Crosslinking and scission yields for polystyrene subjected to γ irradiation in vacuo

Measurements of molecular weight averages and distributions have been made on three samples of narrow molecular size distribution polystyrene with molecular weights from 100, 000 to 400, 000 subjected to ⁶⁰Co γ irradiation in vacuo for various doses within the pregel region+ G(X), the radiation chemical yield of crosslinking, has been determined as 0.043 ± 0.002 and G(S)/G(X), the ratio of scission to crosslinking, as 0.02; no effect of molecular weight was observed. By comparison with previous experimental results for polystyrene irradiated in air it has been established unequivocally that an oxygen environment leads to enhanced scission at the expense of crosslinking. Literature values of G(X) and G(S)/G(X) are reviewed in the light of these results and explanations are offered to account for major discrepancies.     

An electron spin resonance study on γ-irradiated poly( -lactic acid) and poly( -lactic acid)

The effect of gamma irradiation on poly( -lactic acid) ( -PLA) and poly( -lactic acid) ( -PLA), has been examined using ESR spectroscopy and through analysis of the changes in molecular weight. The G values for radical formation of both polylactic acids have been calculated at 77 and 300 K; G(R) = 2.0 at 77 K and G(R) = 1.5 at 300 K for -PLA and G(R) = 2.4 at 77 K and G(R) = 1.2 at 300 K for -PLA. The ESR spectrum at 300 K for the polymers was assigned to one radical, resulting from H atom abstraction from the quaternary carbon atom. The G values for crosslinking and scission have also been determined for the polymers at 300 K; G(S) = 2.3 and G(X) = 0.0 for -PLA, G(S) = 2.4 and G(X) = 0.28 for -PLA.     

γ-Radiolysis of ketone polymers. II. γ-Irradiation of styrene–methyl vinyl ketone copolymers

γ-Radiolysis of copolymers of styrene and methyl vinyl ketone shows that the introduction of pendant carbonyl groups markedly increases the G(s) value as compared to the homopolymer of styrene. The G(x) value is only slightly affected. These efficiencies are determined by employing an established statistical theory for random crosslinking and scission coupled with gel-permeation chromatography as the analytical tool required to follow the changes in the MWD of polymers. Also the G(H₂) values are unaltered by the introduction of carbonyl groups in polystyrene. These results are in marked contrast to the effects of carbonyl groups in polyethylene when subjected to γ-radiolysis and can be attributed to the protective role played by the aromatic phenyl groups in polystyrene.     

Bonding Energetics of Palladium Amido/Aryloxide Complexes in DMSO: Implications for Palladium-Mediated Aniline Activation

Thermodynamic knowledge of the metal–ligand (M−L) σ-bond strength is crucial to understanding metal-mediated transformations. Here, we developed a method for determining the Pd−X (X=OR and NHAr) bond heterolysis energies (ΔG_het(Pd−X)) in DMSO taking [(tmeda)PdArX] (tmeda=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) as the model complexes. The ΔG_het(Pd−X) scales span a range of 2.6–9.0 kcal mol⁻¹ for ΔG_het(Pd−O) values and of 14.5–19.5 kcal mol⁻¹ for ΔG_het(Pd−N) values, respectively, implying a facile heterolytic detachment of the Pd ligands. Structure-reactivity analyses of a modeling Pd-mediated X−H bond activation reveal that the M−X bond metathesis is dominated by differences of the X−H and Pd−X bond strengths, the former being more influential. The ΔG_het(Pd−X) and pK_a(X−H) parameters enable regulation of reaction thermodynamics and chemoselectivity and diagnosing the probability of aniline activation with Pd−X complexes.     

A solid-state 13C-NMR study of crosslinking in polybutadiene by γ radiation: Effect of microstructure and dose

Solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy has been used to determine the decrease in C?C bonds, formation of crosslinks and cis to trans isomerization during the γ irradiation of (a) > 99% cis, 1,4-polybutadiene, (b) 54% trans, 41% cis, 1,4-polybutadiene, and (c) 86% 1,2-polybutadiene. G(-cis C?C) and G(-trans C?C), were similar and decreased with dose from ≈ 40 for 0-1 MGy to 5 for 5-10 MGy. G(-double bonds) and G(crosslink) were comparable, indicating that crosslinking occurred through the double bonds. G(crosslink) was much higher than values derived from physical properties, confirming that NMR measures the total of inter- and intramolecular crosslinking (cyclization). The 1,2 polybutadiene was much more sensitive to crosslinking, and a value of G(-C?C) = 240 was obtained at low doses. Crosslinking evidently proceeds by a kinetic chain reaction in all three types of polybutadiene.     

