The heats of formation of the haloacetylenes XCCY [X,Y = H,F, Cl]: basis set limit ab initio results and thermochemical analysis

The heats of formation of haloacetylenes are evaluated using the recent W1 and W2 ab initio computational thermochemistry methods. These calculations involve CCSD and CCSD(T) coupled cluster methods, basis sets of up to spdfgh quality, extrapolations to the one-particle basis set limit, and contributions of inner-shell correlation, scalar relativistic effects. and (where relevant) first-order spin-orbit coupling. The heats of formation determined using W2 theory are: δH₁ ²⁹⁸(HCCH) = 54.48 kcal mol^?1, δH_f ²⁹⁸(HCCH) = 25.15 kcal mol, δH_f ²⁹⁸(FCCF) = 1.38 kcal mol^?1, δH_f ²⁹⁸(HCCC1) = 54.83 kcal mol^?1, δH_f ²⁹⁸(CICCC1) = 56.21 kcal mol^?1, and δH_f ²⁹⁸(FCCC1) = 28.47 kcal mo1^?1. Enthalpies of hydrogenation and destabilization energies relative to acetylene were obtained at the WI level of theory. So doing we find the following destabilization order for acetylenes: FCCF > ClCCF > HCCF > ClCCCl > HCCCI > HCCH. By a combination of WI theory and isodesmic reactions. we show that the generally accepted heat of formation of 1,2-dichloroethane should be revised to ?31.8 ± 0.6 kcal mol^?1, in excellent agreement with a very recent critically evaluated review. The performance of compound thermochemistry schemes, such as G2, G3, G3X and CBS-QB3 theories, has been analysed.     

Lattice potential energy and standard molar enthalpy in the formation of 1-dodecylamine hydrobromide (1-C12H25NH3 ·Br)（s）

This paper reports that 1-dodecylamine hydrobromide (1--C₁₂H₂₅NH₃·Br)(s) has been synthesized using the liquid phase reaction method. The lattice potential energy of the compound 1--C₁₂H₂₅NH₃·Br and the ionic volume and radius of the 1--C₁₂H₂₅NH₃⁺ cation are obtained from the crystallographic data and other auxiliary thermodynamic data. The constant-volume energy of combustion of 1--C₁₂H₂₅NH₃·Br(s) is measured to be Δ_c U_m^o(1--C₁₂H₂₅NH₃·Br, s) =--(7369.03±3.28) kJ·mol^-1 by means of an RBC-II precision rotating-bomb combustion calorimeter at T=(298.15±0.001) K. The standard molar enthalpy of combustion of the compound is derived to be Δ_c H_m^o(1--C₁₂H₂₅NH₃·Br, s)=--(7384.52±3.28) kJ·mol ^{- 1} from the constant-volume energy of combustion. The standard molar enthalpy of formation of the compound is calculated to be Δ_f H_m^o(1--C₁₂H₂₅NH₃·Br, s)=--(1317.86±3.67) kJ·mol^-1 from the standard molar enthalpy of combustion of the title compound and other auxiliary thermodynamic quantities through a thermochemical cycle.     

Accurate ab initio anharmonic force field and heat of formation for silane

From large basis set coupled cluster calculations and a minor empirical adjustment, an anharmonic force field for silane has been derived that is consistently of spectroscopic quality (±1 cm^?1 on vibrational fundamentals) for all isotopomers of silane studied. Inner-shell polarization functions have an appreciable effect on computed properties and even on anharmonic corrections. From large basis set coupled cluster calculations and extrapolations to the infinite-basis set limit, we obtain TAE₀ = 303.80 ± 0.18 kcal mol^?1, which includes an anharmonic zero-point energy (19.59 kcal mol^?1), inner-shell correlation (—0.36 kcal mol^?1), scalar relativistic corrections (— 0.70 kcal mol^?1) and atomic spin-orbit corrections (—0.43 kcal mol^?1). In combination with the recently revised ΔH ^o _{f, o}[Si(g)], we obtain ΔH ^o _f.o[SiH₄(g)] = 9.9 ± 0.4 kcal mol^?1 in between the two established experimental values.     

