Theoretical study on the interactions of halogen‐bonds and pnicogen‐bonds in phosphine derivatives with Br2, BrCl,and BrF

The MP2 ab initio quantum chemistry methods were utilized to study the halogen‐bond and pnicogen‐bond system formed between PH₂X (X = Br, CH₃, OH, CN, NO₂, CF₃) and BrY (Y = Br, Cl, F). Calculated results show that all substituent can form halogen‐bond complexes while part substituent can form pnicogen‐bond complexes. Traditional, chlorine‐shared and ion‐pair halogen‐bonds complexes have been found with the different substituent X and Y. The halogen‐bonds are stronger than the related pnicogen‐bonds. For halogen‐bonds, strongly electronegative substituents which are connected to the Lewis acid can strengthen the bonds and significantly influenced the structures and properties of the compounds. In contrast, the substituents which connected to the Lewis bases can produce opposite effects. The interaction energies of halogen‐bonds are 2.56 to 32.06 kcal·mol^?1; The strongest halogen‐bond was found in the complex of PH₂OH???BrF. The interaction energies of pnicogen‐bonds are in the range 1.20 to 2.28 kcal·mol^?1; the strongest pnicogen‐bond was found in PH₂Br???Br₂ complex. The charge transfer of lp(P) ? σ*(Br? Y), lp(F) ? σ*(Br? P), and lp(Br) ? σ*(X? P) play important roles in the formation of the halogen‐bonds and pnicogen‐bonds, which lead to polarization of the monomers. The polarization caused by the halogen‐bond is more obvious than that by the pnicogen‐bond, resulting in that some halogen‐bonds having little covalent character. The symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) energy decomposition analysis showes that the halogen‐bond and pnicogen‐bond interactions are predominantly electrostatic and dispersion, respectively.     

Kinetic modelling and inverse treatment of the radical mechanism of the liquid-phase autoxidation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene

A kinetic model to account for the overall radical mechanism of the self-initiated liquid-phase autoxidation of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (tetralin RH₂) without solvent and without catalyst at 60°C under normal pressure is presented. The model was constructed following a heuristic approach and it consists of 16 elementary steps and a species space including 6 radical and 7 nonradical compounds. Applying inverse computations, the model can be assigned to experimentally observed data within very good agreement where most of the computed values for the kinetic parameters are found to be close to literature values. The respective experimental data is characterized by an autocatalytic time-evolution of tetralin hydroperoxide (HROOH) and of α-tetralone (RO) where in the first stage of autoxidation a remarkable very slow rate of the RO formation in respect to that of the HROOH formation can be observed. This effect is explicitly expressed by the transformation process of tetralyloxy radicals (HRO˙) into α-tetralol radicals (˙ROH) which react with oxygen yielding RO. The transformation is suggested to be catalyzed by α-tetralol (HROH) which accumulates autocatalytically during the radical chain process. Hence, the nonlinear formation of HROH leads to a switching in the transformation of HRO˙ into ˙ROH radicals which causes a growing rate of RO evolution. The autocatalytic nature of the overall process is explained by degenerate branching of one molecule of HROOH yielding radical species finally resulting into 2 tetralyl radicals (RH˙). This process leads to a growing number of chain propagating reaction sequences involving RH˙ and tetralylperoxy radicals (HROO˙) in which RH₂ and O₂ are consumed and HROOH is formed. Based on the fitting of experimental data the suggested general dynamic structure of the model is validated by computing the reaction fluxes vs. time of several mechanistic key steps. By computer simulations the model is also shown to predict the increase of product accumulation which can be observed experimentally if the autoxidation of RH₂ is started after an initial addition of HROH. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A new cross‐linked system of silicone rubber based on silicone‐polyurea block copolymer

