Intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the binary mixture [(C2H5)2CO + CH3OH] probed by polarized Raman measurements and DFT calculations

The Raman spectra of neat (C₂H₅)₂CO (pentanone) and its binary mixtures with hydrogen donor solvent (CH₃OH), [(C₂H₅)₂CO + CH₃OH] having different mole fractions of the reference system, (C₂H₅)₂CO in the range 0.1-0.9 at a regular interval of 0.1 were recorded in the CO stretching region. In neat liquid, the Raman peak appears asymmetric. The asymmetric nature of the peak has been attributed to the CO stretching mode of the two conformers of (C₂H₅)₂CO having C₂ and C_2v point groups and the corresponding bands at ∼1711 and ∼1718 cm⁻¹, respectively. A careful analysis of the I_iso (isotropic component of the Raman scattered intensity) at different concentrations reveals that upon dilution with methanol, at mole fraction C = 0.6, an additional peak in the CO stretching region is observed at ∼1703 cm⁻¹ which is attributed to the hydrogen bonding with methanol. A peculiar feature in this study is that upon dilution, the peak at ∼1718 cm⁻¹ shows a minimum at C = 0.6, but on further dilution it shows a blue shift. However, the other peak at ∼1711 cm⁻¹ shows a continuous red shift with dilution as well as a maximum at C = 0.7 in the linewidth vs. concentration plot, which is essentially due to competition between motional narrowing and diffusion phenomena. A significant amount of narrowing in the Raman band at ∼1718 cm⁻¹ can be understood in terms of caging effect of the reference molecule by the solvent molecules at high dilution. A density functional theoretic (DFT) calculation on optimized geometries and vibrational frequencies of two conformers of neat (C₂H₅)₂CO in C₂ ad C_2v forms and the complexes with one and two CH₃OH molecules with both the conformers was performed. The experimental results and theoretical calculations together indicate a co-existence of two conformers as well as hydrogen bonded complex with methanol in the binary mixture, [(C₂H₅)₂CO + CH₃OH] at intermediate concentrations.     

DFT study on the unsaturated germylenoid H2CGeNaF

The unsaturated germylenoid H₂CGeNaF was studied by using the DFT B3LYP method in conjunction with the 6-311+G(d, p) basis set. Geometry optimization calculations indicate that H₂CGeNaF has three equilibrium configurations, in which the p-complex is the lowest in energy and is the most stable structure. Two transition states for isomerization reactions of H₂CGeNaF are located and the energy barriers are calculated. For the most stable one, vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities have been predicted.     

Effects of dipole interaction and solvation on the CO stretching band of N,N-dimethylacetamide in nonpolar solutions: Infrared, isotropic and anisotropic Raman measurements

The concentration dependence of the CO stretching (ν_CO) band of N,N-dimethylacetamide (NdMA) in cyclohexane, n-hexane, and CCl₄ has been investigated by infrared (IR) and polarized Raman spectroscopy. For the neat liquid of NdMA, the noncoincidence of the aniso- and isotropic Raman wavenumbers is evident. In the 0.47 M cyclohexane solution of NdMA, the noncoincidence effect almost disappears and the ν_CO envelopes in both the Raman and IR spectra are asymmetric to the low-wavenumber side. When the concentration of NdMA decreases from 0.33 to 0.023 M, the peak of these bands slightly shifts to a higher wavenumber and the band shape becomes symmetric. The shape of the ν_CO envelope does not show any significant change below 0.023 M. These results suggest that the asymmetric shape of the ν_CO band observed for the 0.33 M cyclohexane solution is associated with the intermolecular interaction among NdMA molecules, which vanishes at around 0.02 M. Spectral changes for the CCl₄ solution of NdMA show a similar tendency. However, the shape and peak wavenumber of the ν_CO band observed in a highly diluted CCl₄ solution (≤0.023 M) indicate that the solvation effect of CCl₄ is more complicated than those of cyclohexane and n-hexane. The analyses of the ν_CO band, which is sensitive to the intermolecular interaction between solutes and between solute and solvent for NdMA dissolved in nonpolar solvents, would serve to clarify the electronic property of the molecule in a solution.     

Preparation of fluorine compounds of groups 13 and 14: a study case for the diagonal relationship of aluminum and germanium

The synthesis of carbaalanes of composition [(AlF)₆(AlNMe₃)₂(CR)₆] containing terminal fluorine atoms is described. The clusters have in common that the central core consists of eight aluminum and six carbon atoms. Six of the eight aluminum atoms are bearing six terminal fluorine atoms. The fluorination of (t-BuNCH₂AlH)₄ results in the formation of the aggregate (t-BuNCH₂AlF)₄. In group 14, the fluorine containing unsaturated compounds LGeF, LGeS(F), LGeSe(F), and LGeNSiMe₃(F) were prepared (LHC(CMeNAr)₂), Ar = 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃ and Ar = 2,6-Me₂(C₆H₃)).     

