Intramolecular 1,8-hydrogen-atom transfer reactions in (1-->4)-O-disaccharide systems: conformational and stereochemical requirements

The stereochemical and conformational factors controlling the intramolecular hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) reaction between the two pyranose units in a (1-->4)-O-disaccharide when promoted by a primary 6-O-yl radical are studied. Models with alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-beta-D-Glcp, alpha-L-Rhamp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Galp or alpha-D-Manp-(1-->4)-beta-L-Gulp skeletons led exclusively to the abstraction of the hydrogen from H--C-5' and the formation, through a nine-membered transition state, of a 1,3,5-trioxocane ring system in a stable boat-chair conformation. Notwithstanding, derivatives of alpha-L-Rhamp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Glcp or alpha-D-Manp-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Galp exclusively abstract the hydrogen from H--C-1' through a seven-membered transition state and, therefore, lead to an interglycosidic spiro ortho ester.     

Searching for resonances in the reaction Cl+CH4-->HCl+CH3: quantum versus quasiclassical dynamics and comparison with experiments

A quantum-mechanical (QM) and quasiclassical trajectory (QCT) study was performed on the title reaction, using a pseudotriatomic ab initio based surface. Probabilities and integral cross sections present some clear peaks versus the collision energy E(col), which we assign to Feshbach resonances of the transition state, where the light H atom oscillates between the heavy Cl and CH(3) groups. For ground-state reactants, reactivity is essentially of quantum origin (QCT observables and oscillations are smaller, or much smaller, than QM ones), and the calculated integral cross section and product distributions are in reasonable agreement with the experiment. The reaction occurs through an abstraction mechanism, following both a direct and an indirect mechanism. The quasiclassical trajectory calculations show the participation of a short-lived collision complex in the microscopic reaction mechanism. Finally, QCT differential cross sections of Cl+CH(4)-->HCl (nu(')=0 and 1)+CH(3) oscillate versus E(col), whereas experimentally this only occurs for HCl (nu(')=1). This theoretical result and other oscillating properties found here could, however, be related to the existence of a Feshbach resonance for the production of HCl (nu(')=1), as suggested by experimentalists.     

Circumvention of orbital symmetry restraints by 1,3-H-shifts of enolic radical cations

The reaction coordinates of 1,3-H-shifts across double bonds are traced by theory for three reactions, CH(3)C(OH)CH(2)(+*) (1) --> CH(3)C(O(+*))CH(3) (2), CH(2)C(OH)(2)(+*) (3) --> CH(3)CO(2)H(+*) (4) and CH(3)C(OH)CH(2)(+*) (1) --> CH(2)C(OH)CH(3)(+*) (1'), to explore how the need to conserve orbital symmetry influences the pathways for these reactions. In the first and second reactions, prior to the start of the H-transfer the methylene rotates from being in the skeletal plane to being bisected by it. Thus these reactions are neither antarafacial nor suprafacial, but precisely between those possibilities. This stems from a counterbalancing between the need to conserve orbital symmetry and the large distorting forces required to attain an allowed antarafacial transition state. In contrast to the first two reactions, 1 --> 1' follows a suprafacial pathway. However, this pathway does not violate conservation of orbital symmetry, as it utilizes lower lying orbitals of appropriate symmetry rather than the antisymmetric uppermost occupied allyl-type orbital. Changes in geometry which presumably produce asymmetric vibrational excitation and the unequal losses of methyl that follow 1 --> 2, i.e., nonergodic behavior, are also characterized.     

