Theoretical study on the fluorination of benzene with N-Fluoropyridinium salts in acetonitrile solution

The prominent roles of organofluorine compounds in various fields have aroused considerable interest in the development of new methods for carbon-fluorine bond formation. Electrophilic fluorination receives much attention. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to theoretically explore the fluorination activity of 12 N-Fluoropyridinium salts on the substrate of benzene in acetonitrile solution. Geometry optimizations and frequency calculations of the reactants, transition states, and products were performed at B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level for the 12 fluorination reaction channels. Based on the optimized structure, all the stationary points have been corrected by the single point energy at a high-level of M06-2x/6-311++G (d,p). Four substituents were considered in this paper, they are nitro-, cyano-, chloro-, methoxy-, respectively. Three substituted sites (ortho-, meso-, para-) were also concluded. Based on the obtained potential energy surfaces information and analysis of substituent effect, the fluorination reaction channel of oNO₂NFpyr is most efficient due to the lowest reaction energy barrier; therefore, oNO₂NFpyr is a promising optimum fluorinating reagent among the studied 12 N-Fluoropyridinium salts.     

Ab Initio Theoretical Studies on the Kinetics of Hydrogen Abstraction Type Reactions of Hydroxyl Radicals with CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>F and CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CClF<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The hydrogen abstraction reactions from CH₃Cl₂F (R-141b) and CH₃CClF₂ (R-142b) by OH radicals are studied theoretically by semi-classical transition state theory. The stationary points for the reactions are located by using KMLYP density functional method along with 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set and MP2 method along with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. Single-point energy calculations are performed by the CBS-Q and G4 combination methods on the geometries optimized at the KMLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of theory. Vibrational anharmonicity coefficients, x _ij , which are needed for semi-classical transition state theory calculations, are computed at the KMLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) and MP2/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory. The computed barrier heights are slightly sensitive to the quantum-chemical method. Thermal rate coefficients are computed over the temperature range from 200 to 2000 K and they are shown to be in accordance with available experimental data. On the basis of the computed rate coefficients, the tropospheric lifetime of the CH₃CCl₂F and CH₃CClF₂ are estimated to be about 6.5 and 12.0 years, respectively.     

Halodiazirines and halodiazo compounds: a computational study of their thermochemistry and isomerization reaction

A computational study of the isomerization reaction of a series of halodiazirines to halodiazo compounds (cyclic to open-chain RXCN₂ species) has been carried out in order to establish the effect of the substituent groups on the isomerization rates and to obtain computational evidence of reaction mechanisms. Fluorine and chlorine were present as the halogen (X) atom, and the groups R=H, CH₃, C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, i-C₃H₇, cyclo-C₃H₅, phenyl, OCH₃ and OH were used. Thermochemical calculations and natural bond orbital analyses were carried out at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. The results allowed us to discuss a reaction mechanism that proceeds in two steps: The first is the extrusion of nitrogen and formation of a carbene through a cyclic transition state that promotes the simultaneous breaking of the two C–N bonds, and the second one is described as the rebounding between the carbene and one of the nitrogen atoms of molecular nitrogen, both formed in the first step. The enthalpies of formation of halodiazirines and halodiazoalkanes have been calculated at the G3 level of theory.     

Quantum-chemical study on the reaction of phenyl isocyanate with linear methanol associates. Addition at the C=N bond

Quantum-chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(df,p) level of theory showed that reactions of phenyl isocyanate with methanol associates involve formation of pre-and post-reaction complexes. The reactions proceed through late asymmetric cyclic transition states. The height of the energy barrier decreases as the degree of association of the alcohol increases. The relative change in the Gibbs energy in the reaction of phenyl isocyanate with methanol also becomes smaller as the degree of alcohol association increases.     

