Theoretical studies on the electrocyclic reactions of bis(allene) and vinylallene. Role of allene group

The reaction mechanisms of the electrocyclic ring closure of bis(allene) and vinylallene were studied by ab initio MO methods. The conrotatory and disrotatory pathways of the electrocyclic reactions from bis(allene) to bis(methylene)cyclobutene were determined by a CASSCF method. The transition state on the conrotatory pathway is 26.8 kcal/mol above bis(allene) and about 23 kcal/mol lower than that on the disrotatory pathway at a MRMP calculation level. The activation energy on the conrotatory pathway is lower by 23 kcal/mol than that of the electrocyclic reaction of butadiene. This lower energy barrier comes from the interactions of the "side pi orbitals" of the allene group. The interaction of the "vertical pi orbitals" of the allene group is predominant at the early stage of the reaction. The activation energy of the electrocyclic reaction of vinylallene is about 8.5 kcal/mol higher than that on the conrotatory pathway of bis(allene).     

Effects of silica surface and external magnetic field on photochemical reaction of phenyl esters

Photolysis of phenyl phenylacetate and its derivatives in homogeneous solutions results in photo-Fries rearrangement products, phenols and diphenylethane as well as phenyl benzyl ethers. Photolysis of these esters adsorbed on silica surface leads only to the formation of or/tho-hydroxyphenones and phenyl benzyl ethers. This observation demonstrates that silica surfaces suppress diffusion and rotation of the photogenerated radicals. Application of a weak external magnetic field upon photolysis of these esters adsorbed on silica surface results in no change in the product distribution, suggesting that the photochemical reaction of these esters originates from the excited singlet state. The rate of the formation of the ortho rearrangement product from the geminate radical pairs adsorbed on silica surfaces is estimated to be 2.0 x 10⁸ s^-1.     

Theoretical studies of atmospheric reaction mechanisms in the troposphere

The chemistry of the atmosphere encompasses a vast number of reactions acting on a plethora of intermediates. These reactions, occurring sequentially and in parallel, give rise to intertwined and irreducible mechanisms describing the complex chemical transformations of organic and inorganic compounds in the atmosphere. The complexity of this system is that it requires combined experimental, theoretical, and modeling approaches to elucidate the characteristics of the individual reactions, and their mutual interaction. In this review, we describe recent results from quantum chemical and theoretical kinetic studies of relevance to atmospheric chemistry. The review first summarizes the most commonly used theoretical methodologies. It then examines the VOC oxidation initiation channels by OH, O(3), NO(3) and Cl, followed by the reactions of the alkyl, alkoxy, alkylperoxy and Criegee intermediates active in the subsequent oxidation steps. Specific systems such as the oxidation of aromatics and the current state of knowledge on OH-regeneration in VOC oxidation are also discussed, as well as some inorganic reactions.     

Theoretical and structural studies on mechanism of the Stec reaction

The mechanism of the Stec reaction between phosphoroselenanilidate or phosphonoanilidate and CS₂, activated by strong bases, has been studied computationally, using DFT methods, and experimentally, by low temperature ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. From molecular calculations, the reaction pathway of the reaction has been revealed with several transition states and intermediates, including a low energy spirocyclic pentacoordinate transition state and acyclic tetracoordinate intermediates, which eventually were correlated with short living molecules detected by NMR spectroscopy.     

甲醛光催化降解反应机理的量子化学研究

分别采用B3LYP,MP2方法在6-311++G(2df,pd)水平研究了甲醛光催化降解反应的微观机理,找到了可能的反应通道,预测反应产物为HCOOH与H2O.并得到了各反应通道的反应物、中间体、过渡态和产物的优化构型、谐振频率.成功地解释了实验结论.从键长和能量的变化角度,讨论了化学反应过程中化学键的变化规律,整个反应通道中各势能面均较低,从理论角度分析该反应室温下能够进行,为空气中的甲醛降解反应的实验研究提供理论依据.     

Theoretical studies of reaction mechanism in chemistry

After defining reaction mechanism, reaction path, reaction coordinate, reaction profile, and classical trajectories, dynamic and static approaches suitable (or promising) for analysis of reaction mechanism are critically discussed.     

Theoretical studies on the mechanisms of NCCO + O2 reaction

The mechanisms of the reaction of NCCO with molecular oxygen are investigated at the G3MP2//B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) levels for the first time. The calculation results show that two mechanisms are involved, namely, O attack on α atom mechanism and O attack on β atom mechanism, with six products yielded. The most feasible channel is the addition of O₂ to β atom in NCCO radical leading to the energy-rich intermediate IM1, NCC(O)OO, which can isomerize to a four-center-structure IM3, and then undergoes C–C and O–C bond fission to form P1(NCO + CO₂) finally. The barriers are 27.3 and 25.4 kcal/mol, respectively. For other channels involved in the two mechanisms, with less stable initial adducts and higher barrier, they are less conceivable dynamically and thermochemically.     