Theoretical study on reaction mechanism of the cyanogen radical with nitrogen dioxide

The complex singlet potential energy surface for the reaction of CN with NO2, including 9 minimum isomers and 10 transition states, is explored computationally using a coupled cluster method and a density functional method. The most favorable association of CN with NO2 was found to be a barrierless carbon-to-nitrogen approach process forming an energy-rich adduct a (NCNO2) followed by C-N bond rupture along with C-O bond formation to give b1 (trans-NCONO), which can easily convert to b2 (cis-NCONO). Our results show that the product P1 (NCO + NO) is the major product, while the product P2 (CNO + NO) is a minor product. The other products may be of significance only at high temperatures. Product P1 (NCO + NO) can be obtained through path 1 P1: R --> a --> b1 (b2) --> P1 (NCO + NO), whereas the product P2 (CNO + NO) can be formed through path P2: R --> a --> b1 --> b2 --> c1 (c2) --> P2 (CNO + NO). Because the intermediates and transition states involved in the above two channels are all lower than the reactants in energy, the CN + NO2 reaction is expected to be rapid, as is confirmed by experiment. Therefore, it may be suggested as an efficient NO2-reduction strategy. These calculations indicate that the title reaction proceeds mostly through singlet pathways and less go through triplet pathways. The present results can lead us to understand deeply the mechanism of the title reaction and can be helpful for understanding NO2-combustion chemistry.     

Sigmatropic rearrangements in 5-allyloxytetrazoles

Mechanisms of thermal isomerization of allyl tetrazolyl ethers derived from the carbocyclic allylic alcohols cyclohex-2-enol and 3-methylcyclohex-2-enol and from the natural terpene alcohol nerol were investigated. In the process of the syntheses of the three 1-aryl-5-allyloxytetrazoles, their rapid isomerization to the corresponding 1-aryl-4-allyltetrazol-5-ones occurred. The experiments showed that the imidates rearrange exclusively through a [3,3']-sigmatropic migration of the allylic system from O to N, with inversion. Mechanistic proposals are based on product analysis and extensive quantum chemical calculations at the DFT(B3LYP) and MP2 levels, on O-allyl and N-allyl isomers and on putative transition state structures for [1,3']- and [3,3']-sigmatropic migrations. The experimental observations could be only explained on the basis of the MP2/6-31G(d,p) calculations that favoured the [3,3']-sigmatropic migrations, yielding lower energies both for the transition states and for the final isomerization products.     

Synthesis and redox behavior of biferrocenyl-functionalized ruthenium(II) terpyridine gold clusters

Spectroscopic and electrochemical characterizations of ferrocene- and biferrocene-functionalized terpyridine octanethiolate monolayer-protected clusters were investigated and reported. The electrochemical measurements of Ru2+ coordinated with 4'-ferrocenyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine and 4'-biferrocenyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine complexes were dominated by the Ru2+/Ru3+ redox couple (E(1/2) at approximately 1.3 V), Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) redox couples (E(1/2) from approximately 0.6 to approximately 0.9 V), and terpy/terpy-/terpy2- redox couples (E(1/)(2) at ca. -1.2 and ca. -1.4 V). The substantial appreciable variations detected in the Ru2+/Ru3+ and Fe2+/Fe3+ oxidation potentials indicate that there is an interaction between the Ru2+ and Fe2+ metal centers. The coordination of the Ru2+ metal center with 4'-ferrocenyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine and 4'-biferrocenyl-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine leads to an intense 1[(d(pi)Fe)6] --> 1[d(pi)Fe)5(pi*terpyRu)1] transition in the visible region. The 1[(d(pi)Fe)6] -->1[d(pi)Fe)5(pi*terpyRu)1] transition observed at approximately 510 nm revealed that there was a qualitative electronic coupling between metal centers. The coordination of the Ru2+ transition metal center lowers the energy of the pi*terpy orbitals, causing this transition.     

(R)- or (S)-Bi-2-naphthol assisted,l-proline catalyzed direct aldol reaction

Chiral Brønsted acids (R)- and (S)-BINOL were employed as additives in the classic l-proline catalyzed direct aldol reaction. Eighteen substrates were tested with 0.5 mol % (R)-BINOL loading and 1 mol % of (S)-BINOL loading, and the enantioselectivity was improved from 72% ee without additive to 98% ee. In the proposed transition state, the chiral Brønsted acid promoted the reaction through hydrogen bonding, which not only activated the carbonyl group but also stabilized the transition state.     

