Structure and conformational properties of carbonylbisimidosulfuryl fluoride, O=C(N=S(O)F2)2

The molecular structure and conformational properties of O=C(N=S(O)F₂)₂ (carbonylbisimidosulfuryl fluoride) were determined by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantumchemical calculations (HF/3-21G* and B3LYP/6-31G*). The analysis of the GED intensities resulted in a mixture of 76(12)% syn–syn and 24(12)% syn–anti conformer (ΔH⁰=H⁰(syn–anti)−H⁰(syn–syn)=1.11(32) kcal mol⁻¹) which is in agreement with the interpretation of the IR spectra (68(5)% syn–syn and 32(5)% syn–anti, ΔH⁰=0.87(11) kcal mol⁻¹). syn and anti describe the orientation of the S=N bonds relative to the C=O bond. In both conformers the S=O bonds of the two N=S(O)F₂ groups are trans to the C–N bonds. According to the theoretical calculations, structures with cis orientation of an S=O bond with respect to a C–N bond do not correspond to minima on the energy hyperface. The HF/3-21G* approximation predicts preference of the syn–anti structure (ΔE=−0.11 kcal mol⁻¹) and the B3LYP/6-31G* method results in an energy difference (ΔE=1.85 kcal mol⁻¹) which is slightly larger than the experimental values. The following geometric parameters for the O=C(N=S)₂ skeleton were derived (r_a values with 3σ uncertainties): C=O 1.193 (9) Å, C–N 1.365 (9) Å, S=N 1.466 (5) Å, O=C–N 125.1 (6)° and C–N=S 125.3 (10)°. The geometric parameters are reproduced satisfactorily by the HF/3-21G* approximation, except for the C–N=S angle which is too large by ca. 6°. The B3LYP method predicts all bonds to be too long by 0.02–0.05 Å and the C–N=S angle to be too small by ca. 4°.     

Conformational and structural studies of ethyl fluorosilane from temperature dependent FT-IR spectra of krypton solutions and ab initio calculations

The infrared spectra (3200–30 cm⁻¹) of gaseous and solid ethyl fluorosilane, CH₃CH₂SiH₂F, have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectra (3200–30 cm⁻¹) of the liquid and solid have been recorded and quantitative depolarization values obtained. Both the gauche and trans conformers have been identified in the fluid phases but only the gauche conformer remains in the solid. Variable temperature (−105 to −150°C) studies of the infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquid krypton have been carried out. From these data, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 54±16 cm⁻¹ (646±191 J/mol) with the gauche conformer the more stable form. This is consistent with the predictions from ab initio, MP2/6-311+G(2d,2p), calculation as well as those with smaller basis sets with full electron correlations. A complete vibrational assignment is proposed for both the trans and gauche conformers based on infrared band contours, relative intensities, depolarization values, and group frequencies, which are supported by normal-coordinate calculations utilizing the force constants from MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations. Complete equilibrium geometries have been determined for both rotamers by ab initio calculations employing a variety of basis sets up to 6-311+G(2d,2p) at levels of restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) and/or Moller Plesset to the second order (MP2) with full electron correlation. The adjusted r₀ parameters have been obtained for both conformers from a combination of the previously reported rotational constants with ab initio predicted values. All results are compared to similar quantities of some corresponding molecules.     

Ab initio structures and vibrational analysis of the isoprene conformers

Complete gradient optimizations of the structures and the calculation of the harmonic force fields of the s-trans(anti) and gauche conformers of isoprene (2-methylbuta-1,3-diene) are reported at the RHF/6-31G level. The dihedral angle of the gauche conformer is found to be 41.0° from the planar s-cis(syn) form. The force fields obtained are refined using scale factors transferred from analogous calculations for trans-butadiene-1,3 and ethane. The direct vibrational problems are solved for both conformers of isoprene. A complete assignment of the experimental vibrational frequencies is given.     

Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability, ab initio calculations of structure, and vibrational assignment of 2-hexyne

The infrared spectra (3500–50 cm⁻¹) of the gas and solid and the Raman spectra (3500–50 cm⁻¹) of the liquid and solid have been recorded for 2-hexyne, CH₃–CC–CH₂CH₂CH₃. Variable temperature studies of the infrared spectrum (3500–400 cm⁻¹) of 2-hexyne dissolved in liquid krypton have also been recorded. Utilizing four anti/gauche conformer pairs, the anti(trans) conformer is found to be the lower energy form with an enthalpy difference of 74±8 cm⁻¹ (0.88±0.10 kJ/mol) determined from krypton solutions over the temperature range −105 to −150 °C. At room temperature it is estimated that there is 42% of the anti conformer present. Equilibrium geometries and energies of the two conformers have been determined by ab initio (HF and MP2) and hybrid DFT (B3LYP) methods using a number of basis sets. Only the HF and DFT methods predict the anti conformer as the more stable form as found experimentally. A vibrational assignment is proposed based on the force constants, relative intensities, depolarization ratios from the ab initio and DFT calculations and on rotational band contours obtained using the calculated equilibrium geometries. From calculated energies it is shown that the CH₃ group exhibits almost completely free rotation which is in agreement with the observation of sub-band structure for the degenerate methyl vibrations from which values of the Coriolis coupling constants, ζ, have been determined. The results are compared to similar properties of some corresponding molecules.     

Conformational and structural analysis of N-N′-bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine

The Schiff base compound, N-N′-bis(4-methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine (C₁₈H₂₀N₂O₂) has been synthesized and its crystal structure has been investigated by X-ray analysis and PM3 method. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=10.190(1), b=7.954(1), c=10.636(1) Å, β=111.68(1)°, V=801.1(1) ų, Z=2 and D_cal=1.229 Mgm⁻³. The title structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R=0.056 for 2414 reflections [I>3.0σ(I)] by full-matrix anisotropic least-squares methods. The energy profile of the compound was calculated by PM3 method as a function of θ[N1′–C9′–C9–N1]. The most stable molecular structure of the title compound is the anti conformation, which is different in energy by 5.0 and 1.0 kcal mol⁻¹ from the eclipsed conformation I and gauche conformations, (III and V), respectively.     

Conformational stability of 1-pentyne from temperature dependent FT-IR spectra of liquid rare gas solutions and ab initio calculations

Variable temperature studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm⁻¹) of 1-pentyne, CH₃CH₂CH₂CCH, dissolved in liquid xenon (−55 to −100°C) and liquid krypton (−105 to −150°C) have been recorded. These data indicate that the anti (methyl group trans to the acetylenic group) and gauche conformers have relative concentrations that vary with the temperature, i.e. enthalpy nonzero. Utilizing seven sets of conformer pairs for the xenon solution and ten sets of conformer pairs for the krypton solution, the enthalpy difference has been determined to be 50±6 cm⁻¹ (0.60±0.07 kJ/mol) and 45±4 cm⁻¹ (0.54±0.05 kJ/mol), respectively, with the anti conformer the more stable form. Because of two equivalent gauche forms, this conformer is estimated to be in higher abundance at 61±1% in the xenon solution and 62±1% in the krypton solution. Optimized geometries and conformational stabilities have been obtained from ab initio calculations with basis sets 6-31G(d), 6-311+G(d,p), 6-311+G(2d,2p) and 6-311+G(2df,2pd) with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order (MP2). All of the calculations predict the gauche rotamer to be the more stable form with a high value of 181 cm⁻¹ from the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) calculations and a low value of 107 cm⁻¹ from the MP2/6-311+G(2d,2p) calculation. The r_o adjusted structural parameters have been obtained from a combination of the microwave rotational constants and ab initio predicted parameters. The values are compared to the recently reported values from an electron diffraction study where the value for the CC bond distance appears to be too long. The results are discussed and the conformational stability is compared to those obtained for some similar molecules.     

Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, ab initio calculations and vibrational assignments for 2-chloroethyl silane

The infrared (3500–30 cm⁻¹) spectra of gaseous and solid and the Raman (3500–10 cm⁻¹) spectra of liquid with quantitative depolarization ratios and solid 2-chloroethyl silane, ClCH₂CH₂SiH₃, have been recorded. Similar data have been recorded for the Si–d₃ isotopomer. These data indicate that two conformers, trans and gauche, are present in the fluid states but only one conformer, trans, is present in the solid. The mid-infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquified xenon as a function of temperature (−55 to −100°C) has been recorded. The enthalpy difference between the conformers has been determined to be 181±12 cm⁻¹ (2.17±0.14 kJ/mol) with the trans rotamer the more stable form. From the isolated Si–H frequencies from the Si–d₂ isotopomer the r_o Si–H distances of 1.484 and 1.483 Å for the trans and 1.481 for the gauche conformers have been obtained. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with several different basis sets up to MP2/6-311+G** from which structural parameters and conformational stabilities have been determined. With all the basis sets the trans form is predicted to be the more stable conformer which is consistent with the experimental results. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities for the carbon analogue.     