Enthalpies of formation and isomerization of cis‐ and trans‐decalin,and their oxa‐analogs by G3(MP2)//B3LYP calculations

G3(MP2)//B3LYP calculations have been carried out on trans‐ and cis‐decalin, and their mono‐, di‐, tri‐, and tetraoxa‐analogs. The main purpose of the work was to obtain enthalpies of formation for these compounds, and to study the relative stabilities of the cis–trans and positional isomers of the various (poly)oxadecalins. Comparison of the computational enthalpies of formation with the respective experimental ones, known only for the decalins and 1,3,5,7‐tetraoxadecalins, shows that in both cases the computational values are more negative than the experimental ones, the deviations being ?5 to ?7 kJ mol^?1 for the decalins and ?12 to ?17 kJ mol^?1 for the 1,3,5,7‐tetraoxadecalins. The respective computational enthalpies of cis–trans isomerization, however, are in excellent to satisfactory agreement with the experimental data. The cis–trans enthalpy differences vary from +11.0 kJ mol^?1 for decalin to ?15.4 kJ mol^?1 for 1,4,5,8‐tetraoxadecalin. Low relative enthalpy values were also calculated for the cis isomers of 1,8‐dioxadecalin (?3.7 kJ mol^?1), 1,3,6‐trioxadecalin (?4.6 kJ mol^?1), 1,3,8‐trioxadecalin (?9.7 kJ mol^?1), 1,4,5‐ trioxadecalin (?5.6 kJ mol^?1), 1,3,5,8‐tetraoxadecalin (?7.3 kJ mol^?1), and 1,3,6,8‐tetraoxadecalin (?14.5 kJ mol^?1). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

N.M.R. study of internal motion in hexahydrated acid fluorides of cobalt and nickel

A linear relationship between the viscosity B-coefficient of the Jones-Dole equation for aqueous solutions of certain alkali metal salts and the enthalpy of hydration of the gaseous monatomic constituent ions has been established. The assumption that a similar rectilinear law applies to ammonium halides appears justified and the enthalpies of solution of NH₄ ⁺(g)+X^-(g) have been estimated and used to obtain magnitudes for the lattice energies of NH₄X(c) [X=F, Cl, Br, I]. In conjunction with experimental thermochemical data, the latter yield consistent results for the proton affinity of ammonia ΔH ₁ ^?=860·5±2·0 kJ mol^-1 (298·15 K). The lattice energies of the salts are, (in kJ mol^-1) 834 (NH₄F), 708 (NH₄Cl), 682 (NH₄Br) and 637(NH₄I).     

Hardening and thermal stability of nanocrystalline AlMg4.8 powder

Ball milled nanocrystalline AlMg4.8 powder was investigated in terms of hardening and thermal stability. The validity of the Hall–Petch relation was confirmed down to the minimum grain size of ～44 nm. Prolonged milling in the range of the minimum grain size still increased the hardness. This development is discussed in terms of contamination effects and the influence of full and partial dislocations. Concerning thermal stability, recovery processes occur in the range of 100–230°C, whereas substantial grain growth starts at a temperature of ～250°C. The enthalpy release for recovery was detected to be ～39 J mol^?1 and ～208 J mol^?1 for grain growth. Dynamic strain ageing was indicated by an activation energy for recovery of Q?～?120 kJ mol^?1. The activation energy of grain growth was calculated by means of the Kissinger theory (Q?=?200–210 kJ mol^?1) and using the results of static grain growth (Q?=?204 kJ mol^?1).     

4‐Phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione in the ene reactions with cyclohexene, 1‐hexene and 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene. The heat of reaction and the influence of temperature and pressure on the reaction rate

The values of the enthalpy (53.3; 51.3; 20.0 kJ mol^?1), entropy (?106; ?122; ?144 J mol^?1K^?1), and volume of activation (?29.1; ?31.0; ?cm³ mol^?1), the reaction volume (?25.0; ?26.6; ?cm³ mol^?1) and reaction enthalpy (?155.9; ?158.2; ?150.2 kJ mol^?1) have been obtained for the first time for the ene reactions of 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione 1 , with cyclohexene 4 , 1‐hexene 6 , and with 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene 8 , respectively. The ratio of the values of the activation volume to the reaction volume (?V^≠_corr/ΔV_{r ? n}) in the ene reactions under study, 1 + 4 → 5 and 1 + 6 → 7 , appeared to be the same, namely 1.16. The large negative values of the entropy and the volume of activation of studied reactions 1 + 4 → 5 and 1 + 6 → 7 better correspond to the cyclic structure of the activated complex at the stage determining the reaction rate. The equilibrium constants of these ene reactions can be estimated as exceeding 10¹⁸ L mol^?1, and these reactions can be considered irreversible. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of the kinetics of OH∗ and CH∗ chemiluminescence in hydrocarbon oxidation behind reflected shock waves