The first evidence for a transient stibaallene ArSbCCR2

Dechlorofluorination of ArSb(F)-C(Cl)CR₂ (CR₂ = fluorenylidene, Ar = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) by tert-butyllithium afforded a 3,4-bis(fluorenylidene)-1,2-distibacyclobutane. The formation of the latter probably involves the transient stibaallene ArSbCCR₂ followed by a head-to-head dimerization via two SbC double bonds. Molecular orbital calculations at the ab initio and DFT levels support the head-to-head dimerization of ArSbCCR₂ with the formation of a 1,2-distibacyclobutane.     

Theoretical studies on the imine germylenoid HNGeNaF and its insertion reaction with R-H (R = F, OH, NH2, CH3)

The geometries and isomerization of the imine germylenoid HNGeNaF 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 117.2, 172.6, 219.7, and 322.3 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 (HNGeHR) and NaF with a barrier corresponding to their respective dissociation energies. Correspondingly, the reaction energies for the four reactions are 185.0, 208.1, 224.4, and 266.9 kJ/mol, respectively, which are linearly correlated with the calculated barrier heights. Compared with the insertion reaction of HNGe: and R-H, the introduction of NaF makes the insertion reaction occur easily though it is more difficult to proceed than that of insertion reaction between H₂GeNaF and R-H. 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.     

Solvent and phosphine dependency in the reaction of cis-RuCl2(P-P)2 (P-P = dppm or dppe) with terminal alkynes

Reaction of cis-[RuCl₂(dppm)₂] (dppm = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) with PhCCH and NaPF₆ utilising methanol as solvent results in the formation of the η³-butenynyl complex [Ru(η³-PhCCCCHPh)(dppm)₂][PF₆] in good yield. Similar reactions with Bu^tCCH and PrⁿCCH resulted in the corresponding alkyl-substituted complexes and all three of these compounds have been characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The mechanism of this reaction has been probed by employing labelling experiments with both PhCCD and PhC¹³CH allowing the identity of possible intermediates in the reaction to be determined. Furthermore, [Ru(η³-PhCCCCHPh)(dppm)₂][PF₆] has been shown to be an effective regio- and stereo-selective catalyst for the dimerisation of PhCCH to Z-PhCCCHCHPh in the absence of solvent. In contrast, no evidence for the formation of alkyne coupling was obtained from the reaction of cis-[RuCl₂(dppe)₂] (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) with PhCCH and NaPF₆.     

Vibrational spectra and structural parameters of some XNCO and XOCN (X = H, F, Cl, Br) molecules

Ab initio calculations with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order and hybrid density functional theory calculations by the B3LYP method utilizing the 6-31G(d), 6-311+G(d, p), and 6-311+G(2d, 2p) basis sets have been carried out for the XNCO and XOCN (X = H, F, Cl, Br) molecules. From these calculations, force constants, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities, depolarization ratios, and structural parameters have been determined and compared to the experimental quantities when available. By combining previously reported rotational constants for HNCO, ClNCO and BrNCO with the ab initio MP2/6-311+G(d, p) predicted structural values, adjusted r₀ parameters have been obtained. The r₀ values for BrNCO are: r(BrN) = 1.857(5); r(NC) = 1.228(5); r(CO) = 1.161(5) Å; BrNC = 117.5(5) and NCO = 172.3(5)°. For ClNCO the determined r₀ parameters are in excellent agreement with the previously determine r_s values, whereas those for HNCO the HNC angle is larger with a value of 126.3(5)° compared to the previous reported value of 123.9(17)°. However, considering the relatively large uncertainty in the value given initially the two results are in near agreement. Structural parameters are also estimated for FNCO and XOCN (X = H, F, Cl, Br). The centrifugal distortion constants have been calculated and are compared to the experimentally (XNCO: X = H, Cl, Br) determined values. Predicted values for the barriers of linearity are given for both the XNCO (X = H, F, Cl, Br) molecules and the results were compared to the corresponding isothiocyanate molecules. The predicted frequencies for the fundamentals of the XNCO molecules compare favorably to the experimental values but some of the predicted intensities differ significantly from those in the observed spectra. The two OCN bends for HOCN have been assigned and the frequencies for the two corresponding fundamentals of DOCN are predicted.     

