Correlation of the acidity of substituted phenols,anilines, and benzoic acids calculated by MNDO,AM1, and PM3 with Hammett-type substituent constants

Heats of formation and net atomic charges of some 120 structures involving substituted phenols, anilines, and benzoic acids and the corresponding anions were calculated by MNDO, AM1, and PM3 semiempirical methods. The gas phase acidities of substituted phenols and anilines and the net atomic charges on the anionic heteroatoms of the corresponding anions have been successfully correlated with σ^? constants. Moreover, good correlations with σ were found for the charges on the acidic hydrogens of substituted phenols and anilines. In contrast, the gas phase acidities of substituted benzoic acids and the charges on the anionic oxygens of the corresponding anions are better correlated with Taft σ° constants. Comparisons of these results with experimental data and ab initio theoretical calculations indicate that AM1 and PM3 methods are much better than MNDO in predicting the acidity of aromatic compounds.     

1,2,3-triazol-1-imines. 2. Electric dipole moments and semiempirical studies of some 2-aryl-N-benzoyl-4,5-dimethyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-imines

Electric dipole moments of some 2-aryl-N-benzoyl-4,5-dimethyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-imines were measured in carbon tetrachloride solution and the results compared with those derived computationally using MNDO, AM1 and PM3. Good correlation of the dipole moments with σ⁺ substituent constants was obtained.     

IR spectra simulation as auxiliary tool for gas chromatography/Fourier transform IR spectroscopy/mass spectrometry identification of unknown compounds. 2. PM3, AM1, MNDO and MINDO3 simulations for simple nitriles

A set of the semi-empirical methods (PM3, AM1, MNDO and MINDO3) supplied by the HyperChem™ package has been tested to find the best auxiliary tool for the gas chromatography/Fourier transform IR spectroscopy/mass spectrometry identification of nitriles, taking 23 relatively simple nitriles as test compounds. Of the four methods, MNDO can be considered as the most advantageous since: (1) for 17 compounds of 23 tested, the IR spectra simulated by this method best match the experimental spectra (and in additional 3 cases, the results are as good as those obtained by AM1 method); (2) within the range of experimental wavenumbers of 900–3100 cm⁻¹, MNDO provides the best linearity between the calculated and experimental values (with a correlation coefficient of 0.989). A scaling factor of 0.85 can be used to afford better correspondence between the calculated and experimental wavenumbers. A disadvantage of the MINDO simulations is underestimation of ν_CN (and sometimes ν_CH) band intensities.     

Comparison of semiempirical calculations for silicon compounds

A comparison is made of the performance of the MINDO/3, MNDO, AM1, and PM3 methods in calculating the nature of the dimer reconstruction observed on the silicon (100) crystal surface. Based on this case study we conclude that MINDO/3 gives the most realistic results, with PM3 calculations being quite similar but both MNDO and AM1 missing some key features of this system and giving rather unrealistic charge distributions. Hence use of PM3 is recommended for Si containing molecules where a lack of parameters or other restrictions prevent the use of MINDO/3.     

Theoretical study of the proton affinities of 2-, 3-, and 4-monosubstituted pyridines in the gas phase by means of MINDO/3, MNDO,and AM1

Proton affinities (PAs) of 2-, 3-, and 4-monosubstituted pyridines in the gas phase are calculated using the MINDO/3, MNDO, and AM1 methods. The following substituents are considered: F, Cl, CN, CH₃, CF₃, CHO, NO₂, NH₂, N(CH₃)₂, OCH₃, and SCH₃. The results are compared with experimental values. It is found that all MINDO/3 PAs are ca. 6% too high (mean value) compared to the experimental results; on the other hand, the MNDO values are ca. 7% too low (mean value). However, a much better agreement has been observed for the AM1 method where the theoretical values are only ca. 2.4% too low (mean value). Correlations between the calculated proton affinities on one hand and the charges on the acid H atom and Hammett constants on the other hand are studied. Particularly good linear relationships are found for the 4-monosubstituted compounds within the AM1 formalism.     