Theoretical study on reaction mechanism of the ketenylidene radical with nitrogen dioxide

The complex doublet potential-energy surface for the reaction of CCO with NO2, including 8 minimum isomers and 17 transition states, is explored theoretically using the coupled cluster and density functional theory. The association of CCO with NO2 was found to be a barrierless process forming an energy-rich adduct a (OCCNO2) followed by oxygen shift to give b (O2CCNO). Our results show that the product P1 (CO2 + CNO) is the major product with absolute yield, while the product P4 (2CO + NO) is the minor product with less abundance. The other products may be undetectable. The product P1 (CO2 + CNO) can be obtained through R --> a --> b --> P1 (CO2 + CNO), whereas the product P4 (2CO + NO) can be obtained through two channels R --> a--> b --> c --> (d, g) --> P2 (OCNO + CO) --> P4 (2CO + NO) and R --> a --> b --> f --> P3 (c-OCC-O + NO) --> P4 (2CO + NO). Because the intermediates and transition states involved in the above three channels are all lower than the reactants in energy, the CCO + NO2 reaction is expected to be rapid, which is consistent with the experimental measurement in quality. The present study may be helpful for further experimental investigation of the title reaction.     

Kinetic and theoretical studies on the mechanism of alkaline hydrolysis of DNA

The reaction mechanism of alkaline hydrolysis of DNA has been investigated by kinetic analysis and density-functional-theory calculation. The rates of hydrolysis of thymidine 3'-monophosphate esters (including thymidylyl(3'-5')thymidine (Tp-OT)) monotonically decrease as the leaving groups get poorer. According to the theoretical calculation in which the solvent effects are incorporated, no intermediate is formed in the course of the reaction. In the alkaline hydrolysis of the activated Tp-OT analogues having good leaving groups, the 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate of thymidine is concurrently formed through the intramolecular attack by the 5'-alkoxide ion. In the hydrolysis of the native dinucleotide, however, this side reaction does not occur, since the transition state leading to the departure of its poor leaving group cannot be formed due to conformational restraint. These arguments are supported by the theoretical analysis on the hydrolysis of both dimethyl phosphate and its O(bridging)-->S substituted analogue.     

Switching between ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer, intraligand charge-transfer, and metal-to-ligand charge-transfer excited states in platinum(II) terpyridyl acetylide complexes induced by pH change and metal ions

A series of platinum(II) terpyridyl alkynyl complexes, [Pt{4'-(4-R1-C6H4)terpy}(C[triple chemical bond]C-C6H4-R(2)-4)]ClO4 (terpy=2,2':6',2'-terpyridyl; R1=R2=N(CH3)2 (1); R1=N(CH3)2, R2=N-[15]monoazacrown-5 (2); R1=CH3, R2=N(CH3)2 (3); R1=N(CH3)2, R2=H (4); R1=CH3, R2=H (5)), has been synthesized and the photophysical properties of the complexes have been examined through measurement of their UV/Vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence spectra, and transient absorptions. Complex 3 shows a lowest-energy absorption corresponding to a ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (LLCT) transition from the acetylide to the terpyridyl ligand, whereas 4 shows an intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) transition from the pi orbital of the 4'-phenyl group to the pi* orbital of the terpyridyl. Upon protonation of the amino groups in 3 and 4, their lowest-energy excited states are switched to dpi(Pt)-->pi*(terpy) metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) states. The lowest-energy absorption for 1 and 2 may be attributed to an LLCT transition from the acetylide to the terpyridyl. Upon addition of an acid to a solution of 1 or 2, the amino group on the acetylide is protonated first, followed by the amino group on the terpyridyl. Thus, the lowest excited state of 1 and 2 can be successively switched from the LLCT state to the ILCT state and then to the MLCT state by controlling the amount of the acid added. Such switches in the excited state are fully reversible upon subsequent addition of a base to the solution. Sequential addition of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal ions and then an acid to a solution of 2 also leads to switching of its lowest excited state from the LLCT state, first to the ILCT state and then to the MLCT state. All of the complexes exhibit a transient absorption of the terpyridyl anion radical, which is present in all of the LLCT, ILCT, and MLCT states. However, the shape of the transient absorption spectrum depends on both the substitution pattern on the terpyridyl moiety and the nature of the excited state.     

