Bond dissociation energies and radical heats of formation in CH3Cl,CH2Cl2, CH3Br,CH2Br2, CH2FCl,and CHFCl2

An analysis of thermochemical and kinetic data on the bromination of the halomethanes CH_4–nX_n (X = F, Cl, Br; n = 1–3), the two chlorofluoromethanes, CH₂FCl and CHFCl₂, and CH₄, shows that the recently reported heats of formation of the radicals CH₂Cl, CHCl₂, CHBr₂, and CFCl₂, and the C? H bond dissociation energies in the matching halomethanes are not compatible with the activation energies for the corresponding reverse reactions. From the observed trends in CH₄ and the other halomethanes, the following revised ΔH°_f,298 (R) values have been derived: ΔH°_f(CH₂Cl) = 29.1 ± 1.0, ΔH°_f(CHCl₂) = 23.5 ± 1.2, ΔH_f(CH₂Br) = 40.4 ± 1.0, ΔH°_f(CHBr₂) = 45.0 ± 2.2, and ΔH°_f(CFCl₂) = ?21.3 ± 2.4 kcal mol^?1. The previously unavailable radical heat of formation, ΔH°_f(CHFCl) = ?14.5 ± 2.4 kcal mol^?1 has also been deduced. These values are used with the heats of formation of the parent compounds from the literature to evaluate C? H and C? X bond dissociation energies in CH₃Cl, CH₂Cl₂, CH₃Br, CH₂Br₂, CH₂FCl, and CHFCl₂.     

The very low-pressure pyrolysis of phenyl methyl sulfide and benzyl methyl sulfide. The enthalpy of formation of the methylthio and phenylthio radicals

The kinetics and mechanisms of the unimolecular decompositions of phenyl methyl sulfide (PhSCH₃) and benzyl methyl sulfide (PhCH₂SCH₃) have been studied at very low pressures (VLPP). Both reactions essentially proceed by simple carbon-sulfur bond fission into the stabilized phenylthio (PhS·) and benzyl (PhCH₂·) radicals, respectively. The bond dissociation energies BDE(PhS-CH₃) = 67.5 ± 2.0 kcal/mol and BDE(PhCH₂-SCH₃) = 59.4 ± 2 kcal/mol, and the enthalpies of formation of the phenylthio and methylthio radicals ΔH° _,298K(PhS·, g) = 56.8 ± 2.0 kcal/mol and ΔH°_{f, 298K}(CH₃S·, g) = 34.2 ± 2.0 kcal/mol have been derived from the kinetic data, and the results are compared with earlier work on the same systems. The present values reveal that the stabilization energy of the phenylthio radical (9.6 kcal/mol) is considerably smaller than that observed for the related benzyl (13.2 kcal/mol) and phenoxy (17.5 kcal/mol) radicals.     

The kinetics and equilibrium of the gas-phase reaction CH3CF2Br + I2 = CH3CF2I + IBr the C-Br bond dissociation energy in 1,1-difluorobromoethane

The kinetics and equilibrium of the gas-phase reaction of CH₃CF₂Br with I₂ were studied spectrophotometrically from 581 to 662°K and determined to be consistent with the following mechanism: A least squares analysis of the kinetic data taken in the initial stages of reaction resulted in log k₁ (M^?1 · sec^?1) = (11.0 ± 0.3) - (27.7 ± 0.8)/θ where θ = 2.303 RT kcal/mol. The error represents one standard deviation. The equilibrium data were subjected to a “third-law” analysis using entropies and heat capacities estimated from group additivity to derive ΔH_r° (623°K) = 10.3 ± 0.2 kcal/mol and ΔH_rr (298°K) = 10.2 ± 0.2 kcal/mol. The enthalpy change at 298°K was combined with relevant bond dissociation energies to yield DH°(CH₃CF₂ - Br) = 68.6 ± 1 kcal/mol which is in excellent agreement with the kinetic data assuming that E₂ = 0 ± 1 kcal/mol, namely; DH°(CH₃CF₂ - Br) = 68.6 ± 1.3 kcal/mol. These data also lead to ΔH_f°(CH₃CF₂Br, g, 298°K) = -119.7 ± 1.5 kcal/mol.     

