Density functional theoretical study of pKa of RCOOH (RH,CH3, and C2H5) using the combination of the extended clusters‐continuum model

The accurate pK_a determinations for three carboxylic acids have been investigated using the combination of the extended clusters‐continuum model at B3LYP/6‐31+g(d,p) and B3LYP/6‐311++g(d,p) levels. To take into account of the effect of the water combined with carboxylic acids in different positions, eleven molecular clusters were considered. Among these clusters, the one involving the carboxylic acid wrapped up with water molecules and saturated with hydrogen bonds (four hydrogen bonds around ? COOH) leads to the best B3LYP pK_a results compared to the experimental data. For those clusters saturated with hydrogen bonds, when n = 3 (the number of water molecules), the average absolute errors between the calculated pK_a results and experimental data of these three carboxylic acids were 0.19 (0.23) and 0.12 (0.22) pK_a at B3LYP/6‐31+g(d,p)//PCM (IEFPCM) and B3LYP/6‐311++g(d,p)//PCM (IEFPCM) levels, respectively; when n = 4, they are 0.53 (1.23) and 1.09 (1.03) pK_a, respectively. On the basis of the above results, the molecular cluster saturated with four hydrogen bonds formed by three waters and one carboxylic acid molecule was the chief existence in the carboxylic acid solution. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Carbon-13 spin–lattice relaxation in strongly associated molecules: Carboxylic acids

¹³C spin–lattice relaxation times determined for the protonated carbons of carboxylic acids and methyl esters give indications of solution dimerization with the free acids. Since isopthalic and fumaric acids have two carboxyl functions they are able to polymerize in solution. Unlike the case for molecular aggregation due to weak hydrogen bonding in solution (e.g. alcohols, phenols), the ¹³C T₁ values of mono carboxylic acids are not significantly affected by dilution to c. 10^?2 M. Variable temperature T₁ measurements of both the mono and dibasic acids gave activation energies for molecular reorientation of the order of 2 kcal mol^?1, considerably lower than E_a for hydrogen bonded alcohols and comparable with E_a for the unassociated methyl esters of propionic and benzoic acids.     

Metastable ion studies. XII—Molecular and fragment ion structures for isomeric C4H6O2 acids

Metastable peak characteristics, ionization and appearance energy data and isotopic labelling experiments have been applied to a study of the fragmentation behaviour of the molecular ions of the isomeric C₄H₆O₂C acids, cis and trans-crotonic acids, methacrylic acid, butenoic acid and cyclopropane carboxylic acid. Prior to the losses of H₂O and CH₃, all the metastable molecular ions rearrange to [cis-crotonic acid]⁺? ions. Loss of H₂O, which generates a composite metastable peak, is proposed to yield vinylketene and/or cyclobutenone molecular ions. Detailed mechanisms are presented for the isomerizations of the various molecular ions and for the above fragmentations. Ionized 3-butenoic and cyclopropane carboxylic acids display a major loss of CO from their metastable ions, a minor process in the other isomers. The metastable peaks consist of two components and these are ascribed to the formation of propen-1-ol and allyl alcohol as daughter ions. Some comparative data are presented for the isomeric C₅H₈O₂ acids, tiglic acid, angelic acid and senecioic acid.     

Phase transitions in molecular crystals of carboxylic acids

A comparative analysis of phase transitions in molecular crystals of carboxylic acids (n-alkano acids) with various chain lengths, (CH₃(CH₂) _n COOH) is performed with the use of DSC. A number of new effects related to first-order phase transitions are discovered. The temperature dependence of heat capacity is quantitatively analyzed in terms of the theory of blurred (Λ-shaped) phase transitions of the first order.     

Regularities in the Distribution of Substituted,Branched, and Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids Between Organic and Aqueous Phases

There is no linear correlation between the physicochemical characteristics of carboxylic acids, their pK _a in particular, and their distribution constants K _d in the diethyl ether-water system; a certain correlation with molar volume V _m was revealed. Better results were obtained with use of multiparameter equations including V _m, polarity, polarizability, and pK _a of the acids. For 14 branched and substituted carboxylic acids it was found that their distribution constants between organic and aqueous phases are described by linear multiparameter equations, polarity and basicity of the extractants being the determining factors. The coefficients of the polarity and basicity terms vary in parallel with the corresponding characteristics of the acids.     

