An MNDO SCF MO investigation of the electronic structures and conformational preferences of model polycarbonate systems

Theoretical calculations within the MNDO SCF MO formalism have been carried out to investigate the relative heats of formation, conformation preferences and excitation energies of model polycarbonate systems. It is shown that the trans-trans and cis-trans configurations of diphenyl carbonate (DPC) are of comparable energy and have a strong energetic preference for orthogonal forms. The energy barrier for the interconversion of trans-trans and cis-trans orthogonal forms is small. Comparison of the electronic structure of DPC with simple carbonyl, carboxy ester and carbonate systems indicates that the nature of the first excited singlet of polycarbonate is of $\text{π → π}{}^1$ character in contrast to the $\text{n → π}{}^1$ assignment which has been described in the literature.     

Relative basicities of carboxylate lone pairs in aqueous solution

Relative basicities of the lone pairs of the acetate ion have been determined using ab initio calculations for the gas phase and Monte Carlo simulations for the aqueous phase. The syn lone pair is found to be more basic by only 1.25 pK_a units. This small difference is the result of a large intrinsic preference for the syn conformer of the conjugate acid in the gas phase, offset by an almost equally large preferential solvation of the anti conformer in the aqueous phase. The better solvation of the anti conformer is due to stronger solute–solvent interactions. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Conformational Analysis,RIS Models and Single‐Chain Properties of Structurally Modified Polycarbonates, 1. Effect of Cyclohexyl and Phenyl Ring Substitutions

Conformational properties of segments and chains of structurally different polycarbonates are investigated in detail. Conformational analysis and rotational isomeric state (RIS) models for some of the polycarbonates and single‐chain properties of all the polycarbonates are reported here for the first time. Substitution of the methyl group on the bisphenol phenyl rings results in increased energy barriers to rotations as well as changes in positions of local minima, compared to the case without substitutions. Conformational structure about the isopropylidene linkage C_α atom is not altered by ortho methyl substitutions on the rings. Substitution by a cyclohexyl ring rigidly attached to the C_α atom restricts conformational mobility within the bisphenol unit. Rotational flexibility of the phenyl–oxygen bond is hindered by additional substitutions on the cyclohexyl ring. The carbonate group prefers the trans–trans conformation in all the polycarbonates. The energy difference between the cis–trans and trans–trans states of the carbonate group is lowered by the ortho methyl substituent on the phenyl rings. There is a reduction in 〈R²〉, 〈S²〉, and C_n accompanying the substitutions. The introduction of other substituents on a cyclohexyl polycarbonate results in an increase in all chain dimensions including the persistence length. Also, the cyclohexyl or trimethylcyclohexyl substituents do not significantly alter the overall average shape of the chains. Substitutions both on the phenyl rings and at the isopropylidene linkage lead to a compaction of the polymer chain, but the effect is more pronounced when due to substituents on phenyl rings.     

TiO(acac)2催化碳酸二甲酯和苯基乙酸酯合成碳酸二苯酯

碳酸二苯酯(DPC)是非光气法生产聚碳酸酯(PCs)的重要原料,具有多种酯交换法合成路线,如碳酸二甲酯(DMC)与苯酚酯交换法、DMC与苯基乙酸酯(PA)酯交换法、草酸二甲酯(DMO)与苯酚酯交换法等.本文对比测定了几种金属乙酰丙酮配合物和有机钛化合物对碳酸二甲酯(DMC)与苯基乙酸酯(PA)酯交换合成DPC反应的催化性能,结果表明,乙酰丙酮氧钛[TiO(acac)2]是一种良好的酯交换催化剂,具有优良的催化性能.在反应条件θ=180℃,n(PA)=0.8 mol,n(DMC)/n(PA)=1/2,n(TiO(acac)2)/n(PA)=0.006,t=4 h下,DMC转化率可达74.9%,甲基苯基碳酸酯(MPC)和DPC的选择性分别可达56.9%和38.9%.探索并提出了TiO(acac)2催化DMC与PA酯交换合成DPC反应的机理.     

A theoretical investigation of the rotational barriers of peroxyformic acid

The internal rotational barriers in peroxyformic acid have been studied employing ab initio MO calculations. The C-O and O-O rotational barriers were calculated to be 7.68 and 1.04 $\text{kcal}\text{mol}$, respectively. The relatively low O-O rotational barrier is attributed to a balance between electron repulsion and hydrogen bonding in the syn chelated conformer.     