Definitive heat of formation of methylenimine,CH2NH,and of methylenimmonium ion,CH2NH2+, by means of W2 theory

A long‐standing controversy concerning the heat of formation of methylenimine has been addressed by means of the W2 (Weizmann‐2) thermochemical approach. Our best calculated values, ΔH°_f,298(CH₂NH) = 21.1±0.5 kcal/mol and ΔH°_f,298(CH₂NH₂⁺) = 179.4±0.5 kcal/mol, are in good agreement with the most recent measurements but carry a much smaller uncertainty. As a byproduct, we obtain the first‐ever accurate anharmonic force field for methylenimine: upon consideration of the appropriate resonances, the experimental gas‐phase band origins are all reproduced to better than 10 cm^?1. Consideration of the difference between a fully anharmonic zero‐point vibrational energy and B3LYP/cc‐pVTZ harmonic frequencies scaled by 0.985 suggests that the calculation of anharmonic zero‐point vibrational energies can generally be dispensed with, even in benchmark work, for rigid molecules. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1297–1305, 2001     

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.     

Thermochemical kinetics of bromine nitrate,bromine nitrite,halogen hydroperoxides,dichlorine pentoxide,peroxycarboxylic acids,and diacyl peroxides

Heats of formation of BrONO₂, BrONO, BrOOH, FOOH, FOOCl, CF₃C(O)OOH, HC(O)OOH, CH₃C(O)OOH, and [CH₃C(O)O]₂ are estimated from bond contributions taken from J. Phys. Chem., 100, 10150 (1996). They agree within ±2 kcal/mol with recent experimental or ab initio data. The resulting BDE(O(SINGLEBOND)O)=36 kcal/mol value in diacetyl peroxide requires the concerted assistance of exothermic C(SINGLEBOND)C(O) weakening in the transition state of its decomposition into free radicals. It also implies the existence of a previously unrecognized 12 kcal/mol nonbonded repulsion in acyl anhydrides. The formation of chloryl chlorate with ΔH_f(O₂ClOClO₂)=50 kcal/mol, a marginally stable species toward dissociation into (ClO₃+OClO), may account for observations made in the [O(³P+OClO] system at low temperatures. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet: 30: 41–45, 1998.     

Quantitative Line-Shape Analysis of Temperature- and Concentration-Dependent 13C-NMR Spectra of 6Li- and 13C-Labelled Organolithium Compounds. Kinetic and Thermodynamic Data for Exchange Processes in Dibromomethyllithium, (Phenylthio)methyllithium,and Butyllithium

Using the ‘permutation of indices’ method proposed by Kaplan and Fraenkel, we could formulate the density-matrix equations required to fit the temperature-dependent ¹³C-NMR spectra observed with the title compounds. For ⁶Li¹³CHBr₂ ( 1 ) and ⁶Li¹³CH₂SC₆H₅ ( 2 ) an exchange mechanism is proposed by which monomers interchange C- and Li-atoms via a non-observed dimeric intermediate; the activation parameters of these intermolecular dynamic processes have been found to be ΔH^≠ = 10.2 kcal/mol, ΔS^≠ = 13.7 cal/mol·K for 1 and ΔH^≠ = 11.1 kcal/mol, ΔS^≠ = 20.6 cal/mol·K for 2 ((D₈)THF as solvent). In the case of (⁶Li)butyllithium ( 3 ), the observed low-temperature spectra indicate that dimeric ( 3b ) and tetrameric ( 3a ) species are in dynamic equilibrium interchanging the C₃HCH₂ groups (and THF molecules) bonded to the ⁶Li-atoms. The relative concentrations of the dimer and of the tetramer have been determined by peak integration or by line-shape fitting; the ‘pseudo’- equilibrium constant, defined by K′_eq = [ 3b ]²/[ 3a ], was found to be 2.6·10^?2 mol/1 (at ?88°) and corresponds to ΔG_R (?88°) = 2 ΔG°_f( 3b ) – ΔG°_f( 3a ) = 1.34 kcal/mol. The activation parameters of the dynamic process responsible for the exchange were estimated as ΔH^≠ = 3.78 kcal/mol and ΔS^≠ = ?31.3 cal/mol·K. Tentative interpretation of the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters is given.     