Thermodynamic Estimate of pKa Values of the Carboxylic Acids in Aqueous Solution with the Density Functional Theory

The 96 pK_a values of 85 carboxylic acids in aqueous solution were calculated with the density functional theory method at the level of B3LYP/6‐31+G(d,p) and the polarizable continuum model (PCM) was used to describe the solvent. In the calculations of pK_a values, the dissociation Gibbs free energies were directly calculated using carboxylic acid dissociation reactions in aqueous solution, i. e., no thermodynamic cycle was employed, which is different from the previous literatures. A highly significant correlation of R²=0.95 with a standard deviation (SD) of 0.36 between the experimental pK_a values and the calculated dissociation Gibbs free energies [ΔG(calc.)] was found. The slope of pK_a vs. (G(calc.)/(20303RT) is only 47.6% of the theoretically expected value, which implies that the ΔG(calc.) value from the theoretical calculation is larger than the actual one for all 85 carboxylic acids studied. Thus, by adding the 0.476 scaling‐factor into the slope, we can derive a reliably procedure that can reproduce the experimental pK_a values of carboxylic acids. The pK_a values furnished by this procedure are in good agreement with the experimental results for carboxylic acids in aqueous solution.     

Study of the complexation of 5,17-bis-(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with pyridine carboxylic acids by RP HPLC and molecular modelling

Host–guest complexation process of 5,17-bis-(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with pyridine carboxylic acids by RP HPLC method (mobile phase – MeCN/H₂O, 86/14 by volume, LiChrosorb RP 18, UV detector, λ = 254 nm) had been studied. The binding constants and Gibbs free energies of the complexes 5,17-bis(N-tolyliminomethyl)-25,27-dipropoxycalix[4]arene with the pyridine carboxylic acids are within 584 to 1914 M^? 1 and ? 15.76 to ? 18.69 kJ/mol, respectively. It was shown by the molecular modelling that the complexes are stabilised by hydrogen bonds between carboxylic groups of the acids and nitrogen atoms of imino groups at the upper rim or oxygen atoms of the hydroxyl groups at the lower rim of the macrocycle. Linear dependence of the binding constants from the acid lipophilicity log P indicates the role of solvophobic interactions during the complexation process.     

N-Boc-Protected α-Amino Acids by 1,3-Migratory Nitrene C(sp3)−H Insertion

N-Boc-protected α-amino acids are synthesized in two steps from linear or branched carboxylic acid feedstocks. In the first step, the carboxylic acid is coupled with tert-butyl aminocarbonate (BocNHOH) to generate azanyl ester (acyloxycarbamate) RCO₂NHBoc. In the second step, this azanyl ester undergoes a stereocontrolled iron-catalyzed 1,3-nitrogen migration to generate the N-Boc-protected non-racemic α-amino acid. This straightforward protocol is applicable to the catalytic asymmetric synthesis of α-monosubstituted α-amino acids with aryl, alkenyl, and alkyl side chains. Furthermore, α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids are accessible in an enantioconvergent fashion from racemic carboxylic acids. The new method is also advantageous for the synthesis of α-deuterated α-amino acids. N-Boc-protected α-amino acids synthesized using this two-step protocol are ready-to-use building blocks.     

A colorimetric method for the determination of carboxylic acids

A new colorimetric method for the determination of carboxylic acids using bromocresol green reagent is established. The formed color follows Beer's Lambert law and is stable for 24 hr. The method is successfully applied for measuring the disappearance of volatile fatty acids in P. oxalicum culture media. The method is reproducable and is used also for the quantitative determination of carboxylic acids in Dowex 1-X8 eluates. A linear relationship between the pK₁ of different carboxylic acids and the calculated molar extinction coefficients of the color formed at 440 nm is demonstrated.     