Thermochemistry of organosilicon compounds VII. Permethylcyclosilazanes and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane

The enthalpy of formation (ΔH_f⁰), enthalpy of evaporation (ΔH_v⁰) and enthalpy of atomization (ΔH_a) of permethylcyclosilazanes (Me₂SiNH)_n (n = 3, 4) and 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisilazane (Me₂SiH)₂NH have been determined. The enthalpies of formation of these compounds were compared with those calculated by the Benson-Buss-Franklin and Tatevskii additive schemes. In higher permethylcyclosilazanes the energy of the endocyclic Si---N bond is 306 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ (73 kcal mol⁻¹), that is 12 ± 2 kJ mol⁻¹ (3 kcal mol⁻¹) lower than the energy of the acyclic Si---N bond. The strain energy of the cyclotrisilazane ring is estimated to be 10.5 kJ mol⁻¹ (2.5 kcal mol⁻¹), whereas the energy of the ring Si---N bond is 295 kJ mol⁻¹ (70.5 kcal mol⁻¹).

The thermochemical data for permethylcyclosilazanes were compared with the corresponding values for permethylcyclosiloxanes calculated from the results of previously reported studies.     

Far infrared spectra, conformational equilibria, vibrational assignments, ab initio calculations and structural parameters for 2-bromoethanol

The far infrared spectrum from 370 to 50 cm⁻¹ of gaseous 2-bromoethanol, BrCH₂CH₂OH, was recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm⁻¹. The fundamental O–H torsion of the more stable gauche (Gg′) conformer, where the capital G refers to internal rotation around the C–C bond and the lower case g to the internal rotation around the C–O bond, was observed as a series of Q-branch transitions beginning at 340 cm⁻¹. The corresponding O–H torsional modes were observed for two of the other high energy conformers, Tg (285 cm⁻¹) and Tt (234 cm⁻¹). The heavy atom asymmetric torsion (rotation around C–C bond) for the Gg′ conformer has been observed at 140 cm⁻¹. Variable temperature (−63 to −100°C) studies of the infrared spectra (4000–400 cm⁻¹) of the sample dissolved in liquid xenon have been recorded. From these data the enthalpy differences have been determined to be 411±40 cm⁻¹ (4.92±0.48 kJ/mol) for the Gg′/Tt and 315±40 cm⁻¹ (3.76±0.48 kJ/mol) for the Gg′/Tg, with the Gg′ conformer the most stable form. Additionally, the infrared spectrum of the gas, and Raman spectrum of the liquid phase are reported. The structural parameters, conformational stabilities, barriers to internal rotation and fundamental frequencies have been obtained from ab initio calculations utilizing different basis sets at the restricted Hartree–Fock or with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order. The theoretical results are compared to the experimental results when appropriate. Combining the ab initio calculations with the microwave rotational constants, r₀ adjusted parameters have been obtained for the three 2-haloethanols (F, Cl and Br) for the Gg′ conformers.     

On the difference between hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen chloride crystals

The geometrical and energetical parameters of hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen chloride crystals are calculated using the periodic Hartree–Fock method with 6-31G and 6-31G(d,p) basis sets. The comparison of the stabilisation energies reveals that HCl crystals are about 75% less stable than HF crystals. The activation energy for collective proton movements are computed and discussed in view of data of isolated infinite chains. The barriers of 13.1 and 40.0 kcal mol⁻¹ at 6-31G(d,p) level are found for HF and HCl crystals.     