Thermolysis of benzannulated enyne-carbodiimides. Application in the synthesis of pyrido[1',2':1,2]pyrimido[4,5-b]indoles and related heteroaromatic compounds

Several derivatives of the pyrido[1',2':1,2]pyrimido[4,5-b]indoles 4 and the pyrazino[1',2':1,2]pyrimido[4,5-b]indoles 14 were synthesized by treatment of the benzannulated enyne-isocyanates 8 with the iminophosphoranes 9 and 13, respectively, for the aza-Wittig reaction followed by thermolysis. The reaction presumably proceeds through an initial formation of the corresponding benzannulated enyne-carbodiimides, such as 10, followed by a formal intramolecular hetero Diels-Alder reaction. Surprisingly, when the iminophosphorane 17 was used for condensation with 8, the expected pyrimido[1',6':1,2]pyrimido[4,5-b]indoles 16 were not obtained. Instead, the isomeric pyrimido[6',1':2,3]pyrimido[4,5-b]indoles 21 were isolated. Presumably, an alternative reaction pathway involving an initial [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction to form 19 followed by ring opening could lead to 20 and, after an intramolecular radical-radical coupling, 21. Treatment of the urea derivatives 24 with dibromotriphenylphosphorane also produced in situ the benzannulated enyne-carbodiimides 25, which on thermolysis gave the isoquinolino[2',1':1,2]pyrimido[4,5-b]indoles 26. Methylation of 4a, 14a, and 26a with methyl iodide occurred exclusively at the site of the indolo nitrogen. The planar geometry of those novel heteroaromatic compounds, resembling many DNA-binding agents, makes them potential candidates as DNA intercalators.     

Gas phase SN2 reactions of halide ions with trifluoromethyl halides: front- and back-side attack vs. complex formation

Density functional theory computations and pulsed-ionization high-pressure mass spectrometry experiments have been used to explore the potential energy surfaces for gas-phase S(N)2 reactions between halide ions and trifluoromethyl halides, X(-) + CF(3)Y --> Y(-) + CF(3)X. Structures of neutrals, ion-molecule complexes, and transition states show the possibility of two mechanisms: back- and front-side attack. From pulsed-ionization high-pressure mass spectrometry, enthalpy and entropy changes for the equilibrium clustering reactions for the formation of Cl(-)(BrCF(3)) (-16.5 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-1) and -24.5 +/- 1 cal mol(-1) K(-1)), Cl(-)(ICF(3)) (-23.6 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-1)), and Br(-)(BrCF(3)) (-13.9 +/- 0.2 kcal mol(-1) and -22.2 +/- 1 cal mol(-1) K(-1)) have been determined. These are in good to excellent agreement with computations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(3df)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level of theory. It is shown that complex formation takes place by a front-side attack complex, while the lowest energy S(N)2 reaction proceeds through a back-side attack transition state. This latter mechanism involves a potential energy profile which closely resembles a condensed phase S(N)2 reaction energy profile. It is also shown that the Cl(-) + CF(3)Br --> Br(-) + CF(3)Cl S(N)2 reaction can be interpreted using Marcus theory, in which case the reaction is described as being initiated by electron transfer. A potential energy surface at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level of theory confirms that the F(-) + CF(3)Br --> Br(-) + CF(4) S(N)2 reaction proceeds through a Walden inversion transition state.     

