Mechanisms for H2O decomposition on the Si(111)‐7 × 7 surface: A DFT cluster model study

The mechanisms for the complete decomposition of water molecules on the Si (111)‐7 × 7 surface were investigated theoretically. The reaction pathways for dissociation of four water molecules over the adatom and rest atom sites were calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with the B3LYP functional. The calculated results demonstrated that the initial O? H bond dissociation from the first H₂O to form the adsorbed OH species is more preferential on the adatom site (Si_a) than the rest atom site (Si_r) of Si (111)‐7 × 7. Four water molecules dissociate successively over the adatom site, backbonds of adatoms which are saturated by OH species can reasonably be the place of insertion of oxygen atoms, yielding a tetrahedral SiO₄ structure with one on top and three inserted oxygen atoms. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

A theoretical study of imine hydrocyanation catalyzed by halogen‐bonding

A detailed theoretical study of the mechanism and energetics of an organocatalysis based on C?N activation by halogen‐bonding is presented for the hydrocyanation of N‐benzylidenemethylamine. The calculations at the level of scalar‐relativistic gradient‐corrected density functional theory give an insight in this catalytic concept and provide information on the characteristics of four different monodentate catalyst candidates acting as halogen‐bond donors during the reaction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Gas‐phase pyrolysis mechanisms of 3‐anilino‐1‐propanol: Density functional theory study

The gas‐phase pyrolytic decomposition mechanisms of 3‐anilino‐1‐propanol with the products of aniline, ethylene, and formaldehyde or N‐methyl aniline and aldehyde were studied by density functional theory. The geometries of the reactant, transition states, and intermediates were optimized at the B3LYP/6‐31G (d, p) level. Vibration analysis was carried out to confirm the transition state structures, and the intrinsic reaction coordinate method was performed to search the minimum energy path. Four possible reaction channels are shown, including two concerted reactions of direct pyrolytic decomposition and two indirect channels in which the reactant first becomes a ring‐like intermediate, followed by concerted pyrogenation. One of the concerted reactions in the direct pyrolytic decomposition has the lowest activation barrier among all the four channels, and so, it occurs more often than others. The results appear to be consistent with the experimental outcomes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Mechanistic study on gold(I)‐catalyzed crosscoupling of diazo compounds: A DFT study

The reaction mechanisms of the gold(I)‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction of aryldiazoacetate R1 with vinyldiazoacetate R2 leading to N‐substituted pyrazoles have been theoretically investigated using density functional theory calculations. Two possible reaction mechanisms were examined and discussed. The preferred reaction mechanism (mechanism A) can be characterized by five steps: the formation of the gold carbenoid A2 via the attack of catalyst to R1 (step I), nucleophilic addition of another reactant R2 to generate intermediate A3 (step II), intramolecular cyclization of A3 to form intermediate A4 (step III), hydrogen migration to give intermediate A5 (step IV), and catalyst elimination affording the final product P1 (step V). Step IV is found to be the rate‐determining step with an overall free energy barrier of 28.3 kcal/mol. Our calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental observations. The present study may provide a useful guide for understanding these kinds of gold(I)‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions of diazo compounds.     

Selective oxidation of styrene on an oxygen‐adsorbed Cu(111): A comparison with Au(111)

The reaction mechanism for the styrene selective oxidation on the oxygen preadsorbed Cu(111) surface has been studied by the density functional theory calculation with the periodic slab model. The calculated result indicated that the process includes two steps: forming the oxametallacycle intermediate (OMMS) and then producing the products. In addition, it was found that the second step, from OMMS to the product, is the rate‐controlling step, which is similar to the previous work of ethylene selective oxidation. The present result indicated that the selectivity towards the formation of styrene epoxide on Cu(111) is much higher than that on Au(111). More importantly, we found that the mechanism via the OMMS (2) (i.e., the preadsorbed atomic oxygen bound to the CH₂ group involved in C₆H₅? CH?CH₂) to produce styrene epoxide is kinetically favored than that of OMMS (1). We also found that the selectivity toward the styrene epoxide formation on Cu₂O is similar to that of Cu(111). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Conjugation‐Promoted Reaction of Open‐Cage Fullerene: A Density Functional Theory Study

Density functional theory calculations are performed to study the addition mechanism of e‐rich moieties such as triethyl phosphite to a carbonyl group on the rim of a fullerene orifice. Three possible reaction channels have been investigated. The obtained results show that the reaction of a carbonyl group on a fullerene orifice with triethyl phosphite most likely proceeds along the classical Abramov reaction; however, the classical product is not stable and is converted into the experimental product. An attack on a fullerene carbonyl carbon will trigger a rearrangement of the phosphate group to the carbonyl oxygen as the conversion transition state is stabilized by fullerene conjugation. This work provides a new insight on the reactivity of open‐cage fullerenes, which may prove helpful in designing new switchable fullerene systems.     