Conformational changes of functionalised indole receptors upon their interaction with anions

The conformational analysis of four C2-amido and C7-ureido functionalised indole anion receptors was performed by a combination of heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and ab initio quantum mechanical calculations. NOE experiments showed that anti–anti conformation across C2–C2α and C7–N7α bonds is predominant in acetone solution in the absence of anions. Upon anion binding to receptors, syn–syn conformation becomes predominant. The conformational changes upon anion binding are in good agreement with energetic preferences established by ab initio calculations. Chemical shift changes induced by interaction of anions suggest that binding of chloride and bromide anions occurs primarily to H1 and H7α protons. Nitrate anions favour interaction with H7α and H7γ ureido protons, whereas acetate anions interact strongly with all four available hydrogen bond donor groups.     

Conformational studies of cyclopropane carboxaldehydehyde from temperature-dependent FT-IR spectra of xenon solutions

Variable temperature ( -60 to 100 degrees C) studies of the infrared spectra (3,500-400 cm(-1) of cyclopropane carboxaldehyde. c-C3H5CHO, dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. Utilizing several doublets due to the syn and anti conformers. the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 95 +/- 8 cm(-1) (1.14 +/- 0.10 kJ/mol) with the (anti conformer (oxygen atom trans to the three-member ring) the more stable rotamer. From this deltaH value, along with assigned torsional transitions for both the anti and svi, conformers, the potential function governing the conformational interchange has been estimated. Using the new infrared data from the xenon solution, along with some additional Raman data, and ab initio predictions from MP2/6-31G(d) calculations some reassignments of the fundamentals have been made. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with several different basis sets upto 6-311 +/- +G(d,p) with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order from which structural parameters and conformational stabilities have been determined. From all of the ab initio calculations, the syn conformer is predicted to be the more stable which is at variance with the experimental results. The spectroscopic and theoretical results are compared to the corresponding quantities for some similar molecules.     

Vibrational spectra of the trans-trans and trans-cis conformers of dimethyl fumarate

Infrared and Raman spectra of dimethyl fumarate (DMFU) have been recorded in the temperature range 12–390 K. The solid state spectra are consistent with the trans-trans conformation. However, in the liquid phase (melt or solution in CCl₄) and in the vapour phase, additional infrared and Raman bands were observed due to the presence of the trans-cis conformer. For the trans-trans conformer the observed spectra have been assigned on the basis of a C_2h molecular symmetry. A normal coordinate analysis of trans-trans DMFU has been carried out using a modified Urey- Bradley force field to assist in the assignment. Observed frequencies for the trans-cis conformer have been assigned on the basis of a structure of C_s symmetry.     

Ab initio and density functional studies of cooperative hydrogen bonding in calix[4]-and calix[6]arenes

The cone conformation of C ₄ symmetry is shown by the Hartree-Fock method (3-21G basis) to be the predominant conformer of calix[4]arene; the compressed cone of C ₂ symmetry is the major conformer of calix[6]arene. Using quantum chemical methods we calculated hydrogen bond cleavage energies for calix[4]-(ab initio and density functional methods) and calix[6]arene (ab initio), and also for the complex of calix[4]arene with carbon disulfide. These energies along with structural data point to the cooperative effect of hydrogen bonds. The results of these studies provided an explanation to the greater conformational lability of calix[6]arene compared with calix[4]arene molecules. It is also predicted that the nucleophilic substitution reaction involving calix[6]arene in the presence of weak bases and in aprotic solvents, as well as in the gas phase, will occur via diastereomeric transition states.     

Structure and conformational dynamics of the dicyclopropyl ketone in the ground electronic state

Geometric parameters, harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies, conformer energy differences and barriers to internal rotation were obtained for dicyclopropyl ketone (DCPK) in the ground electronic state through MP2, DFT, CCSD and CCSD(T) calculations. VFPA was used to improve the estimations of conformer energy differences and heights of barriers to internal rotation. The ab initio calculations demonstrated that there are three stable conformations of DCPK: the cis–cis, the cis–trans and the gauche–gauche. The energy of the gauche–gauche conformer is noticeably higher than the energy of the two other conformers, so this conformer was not found experimentally. To study the conformational dynamics of the DCPK molecule, one- and two-dimensional sections of the potential energy surface corresponding to the rotations of the cyclopropyl groups were calculated. These sections were used to calculate torsion transition energies and vibrational wave functions in anharmonic approach. It was found that there is a strong coupling of large-amplitude torsion motions in the area of the cis–cis and gauche–gauche conformers.     