Studies related to carba-pyranoses: a radical decarboxylation approach to monocarba-disaccharides

(1--> 1), (1--> 3) and (1--> 4) acetal-linked monocarba-disaccharides have been synthesised from a series of glucosylated gamma- and delta-lactonic acids prepared from common intermediate, obtained from the Diels-Alder reaction of maleic anhydride and (E)-1-(2',3',4',6'-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-(trimethylsiloxy)buta-1,3-diene 1. Thiohydroxamic ester 14, prepared from gamma-lactonic acid 9, gave, upon treatment with tert-butyl thiol and light, the lactone 15. Subsequent lithium aluminium hydride reduction and acetylation gave the (1--> 3) acetal-linked monocarbadisaccharides 1,6-di-O-acetyl-3-O-(2',3',4',6'-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-2,4-dideoxy-5a-carba-beta-L-threo-hexopyranose 16. In a similar manner, protected monocarba-disaccharides 13, 19, 30, and 35 possessing L-ido, L-xylo, D-arabino and L-ido configurations of the carba-pyranose ring have been prepared. Treatment of thiohydroxamic esters 14 and 17 with either tert-butyl thiol or trityl thiol, dimethyl sulfide, oxygen and light gave alcohols 20 and 22. Subsequent lithium aluminium hydride reduction and aceytlation gave the monocarbadisaccharides 1,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-3-O-[2',3',4',6'-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-2-deoxy-5a-carba-beta-L-arabino-hexopyranose 21 and 1,2,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-3-O-(2',3',4',6'-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-5a-carba-beta-L-glucopyranose 23 respectively.     

Syntheses,structures, and fluxionality of blue luminescent zinc(II) complexes: Zn(2,2',2"-tpa)Cl2, Zn(2,2',2"-tpa)2(O2CCF3)2, and Zn(2,2',3"-tpa)4(O2CCF3)2 (tpa = tripyridylamine)

Three novel Zn(II) complexes containing either 2,2',2"-tripyridylamine (2,2',2"-tpa) or 2,2',3"-tripyridylamine (2,2',3"-tpa) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compound 1, Zn(2,2',2"-tpa)Cl2, has a tetrahedral geometry while compounds 2, Zn(2,2',2"-tpa)2(O2CCF3)2, and 3, Zn(2,2',3"-tpa)4(O2CCF3)2, have an octahedral geometry. The 2,2',2"-tpa ligand in 1 and 2 functions as a bidentate ligand, chelating to the zinc center, while the 2,2",3"-tpa ligand in 3 functions as a terminal ligand, binding to the zinc center through the 3-pyridyl nitrogen atom. All three compounds emit a blue color in solution and in the solid state. The emission maxima for the three compounds in solution are at lambda = 422, 426, and 432 nm, respectively. The blue luminescence of the complexes is due to a pi *-->pi transition of the tpa ligand as established by an ab initio calculation on the free ligand 2,2',2"-tpa and complex 1. Compounds 1 and 2 are fluxional in solution owing to an exchange process between the coordinate and noncoordinate 2-pyridyl rings of the 2,2',2"-tpa ligand. Compound 2 is also fluxional owing to a cis-trans isomerization process, as determined by variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis.     

Temperature-dependent mechanistic transition for photoinduced electron transfer modulated by excited-state vibrational relaxation dynamics