New tools for analysing degradation

New tools for analysing degradability are presented. The degradation product patterns and morphology changes are proved to be means to differentiate on the one hand physical/chemical (abiotic) and on the other hand biological (biotic) ageing of polymers. In the biotic environment an assimilation of carboxylic acids occurs and a series of longer n-alkanes (C21–C26) is present. In the abiotic samples carboxylic acids are identified but no n-alkanes. This is in agreement with the biodegradation mechanism of LDPE proposed by us 1987. Morphology changes as manifested by crystallinity (w_c) and lamella thickness (l) revealed a slow decrease of w_c and (l) in biotically aged samples while the corresponding abiotically aged ones show constant or increasing values. Chromatography of low molecular weight compounds and x-ray diffraction analysis of crystallinity and lamellae thickness creates an opportunity for a deeper insight into the degradation mechanisms.     

POCl3 promoted metal-free synthesis of tertiary amides by coupling of carboxylic acids and N,N-disubstituted formamides

Herein we report a robust and synthetically useful catalyst-free amination methodology by the coupling of carboxylic acids and N-substituted formamides using POCl₃ as a promoter. Versatile amides with a wide array of substituent groups were prepared within only 1?h in good to excellent yields. And even multi-substituted aromatic carboxylic acids could give the desired products with satisfactory results.     

A Short Synthesis of Allene- and [3] Cumulenecarboxylates

It is shown that carboxylic acids, in the presence of Bu₃N and 2-chloro-1-methylpyridinium iodide in toluene or CH₂Cl₂, react with [(alkoxycarbonyl)methylidene]phosphoranes to yield the corresponding esters of allene carboxylic acids (ef. Scheme 1 and Table 1). This procedure can also be applied to cinnamic acids which form [3]cumulenecarboxylates in low yield (Table 3). Under the same conditions 4-methyl-2-pentynoic acid can be transformed into (2E)-4-chloro-2,6-dimethylhepta-2,4,5-trienoate (Scheme 4).     

Metal-catalysed organic transformations in water: From bromination to polymerisation

Reaction ofα,Β-unsaturated aromatic carboxylic acids with KBr and H₂O₂ in the presence of Na₂MoO₄·2H₂O in aqueous medium affordsΒ-bromo alkenes in high yields. Metallocene dichlorides, Cp₂MCl₂ (M = Ti, Zr, or V) catalyse polymerisation of olefins in aqueous medium to afford high molecular weight polymers with low molecular weight distribution.     

Difference between Extra‐ and Intracellular T1 Values of Carboxylic Acids Affects the Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Kinetics by Hyperpolarized NMR

Incomplete knowledge of the longitudinal relaxation time constant (T₁) leads to incorrect assumptions in quantitative kinetic models of cellular systems, studied by hyperpolarized real‐time NMR. Using an assay that measures the intracellular signal of small carboxylic acids in living cells, the intracellular T₁ of the carboxylic acid moiety of acetate, keto‐isocaproate, pyruvate, and butyrate was determined. The intracellular T₁ is shown to be up to four‐fold shorter than the extracellular T₁. Such a large difference in T₁ values between the inside and the outside of the cell has significant influence on the quantification of intracellular metabolic activity. It is expected that the significantly shorter T₁ value of the carboxylic moieties inside cells is a result of macromolecular crowding. An artificial cytosol has been prepared and applied to predict the T₁ of other carboxylic acids. We demonstrate the value of this prediction tool.     

Photodegradation of aramids. II. Irradiation in air

A series of isomeric fully aromatic polyamides (aramids) were photodegraded in the presence of oxygen. Films and fibers of these aramids gave carboxylic acids as the major products when measured by infrared spectroscopy and potentiometric titration. These acids probably resulted from the oxygen interception of the radicals generated by photocleavage of the amide bonds. In contrast to results found upon irradiation in the absence of oxygen, carboxylic acid formation was accompanied by a rapid loss in molecular weight, and a decrease in useful mechanical properties. Quantum yields for carboxylic acid formation were ≤5.5 × 10^?5 mole/einstein and decreased along the aramid series roughly in agreement with increases in T_g. The photo-Fries rearrangement product was observed in aramid fibers irradiated in air, whereas no rearrangement product was seen in films irradiated in air.     

