Ab Initio Study on the Potential Energy Surfaces of B4 Cluster

The singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces (PES) for the isomerization and dissociation reactions of B₄ isomers have been investigated using ab initio methods. Ten B4 isomers have been identified and of these 10 species, 4 have not been reported previously. The singlet rhombic structure ¹1 is found to be the most stable on the B₄ surface, in agreement with the results of previous reports. Several isomerization and dissociation pathways have been found. On the singlet PES, the linear ¹3b can rearrange to rhombus ¹1 directly, while ¹3c rearranges to ¹1 through two‐step reactions involving a cyclic intermediate. On the triplet PES, the capped triangle structure ³2 undergoes ring opening to the linear isomer ³3b with a barrier of 34.8 kcal/mol and 44.9 kcal/mol, and the latter undergoes ring closure to the square structure ³1 with a barrier of 30.4 kcal/mol and 33.0 kcal/mol at the MP4/6–311+G(3df)//MP2/6–311G(d) and CCSD/aug‐cc‐pVTZ//MP2/6–311G(d) levels of theory, respectively. The direct decomposition of singlet B₄ yielding to B₃+B is shown to have a large endothermicity of 87.3 kcal/mol (CCSD), and that producing 2B₂ to have activation energy of 133.4 kcal/mol (CCSD).     

Quantum-chemical investigation of structure and valence isomerizations of perdehydrotetrasilacyclobutadiene

The structure and valence isomerizations of perdehydrotetrasilacyclobutadiene (Si₄) are discussed on the basis of concepts of cyclic ^– and ^–conjugation. Calculations by the MINDO/3 and MNDO methods established two types of geometric configurations with D_4h symmetry for both the singlet and triplet states of perdehydrotetrasilacyclobutadiene, differing in inversion of the HOMO and LUMO. Neither D_4h configuration of the singlet state corresponds to minima on the potential energy surface, and these configurations are distorted, one toward a rectangular structure with D_2h symmetry with alternation of bond lengths in the ring, and the other toward a rhombic bicyclic structure with D_2h symmetry. The latter structure corresponds to the global minimum on the potential energy surface of the Si₄.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 414–420, July–August, 1987.     

Structures and stabilities of [C3H2]+ ˙ and [C3H2]2+ ions

Ab initio molecular orbital theory using basis sets up to 6-311G^{* *}, with electron correlation incorporated via configuration interaction calculations with single and double substitutions, has been used to study the structures and energies of the C₃H₂ monocation and dication. In agreement with recent experimental observations, we find evidence for stable cyclic and linear isomers of [C₃H₂]^{+ ˙}. The cyclic structure (, a) represents the global minimum on the [C₃H₂]^{+ ˙} potential energy surface. The linear isomer (, b) lies somewhat higher in energy, 53 kJ mol^?1 above a. The calculated heat of formation for [HCCCH]^{+ ˙} (1369 kJ mol^?1) is in good agreement with a recent experimental value (1377 kJ mol^?1). For the [C₃H₂]²⁺ dication, the lowest energy isomer corresponds to the linear [HCCCH]²⁺ singlet (h). Other singlet and triplet isomers are found not to be competitive in energy. The [HCCCH]²⁺ dication (h) is calculated to be thermodynamically stable with respect to deprotonation and with respect to C? C cleavage into CCH⁺ + CH⁺. The predicted stability is consistent with the frequent observation of [C₃H₂]²⁺ in mass spectrometric experiments. Comparison of our calculated ionization energies for the process [C₃H₂]^{+ ˙} → [C₃H₂]²⁺ with the Q_min values derived from charge-stripping experiments suggests that the ionization is accompanied by a significant change in structure.     

A theoretical comparison of the lowest-lying singlet and triplet states of H2CBe and of HCBeH

The low-lying singlet and triplet states of H₂CBe and HCBeH are examined using ab inito molecular orbital theory. In agreement with earlier results, the lowest-lying structure of H₂CBe has C_2v symmetry and is a triplet with one π electron (³ B₁). The results presented here suggest that the lowest-energy singlet structure is the (¹B₁) open-shell singlet, also with C_2v symmetry, at least 2.5 kcal/mol higher in energy. The singlet C_2v structure with two π electrons (¹A₁) is 15.9 kcal/mol higher than ³B₁. All of these structures are bound with respect to the ground state of methylene and the beryllium atom. In HCBeH, linear equilibrium geometries are found for the triplet (³Σ) and singlet (¹Δ) states. The triplet is more stable than the singlet (¹Δ) by 35.4 kcal/mol, and is only 2.9 kcal/mol higher in energy than triplet H₂ CBe. Since the transition structure connecting these two triplet molecules is found to be 50.2 kcal/mol higher in energy than H₂ CBe, both triplet equilibrium species might exist independently. The harmonic vibrational frequencies of all structures are also reported.     