The electron transfer (ET) dynamics of an unusually rigid pi-stacked (porphinato)zinc(II)-spacer-quinone (PZn-Q) system, [5-[8'-(4' '-[8' '-(2' ' ',5' ' '-benzoquinonyl)-1' '-naphthyl]-1' '-phenyl)-1'-naphthyl]-10,20-diphenylporphinato]zinc(II) (2a-Zn), in which sub-van der Waals interplanar distances separate juxtaposed porphyryl, aromatic bridge, and quinonyl components of this assembly, have been measured by ultrafast pump-probe transient absorption spectroscopy over a 80-320 K temperature range in 2-methyl tetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF) solvent. Analyses of the photoinduced charge-separation (CS) rate data are presented within the context of several different theoretical frameworks. Experiments show that at higher temperatures the initially prepared 2a-Zn vibronically excited S1 state relaxes on an ultrafast time scale, and ET is observed exclusively from the equilibrated lowest-energy S1 state (CS1). As the temperature decreases, production of the photoinduced charge-separated state directly from the vibrationally unrelaxed S1 state (CS2) becomes competitive with the vibrational relaxation time scale. At the lowest experimentally interrogated temperature ( approximately 80 K), CS2 defines the dominant ET pathway. ET from the vibrationally unrelaxed S1 state is temperature-independent and manifests a subpicosecond time constant; in contrast, the CS1 rate constant is temperature-dependent, exhibiting time constants ranging from 4x10(10) s(-1) to 4x10(11) s(-1) and is correlated strongly with the temperature-dependent solvent dielectric relaxation time scale over a significant temperature domain. Respective electronic coupling matrix elements for each of these photoinduced CS1 and CS2 pathways were determined to be approximately 50 and approximately 100 cm-1. This work not only documents a rare, if not unique, example of a system where temperature-dependent photoinduced charge-separation (CS) dynamics from vibrationally relaxed and unrelaxed S1 states can be differentiated, but also demonstrates a temperature-dependent mechanistic transition of photoinduced CS from the nonadiabatic to the solvent-controlled adiabatic regime, followed by a second temperature-dependent mechanistic evolution where CS becomes decoupled from solvent dynamics and is determined by the extent to which the vibrationally unrelaxed S1 state is populated.     

Theoretical study of DABCO-based ionic liquid: synthesis and reaction mechanism

Quaternary ammonium salt obtained from the Menshutkin reaction between DABCO and benzyl chloride has been used in the synthesis of a novel Bronsted acidic ionic liquid (IL), namely 1-benzyl-4-(sulfobutyl)-diaza-bicyclo-octane hydrogen sulfate. The reaction of DABCO with benzyl chloride is a crucial step in the synthesis of this IL. Density functional theory calculations at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level have been employed to investigate the mechanism of Menshutkin reaction by calculating the energy barriers through possible transition states i.e., five-membered ring transition state and S_N2 transition state in gas phase and in diethyl ether as a solvent. It was found that while DABCO reacts with benzyl chloride through the well-known S_N2 transition state mechanism, the corresponding reaction with chlorodiphenylmethane can proceed through both S_N2 and five-membered ring transition state mechanism. However, S_N2 transition state mechanism is still the strongly preferred one out of the two possible mechanisms. The electronic structure analysis shows that solvent effects and enhanced resonance stabilization may play a decisive role in guiding the reaction pathway.     

Millimeter-wave-detected, millimeter-wave optical polarization spectroscopy

We report a new form of microwave optical double-resonance spectroscopy called millimeter-wave-detected, millimeter-wave optical polarization spectroscopy (mmOPS). In contrast to other forms of polarization spectroscopy, in which the polarization rotation of optical beams is detected, the mmOPS technique is based on the polarization rotation of millimeter waves induced by the anisotropy from optical pumping out of the lower or upper levels of the millimeter wave transition. By monitoring ground-state rotational transitions with the millimeter waves, the mmOPS technique is capable of identifying weak or otherwise difficult-to-observe optical transitions in complex chemical environments, where multiple molecular species or vibrational states can lead to spectral congestion. Once a transition is identified, mmOPS can then be used to record pure rotational transitions in vibrationally and electronically excited states, with the resolution limited only by the radiative decay rate. Here, the sensitivity of this nearly-background-free technique is demonstrated by optically pumping the weak, nominally spin-forbidden CS e (3)Sigma(-)-X (1)Sigma(+) (2-0) and d (3)Delta-X (1)Sigma(+) (6-0) electronic transitions while probing the CS X (1)Sigma(+) (v(")=0,J(")=2-1) rotational transition with millimeter waves. The J(')=2,N(')=2<--J(')=1,N(')=1 pure rotational transition of the CS e (3)Sigma(-) (v(')=2) state is then recorded by optically preparing the J(')=1,N(')=1 level of the e (3)Sigma(-) (v(')=2) state via the J(')=1,N(')=1<--J(")=1 transition of the e (3)Sigma(-)-X (1)Sigma(+) (2-0) band.     