Optimization of parameters for semiempirical methods. III Extension of PM3 to Be,Mg, Zn,Ga, Ge,As, Se,Cd, In,Sn, Sb,Te, Hg,Tl, Pb,and Bi

Using a recently developed procedure for optimizing parameters for semiempirical methods,¹ PM3 has been extended to a total of 28 elements. Average ΔH_f errors for the newly parameterized elements are Be: 8.6, Mg: 8.4, Zn: 5.8, Ga: 14.9, Ge: 11.4, As: 8.5, Se: 11.1, Cd: 2.6, In: 11.3, Sn: 9.0, Sb: 13.7, Te: 11.3, Hg: 6.8, Tl: 6.5, Pb: 7.4, and Bi: 10.9 kcal/mol. For some elements the paucity of data has resulted in a method, which, while highly accurate, is likely to be only poorly predictive.     

The Very low-pressure pyrolysis of 2-phenylethylamine. The enthalpy of formation of the aminomethyl radical

The thermal unimolecular decomposition of 2-phenylethylamine (PhCH₂CH₂NH₂) into benzyl and aminomethyl radicals has been studied under very-low-pressure conditions, and the enthalpy of formation of the aminomethyl radicals, ΔH°_{f, 298K} (H₂NCH₂·) = 37.0 ± 2.0 kcal/mol, has been derived from the kinetic data. This result leads to a value for the C—H bond dissociation energy in methylamine, BDE(H₂NCH₂—H) = 94.6 ± 2.0 kcal/mol, which is about 3.4 kcal/mol lower than in C₂H₆ (98 kcal/mol), indicating a sizable stabilization in α-aminoalkyl radicals.     

Iodine catalyzed pyrolysis of dimethyl sulfide. Heats of formation of CH3SCH2I,the CH3SCH2 radical,and the pibond energy in CH2S

A kinetic study has been made of the gas phase, I₂-catalyzed decomposition of (CH₃)₂S at 630–650 K. Some I₂ is consumed initially, reaching a steady-state concentration. The initial major products are CH₄ and CH₂S together with small amounts of CH₃SCH₂I, CH₃I, HI, and CS₂. The initial reaction corresponds to a pseudo-equilibrium: accompanied by: and which brings (I₂) into steady state and a final complex reaction: From the initial rate of I₂ loss it is possible to obtain Arrhenius parameters for the iodination: We measure k₁, (644 K) = 150 L/mol s and from both the Arrhenius plot and independent estimates A₁ (644 K) = 10^{11.2 ± 0.3} L/mol s. Thus, E₁ = 26.7 ± 1 kcal/mol. From the steady-state I₂ concentration, an assumed mechanism and the known rate parameters for the CH₃I/HI system. It is possible to deduce K_A (644) = 3.8 × 10^?2 with an uncertainty of a factor of 2. Using an estimated ΔS (644) = 4.2 ± 1.0 e.u. we find ΔH_A (644) = 7.0 ± 1.1 kcal. With 〈ΔC_PA〉644 = 1.2 this becomes: ΔH_A(298) = 6.6 ± 1.1 kcal/mol. Then ΔH (CH₃SCH₂I) = 6.3 ± 1 kcal/mol. Making the assumption that E_?1 = 1.0 ± 0.5 kcal/mol we find ΔH (644) = 25.7 ± 0.7 kcal/mol and with 〈ΔC_PI〉 = 1.2; ΔH = 25.3 ± 0.8 kcal/mol. This gives ΔH (CH₃S?H₂) = 35.6 ± 1.0 kcal/mol and DH (CH₃SCH₂? H) = 96.6 ± 1.0 kcal/mol. This then yields E_π(CH₂S) = 52 ± 3 kcal. From the observed rate of pressure increase in the system and the preceding data k₃, is calculated for the step CH₃SCH₂ → CH₃ + CH₂S. From an estimated A-factor E₃ is deduced and from the overall thermochemistry values for k_?3 and E_?3. A detailed mechanism is proposed for the I-atom catalyzed conversion of CH₂S to CS₂ + CH₄.     

