Theoretical predictions of chemical degradation reaction mechanisms of RDX and other cyclic nitramines derived from their molecular structures

Analysis of environmental degradation pathways of contaminants is aided by predictions of likely reaction mechanisms and intermediate products derived from computational models of molecular structure. Quantum mechanical methods and force-field molecular mechanics were used to characterize cyclic nitramines. Likely degradation mechanisms for hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) include hydroxylation utilizing addition of hydroxide ions to initiate proton abstraction via 2nd order rate elimination (E2) or via nucleophilic substitution of nitro groups, reductive chemical and biochemical degradation, and free radical oxidation. Due to structural similarities, it is predicted that, under homologous circumstances, certain RDX environmental degradation pathways should also be effective for octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and similar cyclic nitramines. Computational models provided a theoretical framework whereby likely transformation mechanisms and transformation products of cyclic nitramines were predicted and used to elucidate in situ degradation pathways.     

Pump-probe spectroscopy and circular dichroism of nanocrystalline benzophenone--towards absolute kinetic measurements in solid state photochemical reactions

Nanocrystals suspended in water can be used to record steady state and pump-probe absorption spectra, which should be useful for the study of excited states and reactive intermediates in the solid state.     

On the role of free volume in pick-off annihilation and positronium chemical reactions

Free volume effects are important for positronium formation, pick-off annihilation and chemical reactions. The relation between the long-lived component intensity and the number of defects is considered for the case of selective localization of positrons and positronium in ordered and disordered sites of plymers. Positronium lifetimes for the large pores (r1 nm) are discussed. In positronium chemical reactions recent results show crucial role of the bubble parameters in liquids.     

Genesis of coordinatively unsaturated palladium complexes dissolved from solid precursors during Heck coupling reactions and their role as catalytically active species

The Forum Article critically summarizes investigations and discussions on the nature and role of potential active species in C-C coupling reactions of the Heck type using catalyst systems with "ligand-free" inorganic salts, simple inorganic complexes, and supported and nonsupported (colloidal) Pd particles. From a series of experiments and reports, it can be concluded that the "active species" is generated in situ in catalytic systems at higher temperature conditions (>100 degrees C). In all heterogeneous systems with solid Pd catalysts, Pd is dissolved from the solid catalyst surface under reaction conditions by a chemical reaction (complex formation and/or oxidative addition of the aryl halide), forming extremely active coordinatively unsaturated Pd species. Pd is partially or completely redeposited onto the support at the end of the reaction when the aryl halide is used up. The Pd dissolution-redeposition processes correlate with the reaction rate and are strongly influenced by the reaction conditions. Skilled preparation of the catalyst and careful adjustment of the reaction conditions allowed the development of highly active heterogeneous catalysts (Pd/C, Pd/metal oxide, and Pd/zeolite), converting aryl bromides and aryl chlorides in high yields and short reaction times. Reaction conditions have been developed allowing the conversion of bromobenzene with turnover numbers (TONs) of 10(7) and even of unreactive aryl chlorides (chlorobenzene and chlorotoluene) in high yields with simple "ligand-free" Pd catalyst systems like PdCl2 or Pd(OH)2 in the absence of any organic ligand. Simple coordinatively unsaturated anionic palladium halide (in particular, bromo) complexes [PdXn](m-) play a crucial role as precursor and active species in all ligand-free and heterogeneous catalyst systems and possibly in Heck reactions at all.     

Synthesis and characterization of bidentate NHC-Pd complexes and their role in amination reactions

The new well-defined and air-stable ortho-xylyl-linked N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) Pd complexes (2a-d) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The palladium atom in the complex 2a lies on a crystallographic mirror plane and can be described as having a square-planar coordination environment with the carbene atoms of the benzimidazole rings of the ligand occupying two coordination sites in cis positions. Two further coordination sites are occupied by chloride ligands. The benzimidazole rings are connected to each other by an ortho-xylyl bridge. The catalytic activity of these palladium complexes has been tested in the coupling reactions of various N-containing substrates with bromobenzene. A preliminary catalytic study shows that the bis(NHC)-Pd complexes are highly active in the Buchwald-Hartwig amination reaction.     

Derivatisation reactions in the chromatographic analysis of chemical warfare agents and their degradation products

The analysis of chemical warfare agents and their degradation products is an important component of verification of compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. Gas and liquid chromatography, particularly combined with mass spectrometry, are the major techniques used to detect and identify chemicals of concern to the Convention. The more polar analytes, and some of the more reactive or highly volatile agents, are usually derivatised to facilitate chromatography, and to impart properties beneficial for detection. This review focuses on derivatisation reactions used in the chromatographic analysis of chemical warfare agents, their degradation products and metabolites.     