The temporal variation of chemiluminescence emission from OH^?(A² Σ ⁺) and CH^?(A² Δ) in reacting Ar-diluted H₂/O₂/CH₄, C₂H₂/O₂ and C₂H₂/N₂O mixtures was studied in a shock tube for a wide temperature range at atmospheric pressures and various equivalence ratios. Time-resolved emission measurements were used to evaluate the relative importance of different reaction pathways. The main formation channel for OH^? in hydrocarbon combustion was studied with CH₄ as benchmark fuel. Three reaction pathways leading to CH^? were studied with C₂H₂ as fuel. Based on well-validated ground-state chemistry models from literature, sub-mechanisms for OH^? and CH^? were developed. For the main OH^?-forming reaction CH+O₂=OH^?+CO, a rate coefficient of k ₂=(8.0±2.6)×10¹⁰ cm³?mol^?1?s^?1 was determined. For CH^? formation, best agreement was achieved when incorporating reactions C₂+OH=CH^?+CO (k ₅=2.0×10¹⁴ cm³?mol^?1?s^?1) and C₂H+O=CH^?+CO (k ₆=3.6×10¹²exp(?10.9 kJ?mol^?1/RT) cm³?mol^?1?s^?1) and neglecting the C₂H+O₂=CH^?+CO₂ reaction.     

Theoretical thermochemistry of the C60F18, C60F36, and C60F48 fluorofullerenes

Relative energies of C₆₀F_N fluorofullerenes are reproduced reasonably well at the B3LYP/6- 311G** level of theory employed in conjunction with isodesmic transfluorination reactions, although overestimation of steric repulsions among non-bonded atoms is evident for species with larger values of N. On the other hand, the MNDO method is found to be less suitable for studies of fluorofullerene thermochemistry. The gas-phase standard enthalpy of formation of the C₆₀F₁₈ species is predicted to lie between ?1500 kJ mol^?1 and ?1400 kJ mol^?1.     

Mass spectrometric and ab initio study of the interaction between 9-methylguanine and amino acid amide group

The temperature dependent field ionization mass spectrometry method combined with ab initio calculations was used to determine the interaction energies and the structures of 9-methylguanine-acrylamide dimers. Acrylamide mimics the side chain amide group of the natural amino acids asparagine and glutamine. The experimental enthalpy of the dimer formation derived from the van't Hoff plot is ?59.5 ± 3.8 kJ mol^?1. The value is higher than interaction energies between acrylamide and other nucleic acid bases which were determined to be ?57.0 for 1-methylcytosine, ?52.0 for 9-methyladenine, and ?40.6 kJ mol^?1 for 1-methyl-uracil. In total, eight hydrogen bonded dimers formed by the three lowest energy 9-methylguanine tautomers and acrylamide were found in the quantum chemical calculations performed at the DFT/B3LYP/6-31++G?? and MP2/6-31++G?? levels of theory. The relative stability and the interaction energies of the dimers were calculated accounting for the basis set superposition error and the zero-point vibrational energy correction. The lowest energy dimer found in the calculations is formed by acrylamide (Ac) with the keto tautomer of 9-methylguanine (Gk). It is stabilized by two intermolecular H bonds, C6=O(Gk) · · · H—N(Ac) and Nl—H(Gk) · · ·O(Ac), and it is more stable than the second lowest energy dimer by ≈ 25 kJ mol^?1. The calculated interaction energies of the lowest energy 9-methylguanine-acrylamide dimer are ?65.0 kJ mol^?1 and ?67.7 kJ mol^?1 at the MP2 and DFT levels of theory, respectively. The experimental enthalpy of the dimer formation is in good agreement with both the calculated interaction energies of the GkAc dimer and much higher than the interaction energies calculated for all other 9-methylguanine-acrylamide dimers. This proved that only one dimer was present in the experimental samples. To verify whether acrylamide is a good model of the amino acid-amide group, we performed direct calculations of the 9-methylguanine-glutamine dimers at the same levels of theory as used for the complexes involving acrylamide. The interaction energies found for the lowest energy 9-methylguanine-glutamine dimer are ?65.1 kJ mon^?1 (MP2/6-31++G??) and ?66.2 kJ mol^?1 (DFT/B3LYP/6-31++G??) and these values are very close (within 0.5 kJ mol^?1) to the interaction energies obtained for the 9-methylguanine-acrylamide dimers.     