Very-low-pressure pyrolysis of ethylbenzene,isopropylbenzene, and tert-butylbenzene

The thermal unimolecular decomposition of ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, and tert-butylbenzene was studied using the very-low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) technique. Each reactant decomposed by way of β C? C bond homolysis, producing methyl radicals and benzyl or benzylic-type radicals. RRKM calculations show that the observed rate constants, when combined with thermochemical estimates, are consistent with the following high-pressure rate expressions: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \log k(\sec ^{ - 1}) = 15.3 - (72.7/{\rm \theta)} $\end{document} for ethylbenzene between 1053 and 1234 K, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \log k(\sec ^{ - 1}) = 15.8 - (71.3/{\rm \theta)} $\end{document} for isopropylbenzene between 971 and 1151 K, and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \log k(\sec ^{ - 1}) = 15.9 - (69.1/{\rm \theta)} $\end{document} for tert-butylbenzene between 929 and 1157 K, where θ (kcal/mol) = 2.303RT. Resulting activation energies combined with heat capacity and heat of formation data led to the following dissociation enthalpies and enthalpies of formation at 298 K: DH° (øCH(CH₃)? CH₃) = 73.8 kcal/mol, ΔH_f° (øÇCH(CH₃)) = 39.6 kcal/mol, DH° (øC(CH₃)₂? CH₃) = 72.9 kcal/mol, and ΔH_f° (øÇ(CH₃)₂) = 32.4 kcal/mol. Derived high-pressure rate constants are in good accord with results of lower temperature toluene- and aniline-carrier experiments.     

Optimal scaling factors for CM1 and CM3 atomic charges in RM1-based aqueous simulations

Scaling factors for atomic charges derived from the RM1 semiempirical quantum mechanical wavefunction in conjunction with CM1 and CM3 charge models have been optimized by minimizing errors in absolute free energies of hydration, ΔG_hyd, for a set of 40 molecules. Monte Carlo statistical mechanics simulations and free energy perturbation theory were used to annihilate the solutes in gas and in a box of TIP4P water molecules. Lennard–Jones parameters from the optimized potentials for liquid simulations‐all atom (OPLS–AA) force field were utilized for the organic compounds. Optimal charge scaling factors have been determined as 1.11 and 1.14 for the CM1R and CM3R methods, respectively, and the corresponding unsigned average errors in ΔG_hyd relative to experiment were 2.05 and 1.89 kcal/mol. Computed errors in aniline and two derivatives were particularly large for RM1 and their removal from the data set lowered the overall errors to 1.61 and 1.75 kcal/mol for CM1R and CM3R. Comparisons are made to the AM1 method which yielded total errors in ΔG_hyd of 1.50 and 1.64 kcal/mol for CM1A*1.14 and CM3A*1.15, respectively. This work is motivated by the need for a highly efficient yet accurate quantum mechanical (QM) method to study condensed‐phase and enzymatic chemical reactions via mixed QM and molecular mechanical (QM/MM) simulations. As an initial test, the Menshutkin reaction between NH₃ and CH₃Cl in water was computed using a RM1/TIP4P‐Ew/CM3R procedure and the resultant ΔG^?, ΔG_rxn, and geometries were in reasonable accord with other computational methods; however, some potentially serious shortcomings in RM1 are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011     

Kinetics and equilibria in the system Br + t-BuO2H ⇆ HBr + t-BuO2. OH bond dissociation energy in t-BuO2-H

The kinetics and equilibria in the system Br + t-BuO₂H ? HBr + t-BuO₂· have been measured in the range of 300–350 K using the very low pressure reactor (VLPR) technique. Using an estimated entropy change in reaction (1) ΔS₁ = 3.0 ± 0.4 cal/mol·K together with the measured ΔG₁, we find ΔH₁ = 1.9 ± 0.2 kcal/mol and DHº (t-BuO₂-H) = 89.4 ± 0.2 kcal/mol ΔH_f·(tBuO₂·) = 20.7 kcal/mol and DH^º (t-Bu-O₂) = 29.1 kcal/mol. The latter values make use of recent values of ΔH_f·(t-Bu) = 8.4 ± 0.5 kcal/mol and the known thermochemistry of the other species. The activation energy E₁ is found to be 3.3 ± 0.6 kcal/mol, about 1 kcal lower than the value found for Br attack on H₂O₂. It suggests a bond 1 kcal stronger in H₂O₂ than in tBuO₂H.     

