Self‐association,tautomerism and E–Z isomerization of isatin–phenylsemicarbazones – spectral study and theoretical calculations

The self‐association and tautomerism of (E)‐isatin‐3‐4‐phenyl(semicarbazone) Ia and (E)‐N‐methylisatin‐3‐4‐phenyl(semicarbazone) IIa were investigated in solvents of various polarity. In weakly interacting non‐polar solvents, such as CHCl₃ and benzene, phenylsemicarbazone concentrations above 1×10^?5 mol dm^?3 result in the formation of dimers or higher aggregates of E‐isomers Ia and IIa . This aggregate formation prevents room temperature E–Z isomerization of Ia and IIa to more stable Z‐isomers. In contrast to the situation in non‐polar solvents, E–Z isomerization from the monomeric form of phenylsemicarbazone Ia and IIa E‐isomers occurs in highly interactive polar solvents including MeOH and DMF only at temperatures above 70 °C. Moreover, decrease in phenylsemicarbazone concentration below 1×10^?4 mol dm^?3 in these highly solute–solvent interacting systems leads to aggregate dissociation, and a new hydrazonol tautomeric form with a high degree of conjugation predominates in these solutions. Theoretical calculations confirm obtained experimental results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hartree–Fock and density functional theory study of remote substituent effects on heterolytic Fe–N bond energies of p‐G‐C6H4NHFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and p‐G‐C6H4N(COMe)Fe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5)

The nature and strength of metal–ligand bonds in organotransition‐metal complexes are crucial to the understanding of organometallic reactions and catalysis. Quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory have been used to investigate heterolytic Fe–N bond energies of para‐substituted anilinyldicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)iron [p‐G‐C₆H₄NH(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂, abbreviated as p‐G‐C₆H₄NHFp (1), where G = NO₂, CN, COMe, CO₂Me, CF₃, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO, and NMe₂] and para‐substituted α‐acetylanilinyldicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)iron [p‐G‐C₆H₄N(COMe)(η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂, abbreviated as p‐G‐C₆H₄N(COMe)Fp (2)] complexes. The results show that BP86 and TPSSTPSS can provide the best price/performance ratio and more accurate predictions in the study of ΔH_het(Fe–N)'s. The linear correlations [r = 0.98 (g, 1a), 0.93 (g, 2b)] between the substituent effects of heterolytic Fe–N bond energies [ΔΔH_het(Fe–N)'s] of series 1 and 2 and the differences of acidic dissociation constants (ΔpK_a) of N–H bonds of p‐G‐C₆H₄NH₂ and p‐G‐C₆H₄NH(COMe) imply that the governing structural factors for these bond scissions are similar. And the linear correlations [r = ?0.99 (g, 1c), ?0.92 (g, 2d)] between ΔΔH_het(Fe–N)'s and the substituent σ_p^? constants show that these correlations are in accordance with Hammett linear free energy relationships. The polar effects of these substituents and the basis set effects influence the accuracy of ΔH_het(Fe–N)'s. ΔΔH_het(Fe–N)'s(1, 2) follow the captodative principle. ME_{α‐COMe, para‐G}s include the influences of the whole molecules. The correlation of ME_{α‐COMe, para‐G}s with σ_p^? is excellent. ME_{α‐COMe, para‐G}s rather than ΔΔH_het(Fe–N)'s in series 2 are more suitable indexes for the overall substituent effects on ΔH_het(Fe–N)'s(2). Insight from this work may help the design of more effective catalytic processes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational analysis of 3,3‐dimethyl‐3‐silathiane, 2,3,3‐trimethyl‐3‐silathiane and 2‐trimethylsilyl‐3,3‐dimethyl‐3‐silathiane—preferred conformers,barriers to ring inversion and substituent effects

The first conformational analysis of 3‐silathiane and its C‐substituted derivatives, namely, 3,3‐dimethyl‐3‐silathiane 1 , 2,3,3‐trimethyl‐3‐silathiane 2 , and 2‐trimethylsilyl‐3,3‐dimethyl‐3‐silathiane 3 was performed by using dynamic NMR spectroscopy and B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) quantum chemical calculations. From coalescence temperatures, ring inversion barriers ΔG^≠ for 1 and 2 were estimated to be 6.3 and 6.8 kcal/mol, respectively. These values are considerably lower than that of thiacyclohexane (9.4 kcal/mol) but slightly higher than the one of 1,1‐dimethylsilacyclohexane (5.5 kcal/mol). The conformational free energy for the methyl group in 2 (?ΔG° = 0.35 kcal/mol) derived from low‐temperature ¹³C NMR data is fairly consistent with the calculated value. For compound 2 , theoretical calculations give ΔE value close to zero for the equilibrium between the 2 ‐Me_ax and 2 ‐Me_eq conformers. The calculated equatorial preference of the trimethylsilyl group in 3 is much more pronounced (?ΔG° = 1.8 kcal/mol) and the predominance of the 3 ‐SiMe_{3 eq} conformer at room temperature was confirmed by the simulated ¹H NMR and 2D NOESY spectra. The effect of the 2‐substituent on the structural parameters of 2 and 3 is discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Gas‐phase Acidities of 2‐Aryl‐2‐chloro‐1,1,1‐trifluoroethanes and Related Compounds. Experimental and Computational Studies