Thermochemistry of azide salts and the azide ion using direct minimisation equations to obtain the lattice energy of the univalent azide salts

The opportunity to test a new equation for the computation of the lattice energy and at the same time examine a disparity in the literature data for the enthalpy of formation of the azide ion, $\text{ΔH}{}^{\mathrm{\theta }}{}_{\mathrm{?}}\text{(}\text{N}{}_3{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{) (}\text{g}\text{)}$ was the motivation for this study. The results confirm our earlier calculation and show the new equation to be reliable. Thermodynamic data produced in the study take values: $\text{ΔH}{}^{\mathrm{\theta }}{}_{\mathrm{?}}\text{(}\text{N}{}_3{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{)(}\text{g}\text{) = 144}\text{kJ mor}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$ΔH^θ_hyd(N₃^?) = ?315 KJ mol^?1 or ΔH^θ_hyd(N₃^?) = ?295 KJ mol^?1U_POT(NaN₃) = 732 kJ mol^?1U_POT(KN₃) = 659 kJ mol^?1U_POT(RbN₃) = 637 kJ mol^?1U_POT(CsN₃) = 612 kJ mol^?1U_POT(TIN₃) = 689 kJ mol^?1. The lattice energies of azides whose enthalpies of formation are documented have been calculated as well as the enthalpy of formation of the azide radical.     

Structure and bonding of the (C6H6)+ 2 radical

To elucidate the relative stability of various structures of the benzene dimer cation radical, (C₆H₆)⁺ ₂ in its ground and low-lying excited states, ab initio complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF), multi-reference singly and doubly excited configuration interaction (MRSDCI), and multi-reference coupled pair approximation (MRCPA) calculations were performed. Full optimization was performed at the CASSCF level for various structures of the dimer cation, followed by MRSDCI and MRCPA calculations. It was found that the global minimum of the cation is at a slipped C_2h sandwich structure but there are some other sandwich structures with almost the same stability, being within about kcal mol^?1. T-shape structures are less stable than the sandwich structures, by more than 5 kcal mol^?1 by MRCPA calculations. Low lying electronic excited states in various structures are also discussed.     

Catalysis by hydrogen chloride in the gas‐phase elimination kinetics of 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol and 3‐methyl‐1‐buten‐3‐ol

A homogeneous, molecular, gas‐phase elimination kinetics of 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol and 3‐methyl‐1‐ buten‐3‐ol catalyzed by hydrogen chloride in the temperature range 325–386 °C and pressure range 34–149 torr are described. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius equations: for 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.01 ± 0.31) ? (109.5 ± 2.8) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1 and for 3‐methyl‐1‐buten‐3‐ol log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.50 ± 0.18) ? (116.5 ± 1.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. Electron delocalization of the CH₂?CH and C₆H₅ appears to be an important effect in the rate enhancement of acid catalyzed tertiary alcohols in the gas phase. A concerted six‐member cyclic transition state type of mechanism appears to be, as described before, a rational interpretation for the dehydration process of these substrates. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High pressure 17O NMR study of solvent exchange on square planar complexes: Water exchange on [Pd(dien)H2O]2+

Abstract

The water exchange reaction of [Pd(dien)H₂O]²⁺ (dien = diethylenetriamine) was studied as function of temperature (268-308 K) and pressure 0.1-197 MPa) using ₁₇O NMR techniques. The rate and activation parameters are: k_cx = 5100 s^?1 at 298 K; ΔH^# =38 kJ mol^?1; ΔS^# = -47 JK^?1 mol^?1; ΔV^# = -2.8 cm³ mol^?1 at 296 K. The results are discussed in reference to solvent exchange data for other Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes, and are interpreted in terms of an associatively activated substitution process.     