Stereochemistry as a probe for photochemical reaction mechanisms

In this publication we have reviewed examples derived from our photochemical investigations where stereochemistry provides information allowing elucidation of the mechanistic details of electronically excited state transformations. The reactions discussed include unimolecular rearrangements of both singlet and triplet excited state species.     

Theoretical studies on the mechanism of chlorination reaction of trichlorogermyl acrylic acid

The mechanism of the chlorination reaction of trichlorogermyl acrylic acid has been studied systematically using quantum chemistry methods. Geometries of reactants, transition states and products have been optimized at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. Vibrational frequencies, IR intensities and relative energies for various stationary points have been determined. The reaction pathways have been identified by intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations. Theoretical analysis provides conclusive evidence that the process proceeds through two and three pathways for the first and second reaction steps, respectively.     

硫代双烯酮与硫甲醛环加成反应机理的理论研究

采用从头算HF/6-31G^*和密度泛函B3LYP/6-31++G^*^*方法研究了硫代双烯酮与硫甲醛两种可能的环加成反应的机理,并对反应各驻点进行了电子密度拓扑分析研究.结果表明,这两个生成不同四元杂环产物的平行反应均为有一两性离子中间体的分步反应.两个反应均较易进行,但反应(1)更容易一些,结果与实验一致.     

Computational and experimental studies on the mechanism of the photochemical carbonylation of group 6 Fischer carbene complexes

The photocarbonylation reaction of Group 6 Fischer carbene complexes has been studied by DFT and experimental procedures. The process occurs by intersystem crossing (ISC) from the lowest excited singlet state (S1) to the lowest triplet state (T1), the latter structure being decisive for the outcome of the reaction. Methylenepentacarbonylchromium(0) complexes, alkoxypentacarbonylchromium(0)carbene complexes, and alkoxyphosphinetetracarbonylchromium(0) carbene complexes have coordinatively unsaturated chromacyclopropanone T1 structures with a biradical character. The evolution of the metallacyclopropanone species occurs by a jump (spin inversion) to the S(0) hypersurface by coordination of a molecule of the solvent, leading to ketene-derived products in the presence of ketenophiles or reverting to the starting carbene complex in their absence. The T1 excited states obtained from methylenephosphinetetracarbonylchromium(0) complexes and pentacarbonyltungsten(0)carbene complexes are unable to produce the carbonylation. The reaction with ketenophiles is favored in coordinating solvents, which has been tested experimentally in the reaction of alkoxypentacarbonylchromium(0) complexes and imines.     

Theoretical studies on the reaction mechanism of CH2CH radical with HNCO

The reaction mechanism of CH₂CH radical with HNCO has been investigated systematically by density functional theory (DFT). The geometries and harmonic frequencies of reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products have been optimized with the B3LYP at different levels. At the same time, AIM is performed to calculate the charge density of some bonding critical points and the charges of some atoms. Nine feasible reaction pathways have been investigated. The results indicated that the main pathway is CH₂CH + HNCO → IMA1 → TSA1 → CH₂CH₂ + NCO, which is characterized by hydrogen atom transferring. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Sensitivity and uncertainty of reaction mechanisms for photochemical air pollution

A sensitivity/uncertainty analysis is performed on a mechanism describing the chemistry of the polluted troposphere. General features of the photochemical reaction system are outlined together with an assessment of the uncertainties associated with the formulations of mechanistic details and rate data. The combined effects of sensitivity and uncertainty are determined using the Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (FAST) method. The results of this analysis identify the key parameters influencing the chemistry of NO₂, O₃, and PAN. Based on these findings, a series of recommendations are made for future experimental kinetic studies.     

Cl+CH3OCl反应机理的理论研究

采用从头算方法,对多通道反应体系Cl+CH3OCl的反应机理进行了理论研究.在MP2/6-31+G(d,p)水平下优化了反应物、络合物、产物和过渡态的几何构型,并对得到的平衡几何构型进行了简谐振动频率分析.在相同水平下以过渡态为出发点,通过内禀反应坐标(IRC)理论计算了反应的最小能量路径.并且在MC-QCISD(T)/6-31G(d)高水平下进行了单点能量校正.研究结果表明,该反应存在4条可行的反应通道,其中生成HCl和CH2OCl的通道为主反应通道,其他反应通道为次反应通道.     