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Two Different Types of Heterobimetallic Glycolate Complexes of Niobium(V)

An entirely new class of heterobimetallic homoleptic glycolate complexes of the type Nb(OGO)₃{Ta(OGO)₂} [where G=CMe₂CH₂CH₂CMe₂ (G¹) (3); CMe₂CH₂ CHMe(G²) (4); CHMeCHMe (G³) (5); CH₂CMe₂CH₂ (G⁴) (6); CMe₂CMe₂(G⁵) (7); CH₂CHMeCH₂ (G⁶) (8); CH₂CEt₂CH₂ (G⁷) (9); CH₂CMe(Prⁿ)CH₂ (G⁸) (10)] have been prepared by the reactions of Nb(OGO)₂(OGOH) [G=G¹ (1a); G² (1b); G³ (1c); G⁴ (1d); G⁵ (1e); G⁶ (1f); G⁷ (1g); G⁸ (1h)] with Ta(OGO)₂ (OPrⁱ) (G=G¹ (2a); G² (2b); G³ (2c); G⁴ (2d); G⁵ (2e) G⁶ (2f); G⁷ (2g); G⁸ (2h). In addition to the novel derivatives (2)–(10), our earlier investigations on heterobimetallic glycolate-alkoxide derivatives have been extended to derivatives of the type Nb(OGO) [where M=A1 n=3, G=G³ (11);G⁴ (12); G⁶ (13) G⁷ (14); G^s (15); G⁹=CH₂CH₂CH₂ (16) and M=Ti (n=4, G=G⁴) (17), Zr(n=4,G=G⁴) (18)], which are conveniently prepared by the reactions of metalloligands Nb(OGO)₂(OGOH) [G=G³ (1c); G⁴ (1d); G⁶ (1f); G⁷ (1g); G⁸ (1h); G⁹ (1i)] with different metal alkoxides. All of these new complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight determinations, and spectroscopic (I.r. and ¹H, ²⁷Al-n.m.r.) studies. Structural features of the new derivatives have been elucidated on the basis of molecular weight and spectroscopic data.     

Collision-Induced Decomposition (CID) of Triangular [Mo3S7-xSex]4+ Complexes (x = 0,3,7). A liquid SIMS and FTMS/MS study of [Mo3S7-xSex(Et2NCS2)3] +

[Mo₃S(S₂)₃(dtc)₃]I, [Mo₃S(SeS)₃(dtc)₃](dtc), and [Mo₃Se(Se₂)₃(dtc)₃](dtc) (dtc = N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate) were investigated by liquid SIMS-FTMS. The fragmentation pathways were essentially the same for the three compounds and can be explained by two types of fragmentation processes: stepwise abstraction of S/Se atoms as exemplified by the series [Mo₃X_z(dtc)₃]⁺ (4 ? z ? 7, X = S, Se), and ligand dissociation, as indicated by the generation of [Mo₃X_z(dtc)₂]⁺ (5 ? z ? 7, X = S, Se). The exclusive elimination of the Se-atoms from [Mo₃S(S_ax-Se_eq)₃(dtc)₃]⁺ confirmed the inequivalent reactivity of the bridging atoms in axial and equatorial position as observed in previous studies. Collision-induced decomposition (CID) of [Mo₃S₇(dtc)₃]⁺ ( 1 ), [Mo₃S₆(dtc)₃]⁺ ( 2 ), [Mo₃S(S_ax–Se_eq)₃(dtc)₃]⁺ ( 3 ), and [Mo₃Se₇(dtc)₃]⁺ ( 4 ) revealed distinctly different fragmentation reactions for the SIMS and CID mode. CID of 1, 3 , and 4 resulted in a two-step reaction with the exclusive elimination of diatomic molecules XY (X,Y = S/Se). In the case of 3 , the selective elimination of Se₂ indicated the abstraction of two Se-atoms located in equatorial positions of two different bridging groups. This result is discussed in terms of mechanisms, based on labile M? X_eq and inert M? X_ax bonds with an intramolecular formation of a X₄ fragment prior to the elimination of X₂.     