Halocyclization of products of allyl isothiocyanate addition to acyclic methylene active compounds

Products of allyl isothiocyanate addition to methylene active compounds, salt-like N-allyl-N,S-ketenacetals or N-allylthioamides, react with iodine, bromine or N-bromosuccinimide with the formation of derivatives of 2-ylidene-5-halomethylthiazolidines. A dependence was found of isomeric composition of obtained thiazolidines on the solvent nature.     

Concerted cycloaddition reactions: a study using the parabolic model and quantum chemical modeling

Concerted cycloaddition reactions were studied by the method of intersecting parabolas (M3IP) and quantum chemical calculations. Experimental data were processed within the framework of the M3IP method and an algorithm for calculating the activation energies (E) and rate constants (k) for reactions from the enthalpies of reactions was developed. The parameters E and k for twelve cycloaddition reactions not studied previously were calculated. Factors affecting the activation energies were established and evaluated; these include the enthalpy of reaction, substituents, and the molecular structure of reactants. Quantum chemical modeling and topological analysis of transition states (TS) of six concerted cycloaddition reactions were performed. Depending on structure of the starting olefins, the TS of reactions can have either a symmetric or asymmetric geometry. This influences their electronic structures, the energies of chemical bonds, and the activation energies of reactions. A comparison of the activation energy values obtained from the M3IP and DFT(B3lyp/6-311++G** ) calculations revealed good agreement between them.     

Cross effects of structure and temperature in the reactions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-2,3-diaryloxiranes with arenesulfonic acids

Cross effects of the reagent structure and the temperature on the rate and activation parameters of the reactions of symmetrically X-substituted trans-2,3-diaryloxiranes with Y-substituted arene-sulfonic acids have been investigated in the temperature range 265–298 K. The isokinetic temperature of 265 K was reached, at which the rate and the free energy of the ring-opening reaction of trans-2,3-bis(3-bromo-5-nitrophenyl)-oxirane practically do not depend on substituent Y. The transition through the isoparametric points on substituent Y was realized with the inversion of the temperature effect on the free energy of activation for the reactions of oxiranes with X = 4-NO₂ and 3-Br-5-NO₂.     

Synthesis and catalytic reactivity of mononuclear substituted tetramethylcyclopentadienyl molybdenum carbonyl complexes

The reactions of five dinuclear carbonyl complexes [(η ⁵-C₅Me₄R)Mo(CO)₃]₂ [R = allyl, ⁿ Bu, ^t Bu, Ph, Bz] with I₂ in chloroform solution gave the corresponding mononuclear substituted tetramethylcyclopentadienyl molybdenum carbonyl complexes [(η ⁵-C₅Me₄R)MoI(CO)₃] [R = allyl (1), ⁿ Bu (2), ^t Bu (3), Ph (4), Bz (5)]. The molecular structures of complexes 2, 3 and 5 were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The results show that the substituent in the ring can directly affect the Mo–I bond distances; the more sterically hindered the substituent, the longer the Mo–I bond. Friedel–Crafts reactions of aromatic compounds with a variety of alkylation reagents catalyzed by the complexes showed that all of these mononuclear molybdenum carbonyl complexes have catalytic activity in Friedel–Crafts alkylation reactions. Indeed, compared with traditional catalysts, these mononuclear metal carbonyl complexes have obvious advantages such as higher activities, mild reaction conditions, high selectivity, simple post-processing, and environmentally friendly chemistry.     

Theoretical and experimental prediction of the redox potentials of metallocene compounds

The standard redox electrode potential (E°) values of metallocene compounds are obtained theoretically with density functional theory (DFT) method at B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level and experimentally with cyclic voltammetry (CV). The theoretical E° values of metallocene compounds are in good agreement with experimental ones. We investigate the substituent effects on the redox properties of metallocene compounds. Among the four metallocene compounds, the E° values is largest for titanocene dichloride and smallest for ferrocene.     

An efficient synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-methoxycarbonyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ</Emphasis>-butyrolactones

β-Methoxycarbonyl-γ-butyrolactones bearing a γ-aromatic substituent were prepared via copper-catalyzed reductive aldol addition/lactonization domino reactions of ketones with α,β-unsaturated dicarboxylate esters and a silane under ambient temperature. The reaction has advantage of using readily available reagents, mild conditions and high efficiency.     