Density functional theory study of mechanism of epoxy‐carboxylic acid curing reaction

A comprehensive picture on the mechanism of the epoxy‐carboxylic acid curing reactions is presented using the density functional theory B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) and simplified physical molecular models to examine all possible reaction pathways. Carboxylic acid can act as its own promoter by using the OH group of an additional acid molecule to stabilize the transition states, and thus lower the rate‐limiting barriers by 45 kJ/mol. For comparison, in the uncatalyzed reaction, an epoxy ring is opened by a phenol with an apparent barrier of about 107 kJ/mol. In catalyzed reaction, catalysts facilitate the epoxy ring opening prior to curing that lowers the apparent barriers by 35 kJ/mol. However, this can be competed in highly basic catalysts such as amine‐based catalysts, where catalysts can enhance the nucleophilicity of the acid by forming hydrogen‐bonded complex with it. Our theoretical results predict the activation energy in the range of 71 to 94 kJ/mol, which agrees well with the reported experimental range for catalyzed reactions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Adsorption and Decomposition Mechanism of 1,1‐Diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethylene on Al(111) Surface by Periodic DFT Calculations

The adsorption of 1,1‐diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethylene (FOX‐7) molecule on the Al(111) surface was investigated by the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) of density functional theory (DFT). The calculations employ a supercell (4×4×2) slab model and three‐dimensional periodic boundary conditions. The strong attractive forces between oxygen and aluminum atoms induce the N? O bond breaking of the FOX‐7. Subsequently, the dissociated oxygen atoms and radical fragment of FOX‐7 oxidize the Al surface. The largest adsorption energy is ?940.5 kJ/mol. Most of charge transfer is 3.31e from the Al surface to the fragment of FOX‐7 molecule. We also investigated the adsorption and decomposition mechanism of FOX‐7 molecule on the Al(111) surface. The activation energy for the dissociation steps of P2 con?guration is as large as 428.8 kJ/mol, while activation energies of other con?gurations are much smaller, in range of 2.4 to 147.7 kJ/mol.     

The theoretical study on anionic polymerization mechanism of maleimide: Chain propagation by p‐π conjugation process

A complete research on the mechanism of the anionic polymerization of maleimide was performed, not only including the chain initiation, but the propagation as well. The density functional theory method is employed to investigate the reaction pathway using 6‐311+G* basis set, and the Onsager model is also applied to imitate the effect of solvent on the structures and thermodynamic functions of the key steps. It is found that the initiation starts with a nucleophilic reaction, in which the key transition state shows a π‐complex structure. In contrast, the calculated chain propagation (both dimer and trimer process) employs a p‐π conjugation chain propagation mechanism (p‐π CCPM), characterized by the formation of p‐π conjugation orbital between the chain terminal C atom and monomer C?C double bond. This mechanism is in good agreement with the frontier molecular theory and the principle of conservation of molecular orbital symmetry. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Au_n团簇催化水煤气变换反应机理的密度泛函理论研究

利用密度泛函理论(DFT)研究了Au10、Au13和Au20三类团簇的稳定性和对水煤气变换(WGSR)反应的催化活性,考察了各物质在Aun团簇上的吸附行为和微观反应机理。结果表明,三类Aun团簇的稳定性顺序为Au10Au13Au20,而Aun团簇中电子离域性及吸附能力大小趋势为Au13Au10Au20。在三类Aun团簇上,水煤气变换反应的控速步骤均为H2O的解离,但其反应机理路径有所不同。Au10团簇上为羧基机理,COOH*中间体直接解离;Au13团簇上为氧化还原机理,两个OH*发生歧化反应;Au20团簇上为羧基机理,COOH*和OH*发生歧化反应。通过对三类团簇上的最佳反应路径进行比较发现,Au13团簇在低温下具有较好的催化活性。     