Theoretical studies of mechanism of cycloaddition reaction between germylidene and formaldehyde

Mechanism of the cycloadditional reaction between singlet germylidene (R1) and formaldehyde (R2) has been investigated with MP2/6‐31G* method, including geometry optimization, and vibrational analysis for the involved stationary points on the potential energy surface. The energies of the different conformations are calculated by CCSD(T)//MP2/6‐31G* method. From the potential energy profile, it can be predicted that the dominant reaction pathway of the cycloadditional reaction between singlet germylidene and formaldehyde is reaction (4) , which consists of three steps: the two reactants (R1, R2) first form an intermediate INT1b through a barrier‐free exothermic reaction of 28.1 kJ/mol; this intermediate reacts further with formaldehyde (R2) to give an intermediate INT4, which is also a barrier‐free exothermic reaction of 37.2 kJ/mol; subsequently, the intermediate INT4 isomerizes to a heteropolycyclic germanic compound P4 via a transition state TS4, for which the barrier is 18.6 kJ/mol. The dominant reaction has an excellent selectivity and differs considerably from its competitive reactions in thermodynamic property and reaction rate. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Maps强力黏附单元DOPA二联体与HClO反应的理论研究

应用量子化学从头算HF/3-21G方法,在全局优化中确定贻贝黏附蛋白的强力粘附单元DOPA二联体的几何构型、各原子电荷分布及热力学参数.计算表明:DOPA二联体易与HClO发生亲电取代反应生成2-氯-4-酮-5羟基-苯丙氨酸,破坏了贻贝内超强黏附单元DOPA二联体的结构,降低粘附蛋白内粘性;热力学性质的ΔH放热为88.712 kJ/mol,吉布斯自由能变ΔG恒小于0,较易自发正向进行.     

Theoretical studies of mechanisms of cycloaddition reaction between difluoromethylene carbene and acetone

Mechanisms of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet difluoromethylene carbene and acetone have been investigated with the second‐order Møller–Plesset (MP2)/6‐31G* method, including geometry optimization and vibrational analysis. Energies for the involved stationary points on the potential energy surface (PES) are corrected by zero‐point energy (ZPE) and CCSD(T)/6‐31G* single‐point calculations. From the PES obtained with the CCSD(T)//MP2/6‐31G* method for the cycloaddition reaction between singlet difluoromethylene carbene and acetone, it can be predicted that path B of reactions 2 and 3 should be two competitive leading channels of the cycloaddition reaction between difluoromethylene carbene and acetone. The former consists of two steps: (i) the two reactants first form a four‐membered ring intermediate, INT2, which is a barrier‐free exothermic reaction of 97.8 kJ/mol; (ii) the intermediate INT2 isomerizes to a four‐membered product P_2b via a transition state TS2b with an energy barrier of 24.9 kJ/mol, which results from the methyl group transfer. The latter proceeds in three steps: (i) the two reactants first form an intermediate, INT1c, through a barrier‐free exothermic reaction of 199.4 kJ/mol; (ii) the intermediate INT1c further reacts with acetone to form a polycyclic intermediate, INT3, which is also a barrier‐free exothermic reaction of 27.4 kJ/mol; and (iii) INT3 isomerizes to a polycyclic product P₃ via a transition state TS3 with an energy barrier of 25.8 kJ/mol. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Theoretical studies of metallo (Li and Na)-ene reaction mechanisms

The reaction mechanisms of allyl-lithium and allyl-sodium with ethylene were studied by ab initio molecular orbital (MO) methods. The reaction mechanisms were analyzed by a CiLC-IRC method on the basis of ab initio CASSCF MOs. The ene reaction pathways of allyl-Li and allyl-Na with ethylene were located. The complex between allyl-metal and ethylene for both systems is found in the first step of the reaction, and then the metal migration and new C-C bond formation occur synchronously through the transition state. The complexation energies are -13.2 and -9.6 kcal/mol for Li and Na systems, respectively. The activation energy barriers from the reactants are 3.5 kcal/mol for the Li system and 2.0 kcal/mol for the Na system at the MRMP2 calculation level. These barriers are significantly lower than that of the ene reaction of propene with ethylene as the parent reaction. The CiLC-IRC analysis shows that the reaction of allyl-metal with ethylene is a concerted ene reaction mechanism, not a metal catalysis and/or a stepwise reaction.     

Experimental and computational studies of the phenyl radical reaction with propyne.

The kinetics for the gas-phase reaction of phenyl radical with propyne has been measured by cavity ring-down spectrometry (CRDS), and the mechanism and initial product branching have been elucidated with the help of quantum chemical calculations. Absolute rate constants measured by the CRDS technique can be expressed by the following Arrhenius equation: (k/cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1)): k(propyne)(T=301-428 K)=(3.68+/-0.92) x 10(11)exp[-(1685+/-80)/T]. The experiment is unable to distinguish between the possible reactive channels, but theory indicates that phenyl radicals preferably add to the unsaturated terminal carbon atom in propyne under our experimental conditions. Theoretical kinetic calculations, employing high-level G2M(RCC, RMP2) and G3 energetic and IRCMax(RCCSD(T)//B3LYP-DFT) molecular parameters, reproduce the total experimental rate constants within a factor of three. Calculated total and branching rate constants are provided for high-T kinetic modeling. Addition reactions of phenyl to C3H4 are estimated to be less important molecular-growth pathways in high-T conditions (T>1000 K) in comparison to the C6H5 + C2H2 reaction.