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterisation of a New Class of Heterobimetallic Zirconocene(IV) Compounds

Reactions of Cp₂ZrCl₂ with homometallic complexes of aluminium containing one residual hydroxy group Al(OGO)(OGOH) and Al(L)(OGOH) [where G=G¹=CMe₂CMe₂ (1a); G=G²=CMe₂CH₂CHMe (1b); G= G³=CMe₂CH₂CH₂CMe₂ (1c) and L=L¹=OC₆H₄CH=NCH₂CH₂O, G=G¹ (2a); L=L¹, G=G² (2b); L=L¹, G=G³ (2c); L=L²=OC₁₀H₆CH=NCH₂CH₂O, G=G¹ (2d); L=L², G=G² (2e); L=L², G=G³ (2f)] in THF using Et₃N as HCl acceptor affords novel heterobimetallic compounds of the types Al(OGO)₂Zr(Cl)Cp₂ and Al(L)(OGO)Zr(Cl)Cp₂, respectively. All of these derivatives have been characterised by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, and spectroscopic [IR, NMR (¹H and ²⁷Al)] studies.     

Darstellung der Halogeno-Pyridin-Rhenate(III), [ReX6−n (Py)n](3−n)− (X = Br,Cl; n = 1−3), sowie Kristallstrukturen von trans-[(C4H9)4N][ReBr4(Py)2], mer-[ReCl3(Py)3] und mer-[ReBr3(Py)3]

Preparation of Halogeno Pyridine Rhenates(III), [ReX_6?n(Py)_n]^(3?n)? (X = Br, Cl; n = 1?3) Crystal Structures of trans-[(C₄H₉)₄N][ReBr₄(Py)₂], mer-[ReCl₃(Py)₃], and mer- [ReBr₃(Py)₃] The mixed halogeno-pyridine-rhenates(III), [ReX_6?n(Py)_n]^(3?n)? (X = Br, Cl), n = 1?3, have been prepared for the first time by reaction of the tetrabutylammoniumsalts (TBA)₂[ReX₆] (X = Br, Cl) in pyridine with (TBA)BH₄ and separation by chromatography on Al₂O₃. Apart from the monopyridine complexes only the trans and mer isomers are formed from the bis-and tris-pyridine compounds. The X-ray structure determinations of the isotypic neutral complexes mer- [ReX₃(Py)₃] (monoclinic, space group P 2₁/n, Z = 4; for X = Cl: a = 9,1120(8), b = 12,5156(14), c = 15,6100(13) Å, β = 91,385(7)°; for X = Br: a = 9,152(5), b = 12,852(13), c = 15,669(2) Å, β = 90,43(2)°) reveal, due to the stronger trans influence of pyridine compared with Cl and Br, that the Re? X distances in asymmetric Py? Re? X3 axes with ReCl3 = 2,397 Å and ReBr3 = 2,534 Å are elongated by 1,3 and 1% in comparison with symmetric X1? Re? X2 axes with ReCl1 = ReCl2 = 2,367 Å and ReBr1 = 2,513 and ReBr2 = 2,506 Å, respectively. The Re? N bond lengths are roughly equal with 2,12 Å. Trans-(TBA)[ReBr₄(Py)₂] crystallizes triclinic, space group P1 , a = 9,2048(12), b = 12,0792(11), c = 15,525(2) Å, α = 95,239(10), β = 94,193(11), γ = 106,153(9)°, Z = 2. The unit cell contains two independent but very similar complex anions with approximate D_2h(mmm) point symmetry.     

Ab initio studies of three-membered ring formation through intramolecular nucleophilic substitution

Three-membered ring (3MR) forming processes of ⁻X(SINGLE BOND)CH₂(SINGLE BOND)CH₂(SINGLE BOND)F and ⁻CH₂(SINGLE BOND)C((SINGLE BOND)Y)(SINGLE BOND)CH₂(SINGLE BOND)F (X(DOUBLE BOND)CH₂, O, or S and Y(DOUBLE BOND)0 or S) through a gas phase neighboring group mechanism (S_Ni) are studied theoretically using the ab initio molecular orbital method with the 6–31+G* basis set. When electron correlation effects are considered, the activation (ΔG^≠) and reaction energies (ΔG⁰) are lowered by ca. 10 kcal mol⁻¹, indicating the importance of the electron correlation effect in these reactions. The contribution of entropy of activation (−TΔS^≠) at 298 K to ΔG^≠ is very small, and the reactions are enthalpy controlled. The ΔG^≠ and ΔG⁰ values for these ring closure processes largely depend on the stabilities of the reactants and the heteroatom acting as a nucleophilic center. The Bell–Evans–Polanyi principle applies well to all these reaction series. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 18 : 1773–1784, 1997     

Chain scission efficiency of some polymers in γ-radiation

The G values of poly(methyl methacrylates) (PMMA), polycarbonates, and a polylactone for γ-radiation were determined by using a computer-assisted GPC as the primary tool for the measurement of the number-average molecular weights M?_n. The accuracy and precision of the automated GPC were found to have a normalized standard deviation (σ/M?_n) of less than 7%. The G value of PMMA was determined to be essentially independent of molecular weight. For low molecular weight polymers, some nonlinearity in the I/M?_n versus dosage plot was observed at low dosage, i.e., about 1 Mrad.     