A new cross‐linked system of silicone rubber (SR) was obtained from silicone‐polyurea block copolymers that was synthesized with aminopropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane and (4‐isocyanatocyclohexyl)‐methane. SR possessed self‐reinforced and physical cross‐linked structure. It had better mechanical properties that the hardness, the tensile strength, and the elongation at break could reach 65 Shore A, 3.78 MPa, and 458% with the polyurea segment content ranging from 2.01% to 9.13% by weight . The hydrogen bond that led to the physical cross‐linked structure was proved byFourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The microphase separated structure that caused the self‐reinforcement was illustrated by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed the hydrogen bond formation between the polyurea units. Scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and X‐ray diffraction analysis results proved the microphase separation existed between polyurea units and ―Si―O―Si― chains. The increase of polyurea contents enhanced the binding of hydrogen bond and improved the extent of microphase separation. Accordingly, it decreased the thermal properties and lowered the glass transition temperature (T_g) from −108°C to −114°C. Also, the increase of polyurea contents increased the hydrophobicity of SR that the surface free energy could reach to −24.81 mN/m.     

Octanuclear Cu(I)‐dithiophosphates: An Efficient Catalyst System for N‐Arylation of Azoles,Amines, and Amides

The formation of a C‐N bond via the cross‐couplings of aryl iodides with azoles, aryl amine, and amides can be successfully achieved in decent yield by the utilization of both [Cu ₈(H){S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₆]⁺ and [Cu₈{S₂P(OEt)₂}₆]²⁺ as the pre‐catalysts.     

Unusual Thionation via Fragmentation

Reaction of 4,4‐dichloro‐2,6‐diphenyl‐4,4‐dihydropyrane (2) with thiols in the presence of triethylamine gives interesting results. The exclusive formation of 2,6‐diphenylpyran‐4‐thione (3) in the reaction with PhSH through cleavage of C_Ar‐S bond is remarkable.     

N‐Heterocyclic Phosphenium,Arsenium, and Stibenium Ions as Ligands in Transition Metal Complexes: A Comparative Experimental and Computational Study

Reaction of 2‐chloro‐1,3,2‐diazaarsolenes and ‐diazaphospholenes with Tl[Co(CO)₄] gives instable complexes of type [Co(ER₂)(CO)₄] which decarbonylated to yield [Co(ER₂)(CO)₃]. Spectroscopic and X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that the tetracarbonyl complexes can be formulated as ion pair for E = P and as covalent metalla‐arsine for E = As, and the tricarbonyl complexes as carbene‐like species with a formal E=Co double bond. A similar reactivity towards Tl[Co(CO)₄] was also inferred for 1,3,2‐diazastibolenes although the products were not isolable and their constitution remained uncertain. Evaluation of structural and computational data suggests that the weak and polarized Co–As bond in [Co(AsR₂)(CO)₄] can be characterized as an “inverse” M→L donor‐acceptor bond. The computational studies disclosed further η²(EN)‐coordination of the EN₂C₂ heterocycle as an alternative to the formation of a carbene‐like structure for [Co(ER₂)(CO)₃]. The η²‐complex is less stable for E = P but close in energy for E = As and more stable than the carbene‐like complex for E = Sb.     

Autoxidation of 4-amorphen-11-ol and the biogenesis of nor- and seco-amorphane sesquiterpenes from fabiana imbricata

Photooxidation of 4-amorphen-11-ol (1), recently reported as one of the major sesquiterpene natural products from the medicinal plant Fabiana imbricata, results in three allylic hydroperoxides 6, 9 and 10, which are expected from the “ene-type” reaction of molecular oxygen with the tri-substituted double bond in 1. The tertiary allylic hydroperoxide 6 undergoes carbon-carbon bond cleavage and a second autoxidation reaction to yield the more highly oxygenated seco-amorphane 11 under very mild conditions. In acid, this compound may then undergo either a second carbon-carbon bond cleavage reaction to yield nor-sesquiterpenes 2 and 3 (reported as bona fide natural products from F. imbricata, or cyclize to the sesquiterpene peroxofabianane (5), which is a presumed precursor to the natural product fabianane (4). Some mechanistic investigations concerning the two chemical processes: viz:- carbon-carbon bond cleavage and autoxidation which would account for the formation of natural products 2, 3 and 4 from 1 are reported. Tertiary allylic hydroperoxide 32, which lacks the 11-hydroxyl functional group present in 1 undergoes only C-4/C-5 carbon-carbon bond cleavage under more forcing conditions, suggesting a role for this functional group in assisting the autoxidation reactions of 4-amorphen-11-ol.     