Development and validation of COMPASS force field parameters for molecules with aliphatic azide chains

To establish force-field-based (molecular) modeling capability that will accurately predict condensed-phase thermophysical properties for materials containing aliphatic azide chains, potential parameters for atom types unique to such chains have been developed and added to the COMPASS force field. The development effort identified the need to define four new atom types: one for each of the three azide nitrogen atoms and one for the carbon atom bonded to the azide. Calculations performed with the expanded force field yield (gas-phase) molecular structures and vibrational frequencies for hydrazoic acid, azidomethane, and the anti and gauche forms of azidoethane in good agreement with values determined experimentally and/or through computational quantum mechanics. Liquid densities calculated via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were also in good agreement with published values for 13 of 15 training set compounds, the exceptions being hydrazoic acid and azidomethane. Of the 13 compounds whose densities are well simulated, nine have experimentally determined heats of vaporization reported in the open literature, and in all of these cases, MD simulated values for this property are in reasonable agreement with the published values. Simulations with the force field also yielded reasonable density estimates for a series of 2-azidoethanamines that have been synthesized and tested for use as hydrazine-alternative fuels.     

An ab initio and DFT study on the hydrolysis of carbonyl dichloride

Hydrolysis of carbonyl dichloride or phosgene (Cl₂CO) in gas phase has been investigated at Hartree–Fock, density functional and ab initio levels of theory. The effects of basis sets on the energetics of the reaction have also been explored. Calculations reveal that initially carbonyl dichloride and water form a weak complex and this complex can react further in two ways. In Path 1, water adds on to carbonyl dichloride across carbonyl bond in a concerted fashion to give dichloromethane diol, and this diol decomposes to form chloro formic acid by syn-1,2-elimination of HCl and forms CO₂ and HCl as final products. Path 2 is the concerted addition of water across carbon chlorine bond and elimination of HCl in a single step leading to the formation of chloro formic acid directly. This second path that skips the formation of dichloromethane diol is observed to be very low lying and hence is kinetically favored. Addition of second water molecule to the reacting system is found to catalyze the reaction by stabilizing the complex, intermediate and transition states and reduces the activation energy to 24.6 kcal mol⁻¹ compared to 29.9 kcal mol⁻¹ for a single water molecule.     

Potential function of internal rotation for isoprene from ab initio calculations and experimental data

Ab initio computations of the potential energy curve of internal rotation around the central single C---C bond of isoprene have been performed at the Hartree—Fock level with a 3·21G basis set. The similarity of the slope of the curve obtained and the potential energy curve calculated for a more complete basis set (7s3p/4s2p) [Kavana-S2ebø, J. Mol. Struct. 106 (1984) 259] is discussed. The values of the Pitzer function F(φ), its Fourier expansion coefficients, and coefficients of the potential energy expansion were calculated from data given in the above reference. The correction of the potential energy expansion coefficients was carried out from frequencies of torsional “hot” bands of isoprene and torsional overtone of its second rotational isometric form. It was shown that the isoprene second isomer is realized as a gauche-form. The potential energy expansion coefficients were obtained as follows: V₁ = 399.9, V₂ = 1330.22, V₃ = 781.8 and V₄ = −175.8 cm⁻¹.     

A comparative ab initio study of the geometry and force field of thionformic acid with formic and thiolformic acids

The energy and force field for the planar cis and trans conformers of thionformic acid have been calculated using the 4–31 G basis set, augmented by a complete set of d-functions on the sulfur atom, with full geometry optimization. Extensive comparisons are made between the changes in geometry and selected force constants in going from cis- (chain) to the trans- (ring) structures of thionformic, thiolformic and formic acid. These changes are discussed in terms of a hydrogen bonding type of interaction in the O---HS, S---HO and O---HO structural units respectively. Of the thioacid conformers, the trans-thiol is found to be the most stable; the trans-thion and cis-thiol both about 10 kJ mol⁻¹ less stable; and the cis-thion the least stable by about 38 kJ mol⁻¹.     