Comparison of computational methods applied to oxazole,thiazole, and other heterocyclic compounds

A variety of computational methods, including the semiempirical techniques AM1, PM3, and MNDO, and the thermochemical basis sets of Benson and Stine, was used to calculate and compare heats of formation (ΔH_f°) data for optimized geometries of a variety of aromatic and nonaromatic heterocycles. Detailed analyses, including 6-31G* and MP2/6-31G* ab initio calculations, were performed for the oxazole and thiazole heterocycles. The results indicate a scatter among the methods sensitive to the nature of the heterocycle. This was in particular evident in the oxazole molecule, where AM1 gave a singularly high value of ΔH_f° consistent with longer calculated bond lengths, particularly about the oxygen atom. Aromatic stabilization energy appears to be addressed differently among the employed methods. Implications of this contrast applied to calculation of macromolecular systems containing heterocyclic units are discussed.     

The enthalpies of formation of CH3Mn(CO)5 and of CH3Re(CO)5, and the strengths of the CH3Mn and CH3Re bonds

From measurements of the heats of iodination of CH₃Mn(CO)₅ and CH₃Re(CO)₅ at elevated temperatures using the ‘drop’ microcalorimeter method, values were determined for the standard enthalpies of formation at 25° of the crystalline compounds: ΔH^o_f[CH₃Mn(CO)₅, c] = ?189.0 ± 2 kcal mol^?1 (?790.8 ± 8 kJ mol^?1), ΔH^o_f[Ch₃Re(CO)₅,c] = ?198.0 ± kcal mol^?1 (?828.4 ± 8 kJ mo^?1). In conjunction with available enthalpies of sublimation, and with literature values for the dissociation energies of MnMn and ReRe bonds in Mn₂(CO)₁₀ and Re₂(CO)₁₀, values are derived for the dissociation energies: D(CH₃Mn(CO)₅) = 27.9 ± 2.3 or 30.9 ± 2.3 kcal mol^?1 and D(CH₃Re(CO)₅) = 53.2 ± 2.5 kcal mol^?1. In general, irrespective of the value accepted for D(MM) in M₂(CO)₁₀, the present results require that, D(CH₃Mn) = $\text{1}\text{2}$D(MnMn) + 18.5 kcal mol^?1 and D(CH₃Re) = $\text{1}\text{2}$D(ReRe) + 30.8 kcal mol^?1.     

Data on the thermochemistry of azoalkanes

The rate constant of the primary decomposition step was determined for four symmetrical and four unsymmetrical azoalkanes. From the experimental activation energies and some literature enthalpy data, the following enthalpies of formation of radicals and group contributions were calculated: ΔH_? (CH₃N₂) = 51.5 ± 1.8 kcal mol^?1, ΔH_? (C₂H₅N₂) = 44.8 ± 2.5 kcal mol^?1, ΔH_? (2?C₃H₇N₂) = 37.9 ± 2.2 kcal mol^?1, [N_A-(C)] = 27.6 ± 3.7 kcal mol^?1, [N_A-(?_A) (C)] = 61.2 ± 3.1 kcal mol^?1.     

Calculation of Some Thermodynamic Properties and Detonation Parameters of 1‐Ethyl‐3‐Methyl‐H‐Imidazolium Perchlorate, [Emim][ClO4], on the Basis of CBS‐4M and CHEETAH Computations Supplemented by VBT Estimates

This paper estimates some thermochemical (in kcal mol^–1) and detonation parameters for the ionic liquid, [emim][ClO₄] and its associated solid in view of its investigation as an energetic material. The thermochemical values estimated, employing CBS‐4M computational methodology and volume‐based thermodynamics (VBT) include: lattice energy, U_POT([emim][ClO₄]) ≈? 123 ± 16 kcal · mol^–1; enthalpy of formation of the gaseous cation, Δ_fH°([emim]⁺, g) = 144.2 kcal · mol^–1 and anion, Δ_fH°([ClO₄]^–, g) = –66.1 kcal · mol^–1; the enthalpy of formation of the solid salt, Δ_fH°([emim][ClO₄],s) ≈? –55 ± 16 kcal · mol^–1 and for the associated ionic liquid, Δ_fH^o([emim][ClO₄],l) = –52 ± 16 kcal · mol^–1 as well as the corresponding Gibbs energy terms: Δ_fG°([emim][ClO₄],s) ≈? +29 ± 16 kcal · mol^–1 and Δ_fG^o([emim][ClO₄],l) = +24 ± 16 kcal · mol^–1 and the associated standard absolute entropies, of the solid [emim][ClO₄], S°₂₉₈([emim][ClO₄],s) = 83 ± 4 cal · K^–1 · mol^–1. The following combustion and detonation parameters are assigned to [emim][ClO₄] in its (ionic) liquid form: specific impulse (I_sp) = 228 s (monopropellant), detonation velocity (V_oD) = 5466 m · s^–1, detonation pressure (p_C–J) = 99 kbar, explosion temperature (T_ex) = 2842 K.     