The gas‐phase acidities (GA) of 2‐aryl‐2‐chloro‐1,1,1‐trifluoroethanes ( 1a ), 2‐aryl‐2‐fluoro‐1,1,1‐trifluoroethanes ( 2a ), and related compounds, XC₆H₄CH(Z)R where Z = Cl ( 1 ) or F ( 2 ) and R = C₂F₅ ( b ), t‐C₄F₉ ( c ), C(CF₃)₂C₂F₅ ( d ), C(CF₃)₂Me ( e ), Me ( f ), H ( g ), were investigated experimentally and computationally. On the basis of an excellent linear correlation (R² > 0.99) of acidities of 1c , 1d , 1e , 1f and 2c , 2d , 2e , 2f where there is no fluorine atom at β‐position to the deprotonation site with the corrected number of fluorine atoms contained in the fluorinated alkyl group, the extent of β‐fluorine negative hyperconjugation of the CF₃ and C₂F₅ groups (ΔG^o_β‐F) was evaluated. The GA_el values given by subtraction ΔG^o_β‐F from the apparent GA value were considered to represent the electronic effect of the substituent X. The substituent effects on the GA_el values and GA values for 1c , 1d , 1e , 1f and 2c , 2d , 2e , 2f were successfully analyzed in terms of the Yukawa–Tsuno equation. The variation of resonance demand parameter r^? with the R group observed for various XC₆H₄CH(Z)R was linearly related to the GA (GA_el) value of the respective phenyl‐substituted fluorinated alkanes. On the other hand, the corresponding correlation for the ρ values provided three lines for ArCH(Cl)R, ArCH(F)R and ArCH₂R, respectively. These results supported our previous conclusion that the r^? and ρ values are governed by the thermodynamic stability of the parent ion (ring substituent = H). Other factors arising from an atom bonded to the acidic center also influence the ρ value. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Substituent effects on acidity of aryl‐substituted fluoroalkanes: a computational study

The gas‐phase acidities (GA) of various aryl‐substituted fluoroalkanes, XC₆H₄CH(R¹)R², were calculated at the B3LYP/6‐311 + G(d,p)//B3LYP/6‐311 + G(d,p). The acidity values of alkanes having a common substituent X varied significantly with the change of R¹ and R². Their changes in acidity of 1 and 2 having two strong electron‐withdrawing groups (CF₃ or C₂F₅) at the deprotonation site and 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 having no fluorine atom at β‐position were linearly correlated with the corrected number of fluorine atoms contained in the fluorinated alkyl group (R² > 0.999). On the other hand, the GA values of β‐fluorine substituted alkanes ( 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ) deviated in a stronger acid direction from the line. The enhanced acidity was attributed to the additional stabilization of the conjugate anion caused by the β‐fluorine negative hyperconjugation. The magnitude of β‐fluorine negative hyperconjugation of the fluorinated alkyl group (ΔG^o_β‐F) given by the deviations from the line decreased with increasing electron‐withdrawing ability of substituent X on the benzene ring, indicating that β‐fluorine negative hyperconjugation competes with the electronic effect of the substituent X. The GA_el values obtained by subtraction ΔG^o_β‐F from the apparent GA value were successfully correlated in terms of the Yukawa–Tsuno equation. The obtained ρ_el and r^?_el values were linearly related to the GA_el value of the respective phenyl‐substituted fluoroalkanes, supporting our previous conclusion that the ρ and r^? values for the substituent effect caused by the electronic effects of the substituent on the acidity are determined by the thermodynamic stability of the parent ion (ring substituent = H). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hartree–Fock and density functional theory study of remote substituent effects on heterolytic Fe―C bond energies of p‐G‐C6H4CH2Fe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and p‐G‐C6H4(H)(CN)CFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5)