Molecular complexes of octafluoronaphthalene with catenated chalcogen-nitrogen compounds C6H5-X-NSN-SiMe3 (X = S, Se)

Mismatched molecular 1:1 complexes of C₁₀F₈ with catenated chalcogen-nitrogen compounds C₆H₅-X-NSN-SiMe₃ (X = S, Se) were prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complexes provide examples of structurally non-rigid polyheteroatom molecules involved in non-covalent arene-polyfluoroarene π-stacking interactions. In going from homocrystals to the co-crystals, the molecular Z, E configuration of the catenated compounds changes from noticeably non-planar to perfectly planar, i.e. C₁₀F₈ acts as “molecular iron”. On the other hand, C₁₀H₈ does not produce complexes with C₆F₅-X-NSN-SiMe₃ (X = S, Se).     

Formation of multifunctional ligands by nucleophilic addition of alcohols and thiols to the alkyne groups in compound C5H5FeC5H4CCSCCH: Reactivity studies

The multifunctional ligands [(Z)-FcCCSC(H)C(H)XR] [X = O, R = Me (2a); X = O, R = Et (2b); X = S, R = Ph (3); X = S, R = C₆F₅ (5)] and [(Z,Z)-Fc(SR)CC(H)SC(H)C(H)SR] [R = Ph (4), C₆F₅ (6)] have been prepared through hydroalkoxylation and hydrothiolation processes of the alkyne groups in the compound FcCCSCCH 1. Reactions between compound 3 and the carbonyl metals Co₂(CO)₈, Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ and Fe₂(CO)₉ have allowed the synthesis of the polynuclear compounds [(Z)-{Co₂(CO)₆}(μ-η²-FcCCSC(H)C(H)SPh)] 9, [(Z)-Os₃(CO)₉(μ-CO){μ₃-η²-FcCCSC(H)C(H)(SPh)}] 10 and [(Z)-{Fe₃(CO)₉}[μ₃,η³-(CCS)-FcCCSC(H)C(H)(SPh)] 11. All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and the crystal structure of compounds [(Z)-FcCCSC(H)C(H)OMe] 2a and [{Co₂(CO)₆}₂(μ-η²:η²-FcCCSCCSiMe₃)] 7 have been solved by X ray diffraction analysis.     

Stability of functionalized C60 paramagnetic dimers and monomers

Density functional theory is used to calculate the bond dissociation energy to cleave the C₆₀C₆₀ bond of the paramagnetic X-C₆₀C₆₀-X and X-C₆₀C₆₀ dimers where X is F, OH, O and H. The results show that these dimers would not be stable much above room temperature and therefore cannot constitute the paramagnetic phase needed to form the observed ferromagnetism which has been shown to be stable up to 800 K. The calculated bond dissociation energies to remove an F, OH or H from a single C₆₀ are large suggesting that they could be the source of the unpaired spin needed for the high temperature ferromagnetism.     

Rh(II)-Cp-TsDPEN catalyzed aqueous asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of chromenones into saturated alcohol: CC and CO reduction in one step

As an efficient catalyst for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation reaction (ATH reaction) of α,β-unsaturated ketones, Rh-Cp^∗-TsDPEN (Cp^∗ = 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopenta-1,3-diene, TsDPEN = N-(p-toluenesulfonyl)-1,2-diphenyl- ethylenediamine) shows high chemoselectivity on CO and CC reduction. In our method, both CO and CC bonds in a variety of chromenone derivatives were reduced efficiently in aqueous media, resulting in at least 98% ee and up to 99% yields in a convenient way without further purification. The product was a useful intermediate for deriving chiral chroman-4-amine, which was reported as an effective agent against hypotension and inflammatory pain by inhibiting human bradykinin B1 receptor.     

Thermal gas-phase reaction of perfluorobuta-1,3-diene with NO2

The reaction of NO₂ with perfluorobuta-1,3-diene, CF₂CFCFCF₂ (C₄F₆), has been studied at 312.9, 323.0, 333.4, 396.0 and 418.0 K, using a conventional static system. The products formed in the temperature range 312.9-333.4 K were CF₂CFCF(NO₂)CF₂(NO₂) (I), CF₂(NO₂)CFCFCF₂(NO₂) (II), CF₂CFCF(NO₂)C(O)F (III) and CF₂(NO₂)CFCFC(O)F (IV) and FNO. The formation of these compounds was detected performing infrared and Raman spectra. The infrared spectrum shows a band at 1785 cm⁻¹, characteristic to the terminal -CFCF₂ group and the Raman spectrum shows a band located at 1733 cm⁻¹, corresponding to -CFCF- group. It indicates, that in this temperature range, NO₂ attacks initially only one double bound of CF₂CFCFCF₂. Since the intermediate radical CF₂CFCFCF₂(NO₂) formed in this process is allylic in nature, so there is no isomerization involved in this process, but rather the allylic radical is able to add the second NO₂ either to CF₂ or CFCF₂(NO₂) end, forming the corresponding products. At 396.0 and 418.0 K different products were observed: CF₂(NO₂)CF(NO₂)C(O)F (V), NO, CF₃C(O)F, C(O)F₂ and traces of epoxide of tetrafluoroethene, showing that, at these temperatures, both double bonds are attacked by NO₂ and detachment of CF₂ group is produced. The mechanisms consistent with experimental results in the temperature range 312.9-333.4 and at 396.0 and 418 K are proposed.     