Exploring the Potential Energy Surface of E2P4 Clusters (E=Group 13 Element): The Quest for Inverse Carbon‐Free Sandwiches

Inverse carbon‐free sandwich structures with formula E₂P₄ (E=Al, Ga, In, Tl) have been proposed as a promising new target in main‐group chemistry. Our computational exploration of their corresponding potential‐energy surfaces at the S12h/TZ2P level shows that indeed stable carbon‐free inverse‐sandwiches can be obtained if one chooses an appropriate Group 13 element for E. The boron analogue B₂P₄ does not form the D_4h‐symmetric inverse‐sandwich structure, but instead prefers a D_2d structure of two perpendicular BP₂ units with the formation of a double B?B bond. For the other elements of Group 13, Al–Tl, the most favorable isomer is the D_4h inverse‐sandwich structure. The preference for the D_2d isomer for B₂P₄ and D_4h for their heavier analogues has been rationalized in terms of an isomerization‐energy decomposition analysis, and further corroborated by determination of aromaticity of these species.     

Theoretical study of [Si,O,C,O] species: Prediction of new species on triplet potential energy surface

The intermediates [Si,O,C,O] of the Si + CO₂ reaction have been studied in detail using high level ab iniitio methods. Both singlet and triplet [Si,O,C,O] species are characterized structurally and energetically. On the singlet potential energy surface (PES), the vdw‐OSi–CO isomer and in the triplet PES, the bent‐SiOCO isomer is found to be thermodynamically as well as kinetically most stable species. All possible isomerization transition states (TS) are located on both singlet and triplet potential surfaces. On the triplet surface, the stability of the trans‐OSiCO isomer is comparable with that of the bent‐SiOCO isomer. A non‐planar cis‐SiOCO isomer is located on the triplet PES, which is predicted for the first time. Heats of formation at 0 K (Δ_fH°, 0 K) for all singlet and triplet species are computed using G3B3, G3MP2, and CBS‐Q theories. The discrepancy between G3B3 and the other two methods for the heat of formation value for triplet trans‐OSiCO is discussed. The PESs for singlet as well as triplet species with their dissociation asymptotes are explored at the CCSD(T)/6‐311G(d,p)//MP2/6‐311G(d,p) level of theory. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

A quantum chemical study of three isomers of N20

Ab initio molecular orbital (MP2) and density functional theory (B3LYP) calculations using different basis sets have been employed to study the structures, energetics and vibrational frequencies of the large homonuclear polynitrogen compound, N₂₀. In the present study, three distinct forms were found to represent local minima on the potential energy surface. They are the fullerene-type cage form of I_h symmetry, a corannulene-like bowl form of C_5v symmetry, and a ring isomer with D₅ symmetry of which the cage form turns out to be the highest energy form. Both the bowl and ring forms are calculated to be more stable than the cage form by about 200 kcal/mol. The molecular properties calculated for these isomers may serve as valuable predictions for future experimental searches for new high energy density materials (HEDM).     

Beryllium Atom Mediated Dinitrogen Activation via Coupling with Carbon Monoxide

The reactions of laser‐ablated beryllium atoms with dinitrogen and carbon monoxide mixtures form the end‐on bonded NNBeCO and side‐on bonded (η²‐N₂)BeCO isomers in solid argon, which are predicted by quantum chemical calculations to be almost isoenergetic. The end‐on bonded complex has a triplet ground state while the side‐on bonded isomer has a singlet electronic ground state. The complexes rearrange to the energetically lowest lying NBeNCO isomer upon visible light excitation, which is characterized to be an isocyanate complex of a nitrene derivative with a triplet electronic ground state. A bonding analysis using a charge‐ and energy decomposition procedure reveals that the electronic reference state of Be in the NNBeCO isomers has an 2s⁰2p² excited configuration and that the metal‐ligand bonds can be described in terms of N₂→Be←CO σ donation and concomitant N₂←Be→CO π backdonation. The results demonstrate that the activation of N₂ with the N?N bond being completely cleaved can be achieved via coupling with carbon monoxide mediated by a main group atom.     