Surface active properties of polyoxyethylene macromonomers and their role in radical polymerization in disperse systems

Conventional dispersion polymerization and copolymerization of low-molecular weight (conventional) unsaturated monomers allows preparation of monodisperse and micronsize polymer particles. A similar behavior can be found in the surfactant-free dispersion polymerization of non-traditional vinyl monomers, unsaturated macromonomers. The latter systems allow preparation of random, comb-like, star-like and graft copolymers as well. An interesting alternative arises with the use of amphiphilic reactive macromonomers that contain a polymerizable group and aggregate into an organized structure -- a micelle. Under such conditions the high rate of polymerization and ultrafine (microparticles) polymer dispersions are generated. Thus, the surface-active macromonomers promote the formation of micelles and polymer growth within the main reaction loci -- polymer particles. Furthermore, the surface-active compounds can be formed during the copolymerization of hydrophilic macromonomer and hydrophobic low-molecular weight comonomer. The reactive surface-active oligomeric radicals are incorporated into the polymer matrix or the particle surface layer, which prevents them from subsequent migration. Besides, the covalently bound surface-active groups at the particle surface strongly increase the colloidal stability of final polymer dispersion. This article presents a review of the current literature in the field of the surfactant-free dispersion polymerization of the polyoxyethylene unsaturated macromonomers. Besides a short introduction into some kinetic aspects of radical polymerization of traditional monomers in homogeneous and disperse systems, we mainly focus on the organized aggregation of amphiphilic polyoxyethylene macromonomers, the characterization of amphiphilic graft copolymers and their aggregation properties, and radical copolymerization of polyoxyethylene macromonomers. We discuss the birth and growth of chains, the transfer of reaction loci from the continuous phase to polymer particles, the diffusion-controlled termination, association of amphiphilic reaction by-products, the particle growth by agglomeration, the particle nucleation, the deactivation of polymer chain growth and the colloidal stability. Effects of initiator type and concentration, the surface activity of macromonomer, the macromonomer type and concentration, temperature, additives and the type of continuous phase on the kinetics of polymerization, and colloidal parameters of the reaction system are also evaluated. Variation of the polymer coil density, the polymer-polymer interaction, and polymer-solvent interaction with the molecular weight, diluent and method (light scattering, the size exclusion, etc.) are discussed. Polymerization of macromonomers provides regularly branched polymers with varied branching density. Since both the degree of polymerization and the length of branches may be varied, polymeric materials with specific properties can be prepared.     

Molecular structure, vibrational spectra, quantum chemical calculations and photochemistry of picolinamide and isonicotinamide isolated in cryogenic inert matrixes and in the neat low-temperature solid phases

Picolinamide (PA) and isonicotinamide (INA), two structural isomers of pyridinecarboxamide, have been investigated by matrix isolation and low-temperature solid-state infrared spectroscopy, combined with UV (lambda > 235 nm) photoexcitation and density functional theory and ab initio (MP2) theoretical studies. In consonance with the theoretical data, both PA and INA were found to exist in a single conformation in cryogenic rare gas matrixes. Comparison between the experimental spectra of the matrix-isolated compounds with those theoretically predicted allowed for full assignment of the experimental spectra. In situ UV (lambda > 235 nm) irradiation of the matrixes showed that only PA reacts, with production of isocyanic acid and pyridine, the first photoproduct further reacting to yield CO + NH and cyanic acid. The different photochemical behavior of the two compounds was explained taking into consideration their different structures. The infrared spectra of (i) the low-temperature glassy state resulting from fast deposition of vapors of the compounds onto a substrate cooled to 10 K, (ii) the crystal resulting from the annealed amorphous film of the compound, and (iii) the room-temperature crystals (alpha-phase) of the studied compounds were also obtained, fully assigned and correlated with intermolecular interactions present in the condensed phases, in particular H-bond interactions, showing that these latter are stronger in INA than in PA.     

Single-crystal-to-single-crystal structural transformations of two sandwich-like Cu(ii) pyrazolate complexes and their excellent catalytic performances in MMA polymerization

Reactions of Cu(OAc)(2)·H(2)O with dmnpzH in EtOH produce a heptanuclear copper(ii) pyrazolate complex [Cu(7)(OH)(2)(OAc)(6)(dmnpz)(6)(EtOH)(6)], which is able to undergo a SCSC structural transformation from a lower symmetry structure to a higher symmetry structure via replacement of ligated-EtOH molecules with MeOH; both complexes along with the solvent-free species exhibit high catalytic activity in the polymerization of MMA.     

A critical analysis of electrospray techniques for the determination of accelerated rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions in droplets

Electrospray and Electrosonic Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS and ESSI-MS) have been widely used to report evidence that many chemical reactions in micro- and nano-droplets are dramatically accelerated by factors of ∼10² to 10⁶ relative to macroscale bulk solutions. Despite electrospray''s relative simplicity to both generate and detect reaction products in charged droplets using mass spectrometry, substantial complexity exists in how the electrospray process itself impacts the interpretation of the mechanism of these observed accelerated rates. ESI and ESSI are both coupled multi-phase processes, in which analytes in small charged droplets are transferred and detected as gas-phase ions with a mass spectrometer. As such, quantitative examination is needed to evaluate the impact of multiple experimental factors on the magnitude and mechanisms of reaction acceleration. These include: (1) evaporative concentration of reactants as a function of droplet size and initial concentration, (2) competition from gas-phase chemistry and reactions on experimental surfaces, (3) differences in ionization efficiency and ion transmission and (4) droplet charge. We examine (1–4) using numerical models, new ESI/ESSI-MS experimental data, and prior literature to assess the limitations of these approaches and the experimental best practices required to robustly interpret acceleration factors in micro- and nano-droplets produced by ESI and ESSI.