The energetics of naphthalene derivatives. II. The isomeric 1— and 2—naphthyl acetates

The isomeric 1- and 2-naphthyl acetates (acetoxynaphthalenes) are at the confluence of diverse concepts, techniques and classes of organic compounds. Summing the results of literature measurements of the enthalpy of formation of their solids and of our new sublimation enthalpies reported herein, we derive gas phase enthalpies of formation of ?209.9 ± 1.4 and ?213.3 ± 1.3 kJ mol^?1 respectively. This corresponds to 2-naphthyl acetate being more stable than its 1-isomer by 3.4 ± 1.9 kJ mol^?1. We also performed MP2(full)/6-31G(d) calculations on these species, resulting in enthalpies of formation of ?212.9 ± 3.9 and ?212.2 ± 3.9 kJ mol^?1 for 1- and 2-naphthyl acetate and a difference of ?0.7 kJ mol^?1 respectively in satisfactory agreement with the above experimental results.     

Computational study on structures,thermochemical properties,and bond energies of disulfide oxygen (S–S–O)‐bridged CH3SSOH and CH3SS(=O)H and radicals

Cleavage of disulfide bonds is a common method used in linking peptides to proteins in biochemical reactions. The structures, internal rotor potentials, bond energies, and thermochemical properties (Δ_fH°, S°, and Cp(T)) of the S–S bridge molecules CH₃SSOH and CH₃SS(=O)H and the radicals CH₃SS?=O and C?H₂SSOH that correspond to H‐atom loss are determined by computational chemistry. Structure and thermochemical parameters (S° and Cp(T)) are determined using density functional Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr (B3LYP)/6‐31++G (d, p), B3LYP/6‐311++G (3df, 2p). The enthalpies of formation for stable species are calculated using the total energies at B3LYP/6‐31++G (d, p), B3LYP/6‐311++G (3df, 2p), and the higher level composite CBS–QB3 levels with work reactions that are close to isodesmic in most cases. The enthalpies of formation for CH₃SSOH, CH₃SS(=O)H are ?38.3 and ?16.6 kcal mol^?1, respectively, where the difference is in enthalpy RSO–H versus RS(=O)–H bonding. The C–H bond energy of CH₃SSOH is 99.2 kcal mol^?1, and the O–H bond energy is weaker at 76.9 kcal mol^?1. Cleavage of the weak O–H bond in CH₃SSOH results in an electron rearrangement upon loss of the CH₃SSO–H hydrogen atom; the radical rearranges to form the more stable CH₃SS· = O radical structure. Cleavage of the C–H bond in CH₃SS(=O)H results in an unstable [CH₂SS(=O)H]* intermediate, which decomposes exothermically to lower energy CH₂ = S + HSO. The CH₃SS(=O)–H bond energy is quite weak at 54.8 kcal mol^?1 with the H–C bond estimated at between 91 and 98 kcal mol^?1. Disulfide bond energies for CH₃S–SOH and CH3S–S(=O)H are low: 67.1 and 39.2 kcal mol^?1. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The reactions of Cl+ (3P) and Cl+ (1D) with hydrogen sulphide. A G2 molecular orbital study

G2 ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been performed to study the potential energy surfaces (PESs) associated with the reactions of Cl⁺ in its ³P ground state and in its ¹D first excited state with hydrogen sulphide. [H₂, Cl, S]⁺ singlet and triplet state cations present very different bonding characteristics. The latter are systematically ion-dipole or hydrogen-bonded weakly bound species, while the former are covalent molecular ions. As a consequence, although the Cl⁺(³P) is 34.5 kcal mol^?1 more stable than Cl⁺(¹D), the global minimum of the singlet PES lies 37.3 kcal mol^?1 below the global minimum of the triplet PES. Both singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces show significant differences with respect to those associated with Cl⁺ + H₂O reactions as well as with SH₂ reactions with F⁺. In both cases, the major product should be SH⁺ ₂; SH⁺ and HCl⁺ being the minor products, in agreement with the experimental evidence. The estimated heat of formation for the most stable H₂SCl⁺ singlet state species is 198 ± 1 kcal mol^?1.     