The vibrational and NMR spectra,conformations and ab initio calculations of aminomethylene,propanedinitrile and itsN-methyl derivatives

The IR and Raman spectra of aminomethylene propanedinitrile (AM) [H₂N-CH=C(CN)₂], (methylamino)methylene propanedinitrile (MAM) [CH₃NH-CH=C(CN)₂] and (dimethylamino)methylene propanedinitrile (DMAM) [(CH₃)₂N-CH=C(CN)₂] as solids and solutes in various solvents have been recorded in the region 4000-50 cm^–1. AM and DMAM can exist only as one conformer. From the vibrational and NMR spectra of MAM in solutions, the existence of two conformers with the methyl group orientedanti andsyn toward the double C=C bond were confirmed. The enthalpy difference H ⁰ between the conformers was measured to be 3.7±1.4 kJ mol^–1 from the IR spectra in acetonitrile solution and 3.4±1.1 kJ mol^–1 from the NMR spectra in DMSO solution. Semiempirical (AM1, PM3, MNDO, MINDO3) and ab initio SCF calculations using a DZP basis set were carried out for all three compounds. The calculations support the existence of two conformersanti andsyn for MAM, withanti being 7.8 kJ mol^–1 more stable thansyn from ab initio and 8.6, 13.4, 11.6, and 10.8 kJ mor^–1 from AM1, PM3, MNDO, and MINDO3 calculations, respectively. Finally, complete assignments of the vibrational spectra for all three compounds were made with the aid of normal coordinate calculations employing scaled ab initio force constants. The same scale factors were optimized on the experimental frequencies of all three compounds, and a very good agreement between calculated and experimental frequencies was achieved.     

Calculations of molecular vibrational frequencies using semiempirical methods

MINDO/3, MNDO, AM1, and PM3 calculations of molecular vibrational frequencies are reported for 61 molecules. All techniques were applied to both well-behaved and badly behaved systems. Overall, MINDO/3 and MNDO were found to contain rather large errors whereas AM1 and PM3 were relatively accurate. Since no technique does well for all molecules, the technique used should be chosen based on the molecular vibration of interest. In general, AM1 and PM3 together provide fairly accurate results.     

Suitability of the PM3-derived molecular electrostatic potentials

A systematic study of the suitability of PM3-derived molecular electrostatic potentials (MEPs) is presented. Forty-six MEP minima, 81 electrostatic charges, and 17 electrostatic dipoles were determined at the PM3 level and compared with those obtained from the ab initio 6-31G* wave function, as well as from the semiempirical MNDO and AM1 wave functions. The statistical results of the comparison analysis between semiempirical and ab initio 6-31G* MEPs show that PM3 is in general reliable for the study of the MEP minima but a mediocre method as a source of electrostatic charges. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Theoretical studies of [n]paracyclophanes and their valence isomers. I. Geometries,strain energies,and enthalpies of the inter-conversions of [n]paracyclophanes and their Dewar benzee isomers

Four semiempirical methods (AM1, MNDO, PM3, and MINDO/3) are used to calculate the deformation angles of [n]paracyclophanes and their Dewar benzene isomers for n = 3… 10. The results obtained by all these methods are in good agreement with data from X-ray studies. We have determined the strain energies that, in both series of compounds, are due to two components: (1) the strain energy of deformation of the cycle (aromatic or Dewar Benzene skeletons) and (2) the strain energy of the oligomethylene chain. In [6]paracyclophane, the strain energy [SE_ring(MNDO) ≈? 32.9 kcal/mol] almost compensates the resonance energy (E_resonance ≈ 36 kcal/mol) so that its chemical properties are closer to alkenes than to benzenic compounds. To better reproduce the enthalpy of the valence isomerization [n]Dewar bezene → [n]paracyclophane, which is poorly calculated with these methods, a correction is proposed and the reaction enthalpy of [6]paracyclophane is estimated to be about ΔH_r ≈ 15 ± 15 kcal/mol. It is found that MNDO and MINDO/3 need the smallest corrections, but MNDO leads to better geometries than MINDO/3. In conclusion, MNDO seems to be the best technique for further studies of these compounds. © 1992 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Substituent Effects on the Low-Lying Singlet and Triplet States of Methylene