Synthesis,characterization, and antibacterial activity of some thiazoles derived from allyl thioureas

Synthesis of thiazoles was carried out from allyl thioureas using different cyclizing agents such as hydrogen chloride gas and bromine. Synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The synthesized thiazoles were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Gram postitive (Lactobacillus bulgaris and Streptococcus mitis) and Gram negative (Yersinia) as well as antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger fungi.     

Reaction Equilibrium and Kinetics of Synthesis of Polyoxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Formaldehyde and Methanol

Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE _n ) are environmentally friendly diesel fuel additives. They belong to alkyl ethers that could reduce solid particulate matter formation and emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide when added into diesel fuels. This work aimed to researching chemical equilibrium and reaction kinetics of the synthesis of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers from formaldehyde and methanol catalyzed by an ion-exchange resin at the reaction temperatures 313, 333, 343 and 353 K. In the reversible reaction, the K_{n ≥ 2}/K₂ ratio was equal to one. The reaction orders of methanol, formaldehyde, water and PODE _n were 0.2638, 0.1328, 0.1565 and 0.0048, respectively. At a 10 wt % dosage of H-SIR1 resin, the rate constants of the methylal (dimethoxymethane) formation and depolymerization were 1.04 × 10⁴ and 3.43 × 10⁶ min^–1, respectively, and the pre-exponential factor for the PODE_{n + 1} formation was 2.50 × 10³ min^–1. Activation energies for the methylal propagation and depolymerization and PODE_{n > 1} formation were 30.46, 48.40 and 27.10 kJ/mol, respectively. The results indicated that the equilibrium constants of PODE_{n > 1} formation reactions were consistent. The exothermic reaction of methylal formation was easier than the reverse reaction and more difficult than the formation of PODE_{n > 1}.     

Excited States of Weak Interacting Complexes of Formaldehyde and Alkali Metal Ions

The electronically excited states of formaldehyde and its complexes with alkali metal ions are investigated with the time-dependent density functional theory (TD DFT) method. Vertical transition energies for several singlet and triplet excited states, adiabatic transition energies for the first singlet and triplet excited states S₁ and T₁, the adiabatic geometries and vibrational frequencies of the ground state S₀ and the first singlet and triplet excited states S₁ and T₁ for formaldehyde and its complexes are calculated. Better agreement with the experiment than that of the CIS method is obtained for CH₂O at the TD DFT level. The nonlinear C=O?M⁺ interaction in the excited states S₁ and T₁ is weaker than the linear interaction in the ground state. In the S₀ and S₁ states, the C=O bond is elongated by cation complexation and its stretching frequency is red-shifted, but in the T₁ state the C=O bond is shortened and its frequency is blue-shifted.     

Latent ruthenium carbene complexes with six-membered N- and S-chelate rings

New ruthenium carbene complexes with chelating N- and S-benzylidene ligands were synthesized by the reactions of second- and third-generation Grubbs catalysts with ortho-vinylbenzyl-substituted amines or sulfides. These complexes were shown to exhibit catalytic activity in ring-opening metathesis polymerization and ring-closing metathesis.     

A theoretical investigation on the regioselectivity of the [3+2] cycloaddition of nitrile oxide and N-vinylpyrrole

Theoretical calculations were performed on the [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction of nitrile oxide and N-vinylpyrrole. The regiochemistry of the reaction has been studied based on potential energy surface analysis and global and local reactivity indices of the reactants. The global electron density transfer (GEDT) calculations at the possible transition states revealed that this cycloaddition has a nearly non-polar character. The ELF topological analyses of the selected structures involved in the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) of TS1a suggests that this 32CA reaction takes place through a two-stage one-step mechanism.     