Pd−X Bond Homolysis Dissociation Free Energy (BDFE) Scales of [(tmeda)Pd(4-F−C6H4)X] (X=OR,NHAr) in DMSO

Transition metal intermediates bearing M−X σ-bonds are ubiquitous in metal-mediated C−X bond transformations. Thermodynamic knowledge of M−X bond cleavage is crucial to explore relevant reactions; but little was accumulated till present due to lack of suitable determination methods. We here report the first systematic study of the Pd−X bond homolysis dissociation free energies [BDFE(Pd−X)] of representative [(tmeda)Pd(4-F−C₆H₄)X] (tmeda=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, X=OR or NHAr) in DMSO on the basis of reliable measurement of their bond heterolysis energies (ΔG_het(Pd−X)). Despite ΔG_het(Pd−O)s of palladium-phenoxides are generally found about 8 kcal/mol smaller than ΔG_het(Pd−N)s of palladium-amidos, their BDFE(Pd−X)s are observed comparable. The structure-property relationship was investigated to disclose an enhancement effect of electron-withdrawing groups on BDFE(Pd−X)s. Linear free energy relationship analysis revealed that Pd−X bonds are more sensitive than X−H bonds to structural variation. The energetic propensity of reductive elimination from arylpalladium complexes was evaluated by combinatorial use of BDFE(Pd−X)s and BDFE(C−X)s, indicating an overall thermodynamic bias to C−N bond formation.     

Tautomerism of monochalcogenosilanoic acids CH3Si(O)XH (X = S,Se, Te) in the gas phase and in the polar and aprotic solution: An ab initio computational investigation

Computational investigations by an ab initio molecular orbital method (HF and MP2) with the 6‐311+G(d,p) and 6‐311++G(2df, 2pd) basis sets on the tautomerism of three monochalcogenosilanoic acids CH₃Si(?O)XH (X = S, Se, and Te) in the gas phase and a polar and aprotic solution tetrahydrofuran (THF) was undertaken. Calculated results show that the silanol forms CH₃Si(?X)OH are much more stable than the silanone forms CH₃Si(?O)XH in the gas‐phase, which is different from the monochalcogenocarboxylic acids, where the keto forms CH₃C(?O)XH are dominant. This situation may be attributed to the fact that the Si? O and O? H single bonds in the silanol forms are stronger than the Si? X and X? H single bonds in the silanone forms, respectively, even though the Si?X (X = S, Se, and Te) double bonds are much weaker than the Si?O double bond. These results indicate that the stability of the monochalcogenosilanoic acid tautomers is not determined by the double bond energies, contrary to the earlier explanation based on the incorrect assumption that the Si?S double bond is stronger than the S?O double bond for the tautomeric equilibrium of RSi(?O)SH (R?H, F, Cl, CH₃, OH, NH₂) to shift towards the thione forms [RSi(?S)OH]. The binding with CH₃OCH₃ enhances the preference of the silanol form in the tautomeric equilibrium, and meanwhile significantly lowers the tautomeric barriers by more than 34 kJ/mol in THF solution. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Interatomic potential for the X1Σ state of Be2, revisited

An extended geminal model has been applied to determine the interatomic potential for the X¹Σ state of Be₂. By adopting a (23s, 10p, 8d, 6f, 3g, 2h) uncontracted Gaussian‐type basis, the following spectroscopic parameters are obtained: R_e = 4.633 a.u. (4.63 a.u.), D_e = 945 ± 15 cm (790 ± 30 cm), G(1)–G(0) = 221.7 cm^?1 (223.8 ± 2 cm^?1), G(2)–G(1) = 175.0 cm^?1 (169 ± 3 cm^?1), G(3)–G(2) = 123.1 cm^?1 (122 ± 3 cm^?1), and G(4)–G(3) = 80.8 cm^?1 (79 ± 3 cm^?1), experimental values in parentheses. The calculated binding energy is substantially higher than the accepted experimental value. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Heteronukleare Metallatomcluster der Typen X4−n[SnM(CO)4P(C6H5)3]n und M2(CO)8 [μ-Sn(X)M (CO)4P(C6H5)3]2 aus Umsetzungen von SnX2 mit M2(CO)8[P(C6H5)3]2 (X = Halogen; M = Mn,Re; n = 2, 3)