The relative energies of the three lower-lying singlet states (here called S_a, S_b, and S_c for the sake of generality) and the lowest triplet state of CHX and CX₂ carbenes (in which X = Li, BeH, BH₂, NH₂, OH, or F) are evaluated by means of the semiempirical MNDO method as well as, for some species, by means of ab initio calculations at the 6-31G, MP3/6-31G, and MP3/6-31G* levels. Calculations for CH(CN) and C(CN)₂ are also reported. In spite of the known MNDO overestimation of the stability of the σ¹π¹ configurations of methylene, this method turns out to be satisfactory for most carbenes reported here. Emphasis is put on the appearance of the plots of the ΔH values vs. the carbene bond angles for the different states and on the seldom considered S_b states (¹B₁ for C_2v carbenes). A carbene classification is proposed on the basis of the form of these plots. For carbenes with π-acceptor substituents such as those of “type IA”, open-shell, diradical configurations are predicted for the lowest singlet states, so that no significant structural differences should be expected between their lowest singlet and triplet states. On the other hand, for carbenes with strong π-donor substituents, either “type ID” or “IID”, the closed-shell singlets appear to be the ground states, and the singlet and triplet behaviors should be much more clearly distinguishable.     

含苯并五元环方酸衍生物的二阶非线性光学性质的理论研究

利用从头算HF/6-31G*方法对用苯并五元环取代的方酸衍生物体系SQ1～SQ15进行几何构型优化和电子结构计算. 以优化后的构型为基础, 应用ZINDO方法计算电子光谱. 同时应用从头算CPHF/6-31G*方法和半经验FF/AM1, FF/PM3, FF/MNDO等有限场方法计算了分子的二阶非线性光学系数β_μ. 研究几何结构、电子结构和前线分子轨道能与β_μ之间的关系, 为设计性能优良的有机非线性光学材料提供理论指导, 并对这四种计算方法的结果进行了比较.     

Tautomerism of rhodanine

Semiempirical (MINDO/3, AM1, PM3, MNDO) and ab initio (4-31G and 4-3IG + dAO/S basis sets) calculations on the relative stabilities and structures of the five potential tautomeric forms of rhodanine are reported. It is shown that all methods (excepting PM3) predict as most stable 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone. These results correspond to the known experimental data. The infrared spectrum of rhodanine was recorded for the region 4000-150 cm^–1, and the characteristic bands were compared with AM1 and 4-31G + dAO/S calculated frequencies. The transition states between five pairs of all possible tautomeric forms of the rhodanine were found by the AM1 method.     

Numerical sensitivity of trajectories across conformational energy hypersurfaces from geometry optimized molecular orbital calculations: AM1, MNDO,and MINDO/3

The monocyclic β-lactam [[4(S)-methyl-2-oxo-1-azetidinyl]thia]acetic acid was studied by the semiempirical molecular orbital methods AM1, MNDO, and MINDO/3. Using the reaction coordinate option in the program MOPAC on VAX and Cray X-MP computers, the potential energy curve was calculated for rotation of the C2-N1-S-C torsional angle in the conformationally flexible side chain while optimizing all other geometrical variables in the molecule. The trajectory taken during geometry optimization was found to be sensitive to the computer, the program version, the convergence criteria, and the degree of code optimization used in the calculation. In order to reduce the likelihood of spurious results, conformational or reaction energy hypersurfaces need to be calculated with the more precise SCF convergence and minimization criteria available in programs for MINDO/3, MNDO, and AM1 calculations. The nitrogen in the model β-lactam antibiotic is predicted to invert periodically as the dihedral angle to the exocyclic N-substituent sweeps through 360°.     