Crystallization of bisphenol-A polycarbonate induced by organic salts: Chemical modification of the polymer. I. Model reactions

The chemical modifications induced in diphenyl carbonate (DPC) by sodium arylcarboxylates between 200 and 250°C were studied to model the behavior of bisphenol-A polycarbonate – salt systems. Reaction between the salt and DPC produces sodium phenoxide, the phenyl arylcarboxylate corresponding to the salt, and carbon dioxide. The two latter compounds probably result from the decarboxylation of an unstable intermediate compound, viz., a mixed carboxylic carbonic anhydride. CO₂ and sodium phenoxide act as catalysts transforming DPC into phenyl salicylate via the formation of a small amount of sodium salicylate. Electrophilic acylation of sodium phenoxide by DPC is another possible but minor source of phenyl salicylate. Above 250°C, phenyl salicylate becomes unstable and pyrolyzes into o-phenoxybenzoic acid, which is immedicately esterified in the presence of DPC into phenyl o-phenoxybenzoate. In DPC + sodium o-chlorobenzoate systems, reaction between phenyl o-chlorobenzoate and sodium phenoxide is another source of phenyl o-phenoxybenzoate.     

Vibrational analyses of sulfamoyl halides NH2SO2X (X is F, Cl and Br)

The structural stability of sulfamoyl halides NH(2)-SO(2)X (X is F, Cl and Br) were investigated by DFT-B3LYP/6-311+G** and ab initio MP2/6-311+G** calculations. From the calculations the molecules were predicted to exist only in the anti (XS bond is anti with respect to nitrogen lone pair) conformation with the possibility of very low abundance of the syn (SO(2) and NH(2) groups eclipse each other) form of only the fluoride. The equilibrium constant for the syn<-->anti conformational conversion of sulfamoyl fluoride was calculated to be 0.0172 that corresponds to an equilibrium mixture of about 2% syn and 98% anti at 298.15K. The vibrational frequencies were computed at DFT-B3LYP level for the stable anti conformer of the d(0) and d(2) (ND(2)-SO(2)X) deuterated species of the three molecules. Normal coordinate calculations were then carried out and the potential energy distributions were calculated for the molecules.     

Ab initio conformational analysis of cyclooctane molecule

The potential energy surface (PES) for the cyclooctane molecule was comprehensively investigated at the Hartree–Fock (HF) level of theory employing the 3–21G, 6–31G, and 6–31G* basis sets. Six distinct true minimum energy structures (named B, BB, BC, CROWN, TBC, and TCC₁), characterized through harmonic frequency analysis, were located on the multidimensional PES. Two transition state structures were also located on the PES for the cyclooctane molecule. Electron correlation effects were accounted for using the Møller–Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2) approach. The predicted global minimum energy structure on the ab initio PES for the cyclooctane molecule is the BC conformer. A gas phase electron diffraction study at 300 K suggested a conformational mixture while an NMR study in solution at 161.5 K predicted the BC conformer as the predominant form. The equilibrium constants reported in the present study, which were evaluated from the ab initio calculated total Gibbs free energy change values, were in good agreement with both experimental investigations. The ab initio results showed that the low temperature condition significantly favored the BC conformer while above room temperature both BC and CROWN structures can coexist. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 524–534, 1998     

Conformational stability of trivinylborane from vibrational spectra and ab initio calculations

The conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation and vibrational frequencies of trivinylborane have been determined from the vibrational spectra and ab initio calculations. The ab initio calculations have been carried out utilizing the RHF/3-21G, RHF/6-31G*, and MP2/6-31G* basis sets and support the vibrational data that there are two stable conformations in the fluid phases separated by a relatively small energy difference. One of the conformations is a near-planar form which has the three vinyl groups twisted out of the BC₃ plane and belongs to the C₃ point group. The other conformer has a non-planar structure and belongs to the C₁ point group. These and other calculated results are compared to the corresponding quantities obtained from the experiment.     

Synthesis and characterization of polycarbonates based on bisphenol S by melt transesterification

Several sulfone-containing polycarbonates, having inherent viscosity 0.25–0.30 dL g⁻¹ in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), were prepared by melt polycondensation of diphenyl carbonate (DPC) with various aromatic and aliphatic diols, in the presence of zinc acetate as transesterification catalyst. The polycarbonates were examined with IR spectra, inherent viscosity, solubility, tensile strength, contact angle, DSC and TGA. Almost all polymers were soluble in DMF, pyridine, N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP), THF, phenol and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), partially soluble in nitrobenzene, but insoluble in acetone. Polycarbonate with introduced ether linkages leads to enhanced flexibility and elongation strength. The contact angle of the polycarbonate based on bisphenol S was found in the range 42–80°, smaller than that of polycarbonates based on bisphenol AF and bisphenol A. The wettability of polycarbonate films based on bisphenol S remarkably increased with increasing oxyethylene unit in polymer chain. The smaller values of T_d of PC-3-PC-7 than of PC-1 is attributed to the flexible ether linkage. The thermal stability of a brominated aromatic polycarbonate (PC-2) is less than that of the unbrominated one (PC-1). The brominated aromatic polycarbonate (PC-2) has good flame retardency, as indicated by the large limiting oxygen index 56. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2453–2460, 1997     

