Theoretical dynamic studies on the reactions of CH3C(O)CH3-nCl(n) (n = 0-3) with the chlorine atom

The theoretical investigations were performed on the reaction mechanisms for the title reactions CH(3)C(O)CH(3) + Cl --> products (R1), CH(3)C(O)CH(2)Cl + Cl --> products (R2), CH(3)C(O)CHCl(2) + Cl --> products (R3), and CH(3)C(O)CCl(3) + Cl --> products (R4) by ab initio direct dynamics approach. Two different reaction channels have been found: abstract of the H atom from methyl (--CH(3)) group or chloromethyl (--CH(3-n)Cl(n)) group of chloroacetone and addition of a Cl atom to the carbon atom of the carbonyl group of chloroacetone followed by methyl or chloromethyl eliminations. Because of the higher potential energy barrier, the contribution of addition-elimination reaction pathway to the total rate constants is very small and thus this pathway is insignificant in atmospheric conditions. The rate constants for the H-abstraction reaction channels are evaluated by using canonical variational transition state theory incorporating with the small-curvature tunneling correction. Theoretical overall rate constants are in good agreement with the available experimental values and decrease in the order of k(1) > k(2) > k(3) > k(4). The results indicate that for halogenated acetones the substitution of halogen atom (F or Cl) leads to the decrease in the C--H bond reactivity and more decrease of reactivity is caused by F-substitution.     

Dissociative Electron Attachment to β‐Alanine

A detailed study on dissociative electron attachment (DEA) to β‐alanine (βA) in the gas phase is presented. Ion yields as a function of the incident electron energy from about 0 to 15 eV have been measured for most of the fragments. As for all α‐amino acids, the main reaction corresponds to the loss of a hydrogen atom, although many other fragments have been observed that involved more complex bond cleavages. Threshold energies have been calculated by using the G4(MP2) method for various decomposition reactions. Fragmentation pathways were also investigated to measure metastable decays of the intermediate fragment anion (βA?H)^? by using the mass‐analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) scan technique. Comparisons with α‐alanine and other amino acids are made when relevant.     

Direct Ab Initio Dynamics Study on the Reaction of CH3CHF2 (HFC‐152a) with the Cl Atom

A direct ab initio dynamics method is used to investigate the hydrogen‐abstraction reaction CH₃CHF₂+Cl. One transition state is located for α‐H abstraction, and two are identified for β‐H abstraction. The potential‐energy surface (PES) is obtained at the G3(MP2)//MP2/6‐311G(d, p) level. Furthermore, the rate constants of the three channels are evaluated by using canonical variational transition‐state theory (CVT) with small‐curvature tunneling (SCT) contributions over a wide temperature range of 200–2500 K. The dynamic calculations show that the reaction proceeds mainly by α‐H abstraction over the whole temperature range. The calculated rate constants and branching ratios are both in good agreement with the available experimental values.     

Trans-methyl-azido-bis(triisopropylphosphin)platin(II), [PtN3(CH3)(PiPr3)2]

Trans-methyl-azido-bis(triisopropylphosphine)platinum(II), [PtN₃(CH₃)(PⁱPr₃)₂] [PtN₃(CH₃)(PⁱPr₃)₂] has been prepared by reductive elimination of ethane from [Pt(CH₃)₃N₃]₄ in the presence of triisopropylphosphine at 80 °C. The complex is characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy and by crystal structure determination, as well as by ab initio calculations. [PtN₃(CH₃)(PⁱPr₃)₂], which is in trans-configuration here, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁, Z = 2, and with the lattice dimensions a = 806.9(1), b = 1384.3(1), c = 1093.8(1) pm, β = 94.107(10)°.     

Self‐Assembled Multimetallic/Peptide Complexes: Structures and Unimolecular Reactions of [Mn(GlyGly−H)2n−1]+ and Mn+1(GlyGly−H2n]2+ Clusters in the Gas Phase

The unimolecular chemistry and structures of self‐assembled complexes containing multiple alkaline‐earth‐metal dications and deprotonated GlyGly ligands are investigated. Singly and doubly charged ions [M_n(GlyGly?H)_n‐1]⁺ (n=2–4), [M_n+1(GlyGly?H)_2n]²⁺ (n=2,4,6), and [M(GlyGly?H)GlyGly]⁺ were observed. The losses of 132 Da (GlyGly) and 57 Da (determined to be aminoketene) were the major dissociation pathways for singly charged ions. Doubly charged Mg²⁺ clusters mainly lost GlyGly, whereas those containing Ca²⁺ or Sr²⁺ also underwent charge separation. Except for charge separation, no loss of metal cations was observed. Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra were the most consistent with the computed IR spectra for the lowest energy structures, in which deprotonation occurs at the carboxyl acid groups and all amide and carboxylate oxygen atoms are complexed to the metal cations. The N?H stretch band, observed at 3350 cm^?1, is indicative of hydrogen bonding between the amine nitrogen atoms and the amide hydrogen atom. This study represents the first into large self‐assembled multimetallic complexes bound by peptide ligands.     