An application of the reaction field theory to hydrated metal cations in the framework of the MNDO,AM1, and PM3 methods

A reaction field theory, combined with the MNDO, AM1, and PM3 molecular orbital methods, was applied to hydration phenomena of metal cationic species. The first hydration shell was treated explicitly by using a supermolecular model, [M(H₂O)_n]^m+, and its surrounding medium was described with a continuum dielectric. Hydration free energies were evaluated as a sum of the contributions from the electrostatic interaction with the bulk medium, the hydrated cluster formation, the cavity formation, and the vaporization of water molecules forming the cluster. As a whole, calculated hydration energies were in good agreement with the corresponding experimental data over various kinds of metal cationic species. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Structural studies of aromatic amines and the dna intercalating compounds m-amsa and o-amsa: Comparison of mndo,am1, and pm3 to experimental and ab initio results

The ability of the MNDO, AM1, and PM3 semiempirical methods to reproduce pyramidalization at the nitrogen in 15 aromatic amines has been examined and compared to experimental and other theoretical results. AM1 consistently gives the best agreement. We have therefore reexamined the DNA intercalating compounds m-AMSA and o-AMSA using AM1.     

Comparison of NDDO and quasi-ab initio approaches to compute semiempirical molecular electrostatic potentials

The suitability of the two most widely used strategies to compute semiempirical MEPs is examined. For this purpose, MEP minima, electrostatic charges, and dipoles for a large number of molecules were computed at the AM1, MNDO, and PM3 levels using both the NDDO strategy developed by Ferenczy, Reynolds, and Richards and our own quasi-ab initio method. Results demonstrate that the quasi-ab initio is preferred over the NDDO method for the computation of MEP minima. It is also found that the best set of semiempirical charges and dipoles are obtained using either the AM1 NDDO or the MNDO quasi-ab initio methods. In these two cases, the quality of the results is fully comparable with 6-31G* values. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

PM3, AM1, MNDO and MINDO3 semi-empirical IR spectra simulations for compounds of interest for Titan's chemistry: diazomethane, methyl azide, methyl isocyanide, diacetylene and triacetylene

Four semi-empirical methods (PM3, AM1, MNDO and MINDO3) have been tested to find the best auxiliary tool for the gas chromatography/Fourier transform IR spectroscopy/mass spectrometry (GC/FTIR/MS) identification of five compounds of interest for Titan's atmospheric chemistry as test compounds: diacetylene, triacetylene, diazomethane, methyl azide, methyl isocyanide. Of the four methods, MINDO3 can be considered as the most appropriate method to facilitate the identification of such and similar compounds, since (1) the simulated IR spectra best match the experimental spectra for four compounds of five studied; and (2) MINDO3 provides the best linearity between the calculated and experimental frequencies (correlation coefficient of 0.995; a scaling factor of 0.84 can be applied to afford better correspondence between the calculated and experimental wavenumbers). None of the semi-empirical methods tested is able to predict (even approximately) infrared band intensities, and therefore a spectral intensity pattern.     

Enthalpies of formation of nitro-, nitroxy-, and nitrosoadamantanes

The enthalpies of formation of nitro-, nitroso-, and nitroxyadamantanes were calculated using semiempirical quantum-chemical PM3, MINDO, AM1, and MNDO methods incorporated into MOPAC software package. The best correlation with the experimental data was obtained with the results of PM3 calculations. Using the corresponding linear regression equation, the enthalpies of formation of 22 adamantane derivatives having nitro-, nitroso-, and nitroxy groups were calculated.     

Comparative semiempirical and ab initio study of the harmonic vibrational frequencies of aniline—I. The ground state

The harmonic vibrational frequencies of the ground state S₀ of aniline obtained from various ab initio methods [6-31G, 6-31G(*) and 6-31G* basis sets] and semiempirical methods (MINDO/3, MNDO, AM1 and PM3) have been compared to the experimental vibrational spectra. Detailed theoretical analyses of the atomic Cartesian displacements of all normal modes are presented. The semiempirical PM3 method reproduces the experimental frequencies of aniline with comparable accuracy to the ab initio methods. Ale PM3 method will be useful in predicting the vibrational spectra of larger aromatic amines.