Heteronuclear Metal Atom Clusters of the Types X_4?n[SnM(CO)₄P(C₆H₅)₃]_n and M₂(CO)₈[μ-Sn(X)M(CO)₄P(C₆H₅)₃]₂ by Reaction of SnX₂ with M₂(CO)₈[P(C₆H₅)₃]₂ (X = Halogene; M = Mn, Re; n = 2, 3) The compounds of the both types X_4?n[SnM(CO)₄P(C₆H₅)₃]_n (n = 3; M = Mn; X = F, Cl, Br, I. n = 2: M = Mn, Re; X = Cl, Br, I) and M₂(CO)₈[μ-Sn(X)M(CO)₄P(C₆H₅)₃]₂ (M = Mn; X = Cl, I. M = Re; X = Cl, Br, I) are prepared by reaction of SnX₂ with M₂(CO)₈[P(C₆H₅)₃]₂ (M = Mn, Re). Their IR frequencies are assigned. In Re₂(CO)₈[μ-Sn(Cl)Re(CO)₄P(C₆H₅)₃]₂ the central molecule fragment contains a planar Re₂Sn₂ rhombus with a transannular Re? Re bond of 316.0(2) pm. Each of the Sn^IV atoms is connected with the terminal ligands Cl and Re(CO)₄P(C₆H₅)₃. These ligands are in transposition with respect to the Re₂Sn₂ ring. The mean values for the remaining bond distances (pm) are: Sn? Re = 274.0(3); Sn? Cl = 243(1), Re? C = 176(5), Re? P = 242.4(9), C? O = 123(5). The factors with an influence on the geometrical shape of such M₂Sn₂ rings (M = transition metal) are discussed.     

Geometry optimization and electronic structures of molecules H_3AXAH_3

The geometries of molecules H_3AXAH_3(X=O,S,Se and A=C,Si)have been optimizedusing STO-3G ab initio calculations and gradient method and the results are in good agreement withreported experimental values.From the STO-3G optimized geometries,we have also calculated theelectronic structures of these molecules using 4-31G and 6-31G basis sets to obtain the MO energies.atomic net charges and dipole moments.The ionization potentials calculated by 6-31G basis set are ingood agreement with experimental values.     

Resonance Character of Copper/Silver/Gold Bonding in Small Molecule⋅⋅⋅MX (X=F,Cl, Br,CH3, CF3) Complexes

The resonance character of Cu/Ag/Au bonding is investigated in B???M?X (M=Cu, Ag, Au; X=F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CF₃; B=CO, H₂O, H₂S, C₂H₂, C₂H₄) complexes. The natural bond orbital/natural resonance theory results strongly support the general resonance‐type three‐center/four‐electron (3c/4e) picture of Cu/Ag/Au bonding, B:M?X?B⁺?M:X^?, which mainly arises from hyperconjugation interactions. On the basis of such resonance‐type bonding mechanisms, the ligand effects in the more strongly bound OC???M?X series are analyzed, and distinct competition between CO and the axial ligand X is observed. This competitive bonding picture directly explains why CO in OC???Au?CF₃ can be readily replaced by a number of other ligands. Additionally, conservation of the bond order indicates that the idealized relationship b_B???M+b_MX=1 should be suitably generalized for intermolecular bonding, especially if there is additional partial multiple bonding at one end of the 3c/4e hyperbonded triad.     

Tetrapnictidotitanate(IV) M4TiX4 (M = Sr,Ba; X = P,As), hierarchische Derivate der KGe-Struktur K4□Ge4

