfaces of reaction paths in the single state are lower than that in the triple state. The balance reaction: (CH₃)₃CONO⇔(CH₃)₃CO^.+NO, whose potential energy surface is the lowest in all the reaction paths, makes the probability of measuring (CH₃)₃CO^. radical increase. So NO may be considered as a stabilizing reagent for the (CH₃)₃CO^. radical.     

Complexation of TiF<Subscript>4</Subscript> with PhP(O)[CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>C(O)NMe<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> in CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Appearance of a Chiral Center at Chelate Coordination

The reaction of TiF₄ with PhP(O)[CH₂C(O)NMe₂]₂ in CH₂Cl₂ has been studied by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy. It has been found that the major reaction products are chelate tetrafluoro complex (η²-L)TiF₄ where the ligand is coordinated to the titanium ion through the P=O and C=O groups and cis-TiF₄(ОР···L)₂ where both ligands are coordinated to the central ion through the more basic P=O groups. Spectral features of the tetrafluoro chelate have been studied, which have been attributed for the first time to the appearance of a chiral center at chelate coordination. The character of manifestation of conformational isomerism of the chelate ring and chiral center in the chelating ligand in mixed octahedral complexes of d⁰ transition metal fluorides in ¹⁹F NMR spectra is discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of the [Ru<Subscript>3</Subscript>O(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>6</Subscript>(py)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(BPE)Ru(bpy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl](PF<Subscript>6</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> dimer

The polymetallic [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂(BPE)Ru(bpy)₂Cl](PF₆)₂ complex (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, BPE = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridil)ethylene and py = pyridine) was assembled by the combination of an electroactive [Ru₃O] moiety with a [Ru(bpy)₂(BPE)Cl] photoactive centre, and its structure was determined using positive ion electrospray (ESI-MS) and tandem mass (ESI-MS/MS) spectrometry. The [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂(BPE)Ru(bpy)₂Cl]²⁺ doubly charged ion of m/z 732 was mass-selected and subject to 15 eV collision-induced dissociation, leading to a specific dissociation pattern, diagnostic of the complex structure. The electronic spectra display broad bands at 409, 491 and 692 nm ascribed to the [Ru(bpy)₂(BPE)] charge-transfer bands and to the [Ru₃O] internal cluster transitions. The cyclic voltammetry shows five reversible waves at −1.07 V, 0.13 V, 1.17 V, 2.91 V and −1.29 V (vs SHE) assigned to the [Ru₃O]^{−1/0/+1/+2/+3} and to the bpy^0/−1 redox processes; also a wave is observed at 0.96 V, assigned to the Ru^+2/+3 pair. Despite the conjugated BPE bridge, the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical results indicate only a weak coupling through the π-system, and preliminary photophysical essays showed the compound decomposes under visible light irradiation.     

Competition between H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH molecules in the formation of the simplest stable proton disolvates and their solvation in aqueous methanol solutions of KOH and CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OK

IR spectroscopic and quantum chemical methods are used to study the competition between water and methanol molecules in the formation of the simplest stable proton disolvates and their subsequent solvation in the case of solutions of KOH in CH₃OH and CH₃OK in H₂O with similar stoichiometries (~1:3-3.5). The complexes found in these solutions are analysed to determine their composition and structure: they are found to be heteroions (CH₃O?H?OH)^– solvated by two similar solvent molecules. In both cases, there are virtually no complexes of the second possible type (CH₃OH·(CH₃O?H?OCH₃)^–··H₂O or CH₃OH·(HO?H?OH)^–·H₂O), which appears to be due to the stoichiometric compositions of the solutions. It is shown that a DFT calculation (B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p)) of linear complexes with strong (~15-30 kcal/mol) H bonds reproduces, with good accuracy, the IR spectra of the solutions, which consist mainly of these complexes.     

High-temperature cubic modification of tetramethylammonium hexafluoridozirconate (N(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>[ZrF<Subscript>6</Subscript>]

X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) methods are used to analyze tetramethylammonium hexafluoridozirconate of the composition [N(CH₃)₄]₂ZrF₆. In the temperature range between 96-110 °C, the crystals undergo a reversible phase transition from the low-temperature trigonal modification (space group R3 ) to the high-temperature cubic modification (space group Fm3m). The cubic phase is composed of regular [ZrF₆]²–octahedral and tetrahedral (CH₃)₄N⁺ cations linked by ionic interactions and the С–H???F hydrogen bonds.