A quantum-chemical study of the interaction of the HeT<Superscript>+</Superscript> ion with cycloalkanes and their oxidation products

The RHF/6-311G*(3d), RHF/6-311++G**(3df, 3p) and MP2/6-311G*(3d) ab initio methods were used to calculate the equilibrium structure of the products of the ion-molecular reaction of tritium ion transfer from HeT⁺ to cyclopentane and cyclohexane. Similar reactions with cyclopentanol and cyclopentanone were calculated at the RHF/6-311G*(3d) level. The interaction of HeT⁺ with cycloalkanes was found to produce onium ions with cyclic structures, in which the tritium atom held neighboring methylene groups together. With the alcohol and ketone, not only cyclic but also stabler linear cations could be formed, and the addition of the tritium ion directly to the oxygen atom was possible. The suggestion was made that the chain of tritium ion transfer reactions was the mechanism of the accumulation of tritium by hydrocarbon oxidation products when T₂ was dissolved in mineral oils.     

Unusual reaction of bromoalkyl trifluoromethyl ketones with symmetrically disubstituted ethylenediamines. Theoretic investigation applying methods of density functional and multiparticle perturbation theory МР-2

Mechanism of a multistage reaction between α-bromotrifluoromethylenones and N,N′-dialkylethylenediamines was examined in detail using quantum chemical methods of density functional (non-empirical functional РВЕ, extended split TZp-basis) and multiparticle perturbation theory МР-2, basis 6-311+G(d,p), in the gas phase approximation, and also including solvents molecules (water and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol). The specific solvation of transition states owing to the hydrogen bonds formation with solvent molecules is the main factor governing the direction of the reaction. Trifluoroethanol forms a strong H-bond with the carbonyl oxygen atom of the trifluoroacetyl group increasing its electrophilicity. It also solvates the departing bromide anion facilitating the occurrence of the S_N2-substitution reaction. An essential but less important factor is the ability of trifluoroethanol to play the role of a nucleophilic partner by forming hydrogen bonds at the expense of the unshared electron pair of the hydroxyl oxygen facilitating the proton abstraction from the nitrogen atom of the diamine attacking the carbon atom in the course of S_N2-substitution.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Monomolecular Heterolysis of Commercial Organohalogen Compounds: XLI. Solvent Effect on the Rate of 3-Methyl-3-chloro-1-butene Solvolysis. Correlation Analysis of Solvation Effects and Role of Solvent Nucleophilicity

The kinetics of 3-methyl-3-chloro-1-butene solvolysis at 25°C in MeOH, EtOH, BuOH, i-BuOH, PentOH, 2-PrOH, 2-BuOH, HexOH, OctOH, t-BuOH, t-PentOH, cyclohexanol, and allyl alcohol was studied by the verdazyl method; v = k[C₅H₉Cl], SN1 + E1 mechanism. The reaction rate shows a satisfactory correlation with the parameter of the solvent ionizing power E _T and is independent of the solvent nucleophilicity.     

Structural and electronic properties of heptachlor

In this work, the molecular geometry of heptachlor is investigated using ab initio HF, DFT, LDA, and GGA methods. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis is performed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The first order hyperpolarizability β_total, the mean polarizability Δα, the anisotropy of the polarizability Δα, and the dipole moment μ, are calculated by B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and HF/6- 311++G(d,p) methods. The first order hyperpolarizability (β_total) is calculated based on the finite field approach. UV spectral parameters along with HOMO, LUMO energies for heptachlor are determined in vacuum and the solvent phase using HF, DFT, and TD-DFT/B3LYP methods implemented with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Atomic charges and electron density of heptachlor in vacuum and ethanol are calculated using DFT/B3LYP and TD-DFT/B3LYP methods and the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. In addition, after the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), the electrostatic potential (ESP), the electron density (ED), and the solvent accessible surface of heptachlor are visualized as a results of the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculation. Densities of states (DOS), the external electric field (EF) effect on the HOMO-LUMO gap, and the dipole moment are investigated by LDA and GGA methods.