Tetrapnictidotitanates(IV) M₄TiX₄ (M = Sr, Ba; X = P, As), hierarchical Derivatives of the KGe Structure K₄□Ge₄ The four new tetrapnictidotitanates(IV) Sr₄TiP₄, Sr₄TiAs₄, Ba₄TiP₄ and Ba₄TiAs₄ are synthesized from the binary pnictides MX (M = Sr, Ba and X = P, As) and elementary titanium in tantalum ampoules. The compounds are isotypic and isoelectronic with Ba₄SiAs₄ (space group P4 3n (no. 218); cP72; Z = 8; Sr₄TiP₄: a = 1259.0(1) pm; Sr₄TiAs₄: a = 1288.3(4) pm; Ba₄TiP₄: a = 1316.6(2) pm; Ba₄TiAs₄: a = 1346.9(2) pm). The transition metal compounds form cubic, metallic reflecting crystals (Sr₄TiP₄ (green); Sr₄TiAs₄ (silver coloured); Ba₄TiP₄ (silver coloured); Ba₄TiAs₄ (violet). They are semiconducting and very sensitive against air and moisture. The structure is a hierarchical derivative of Cr₃Si (A15) and KGe type: Cr₆Si₂ ? (□Ge₄K₄)₆(□Ge₄K₄)₂ ? (TiX₄M₄)₆(TiX₄M₄)₂, where Ti occupies the positions of the Cr₃Si structure, and the alkaline-earth metal and pnicogen atoms occupy the positions of the KGe structure. Therefore, Ti is surrounded by four X and four more distant M atoms forming a heterocubane. The mean bond lengths are: d (Ti? P) = 238.0(5) pm; 307 ? d(Sr? P) ? 333 pm; d (Ti? As) = 245.9(4); 313 ? d(Sr? As) ? 341 pm; d (Ti? P) = 240.5(5); 324 ? d(Ba? P) ? 348 pm; d (Ti? As) = 248.3(3) pm; 331 ? d(Ba? As) ? 355 pm.     

Singlet-triplet splitting of divalent five-membered fused rings C<Subscript>12</Subscript>H<Subscript>8</Subscript>M (M = C,Si, Ge,Sn, and Pb): Application in nanocomplex synthesis

Energy differences, ΔX _s−t (X = E, H, and G) (ΔX _s−t = X(singlet) − X(triplet)) between singlet (s) and triplet (t) states of C₁₂H₈M were calculated at B3LYP/6-311+G*. The DFT calculations indicated that the ΔG _s−t between singlet (s) and triplet (t) states of C₁₂H₈M were increased from M = C to M = Pb. The ΔG _s−t of C₁₂H₈M was compared with its analogue C₄H₄M through replacement of heavy atoms from M = C to M = Pb. Configurations of the electrons in orbitals (σ² or π²) for the singlet state of C₁₂H₈M were discussed.     

Rotational barriers of disilane,hexafluorodisilane, and hexamethyldisilane: Ab initio,density functional,and molecular mechanics (MM3) studies

We investigated structures, vibrational frequencies, and rotational barriers of disilane (Si₂H₆), hexafluorodisilane (Si₂F₆), and hexamethyldisilane (Si₂Me₆) by using ab initio molecular orbital and density functional theories. We employed four different levels of theories (i.e., HF/6–31G*, MP2/6–31G*, BLYP/6–31G*, and B3LYP/6–31G*) to optimize the structures and to calculate the vibrational frequencies (except for Si₂Me₆ at MP2/6–31G*). MP2/6–31G* calculations reproduce experimental bond lengths well, while BLYP/6–31G* calculations largely overestimate some bond lengths. Vibrational frequencies from density functional theories (BLYP/6–31G* and B3LYP/6–31G*) were in reasonably good agreement with experimental values without employing additional correction factors. We calculated the ΔG^‡(298 K) values of the internal rotation by correcting zero-point vibration energies, thermal vibration energies, and entropies. We performed CISD/6–31G*//MP2/6–31G* calculations and found the ΔG^‡(298 K) values for the internal rotation of Si₂H₆, Si₂F₆, and Si₂Me₆ to be 1.36, 2.06, and 2.69 kcal/mol, respectively. The performance of this level was verified by using G2 and G2(MP2) methods in Si₂H₆. According to our theoretical results, the ΔG^‡(298 K) values were marginally greater than the ΔE^‡(0 K) values in Si₂F₆ and Si₂Me₆ due to the contribution of the entropy. In Si₂H₆ the ΔE^‡(0 K) and ΔG^‡(298 K) values were coincidently similar due to a cancellation of two opposing contributions between zero-point and thermal vibrational energies, and entropies. Our calculated ΔG^‡(298 K) values were in good agreement with experimental values published recently. In addition, we also performed MM3 calculations on Si₂H₆ and Si₂Me₆. MM3 calculated rotational barriers and thermodynamic properties were compared with high level ab initio results. Based on this comparison, MM3 calculations reproduced high level ab initio results in rotational barriers and thermodynamic properties of Si₂H₆ derivatives including vibrational energies and entropies, although large errors exist in some vibrational frequencies. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 18 : 1523–1533, 1997