Raman spectra,conformational stability,structural parameters,vibrational assignment,and ab initio calculations for epifluorohydrin

The Raman spectra (3200–100 cm⁻¹) of epifluorohydrin, OCH₂CH(CH₂F), in variable solvents, as well as that of the gas have been recorded and several of the bands due to the two less stable conformers have been identified. The variable solvent studies were inconclusive on the relative conformer stabilities. The conformational energy differences and optimized geometries for all three conformers have been obtained from ab initio calculations with the 3–21G, 4–31G and 6–31G* basis sets. A normal coordinate analysis has also been performed for each conformer with a force field determined from the 3–21G basis set. Assignment of the vibrational fundamentals observed in the Raman spectra of the fluid phases is proposed based on the normal coordinate calculations. In the liquid phase, one of the conformers with a large dipole moment predominates and it appears to be the gauche-I form which is the only one found in the solid. Utilizing the three rotational constants previously reported for each conformer, along with restricted relative distances for several of the structural parameters among the conformers from ab initio calculations, r₀ structural parameters for the heavy atoms have been determined.     

Estimation of interaction energies by the critical molecular weight method: 1. Blends with polycarbonates

The interaction energies between PS, Pα-MS, and PMMA with several bisphenol-A-based polycarbonates were quantitatively determined from oligomer/oligomer, oligomer/homopolymer, and homopolymer/copolymer blends. Interaction energies were calculated from the Flory-Huggins theory and the Sanchez-Lacombe equation of state theory using experimental cloud points or miscibility boundaries. Alkyl addition to the phenyl rings of polycarbonate is favorable for miscibility with polystyrene whereas halogenation of the bisphenol connector unit is favorable for miscibility with poly(methyl methacrylate). Interaction energies are quantitatively ranked and described qualitatively in terms of changes in the electronic charge distribution of the polymer repeat units as calculated by SYBYL software. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Off-center oxygen-arene interactions in solution: a quantitative study

[reaction: see text] Triptycenes with C1-MeO/RCOO (R = H, Me, Et, i-Pr, CF3) and C9-XC6H4CH2 (X = Me, H, F, CN, CF3) have been prepared to determine lone pair-arene interactions in the off-center configuration. The ratios of the syn and anti conformers were determined by low-temperature NMR spectroscopy. The syn conformer allows the attached arene and the MeO/ester to interact with each other while the anti conformer does not. The free energies of interaction have been derived from the syn/anti ratios. Compound 7 in the ester series with X = H and R = CF3 is the only compound that shows a slightly repulsive interaction (0.08 kcal/mol). Compound 2e in the MeO series with X = CF3 exhibits an attractive interaction (-0.47 +/- 0.05 kcal mol). All other compounds show smaller attractive interactions.     

The strength of parallel-displaced arene-arene interactions in chloroform

[reaction: see text] Triptycene-derived compounds have been prepared to serve as conformational equilibrium reporters for direct measurements of arene-arene interactions in the parallel-displaced orientation. A series of such compounds bearing arenes with different substituents were synthesized, and the ratios of the syn and anti conformers were determined by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. The syn conformer allows attached arenes to interact with each other while the anti conformer does not. The free energies derived from the syn/anti ratios in chloroform range from slightly positive (0.2 kcal/mol) to considerably negative (-0.98 kcal mol) values. The interactions between the arenes bearing electron-donating groups (EDG) are either negligible or slightly repulsive, while the interactions between arenes bearing electron-withdrawing groups (EWG) are attractive. Intermediate free energy values are obtained for those compounds bearing arenes with one EDG and one EWG.     

Stacking effect of polyfluorene on the chemical shift and electron transport

We investigate the structures, NMR chemical shifts, absorption spectra, frontier molecular orbitals, and transition density matrices of pi-stacked polyfluorenes by ab initio calculations. For F1-F4, we consider two different conformations, syn and anti. The simulated 1H NMR chemical shifts are in good agreement with the previous experiment, and the significantly upfielded chemical shifts explain that the fluorene moieties are stacked on each other. It is found that the relative stability for syn and anti conformers is almost equivalent in B3LYP calculations; however, the syn conformer becomes much more stable than the anti conformer in MP2 calculations, which is consistent with the experimental finding that only the syn conformers are relevant. The vertical detachment energy, which is linearly proportional to the ionization potential, shows the same size dependence as the previous experiment. The electron attachment energy decreases exponentially as the size increases, which implies that the electron transport would be possible even for long chains such as F3 and F4. This was evident from the frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO). Also, it is found that the syn conformers are very favorable for electron transport through the pi-stacked fluorene moieties.