Theoretical study addressing the effects of tautomerism and explicit/implicit water molecules on NQR and NMR parameters of tetrazole‐5‐thione

DFT/B3LYP calculations were employed to study the effects of tautomerism and explicit/implicit water molecules on Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) tensors of nitrogen nuclei in tetrazole‐5‐thione structure. The obtained results revealed that nuclear quadrupole coupling constant (χ) and isotropic chemical shielding (σ_iso) values of nitrogen nuclei in tetrazole ring of five possible tautomeric forms of tetrazole‐5‐thione, i.e. two thione forms called tautomers A and E and three thiol forms called tautomers B, C, and D, were functions of resonance energy(E₂) values of nitrogen lone pairs. Furthermore, it was observed that by increasing participation of lone pairs of nitrogen atoms in the ring resonance interactions, the σ_iso values around them were increased, while their χ and q_zz values were decreased. However, the results indicated that with exception of tautomer B, the order of q_zz and χ values of nitrogen nuclei in tetrazole ring was exactly opposite of the order of resonance energy values for the same nitrogen nuclei in all tautomers and their mono‐hydrated complexes. In addition, a significant decrease was noticed in χ and q_zz values when a water molecule was put in different positions near the tetrazole ring in tautomers A–E. The mentioned result can be attributed to hydrogen bond formation between nitrogen nuclei and the oxygen of water. In mono‐hydrated complexes, the σ_iso values around nitrogen atoms acting as hydrogen donors in hydrogen bond formation (N―H….OH₂) were decreased, while its values were increased for nitrogen atoms acting as hydrogen acceptors in hydrogen bond formation(N….H―OH). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrogen‐Bond‐Driven Controlled Molecular Marriage in Covalent Cages

A supramolecular approach that uses hydrogen‐bonding interaction as a driving force to accomplish exceptional self‐sorting in the formation of imine‐based covalent organic cages is discussed. Utilizing the dynamic covalent chemistry approach from three geometrically similar dialdehydes ( A , B , and D ) and the flexible triamine tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine ( X ), three new [3+2] self‐assembled nanoscopic organic cages have been synthesized and fully characterized by various techniques. When a complex mixture of the dialdehydes and triamine X was subjected to reaction, it was found that only dialdehyde B (which has OH groups for H‐bonding) reacted to form the corresponding cage B₃X₂ selectively. Surprisingly, the same reaction in the absence of aldehyde B yielded a mixture of products. Theoretical and experimental investigations are in complete agreement that the presence of the hydroxyl moiety adjacent to the aldehyde functionality in B is responsible for the selective formation of cage B₃X₂ from a complex reaction mixture. This spectacular selection was further analyzed by transforming a nonpreferred (non‐hydroxy) cage into a preferred (hydroxy) cage B₃X₂ by treating the former with aldehyde B . The role of the H‐bond in partner selection in a mixture of two dialdehydes and two amines has also been established. Moreover, an example of unconventional imine bond metathesis in organic cage‐to‐cage transformation is reported.     

Homonuclear chalcogen–chalcogen bond interactions in complexes pairing YO3 and YHX molecules (Y = S,Se; X = H,Cl, Br,CCH, NC,OH, OCH3): Influence of substitution and cooperativity

MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ calculations are performed on complexes of YO₃ (Y = S, Se) with a series of electron‐donating chalcogen bases YHX (X = H, Cl, Br, CCH, NC, OH, OCH₃). These complexes are formed through the interaction of a positive electrostatic potential region (π‐hole) on the YO₃ molecule with the negative region in YHX. Interaction energies of the binary O₃Y???YHX complexes are in the range of ?4.37 to ?12.09 kcal/mol. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules and the natural bond orbital analysis were applied to characterize the nature of interactions. It was found that the formation and stability of these binary complexes are ruled mainly by electrostatic effects, although the electron charge transfer from YHX to YO₃ unit also seems to play an important role. In addition, mutual influence between the Y???N and Y???Y interactions is studied in the ternary HCN???O₃Y???YHX complexes. The results indicate that the formation of a Y???N interaction tends to weaken Y???Y bond in the ternary systems. Although the Y???Y interaction is weaker than the Y???N one, however, both types of interactions seem to compete with each other in the HCN???O₃Y???YHX complexes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Tight‐binding molecular dynamics simulation of Si?H bond dissociation in silicon clusters

New model of Si? H bond dissociation is proposed and tested in the cluster Si₁₀H₁₆ by the simulation approach that combines classic molecular dynamics method and the self‐consistent tight‐binding electronic and total energy calculation one. It is shown that the monohydride Si? H bond is unstable with respect to silicon dangling bond and bend‐bridge Si? H? Si bond formation when this cluster traps the single positive charge and that hydrogen migrates through a path involving rather rotation around the Si? Si bond than the center of this bond (the bond‐centered position). These results can be useful for understanding hydrogen‐related phenomena at surfaces, interfaces, and internal voids of various hydrogenated silicon systems: electronic devices, silicon solar cells, and nanocrystalline and porous silicon. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 351–359, 2003     

Multinuclear Solid‐State Magnetic Resonance as a Sensitive Probe of Structural Changes upon the Occurrence of Halogen Bonding in Co‐crystals

Although the understanding of intermolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonding, is relatively well‐developed, many additional weak interactions work both in tandem and competitively to stabilize a given crystal structure. Due to a wide array of potential applications, a substantial effort has been invested in understanding the halogen bond. Here, we explore the utility of multinuclear (¹³C, ^14/15N, ¹⁹F, and ¹²⁷I) solid‐state magnetic resonance experiments in characterizing the electronic and structural changes which take place upon the formation of five halogen‐bonded co‐crystalline product materials. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) structures of three novel co‐crystals which exhibit a 1:1 stoichiometry between decamethonium diiodide (i.e., [(CH₃)₃N⁺(CH₂)₁₀N⁺(CH₃)₃][2 I^?]) and different para‐dihalogen‐substituted benzene moieties (i.e., p‐C₆X₂Y₄, X=Br, I; Y=H, F) are presented. ¹³C and ¹⁵N NMR experiments carried out on these and related systems validate sample purity, but also serve as indirect probes of the formation of a halogen bond in the co‐crystal complexes in the solid state. Long‐range changes in the electronic environment, which manifest through changes in the electric field gradient (EFG) tensor, are quantitatively measured using ¹⁴N NMR spectroscopy, with a systematic decrease in the ¹⁴N quadrupolar coupling constant (C_Q) observed upon halogen bond formation. Attempts at ¹²⁷I solid‐state NMR spectroscopy experiments are presented and variable‐temperature ¹⁹F NMR experiments are used to distinguish between dynamic and static disorder in selected product materials, which could not be conclusively established using solely XRD. Quantum chemical calculations using the gauge‐including projector augmented‐wave (GIPAW) or relativistic zeroth‐order regular approximation (ZORA) density functional theory (DFT) approaches complement the experimental NMR measurements and provide theoretical corroboration for the changes in NMR parameters observed upon the formation of a halogen bond.     