Kinetics of the gas‐phase homogeneous unimolecular elimination of selected ethyl esters of 2‐oxo‐carboxylic acids

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of selected ethyl esters of 2‐oxo‐carboxylic acid have been studied over the temperature range of 270–415 °C and pressures of 37–114 Torr. The reactions are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first‐order rate law in a seasoned static reaction vessel, with an added free radical suppressor toluene. The observed overall and partial rate coefficients are expressed by the following Arrhenius equations:

• Ethyl oxalyl chloride
• log k_overall (s^?1) = (13.22 ± 0.45) ? (179.4 ± 4.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1
• Ethyl piperidineglyoxylate
• log k_(CO2) (s^?1) = (12.00 ± 0.30) ? (191.2 ± 3.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1
• log k_(CO) (s^?1) = (12.60 ± 0.09) ? (210.7 ± 1.2) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1
• log k_t(overall) (s^?1) = (12.22 ± 0.26) ? (193.4 ± 3.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1
• Ethyl benzoyl formate
• log k_(CO2) (s^?1) = (12.89 ± 0.72) ? (203.8 ± 9.0) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1
• log k_(CO) (s^?1) = (13.39 ± 0.31) ? (213.3 ± 3.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1
• log k_t(overall) (s^?1) = (13.24 ± 0.60) ? (205.8 ± 7.6) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1

The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of these reactions, together with those reported in the literature, lead to consider three different mechanistic pathways of elimination. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ionization energy of KOH and the dissociation energies of KOH and KOH+

High level ab initio, up to RCCSD(T), and B3LYP calculations were employed to calculate thermochemical properties for KOH and KOH⁺. Basis sets were of both all-electron and effective core potential (ECP) types: in both cases large, flexible valence basis sets were used, and the largest basis sets were of quintuple-zeta quality. Both KOH and KOH⁺ were found to be linear; in the latter case, the Renner-Teller effect is discussed. The results are close to convergence with regard to both basis sets and levels of theory. The most reliable quantities are: first AIE(KOH) = 7.38±0.02eV; D₀(K- -OH) = 82 ± 1 kcal mol-¹; D₀(K+ …OH) = 11.4 ± 1 kcalmol-¹; δH_f(KOH,298K) = ?53 ± 1 kcalmol^?1; and δH_f(KOH⁺,298K) = 119 ± 1 kcalmol-¹.     

Homo‐Diels–Alder reaction of a very inactive diene,bicyclo[2,2,1]hepta‐2,5‐diene,with the most active dienophile, 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐3,5‐dione. Solvent,temperature, and high pressure influence on the reaction rate

Solvent, temperature, and high pressure influence on the rate constant of homo‐Diels–Alder cycloaddition reactions of the very active hetero‐dienophile, 4‐phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐3,5‐dione (1), with the very inactive unconjugated diene, bicyclo[2,2,1]hepta‐2,5‐diene (2), and of 1 with some substituted anthracenes have been studied. The rate constants change amounts to about seven orders of magnitude: from 3.95^.10^?3 for reaction (1+2) to 12200 L mol^?1 s^?1 for reaction of 1 with 9,10‐dimethylanthracene (4e) in toluene solution at 298 K. A comparison of the reactivity (ln k₂) and the heat of reactions (?_r‐nH) of maleic anhydride, tetracyanoethylene and of 1 with several dienes has been performed. The heat of reaction (1+2) is ?218 ± 2 kJ mol^?1, of 1 with 9,10‐dimethylanthracene ?117.8 ± 0.7 kJ mol^?1, and of 1 with 9,10‐dimethoxyanthracene ?91.6 ±0.2 kJ mol^?1. From these data, it follows that the exothermicity of reaction (1+2) is higher than that with 1,3‐butadiene. However, the heat of reaction of 9,10‐dimethylanthracene with 1 (?117.8 kJ mol^?1) is nearly the same as that found for the reaction with the structural C=C counterpart, N‐phenylmaleimide (?117.0 kJ mol^?1). Since the energy of the N=N bond is considerably lower (418 kJ/bond) than that of the C=C bond (611 kJ/bond), it was proposed that this difference in the bond energy can generate a lower barrier of activation in the Diels–Alder cycloaddition reaction with 1. Linear correlation (R = 0.94) of the solvent effect on the rate constants of reaction (1+2) and on the heat of solution of 1 has been observed. The ratio of the volume of activation (?V^≠) and the volume of reaction (?V_r‐n) of the homo‐Diels–Alder reaction (1+2) is considered as “normal”: ?V^≠/?V_r‐n = ?25.1/?30.95 = 0.81. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.