Viscoelastic properties of supramolecular soft materials with transient polymer network

A series of supramolecular soft materials with hydrogen bonded transient networks was prepared by blending carboxy‐terminated telechelic poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA‐(COOH)₂) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). Effects of PEA‐(COOH)₂ molecular weight (M_PEA) and the blend ratio on the viscoelastic properties were investigated by rheological and small angle X‐ray scattering measurements. Rubbery plateau appeared by adding PEI due to network formation with ionic hydrogen bonded crosslinks between amines on PEI and carboxylic acids on PEA‐(COOH)₂. The highest temperature of a storage modulus‐loss modulus crossover as well as the highest flow activation energy was attained at a certain mole ratio of amines to carboxylic acids, irrelevant to M_PEA, indicating optimized supramolecular networks were achieved by stoichiometric balance of two functional groups. Since telechelic PEA‐(COOH)₂ serves as a network strand, the plateau modulus was inversely proportional to M_PEA, which was consistent with the correlation length between crosslinks estimated by X‐ray scattering measurements. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 755–764     

Hydrocarbomethoxylation of C5-C9 olefins with formic acid and methanol under conditions of catalysis with phosphoric acid

Conclusions The methyl esters of branched carboxylic acids containing quaternary and tertiary C atoms in the-position, together with a small amount of the corresponding carboxylic acids, are formed during the hydrocarbomethoxylation of the straight-chain C₅-C₉ olefins at atmospheric pressure in the presence of concentrated H₃PO₄.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 454–456, February, 1973.     

Incorporating solvation effects into density functional theory: Calculation of absolute acidities

An approach to the calculation of molecular electronic structures, solvation energies, and pK_a values in condensed phases is described. The electronic structure of the solute is described by density functional quantum mechanics, and electrostatic features of environmental effects are modeled through external charge distributions and continuum dielectrics. The reaction potential produced by a mode of the molecular charge distribution is computed via finite-difference solutions to the Poisson-Boltzmann equation and incorporated into the self-consistent field procedure. Here we report results on three sets of organic acids, whose pK_a values range over 16 pH units. The first set provides models for ionizable side chains in proteins; the second set considers the effects of substituting one to three chlorine atoms for hydrogens in acetic acid; and the final set consists of 4-substituted-bicyclo-[2.2.2]-octanecarboxylic acids. Successful prediction of “absolute” pK_a values places stringent requirements on the computation of gas-phase proton affinities and on the response to solvation. In some cases the current model shows substantial errors, but overall the results and trends are in good agreement with experiment. Prospects for extending this approach to more complex systems such as proteins are briefly discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Estimation of pKa for organic oxyacids using calculated atomic charges

A method for the estimation of pK_a from empirically calculated atomic charges has been developed and tested on a diverse set of organic oxyacids. The approach involves a comparison of the atomic charges calculated for both the acid and the negative ion that is formed after loss of the acidic proton. These charges have been used in conjunction with the familiar concepts of induction and resonance to develop an accurate formula to predict pK_a. Results for a set of 135 compounds, including alcohols, phenols, and carboxylic acids, yielded a fit of pK_a with r = 0.993 and an rms error of 0.455. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Redox‐Active Esters with Boronic Acids

A transformation analogous in simplicity and functional group tolerance to the venerable Suzuki cross‐coupling between alkyl‐carboxylic acids and boronic acids is described. This Ni‐catalyzed reaction relies upon the activation of alkyl carboxylic acids as their redox‐active ester derivatives, specifically N‐hydroxy‐tetrachlorophthalimide (TCNHPI), and proceeds in a practical and scalable fashion. The inexpensive nature of the reaction components (NiCl₂?6 H₂O—$9.5 mol^?1, Et₃N) coupled to the virtually unlimited commercial catalog of available starting materials bodes well for its rapid adoption.