Homogeneous decomposition of vinyl ethers. The heat of formation of ethanal-2-yl

The thermal unimolecular decomposition of three vinylethers has been studied in a VLPP apparatus. The high-pressure rate constant for the retro-ene reaction of ethylvinylether was fit by log k (sec^?1) = (11.47 + 0.25) - (43.4 ± 1.0)/2.303 RT at <T> = 900 K and that of t - butylvinylether by log k (sec^?1) = (12.00 ± 0.27) - (38.4 ± 1.0)/2.303 RT at <T> = 800 K. No evidence for the competition of the higher energy homolytic bond-fission process could be obtained from the experimental data. The rate constant compatible with the C? O bond scission reaction in the case of benzylvinylether was log k (sec^?1) = (16.63 ± 0.30) - (53.74 ± 1.0)/2.303 RT at <T> = 750 K. Together with ΔH_f,300⁰(benzyl·) = 47.0 kcal/mol, the activation energy for this reaction results in ΔH_f,300⁰(CH₂CHO) = +3.0 ± 2.0 kcal/mol and a corresponding resonance stabilization energy of 3.2 ± 2.0 kcal/mol for 2-ethanalyl radical.     

Experimental determination of the equilibrium constant of the reaction CH3 + O2 ⇄ CH3O2 during the gas-phase oxidation of methane

For the experimental determination of the equilibrium constant of the reaction CH₃ + O₂ ? CH₃O₂ (1), the process of methane oxidation has been studied over the temperature range of 706–786 K. The concentration of CH₃O₂ has been measured by the radical freezing method, and that of CH₃ from the rate of accumulation of ethane, assuming that C₂H₆ is produced by the reaction CH₃ + CH₃ → C₂H₆ (2). The equilibrium constant of reaction (1) has been obtained at four temperatures. For the heat of the reaction the value Δ?H₂₉₈ = -32.2 ± 1.5 kcal/mol is recommended.     

13C NMR spectra of metal σ-cyclopentadienyls

Proton decoupled ¹³C NMR spectra have been measured for the cyclopentadienyl compounds C₅H₅Si(CH₃)_nCl_3?n(n = 1, 2, 3), C₅H₅Ge(CH₃)₃, CH₃C₅H₄Ge(CH₃)₃, C₅H₅Sn(CH₃)₃, σ-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂-π-C₅H₅ and C₅H₅HgCH₃. A fast metallotropic rearrangement occurring in the compounds causes the spectra to be temperature dependent for the Si, Ge, Sn and Fe derivatives. For the derivatives of silicon or germanium, the olefinic signals are unsymmetrically broadened by the 1,2-shift at lower migration rates. Line widths of the ring carbon signals have been measured to give an estimate for the activation parameters of the rearrangement in C₅H₅Ge(CH₃)₃ (E_a = 10·7 ± 0·9 kcal/mole, ΔG^? = 13·4 ± 0·9 kcal/mole) and C₅H₅Sn(CH₃)₃ (E_a = 6·8 ± 0·7 kcal/mole, ΔG^? = 7·1 ± 0·7 kcal/mole). At room temperature, the spectrum of C₅H₅HgCH₃ displays just one narrow signal responsible for the cyclopentadienyl ligand. The spectrum of CH₃C₅H₄Ge(CH₃)₃ at –30° demonstrates that two isomers containing methyl in the vinylic position are present, the ratio being ca. 2:1. The ¹³C spectra of the vinylic isomers have been analysed in the case of C₅H₅Si(CH₃)_nCl_3?n.