Ab initio QM/MM study shows there is no general acid in the reaction catalyzed by 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase

The mechanism for the reaction catalyzed by the 4-oxalocrotonate tautomerase (4-OT) enzyme has been studied using a quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) method developed in our laboratory. Total free energy barriers were obtained for the two steps involved in this reaction. In the first step, Pro-1 acts as a general base to abstract a proton from the third carbon of the substrate, 2-oxo-4-hexenedioate, creating a negative charge on the oxygen at C-2 of this substrate. In the second step, the same hydrogen abstracted by the N-terminal Pro-1 is shuttled back to the fifth carbon of the substrate to form the product, 2-oxo-3-hexenedioate. The calculated total free energy barriers are 14.54 and 16.45 kcal/mol for the first and second steps, respectively. Our calculations clearly show that there is no general acid in the reaction. Arg-39' ', which is hydrogen bonded to the carboxylate group of the substrate, and an ordered water, which moves closer to the site of the charge formed in the transition state and intermediate, play the main role in transition state/intermediate stabilization without acting as general acids in the reaction.     

Shock tube and theoretical studies on the thermal decomposition of propane: evidence for a roaming radical channel

The thermal decomposition of propane has been studied using both shock tube experiments and ab initio transition state theory-based master equation calculations. Dissociation rate constants for propane have been measured at high temperatures behind reflected shock waves using high-sensitivity H-ARAS detection and CH(3) optical absorption. The two major dissociation channels at high temperature are C(3)H(8) → CH(3) + C(2)H(5) (eq 1a) and C(3)H(8) → CH(4) + C(2)H(4) (eq 1b). Ultra high-sensitivity ARAS detection of H-atoms produced from the decomposition of the product, C(2)H(5), in (1a), allowed measurements of both the total decomposition rate constants, k(total), and the branching to radical products, k(1a)/k(total). Theoretical analyses indicate that the molecular products are formed exclusively through the roaming radical mechanism and that radical products are formed exclusively through channel 1a. The experiments were performed over the temperature range 1417-1819 K and gave a minor contribution of (10 ± 8%) due to roaming. A multipass CH(3) absorption diagnostic using a Zn resonance lamp was also developed and characterized in this work using the thermal decomposition of CH(3)I as a reference reaction. The measured rate constants for CH(3)I decomposition agreed with earlier determinations from this laboratory that were based on I-atom ARAS measurements. This CH(3) diagnostic was then used to detect radicals from channel 1a allowing lower temperature (1202-1543 K) measurements of k(1a) to be determined. Variable reaction coordinate-transition state theory was used to predict the high pressure limits for channel (1a) and other bond fission reactions in C(3)H(8). Conventional transition state theory calculations were also used to estimate rate constants for other tight transition state processes. These calculations predict a negligible contribution (<1%) from all other bond fission and tight transition state processes, indicating that the bond fission channel (1a) and the roaming channel (1b) are indeed the only active channels at the temperature and pressure ranges of the present experiments. The predicted reaction exo- and endothermicities are in excellent agreement with the current version of the Active Thermochemical Tables. Master equation calculations incorporating these transition state theory results yield predictions for the temperature and pressure dependence of the dissociation rate constants for channel 1a. The final theoretical results reliably reproduce the measured dissociation rate constants that are reported here and in the literature. The experimental data are well reproduced over the 500-2500 K and 1 × 10(-4) to 100 bar range (errors of ～15% or less) by the following Troe parameters for Ar as the bath gas: k(∞) = 1.55 × 10(24)T(-2.034) exp(-45?490/T) s(-1), k(0) = 7.92 × 10(53)T(-16.67) exp(-50?380/T) cm(3) s(-1), and F(c) = 0.190 exp(-T/3091) + 0.810 exp(-T/128) + exp(-8829/T).