Effect of alkali metal coordination on gas-phase chemistry of the diphosphate ion: the MH(2)P(2)O(7) (-) ions

Systematic experimental and theoretical studies on anionic phosphate species in the gas phase are almost nonexistent, even though they could provide a benchmark for enhanced comprehension of their liquid-phase chemical behavior. Gaseous MH(2)P(2)O(7) (-) ions (M=Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs), obtained from electrospray ionization of solutions containing H(4)P(2)O(7) and MOH or M salts as a source of M(+) ions were structurally assayed by collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) mass spectrometry and theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G* level of theory. The joint application of mass spectrometric techniques and theoretical methods allowed the MH(2)P(2)O(7) (-) ions to be identified as having a structure in which the linear diphosphate anion is coordinated to the M(+) ion (I) and provides information on gas-phase isomerization processes in the [PO(3)...MH(2)PO(4)](-) clusters II and the [P(2)O(6)...M...H(2)O](-) clusters IV. Studies of gas-phase reactivity by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) and triple quadrupole (TQ) mass spectrometry revealed that the MH(2)P(2)O(7) (-) ions react with selected nucleophiles by clustering, proton transfer and addition-elimination mechanisms. The influence of the coordination of alkali metal ions on the chemical behavior of pyrophosphate is discussed.     

Identity double-proton transfer in (3Z)-3-hydroxy-1,4-di(quinolin-2-yl)but-3-en-2-one

Although there is a very fast (on the NMR timescale) double-proton transfer in (1Z,3Z)-3-hydroxy-4-quinolin-2-yl-1-quinolin-2(1H)-ylidenbut-3-en-2-one (the product of the condensation of ethyl oxalate with 2lithiomethylquinoline), it is the only species present in chloroform solution. Comparison of the product of condensation of ethyl oxalate with 2lithiomethyl derivatives of pyridine (recent studies) and quinoline (present studies) shows that benzoannulation considerably affects the tautomeric equilibrium. The observed changes are not only quantitative but also qualitative. Moreover, contrary to the proton transfer in the pyridine tautomers, this process is fast in the quinoline tautomers. Comparison of the experimental and ab initio/DFT GIAO-calculated (13)C and (15)N chemical shifts for the transition states in the proton-transfer reactions between (1Z,3Z)- 3-hydroxy-4-quinolin-2-yl-1-quinolin-2(1H)-ylidenbut-3-en-2-one and its tautomers support the theory that a concerted identity reaction takes place between the enolimine-enaminone and enaminone-enolimine tautomeric forms. As a consequence, the most stable tautomeric form, (1Z,3Z)-1,4-di(quinolin-2-yl)buta-1,3-diene-2,3-diol, is not present in the tautomeric mixture.     

Gas-phase protonation and deprotonation of acrylonitrile derivatives N[triple chemical bond]C--CH==CH--X (X=CH(3), NH(2), PH(2), SiH(3))

A combined experimental and theoretical study on the gas-phase basicity and acidity of a series of cyanovinyl derivatives is presented. The gas-phase basicities and acidities of (N[triple chemical bond]C--CH==CH--X, X=CH(3), NH(2)) were obtained by means of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry techniques. The corresponding calculated values were obtained at the G3B3 level of theory. The effects of exchanging CH(3) for SiH(3), and NH(2) for PH(2), were analyzed at the same level of theory. For the neutral molecules, the Z isomer is always the dominant species under standard gas-phase conditions at 298 K. The loss of the proton from the substituent X was found systematically to be much more favorable than deprotonation of the HC==CH linking group. The corresponding isomeric E ion is much more stable than the Z ion, so that only the former should be found in the gas phase. The most significant structural changes upon deprotonation occur for the methyl and amino derivatives because, in both cases, deprotonation of X leads to a significant charge delocalization in the corresponding anion. Protonation takes place systematically at the cyano group, whereby the isomeric E ion is again more stable than the Z ion. Push-pull effects explain the preference of aminoacrylonitrile to be protonated at the cyano group, which also explains the high basicity of this derivative relative to other members of the analyzed series that present rather similar gas-phase basicities, GB approximately 780 kJ mol(-1), indicating that the different nature of the substituents has only a weak effect on the intrinsic basicity of the cyano group. The cyanovinyl derivatives have a significantly stronger gas-phase acidity than that of the corresponding vinyl compounds CH(2)==CH--X. This acidity-strengthening effect of the cyano group is attributed to the greater stabilization of the anion with respect to the corresponding neutral compound.     