Selective oxidation of styrene on an oxygen-adsorbed Au(111): A density functional theory study

The reaction mechanism for the styrene selective oxidation on the oxygen preadsorbed Au(111) surface has been studied by the density functional theory calculation with the periodic slab model. The calculated results showed that the process of reaction includes two steps: forming the oxametallacycle intermediate (OMME) and then producing the products. It was found that the second step, from OMME to product is the rate-controlling step, which is similar to ethylene selective oxidation on Ag. Importantly, the present density-functional-theory calculation results suggested that the mechanism via the OMME (2) (i.e. the preadsorbed atomic oxygen bound to the CH2 group involved in C6H5--CH=CH2) to produce styrene epoxide is kinetically favored than that of OMME (1).     

A density functional theory study on the catalytic mechanism of hydroxycinnamoyl‐CoA hydratase‐lyase

Hydroxycinnamoyl‐CoA hydratase‐lyase (HCHL), a particular member of the crotonase superfamily, catalyzes the bioconversion of feruloyl‐CoA to the important flavor and fragrance compound vanillin. In this article, the catalytic mechanism of HCHL has been studied by using hybrid density functional theory method with simplified models. The calculated results reveal that the mechanism involves the hydration of the C?C double bond of feruloyl‐CoA and thence the cleavage of C? C single bond of β‐hydroxythioester. The hydration step is a typical concerted process, whereas C? C bond cleavage follows a concerted but asynchronous mechanism. The calculated energy barrier of hydration reaction is only slightly lower than that of cleavage process, implying both of two processes are rate limiting. By using three substrate analogs, the substrate specificity of HCHL was further examined. It is found that the p‐hydroxyl group of aromatic ring is necessary for the catalytic reaction. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

CO在Pt(111)和Pt-M(111)(M=Ni,Mg)表面吸附的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论与周期性平板模型相结合的方法,对CO在Pt(111)表面top,fcc,hcp和bridge 4个吸附位和Pt-M(111)(M=Ni,Mg)表面h-top,M-top,Pt(M)Pt-bridge,Pt(M)M-bridge,Pt(Pt)M-bridge,M(Pt)M-bridge,Pt1M2-hcp...     

Theoretical studies on the formation mechanism and explosive performance of nitro‐substituted 1,3,5‐triazines

To develop new highly energetic materials, we have considered the design of molecules with high nitrogen content. Possible candidates include 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives. In this work, we studied potential synthetic routes for melamine using the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory. The mechanisms studied here are stepwise mechanism beginning with the dimerization of cyanamide and one‐step termolecular mechanism. The same type of mechanism is also applied to nitro‐substituted 1,3,5‐triazines. Values for the heat of formation in the solid phase were predicted from density functional theory calculations. Densities were estimated from a regression equation obtained by molecular surface electrostatic potentials. The Cheetah program was used to study the explosive performance of these compounds. In this study, we found that the explosive properties of 2‐amino‐4, 6‐dinitro‐1, 3,5‐triazine (ADNTA), and 2,4,6‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazine (TNTA) are similar to those of RDX and HMX, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

PtnCum(n+m=4)对甲醇第一步脱氢催化性能的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论（DFT）中的B3PW91/LANL2DZ（ECP）方法在Gaussian09程序包中计算了二元合金催化剂Pt_nCu_m（n+m=4）催化甲醇第一步脱氢反应的相关几何参数,主要研究了Pt_nCu_m（n+m=4）在甲醇分子表面的吸附和脱氢反应的机理。通过比较E_ads和脱氢能垒等发现,Pt_nCu_m（n+m=4）催化甲醇脱氢的最优反应路径为甲醇分子中的甲基氢吸附在该二元金属催化剂Pt位点上导致的C-H断裂。并对比了Pt_nCu_m（n+m=4）中Pt与Cu比例对甲醇催化脱氢活性的影响,结果表明,当二元合金催化剂中Pt与Cu的比例为1：1时,催化活性最高。     

Theoretical investigation on the detailed mechanism of the OH‐initiated atmospheric photooxidation of o‐xylene