The application of Electrospray and Electrosonic Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS and ESSI-MS) to study accelerated reaction kinetics in droplets is examined using numerical models, new experimental data, and prior literature.     

Synthesis of ether‐linked bisoxazolines and their use in step‐growth polymerization reactions with phenolics

Six new ether‐linked bisoxazolines have been synthesized via reaction of p‐hydroxyphenyl‐2‐oxazoline with dihalides. These bisoxazolines may be used as chain extenders or crosslinkers for resins, monomers or polymers containing various acidic groups, including phenolics, via step‐growth (1 : 1) reactions. As an illustration, a phenol‐formaldehyde polycondensate (Alnovol) and an enzyme oligomerized bisphenol A resin, as well as poly (p‐hydroxystyrene), was chain extended and crosslinked to produce thermosets with high glass transition temperatures. The new bisoxazolines were also polymerized with diphenol compounds, such as diphone D and bisphenol P to generate linear or branched oligomers and polymers. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to evaluate the potential for polymerization and crosslinking reactions. Preliminary results showed that the new, ether‐linked bisoxazolines have potential for formulating high performance thermosets. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ESR and quantum chemical studies of the structures and thermal transformations of the radical cations of vinylcyclopropane in irradiated frozen Freon matrices. Simulation of radical processes in solids

Thermal transformations of vinylcyclopropane radical cations (VCP^.+) in X-ray-irradiated frozen Freon matrices (CFCl₂CF₂Cl and CFCl₃) were studied by ESR; radical processes involving VCP^.+ in solid VCP were simulated.Gauche- andanti-VCP ^.+ were found to be the primary radical cations, however, the former, unlike the latter, is stable only under gas-phase conditions. The thermodynamic equilibrium betweenanti-VCP^.+ and its less stable distonic form,dist(90,0)-C ₅H₈ ^.+, is established in frozen Freon matrices and the VCP host matrix; the structure of dist(90,0)****-C ₅H₈ ^.+ is stabilized by a molecule ofanti-VCP. In CFC₃, along with dist(90,0)-C₅H₈ ^.+,-dimeric resonance [anti-VCP]₂ ^.+ complex was detected. A general scheme of the transformations of VCP^.+ in the solid phase has been proposed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 11–21, January, 1994.     

Tunneling transfer of atomic particles in chemical and biological reactions: The role of intermolecular vibrations and media reorganization

Various types of chemical and biological tunneling reactions in a condensed phase are discussed. The analytical expressions for the rate constants in different temperature ranges are given. Experimental data on such low-temperature processes as hydrogen transfer from a molecule to a radical between two molecules and intramolecular transformations are considered. Data on the kinetic isotope effect upon the transfer of atomic particles in the solid phase and biological liquids are presented. The effect pressure has on different tunneling reactions is also considered; where possible, experimental results are compared with theory.     

Complexes of copper with 14–18-membered macrocyclic tetraaza ligands and their participation in oscillating chemical reactions

A number of copper complexes have been synthesized with 14–18-membered tetraaza macrocyclic ligands having six methyl groups and two double bonds located in the cis position relative to the metal ion. These compounds have been investigated by means of ESR spectrometry and electronic and IR spectroscopy. It has been shown that the size of the macroring does not have any great influence on the magnitudes of the spectral parameters. It has been found that these copper complexes can be oxidized by potassium bromate in an oscillatory regime.Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 59–64, January–February, 1986.     

Bis(alkoxycarbonyl) complexes of platinum: preparation,reactivity and their role in carbonylation reactions

bis(alkoxycarbonyl) complexes of platinum of the type [Pt(COOR)₂L] [L = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp), l,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb), 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) or 1,2-bis-(diphenylphosphino)benzene (dpb); R = CH₃, C₆H₅ or C₂H₅] were obtained by reaction of [PtCl₂L] with carbon monoxide and alkoxides. Palladium and nickel complexes gave only carbonyl complexes of the type [M(CO)L] or [M(CO)₂L]. The new complexes were characterized by chemical and spectroscopic means. The X-ray structure of [Pt(COOCH₃)₂(dppf] · CH₃OH is also reported. The reactivity of some alkoxycarbonyl complexes was also investigated.     

Effective way of modeling chemical catalysis: Empirical valence bond picture of role of solvent and catalyst in alkylation reactions

A general methodology for the study of chemical catalysis is presented and demonstrated in a study of Friedel–Crafts‐type alkylation reactions that are constrained to collinear configurations. Ab initio potential energy surfaces in solution and relevant experimental results are used to calibrate general empirical valence bond (EVB) potential surfaces for studies of such reactions. The EVB surfaces allow one to interpolate the ab initio results to studies of the effect of different solvents, substituents, and catalysts on the alkylation reactions. This implicit approach introduces such effects by shifting the diagonal energies of the corresponding resonance structures. Such an EVB/shift approach appears valuable for assessing the effects of different catalysts and solvents on complex chemical reactions. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 21: 607–625, 2000