1,1,2,2-tetrabromodisilane: gas-phase molecular structure and conformational composition as determined by electron diffraction

The molecular structure of 1,1,2,2-tetrabromodisilane has been investigated using gas-phase electron diffraction data obtained at 110°C. At this temperature the molecules exist as a mixture of about equal parts (X = 0.5 ±0.2) of the two conformers with the H---Si---Si---H torsion angle equal to 180° (anti) or 60° (gauche). Assuming that the two conformers differ in their geometries only in the torsion angle φ, some of the important distance (r_a) and angle () parameters are: r(Si---Si) = 2.349(19) Å, r(Si---Br) = 2.205(5) Å, r(Si---H) = 1.485 Å (assumed), Br---Si---Br = 110.1(1.6)°, Si---Si---Br = 107.1(1.2)° Si---Si---H = 108.6° (assumed). The error limits are 2σ. The observed conformational composition (X_anti = 0.5(0.2)) corresponds to an energy difference between the conformers of ΔE = E(gauche) — E(anti) = 0.5 ± 0.6 kcal mol⁻¹, assuming ΔS = Rln2.     

An ab initio SCF study on the tautomerisation of the 8-oxo-guanine and xanthine

All possible H₉-tautomers of 8-oxo-guanine and xanthine were studied by means of PM3 semiempirical and DFT (density functional theory) quantum chemistry methods. Additionally, the five most stable tautomers of both guanine derivatives were estimated on 3-21G, 6-31G, 6-31G^** and MP2 (6-31G^**) ab initio levels. The impact of the environment polarity on the tautomeric equilibrium was also taken into account. Among the variety of tautomeric isomers most probable are diketo forms of both studied derivatives in non-polar and polar surroundings.

The tautomeric equilibrium was unchanged after connection of the sugar backbone. The most preferred diketo forms of 8-oxo-guanosine and xanthidine are in syn conformations both in polar and non-polar environments. The increase of the syn conformations over anti ones may have the source in the formation of the internal hydrogen bonds between H′5 and N₃ atoms. The calculated values of the pseudorotation phase angle were between 144 and 180° in all cases. This corresponds to C′2-endo conformations of all optimised structures.

The N-glycosidic bond stability of most stable tautomers was compared to standard guanosine. Most tautomers of 8-oxo-guanosine and xanthidine are characterised by more stable C₁′-N₉ bond. This indicates that both these derivatives are hardly susceptible to spontaneous depurination and its removal from the DNA will depend mostly on the activity of DNA repair enzymes.     

Density functional study of molecular properties of hydrazoic acid and methyl azide

Density functional calculations for hydrazoic acid HN₃ and methyl azide CH₃N₃ and for the respective singly ionized structures HN⁺₃ and CH₃N⁺₃ are reported. An analysis of the electrostatic solvent effects, based on the self-consistent reaction field approach, on the molecular properties and conformational equilibrium of CH₃N₃ is also reported. The results are sensitive to the basis set quality and show some dependence on the different representations for the exchange-correlation functions. For HN₃ very good agreement with experiment is observed for several properties, such as the geometry, dipole moment, vibrational frequencies and for the adiabatic first ionization energy. For CH₃N₃ the energy difference between eclipsed (ec) and staggered (st) conformers (δ_ec-st) is 2.5 kJ mol⁻¹, in good agreement with the experimental value (2.9 kJ mol⁻¹). However, for CH₃N⁺₃, δ_ec-st is −3.2 kJ mol⁻, reflecting a significant modification of the methyl group rotational potential after ionization. Solvent effects on the molecular properties of CH₃N₃ are important when it is solvated in a polar medium. The most significant modifications concern the dipole moment and the frequencies related to the CH₃ symmetric stretch and torsion vibrational modes.     

Vibrational spectra, conformations, ab initio calculations and vibrational assignments of 3-pentyn-2-ol

The infrared spectra of 3-pentyn-2-ol, CH₃CCCH(OH)CH₃, have been recorded as a vapour and liquid at ambient temperature, as a solid at 78 K in the 4000–50 cm⁻¹ range and isolated in an argon matrix at ca. 5 K. Infrared spectra of the solid phase at 78 K were obtained before and after annealing to temperatures of 120 and 130 K. The IR spectra of the solid were quite similar to that of the liquid.

Raman spectra of the liquid were recorded at room temperature and at various temperatures between 295 and 153 K. Spectra of an amorphous and annealed solid were recorded at 78 K. In the variable temperature Raman spectra, some bands changed in relative intensity and were interpreted in terms of conformational equilibria between the three possible conformers. Complete assignments were made for all the bands of the most stable conformer in which OH is oriented anti to C₁(a_Me). From various bands assigned to a second conformer in which OH is oriented anti to H_gem(a_H), the conformational enthalpy differences was found to be between 0.4 and 0.8 kJ mol⁻¹. The highest energy conformer with OH anti to C₃(a_C) was not detected.