First principles study of the structure,electronic state,and stability of CmN2 clusters

Geometric and electronic properties of C_mN₂ (m = 1–14) clusters have been investigated by density functional theory using the hybrid B3LYP functional and the 6‐311G(d) basis set. Harmonic frequencies for these clusters are given to aid in the characterization of the ground states. These results show that C_mN₂ (m = 1–14) clusters form linear structures with D_∞h symmetry. Two N atoms favor to bond at ends in linear isomers. The chains with odd m have triplet ground states whereas the ones with even m have singlet ground states. The calculated HOMO–LUMO gaps and ionization potentials all show that the C_mN₂ (m = 1–14) clusters with even m are more stable than those with odd m, which is consistent with the observed even–odd alternation of the time‐of‐flight signal intensities. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

B2Au20/-/2-: 硼金团簇中的硼-硼多重键

采用密度泛函和波函数理论方法对B₂Au^20/-/2-的几何结构和电子结构进行研究. 计算结果表明阴离子B₂Au^2- ([Au-B B-Au]^-) (C_2h, ²A_u)和B₂Au^22- ([Au-B≡B-Au]^2-) (C_2h, ¹A_g)的基态结构均为线性结构, 即以含有多重键的BB单元(B B或B≡B)为中心, 两端各连接一个Au原子, 但两端的B－Au键不在同一直线上, 结构稍有变形; 而中性分子B₂Au₂ ([Au-B＝B-Au]) (D_∞h, ³Σ_g^-)的基态结构是以B＝B为中心, 两端各与一个Au原子相连的完美的线性结构. C_2h B₂Au^2-的单电子垂直剥离能和对称性伸缩振动频率的计算结果为实验表征提供依据.另外, 计算发现无机盐B₂Au₂Li₂结构中仍包含B≡B, 此结果一方面为其实验合成提供了可能性, 另一方面表明含有B≡B的B₂Au₂^2-结构极为稳定, 可作为结构单元存在于凝聚相中.     

Structure and Stability of Interstellar Molecule C_3S

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Carbodications. I. The structures and energies of C4H isomers

At high levels of ab initio theory (6-31G*//4-31G), the most stable C₄H isomer is indicated to be the nonplanar cyclobutadiene dication ( 1a ); the planar form, 1b , is indicated to be 7.5 kcal/mol less stable. The second most stable C₄H isomer, the methylenecyclopropene dication, is indicated to prefer the perpendicular ( 2a ) over the planar ( 2b ) arrangement by 7 kcal/mol. The “anti van't Hoff” cyclo-(HB)₂C?CH₂ system ( 4 ), isoelectronic with 2 , also prefers the perpendicular conformation ( 4a ), and retains the C?C double bond. The linear butatriene dication ( 3 ) is the least stable C₄H species investigated. The perpendicular (D_2d) arrangement ( 3a ), permitting double allyl cationlike conjugation, is preferred over the planar D_2h form ( 3b ) by 26 kcal/mol. The heat of formation of the most stable form of C₄H, 1a , is estimated to be 623–640 kcal/mol. This species should be thermodynamically stable toward dissociation into smaller charged fragments.     

Singlet–triplet energy differences in divalent five membered cyclic conjugated Arduengo-type carbenes XC<Subscript>2</Subscript>HN<Subscript>2</Subscript>M (M = C,Si, Ge,Sn, and Pb; X = F,Cl, Br,and I)

Singlet-triplet energy differences in Arduengo-type carbenes XC₂HN₂C compared and contrasted with their sila, germa, stana and plumba analogues; at B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory. Free Gibbs energy differences between triplet (t) and singlet (s) states (ΔG(t–s)) change in the following order: plumbylenes > stannylenes > germylenes > silylenes > carbenes. The singlet states in XC₂HN₂C are generally more stable when the electron withdrawing groups such as–F was used at β-position. However, the singlet states in XC₂N₂HM (M = Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb) are generally more stable when the withdrawing groups such as–F was placed. The puckering energy is investigated for each the singlet and triplet states. The DFT calculations found the linear correlation to size of the group 14 divalent element (M), the ∠N–M–N angle, and the Δ(LUMO–HOMO) of XC₂HN₂M.     