Highly Oxygenated Molecules from Atmospheric Autoxidation of Hydrocarbons: A Prominent Challenge for Chemical Kinetics Studies

Recent advances in chemical ionization mass spectrometry have allowed the detection of a new group of compounds termed highly oxygenated molecules (HOM). These are atmospheric oxidation products of volatile organic compounds (VOC) retaining most of their carbon backbone, and with O/C ratios around unity. Owing to their surprisingly high yields and low vapor pressures, the importance of HOM for aerosol formation has been easy to verify. However, the opposite can be said concerning the exact formation pathways of HOM from major aerosol precursor VOC. While the role of peroxy radical autoxidation, i.e., consecutive intramolecular H‐shifts followed by O₂ addition, has been recognized, the detailed formation mechanisms remain highly uncertain. A primary reason is that the autoxidation process occurs on sub‐second timescales and is extremely sensitive to environmental conditions like gas composition, temperature, and pressure. This, in turn, poses a great challenge for chemical kinetics studies to be able to mimic the relevant atmospheric reaction pathways, while simultaneously using conditions suitable for studying the short‐lived radical intermediates. In this perspective, we define six specific challenges for this community to directly observe the initial steps of atmospherically relevant autoxidation reactions and thereby facilitate vital improvements in the understanding of VOC degradation and organic aerosol formation.     

The influence of electronic modifications on rotational barriers of bis‐NHC‐complexes as observed by dynamic NMR spectroscopy

There has been much debate about the σ‐donor and π‐acceptor properties of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). While a lot of synthetic modifications have been performed with the goal of optimizing properties of the catalyst to tune reactivity in various transformations (e.g. metathesis), direct methods to characterize σ‐donor and π‐acceptor properties are still few. We believe that dynamic NMR spectroscopy can improve understanding of this aspect. Thus, we investigated the intramolecular dynamics of metathesis precatalysts bearing two NHCs. We chose four systems with one identical NHC ligand (N,N′‐Bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)‐imidazolinylidene (SIMes) in all four cases) and NHC_ewg ligands bearing four different electron‐withdrawing groups (ewg). Both rotational barriers of the respective Ru‐NHC‐bonds change significantly when the electron density of one of the NHCs (NHC_ewg) is modified. Although it is certainly not possible to fully dissect σ‐donor and π‐acceptor portions of the bonding situations in the respective Ru‐NHC‐bond via dynamic NMR spectroscopy, our studies nevertheless show that the analysis of the rotation around the Ru‐SIMes‐bond can be used as a spectroscopic parameter complementary to cyclic voltammetry. Surprisingly, we observed that the rotation around the Ru‐NHC_ewg‐bond shows the same trend as the initiation rate of a ring‐closing metathesis of the four investigated bis‐NHC‐complexes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of group II metal cations on catecholate oxidation.

The unexpected effects of Ca(2+) on the free-radical chain reactions of dopamine, norepinephrine, isoproterenol, and pyrocatechol oxidation are studied using oxygen consumption measurements, EPR-spectroscopy, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, and by potentiometric titration. It is found that the formation of Ca(2+)-catecholate complexes is accompanied by an increase in the dissociation constants (K(ai) ) of their phenolic hydroxyls. At pH>pK(ai) and in the presence of alkaline-earth metal cations, the rate of catecholate oxidation increases (Ca(2+), Mg(2+)> Sr(2+), Ba(2+)), whereas on addition of Zn ions the rate decreases. The effects of Group II metal cations on catecholate autoxidation are concomitant with a transient increase of the EPR signal for metal-semiquinonate complexes. Therefore, the effects of Ca(2+) and other alkaline-earth metal cations on catecholate autoxidation can be defined as 1) additional deprotonation of catechol OH-groups involved in the formation of M(2+)-catecholate complexes, the latter exceeding catechols in the susceptibility to dioxygen-induced oxidation and 2) formation of relatively stable free-radical intermediates responsible for chain propagation.     

Lewis Acid Mediated Tandem Reaction of Propargylic Alcohols to Tetrazoles Involving CO‐ and CC‐Bond Cleavage Reactions and a CN‐Bond Formation

A novel and direct synthesis of 1‐aryl‐5‐arylvinyl‐tetrazoles from easily prepared propargylic alcohols and TMSN₃ is developed in the presence of TMSCl under mild conditions (TMS=trimethylsilyl). The process involves an allenylazide intermediate, followed by a C?C‐bond cleavage and C?N‐bond formation to afford the desired products. Moreover, this method offers a good functional‐group applicability and can be scaled‐up to grams (yield up to 85 %).     