The reaction mechanism for o‐xylene with OH radical and O₂ was studied by density functional theory (DFT) method. The geometries of the reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products were optimized at B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level. The corresponding vibration frequencies were calculated at the same level. The single‐point calculations for all the stationary points were carried out at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(2df,2pd) level using the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) optimized geometries. Reaction energies for the formation of the aromatic intermediate radicals have been obtained to determine their relative stability and reversibility, and their activation barriers have been analyzed to assess the energetically favorable pathways to propagate the o‐xylene oxidation. The results of the theoretical study indicate that OH addition to o‐xylene forms ipso, meta, and para isomers of o‐xylene‐OH adducts, and the ipso o‐xylene adduct is the most stable among these isomers. Oxygen is expected to add to the o‐xylene‐OH adducts forming o‐xylene peroxy radicals. And subsequent ring closure of the peroxyl radicals to form bicyclic radicals. With relatively low barriers, isomerization of the o‐xylene bicyclic radicals to more stable epoxide radicals likely occurs, competing with O₂ addition to form bicyclic peroxy radicals. The study provides thermochemical data for assessment of the photochemical production potential of ozone and formation of toxic products and secondary organic aerosol from o‐xylene photooxidation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Effects of introduction of α‐carboxylate,N‐methyl,and N‐formyl groups on intramolecular cyclization of o‐quinone amines: Density functional theory‐based study

o‐Quinone amines, which are relevant to various biological processes, can undergo spontaneous intramolecular cyclization (ring closure reaction by amino‐terminated hydrocarbon side chain) that deactivates them toward another possible reactions, that is, thiol binding. Density functional theory‐based calculation is employed for obtaining the potential energy curves along the C? N bond formation in the intramolecular cyclization of various o‐quinone amines, viz., dopaminequinone, dopaquinone, N‐methyl‐dopaminequinone, N‐formyl‐dopaminequinone, and the corresponding methylene‐inserted analogues. The activation barrier is decreased by introduction of α‐carboxylate and N‐methyl group whereas increased by introduction of N‐formyl group. A negative correlation between the activation barriers and the level of highest occupied molecular orbital is pointed out. Furthermore, the methylene‐inserted analogues show decreased activation barriers. This is explained by reduction of steric repulsion in the transition state.     

Density functional theory study on mechanisms of epoxy‐phenol curing reaction

A comprehensive picture on the mechanism of the epoxy‐phenol curing reactions is presented using the density functional theory B3LYP/ 6‐31G(d,p) and simplified physical molecular models to examine all possible reaction pathways. Phenol can act as its own promoter by using an addition phenol molecule to stabilize the transition states, and thus lower the rate‐limiting barriers by 27.0–48.9 kJ/mol. In the uncatalyzed reaction, an epoxy ring is opened by a phenol with an apparent barrier of about 129.6 kJ/mol. In catalyzed reaction, catalysts facilitate the epoxy ring opening prior to curing that lowers the apparent barriers by 48.9–50.6 kJ/mol. However, this can be competed in highly basic catalysts such as amine‐based catalysts, where catalysts are trapped in forms of hydrogen‐bonded complex with phenol. Our theoretical results predict the activation energy in the range of 79.0–80.7 kJ/mol in phosphine‐based catalyzed reactions, which agrees well with the reported experimental range of 54–86 kJ/mol. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

CH3SS与OH自由基反应机理的理论研究

应用密度泛函理论(DFT)对CH3SS与OH自由基单重态反应机理进行了研究.在B3PW91/6-311+G(d,p)水平上优化了反应通道上各驻点(反应物、中间体、过渡态和产物)的几何构型,用内禀反应坐标(IRC)计算和频率分析方法对过渡态进行了验证.在QCISD(T)/6-311++G(d,p)水平上计算了各物种的单点能,并对总能量进行了零点能校正.研究结果表明,CH3SS与OH反应为多通道反应,有5条可能的反应通道.反应物首先通过不同的S—O键相互作用形成具有竞争反应机理的中间体IM1和IM2.再经过氢迁移、脱氢和裂解等机理得到主要产物P1(CH2SS+H2O),次要产物P2(CH2S+HSOH),P3(CH3SH+1SO)和P4(CH2SSO+H2),其中最低反应通道的势垒为174.6kJ.mol-1.