The Low‐Lying Excited States of 2,2′‐Bithiophene: A Theoretical Analysis

The low‐energy regions of the singlet→singlet, singlet→triplet, and triplet→triplet electronic spectra of 2,2′‐bithiophene are studied using multiconfigurational second‐order perturbation theory (CASPT2) and extended atomic natural orbitals (ANO) basis sets. The computed vertical, adiabatic, and emission transition energies are in agreement with the available experimental data. The two lowest singlet excited states, 1¹B_u and 2¹B_u, are computed to be degenerate, a novel feature of the system to be borne in mind during the rationalization of its photophysics. As regards the observed high triplet quantum yield of the molecule, it is concluded that the triplet states 2³A_g and 2³B_u, separated about 0.4 eV from the two lowest singlet excited states, can be populated by intersystem crossing from nonplanar singlet states.     

B20N20团簇的结构与稳定性

B3LYP/6-31G* density functional theory calculations have been carried out on the structure and stability of ten B20N20 clusters. It was found that two new proposed isomers with two octagons, twelve hexagons, eight squares in Cab and C2 symmetry were more stable than the isomer with sixteen hexagons and six squares in C2 symmetry which was previously deemed to the most stable by 79.5 and 13.8 kJ/mol respectively. The isomer with two decagons in S10 symmetry is much higher in energy than the most stable structure in C4h symmetry by 637.2 kJ/mol.     

Generation and structure determination of 5,6‐bis(methylthio)‐4,7‐diethylbenzo[1,2,3]trithiole dication MBT(2+)

5,6‐Bis(methylthio)‐4,7‐diethylbenzo‐[1,2,3]‐trithiole [MBT] was oxidized with two equivalents of SbCl₅ to produce a dication, MBT(2+)ċ2SbCl, as a stable, dark‐brown solid. MBT(2+) was unexpectedly silent for ¹H‐NMR in CD₃CN, whereas it was active for ESR, suggesting that MBT(2+) is a triplet‐state dication MBT(2+)‐T. Meanwhile, treatment of 5‐ methylsulfinyl‐6‐methylthio‐4,7‐diethylbenzo[1,2,3]‐ trithiole [MBTMO] with D₂SO₄ produced MBT(2+), whose ¹H‐NMR gave no signals, whereas the solution is active for ESR. These results imply that MBT(2+) prepared from MBTMO is a triplet‐state dication, and a singlet‐state dication, MBT(2+)‐S, initially generated by acidification of MBTMO, isomerized to the triplet‐state dication, MBT(2+)‐T. Since MBT(2+)‐T is active for ESR at room temperature, two molecules of MBT(2+)‐T should form a spin pair in the solution with a sufficient distance between the two radical centers. The structures of MBT(2+)‐S and MBT(2+)‐T were optimized with the DFT method at the B3LYP6‐31G** level. The total energy difference between them was calculated to be 7.90 kcal/mol; MBT(2+)‐T was shown to be more stable than MBT(2+)‐S. A treatment of MBTMO with SbCl₅ gave a 1:1 complex. The structure of the complex was determined with X‐ray crystallography, which showed that the complex is the corresponding sulfonium salt, MBTMOċSbCl₅. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:111–222, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20078     

Structure and stability of B8 clusters

We investigated various isomers of B₈ clusters with ab initio (MP2) and density function theory (DFT) methods (B3LYP and B3PW91). Nineteen B₈ isomers were determined to be local minima on their potential energy hypersurfaces by the B3LYP, B3PW91, and MP2 methods. Fifteen of these structures are first reported. The most stable neutral B₈ cluster is the regular heptagon, with another boron atom at the center (D_7h, triplet), in agreement with results reported previously. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and nucleus‐independent chemical shifts (NICS) further reveal that the most stable species have delocalized π bond and multicentered σ bonds and therefore exhibit multiple‐fold aromaticity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Quantum chemical study of alternating N/B and N/C π bonds in (un)charged even‐membered 4n and 4n+2 cyclic systems and their related open systems

With semi‐empirical MO and ab initio calculations at different levels, we investigated the π conjugation of alternating X? Y bonds with X? Y for N/B and N/C combinations in an open and cyclic arrangement. Although the intrinsic symmetry is lost for the acyclic even‐membered compounds, the alternation is still reflected in its geometry and electron‐density transfer. For the cyclic π compounds, we focused our attention on borazine N₃B₃H₆ (D_3h symmetry), which is isoelectronic with benzene (D_6h symmetry). Specific attention is given to the electrophilic behavior of borazine with respect to CH and SiMe. The dynamics based on the results of FT‐ICR mass spectrometry was studied in more detail. In addition, the results of the cyclic systems with 4n and 4n+2 π electrons concerning their geometries are compared with the corresponding carbon compounds. Attention is also given to the dication of borazine, because of the corresponding triplet ground state of the benzene dication. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005