Quantum-chemical calculations have been carried out at the MP2 and B3LYP levels with a variety of basis sets. Except for small basis set calculations for which the a_H conformer had slightly lower energy, all the calculations revealed that a_Me was the low energy conformer. The B3LYP/cc-pVTZ calculations suggested the a_Me conformer as more stable by 0.8 and 8.3 kJ mol⁻¹ relative to a_H an a_C, respectively. Vibrational wavenumbers and infrared and Raman band intensities for two of the three conformers are reported from B3LYP/cc-pVTZ calculations.     

Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability, ab initio calculations, and vibrational assignments for methylaminothiophosphoryl difluoride

Infrared spectra (4000–50 cm⁻¹) of the vapor, amorphous and crystalline solids and Raman spectra (3600–10 cm⁻¹) of the liquid with qualitative depolarization data as well as the amorphous and crystalline solids of methylaminothiophosphoryl difluoride, CH₃N(H)P(=S)F₂, and three deuterated species, CD₃N(H)P(=S)F₂, CH₃N(D)P(=S)F₂, and CD₃N(D)P(=S)F₂, have been recorded. The spectra indicate that in the vapor, liquid and amorphous solid a small amount of a second conformer is present, whereas only one conformer remains in the low temperature crystalline phase. The near-infrared spectra of the vapor confirms the existence of two conformers in the gas phase. Asymmetric top contour simulation of the vapor shows that the trans conformer is the predominant vapor phase conformer. From a temperature study of the Raman spectrum of the liquid the enthalpy difference between the trans and near-cis conformers was determined to be 368±15 cm⁻¹ (4.41±0.2 kJ/mol), with the trans conformer being thermodynamically preferred. Ab Initio calculations with structure optimization using the 6-31G(d) and 6-311+G(d,p) basis sets at the restricted Hartree–Fock (RHF) and/or with full electron correlation by the perturbation method to second order (MP2) support the occurrence of near-trans (5° from trans) and near-cis (20° from cis) conformers. From the RHF/6-31G(d) calculation the near-trans conformer is predicted to be the more stable form by 451 cm⁻¹ (5.35 kJ/mol) and from the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) calculation by 387 cm⁻¹ (4.63 kJ/mol). All of the normal modes of the near-trans rotamer have been assigned based on infrared band contours, depolarization values and group frequencies and the assignment is supported by the normal coordinate calculation utilizing harmonic force constants from the MP2/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations.     

Equilibrium structure of the carbon dioxide-water complex in the gas phase: an ab initio and density functional study

High-level ab initio (MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) geometry, Gaussian-2, MP4(SDTQ) and QCISD(T) binding energies) and density-functional (Becke3LYP/6-311++G(2df,2pd)) calculations have been performed on the charge-transfer complex between water and carbon dioxide. The complex appears to have two equivalent non-planar minima of C_s symmetry. Minima are separated by transition states with C₁ symmetry, whereas the totally planar structure with C_2v symmetry is a second-order transition state. All the critical points lie at approximately the same energy (less than 0.05 Kj mol⁻¹ difference). Therefore, the experimentally observable structure should be planar. The best equilibrium intermolecular distance for this complex calculated at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level is 2.800 Å. Our best estimate of the observable intermolecular distance (corrected for anharmonicity) is 2.84 Å, in agreement with the experimentally derived value of 2.836 Å. Our best estimate of the binding energy at the QCISD(T) level, taking into account the variation of the distance owing to anharmonicity and the use of more sophisticated theoretical treatments, is −12.0 ± 0.2 kJ mol⁻¹. Our best estimate of the barrier to internal rotation, also at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level, is 4.0 kJ mol⁻¹, outside the error limits of the experimental determination (3.64 ± 0.04 kJ mol⁻¹). Density functional theory at the level employed here gives an equilibrium intermolecular distance that is too large (2.857 Å), a binding energy that is too small (8.1 kJ mol⁻¹), attributable neither to geometry nor to the basis set, and also a barrier to internal rotation that is slightly too small (3.39 kJ mol⁻¹). The overall picture is, however, reasonably good.