Catalytic Oxidative Deformylation of Polyethylene Glycols with the Participation of Molecular Oxygen

The kinetics of oxidation of diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and polyethylene glycols (PEGs) with molecular weights ranging from 400 to 2000 in the presence of Cu(II) ions and bases was studied. It was found that ethylene glycols can be oxidized by molecular oxygen in anhydrous media in a temperature range of 30–60°C at anomalouosly high rates which are higher than the rates of chain-radical PEG autoxidation by several orders of magnitude. Only terminal hydroxyl groups were subjected to oxidation. The reaction occurs with the cleavage of a C–C bond and results in the formation of formic acid and a PEG with the number of –(CH₂CH₂O)– groups lower than that in the parent compound by unity. The rate and selectivity of PEG oxidation were found to strongly depend on the molecular weight of the polymer; from diethylene glycol to PEG 2000, the specific rate of oxidation increased by a factor of 60 in terms of terminal hydroxyl groups. An oxidation mechanism was suggested, which involves the formation of ternary complexes [Cu²⁺···A^–···O₂], which undergo further degradation by a many-electron concerted mechanism to form formic acid and, probably, an unstable hemiacetal {RO–CH₂OH}. The rapid oxidative degradation of the latter leads to the formation of PEG with a lower molecular weight.     

Synthesis, Structure and Biological Activity of Zn（Ⅱ） Complex with Tris（benzimidazol-2-yl-methyl）amine Ligand

A new Zn(II) mononuclear complex with tris(benzimidazol‐2‐yl‐methyl)amine (NTB) was synthesized with stoichiometry of [Zn(NTB)NO₃]NO₃ · DIPY · DMF (DIPY : 4,4′‐dipyridyl). The complex was characterized by elemental analysis, UV and IR spectra. The crystal structure was determined by using X‐ray diffraction analysis. The crystal structure indicates that four N atoms and one O atom coordinate to zinc ion to construct a distorted trigonal‐dipyramid configuration. Three nonprotonated N atoms from imidazole groups are in the equatorial plane, one alkylamino N atom and one O atom from NO₃^?_‐ in the axial directions. The biological activity assay shows that this complex presents certain biological activity by means of pyrogallol autoxidation and it can be called a model compound of superoxide dismutase (SOD).     

Study of the effect of laser treatment on the initial oxidation behaviour of Al‐coated NiCrAlY bond‐coat

In this study, the initial oxidation behaviour of laser‐treated Al/NiCrAlY bond‐coat is investigated. Two approaches, (i) Al film sputtering on the surface of bond‐coat and (ii) laser treatment, have been taken to enhance the oxidation resistance of NiCrAlY bond‐coat. Experimental results showed that after laser treatment, the Al/NiCrAlY bond‐coat exhibited a columnar dendritic microstructure without cracks and voids. A dense and continuous α‐Al₂O₃/Cr₂O₃ multilayer was found to form on the bond‐coat surface. Results on the cyclic oxidation at 1200 °C (for time ≤ 204 h) revealed that the laser‐treated Al/NiCrAlY bond‐coat exhibited better oxidation resistance compared to as‐sprayed NiCrAlY, Al/NiCrAlY and laser‐remelted NiCrAlY bond‐coat. The formation of θ‐Al₂O₃, NiO, Cr₂O₃ and NiCr₂O₄ spinel oxides was observed to be suppressed due to the preformed α‐Al₂O₃ scale during initial oxidation on the surface of laser pre‐oxidized Al/NiCrAlY bond‐coat. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of MCM‐41‐Biurea‐Pd as a heterogeneous nanocatalyst and using its catalytic efficacy in C–C,C–N and C–O coupling reactions

MCM‐41‐Biurea‐Pd is introduced as a new, heterogeneous and reusable catalyst for C–C and C–heteroatom bond formation between various aryl halides, phenols and amines, in the presence of Ph₃SnCl (Stille reaction) in PEG‐400 as a green solvent at room temperature. The structure of the functionalized MCM‐41 was analysed using various techniques.