Coexistence of Three Ferroic Orders in the Multiferroic Compound [(CH3)4N][Mn(N3)3] with Perovskite‐Like Structure

The perovskite azido compound [(CH₃)₄N][Mn(N₃)₃], which undergoes a first‐order phase change at T_t=310 K with an associated magnetic bistability, was revisited in the search for additional ferroic orders. The driving force for such structural transition is multifold and involves a peculiar cooperative rotation of the [MnN₆] octahedral as well as order/disorder and off‐center shifts of the [(CH₃)₄N]⁺ cations and bridging azide ligands, which also bend and change their coordination mode. According to DFT calculations the latter two give rise to the appearance of electric dipoles in the low‐temperature (LT) polymorph, the polarization of which nevertheless cancels out due to their antiparallel alignment in the crystal. The conversion of this antiferroelectric phase to the paraelectric phase could be responsible for the experimental dielectric anomaly detected at 310 K. Additionally, the structural change involves a ferroelastic phase transition, whereby the LT polymorph exhibits an unusual and anisotropic thermal behavior. Hence, [(CH₃)₄N][Mn(N₃)₃] is a singular material in which three ferroic orders coexist even above room temperature.     

Neue dimere Goldselenolate: Darstellung und strukturelle Charakterisierung von [(n-C4H9)4N]2[AuSSeCC(CN)2]2 und [(n-C4H9)4N]2[AuSe2CC(CN)2]2

New Dimeric Gold Selenolates: Preparation and Characterization of [(n-C₄H₉)₄N]₂[AuSSeC ? C(CN)₂]₂ and [(n-C₄H₉)₄N]₂[AuSe₂C ? C(CN)₂]₂ The preparation and structural characterization of the dimeric Au^I complexes of 1,1-dicyanoethene-2,2-thioseleonlate (i-mnts) and 1,1-dicyanoethene-2,2-diselenolate (i-mns), isolated as Bu₄N salts, are described. They are isotype (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2) with lattice parameters: (Bu₄N)₂[Au(i-mnts)]₂; a = 14.078(3) Å, b = 8.912(3) Å, c = 20.142(4) Å, β = 106.32(5)°; (Bu₄N)₂[Au(i-mns)]₂; a = 13.998(3) Å, b = 9.125(3) Å, c = 20.039(2) Å, β = 105.12(5)°. Ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations based on the experimentally determined structure yield a positive value of the Au? Au bonding order suggesting weak bonding interactions between the d¹⁰ metal centres.     

Carbon Dioxide Activation at Metal Centers: Evolution of Charge Transfer from Mg .+ to CO2 in [MgCO2(H2O)n].+, n=0–8

We investigate activation of carbon dioxide by singly charged hydrated magnesium cations Mg ^.+(H₂O)_n, through infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy combined with quantum chemical calculations. The spectra of [MgCO₂(H₂O)_n]^.+ in the 1250–4000 cm^?1 region show a sharp transition from n=2 to n=3 for the position of the CO₂ antisymmetric stretching mode. This is evidence for the activation of CO₂ via charge transfer from Mg ^.+ to CO₂ for n≥3, while smaller clusters feature linear CO₂ coordinated end‐on to the metal center. Starting with n=5, we see a further conformational change, with CO₂^.? coordination to Mg²⁺ gradually shifting from bidentate to monodentate, consistent with preferential hexa‐coordination of Mg²⁺. Our results reveal in detail how hydration promotes CO₂ activation by charge transfer at metal centers.     

Gas-phase chemistry of diphosphate anions as a tool to investigate the intrinsic requirements of phosphate ester enzymatic reactions: the [M1M2HP2O7]- ions

Experimental studies on gaseous inorganic phosphate ions are practically nonexistent, yet they can prove helpful for a better understanding of the mechanisms of phosphate ester enzymatic processes. The present contribution extends our previous investigations on the gas-phase ion chemistry of diphosphate species to the [M(1)M(2)HP(2)O(7)](-) ions where M(1) and M(2) are the same or different and correspond to the Li, Na, K, Cs, and Rb cations. The diphosphate ions are formed by electrospray ionization of 10(-4) M solutions of Na(5)P(3)O(10) in CH(3)CN/H(2)O (1/1) and MOH bases or M salts as a source of M(+) cations. The joint application of mass spectrometric techniques and quantum-mechanical calculations makes it possible to characterize the gaseous [M(1)M(2)HP(2)O(7)](-) ions as a mixed ionic population formed by two isomeric species: linear diphosphate anion coordinated to two M(+) cations (group I) and [PO(3)M(1)M(2)HPO(4)](-) clusters (group II). The relative gas-phase stabilities and activation barriers for the isomerization I-->II, which depend on the nature of the M(+) cations, highlight the electronic susceptibility of P-O-P bond breaking in the active site of enzymes. The previously unexplored gas-phase reactivity of [M(1)M(2)HP(2)O(7)](-) ions towards alcohols of different acidity was investigated by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR/MS). The reaction proceeds by addition of the alcohol molecule followed by elimination of a water molecule.     

Electron Localization Dynamics in the Triplet Excited State of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ in Aqueous Solution

Hybrid DFT/classical molecular dynamics of the long‐lived triplet excited state of [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) in aqueous solution is used to investigate the solvent‐mediated electron localization and dynamics in the triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) state. Our studies reveal a solvent‐induced breaking of the coordination symmetry with consequent localization of the photoexcited electron on one or two bipyridine units for the entire length of our simulation, which amounts to several picoseconds. Frequent electronic “hops” between the ligands constituting the pair are observed with a characteristic time of approximately half a picosecond.