Towards understanding monomer coordination in atom transfer radical polymerization: synthesis of [Cu(PMDETA)(π-M)][BPh4] (M = methyl acrylate, styrene, 1-octene, and methyl methacrylate) and structural studies by FT-IR and H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography

Cu^I complexes of the form [Cu^I(PMDETA)(π-M)][BPh₄] (where PMDETA = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, and M = vinyl monomer) were synthesized and isolated from solution as crystals with methyl acrylate (MA), styrene (Sty), and 1-octene (Oct). The interaction of the CC double bond of the vinyl monomer with Cu^I was characterized via FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray crystallography. A fourth complex with methyl methacrylate (MMA) was synthesized and characterized spectroscopically, but no crystals suitable for X-ray structure analysis could be obtained. In all complexes, PMDETA acts as a tridentate ligand, while the pseudotetrahedral coordination geometry around Cu^I is completed by a π-interaction with the CC double bond of M in the presence of a non-coordinating counter-ion. A decrease in CC IR stretching frequencies of Δν(CC) = −110, −80, −109, and −127 cm⁻¹ for complexes with MA, Sty, Oct, and MMA, respectively, was observed upon coordination. No significant change in CC bond length was seen in the crystal structure for complexes with MA and Oct while a slight lengthening was observed for the Sty complex. The upfield shift of the vinyl proton resonances indicated the presence of significant π-back-bonding.     

Quantification of the push-pull character of the isophorone chromophore as a measure of molecular hyperpolarizability for NLO applications

The push-pull character of a series of para-phenyl substituted isophorone chromophores has been quantified by the ¹³C chemical shift difference of the three conjugated partial CC double bonds and the quotient of the occupations of both the bonding and anti-bonding orbitals of these CC double bonds as well. The correlations of the two push-pull quantifying parameters, and to the corresponding bond lengths, strongly recommend /π_CC as the general parameter to estimate charge alternation and as a very useful indication of the molecular hyperpolarizabilities for NLO application of the compounds studied.     

Synthesis and structures of bimetallic silicon-containing imido alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiR2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2 (R = Me, Ph) and (R′O)2(ArN)WCH-SiMe2SiMe2-CHW(NAr)(OR′)2

Bimetallic alkylidene complexes of tungsten (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiR₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (R = Me (1), Ph (2)) and (R′O)₂(ArN)WCH-SiMe₂SiMe₂-CHW(NAr)(OR′)₂ (3) (Ar = ; R′ = CMe₂CF₃) have been prepared by the reactions of divinyl silicon reagents R₂Si(CHCH₂)₂ with known alkylidene compounds R′′-CHMo(NAr)(OR′)₂. (R′′ = Bu^t, PhMe₂C) Complexes 1-3 were structurally characterized. Ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclooctene using compounds 1-3 as initiators led to the formation of high molecular weight polyoctenamers with predominant trans-units content in the case of 1 and 3 and predominant cis-units content in the case of 2.     

Synthesis, structures and some reactions of Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp (PP = dppm, dppe) and related compounds

The compounds Ru(CCCCFc)(PP)Cp [PP = dppe (1), dppm (2)], have been obtained from reactions between RuCl(PP)Cp and FcCCCCSiMe₃ in the presence of KF (1) or HCCCCFc and K[PF₆] (2), both with added dbu. The dppe complex reacts with Co₂(CO)₆(L₂) [L₂ = (CO)₂, dppm] to give 3, 4 in which the Co₂(CO)₄(L₂) group is attached to the outer CC triple bond. The PPh₃ analogue of 3 (5) has also been characterised. In contrast, tetracyanoethene reacts to give two isomeric complexes 6 and 7, in which the cyano-olefin has added to either CC triple bond. The reaction of RuCl(dppe)Cp with HCCCCFc, carried out in a thf/NEt₃ mixture in the presence of Na[BPh₄], gave [Ru{CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}(dppe)Cp]BPh₄ (8), probably formed by addition of the amine to an (unobserved) intermediate butatrienylidene [Ru(CCCCHFc)(dppe)Cp]⁺. The reaction of I₂ with 8 proceeds via an unusual migration of the alkynyl group to the Cp ring to give [RuI(dppe){η-C₅H₄CCC(NEt₃)CHFc}]I₃ (9). Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations of 1, 2 and 4-9 are reported.