Knowledge of the strength of the metal–ligand bond breaking and formation is fundamental for an understanding of the thermodynamics underlying many important stoichiometric and catalytic organometallic reactions. Quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory have been used to investigate heterolytic Fe―C bond energies of para‐substituted benzyldicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)iron, p‐G‐C₆H₄CH₂Fp [1, G = NO₂, CN, COMe, CO₂Me, CF₃, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO, NMe₂; Fp = (η⁵‐C₅H₅)(CO)₂Fe], and para‐substituted α‐cyanobenzyldicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)iron, p‐G‐PANFp [2, PAN = C₆H₄CH(CN)]. The results show that BP86 and TPSSTPSS can provide the best price/performance ratio and more accurate predictions in the study of ΔH_het(Fe―C)'s. The good linear correlations [r = 0.98 (g, 1a), 0.99 (g, 2b)] between the substituent effects of heterolytic Fe―C bond energies [ΔΔH_het(Fe―C)'s] of series 1 and 2 and the differences of acidic dissociation constants (ΔpK_a) of C―H bonds of p‐G‐C₆H₄CH₃ and p‐G‐C₆H₄CH₂CN imply that the governing structural factors for these bond scissions are similar. And the excellent linear correlations [r = ?1.00 (g, 1c), ?0.99 (g, 2d)] between ΔΔH_het(Fe―C)'s and the substituent σ_p^? constants show that these correlations are in accordance with Hammett linear free energy relationships. The polar effects of these substituents and the basis set effects influence the accuracy of ΔH_het(Fe―C)'s. ΔΔH_het(Fe―C)'s(1, 2) follow the Capto‐dative Principle. The detailed knowledge of the factors that determine the Fp―C bond strengths would greatly aid in understanding reactivity patterns in many processes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Remote substituent effects on homolytic Fe‐N bond energies of p‐G‐C6H4NHFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and p‐G‐C6H4(COMe)NFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) studied using Hartree–Fock and density functional theory methods

The nature and strength of metal–ligand bonds in organotransition–metal complexes is crucial to the understanding of organometallic reactions and catalysis. The Fe‐N homolytic bond dissociation energies [ΔH_homo(Fe‐N)′s] of two series of para‐substituted Fp anilines p‐G‐C₆H₄NHFp [1] and p‐G‐C₆H₄N(COMe)Fp [2] were studied using the Hartree–Fock (HF) and the density functional theory methods with large basis sets. In this study, Fp is (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂ and G are NO₂, CN, COMe, CO₂Me, CF₃, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO and NMe₂. The results show that BP86 and TPSSTPSS can provide the best price/performance ratio and accurate predictions of ΔH_homo(Fe‐N)′s. B3LYP can also satisfactorily predict the α and remote substituent effects on ΔH_homo(Fe‐N)′s [ΔΔH_homo(Fe‐N)′s]. The good correlations [r = 0.96 (g, 1), 0.99(g, 2)] of ΔΔH_homo(Fe‐N)′s in series 1 and 2 with the substituent σ_p⁺ constants imply that the para‐substituent effects on ΔH_homo(Fe‐N)′s originate mainly from polar effects, but those on radical stability originate from both spin delocalization and polar effects. ΔΔH_homo(Fe‐N)′s(1,2) conform to the captodative principle. Insight from this work may help the design of more effective catalytic processes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Conformational analysis of 4,4‐dimethyl‐1‐(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)‐1,4‐azasilinane and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)‐1,4,2,6‐oxazadisilinane

4,4‐Dimethyl‐1‐(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)‐1,4‐azasilinane 1 and 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐4‐(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)‐1,4,2,6‐oxazadisilinane 2 were studied by variable temperature dynamic ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations at the DFT (density functional theory) and MP2 (Møller‐Plesset 2) levels of theory. Both kinetic (barriers to ring inversion) and thermodynamic data (frozen conformational equilibria) could be obtained for the two compounds. The computations revealed two minima on the potential energy surface for molecules 1 and 2 corresponding to the rotamers with the CF₃SO₂ group directed ‘inward’ and ‘outward’ the ring, the latter being 0.2–0.4 kcal/mol (for 1 ) and 1.1 kcal/mol (for 2 ) more stable than the former. The vibrational calculations at the DFT and MP2 levels of theory give the values of the free energy difference ΔG^o for the ‘inward’ ‘outward’ equilibrium consistent with those determined from the experimentally measured ratio of the rotamers. The structure of crystalline compound 2 was ascertained by X‐ray diffraction analysis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Substituent effects on gas‐phase homolytic Fe–N bond energies of m‐G‐C6H4NHFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and m‐G‐C6H4N(COMe)Fe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) studied using density functional theory methods

One of the most fundamental properties in chemistry is the bond dissociation energy, the energy required to break a specific bond of a molecule. In this paper, the Fe–N homolytic bond dissociation energies [ΔH_homo(Fe–N)'s] of 2 series of (meta‐substituted anilinyl)dicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [m‐G‐C₆H₄NHFp ( 1 )] and (meta‐substituted α‐acetylanilinyl)dicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [m‐G‐C₆H₄N(COMe)Fp ( 2 )] were studied using density functional theory methods with large basis sets. In this study, Fp is (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂, and G is NO₂, CN, COMe, CO₂Me, CF₃, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO, and NMe₂. The results show that Tao‐Perdew‐Staroverov‐Scuseria, Minnesota 2006, and Becke's power‐series ansatz from 1997 with dispersion corrections functionals can provide the best price/performance ratio and accurate predictions of ΔH_homo(Fe–N)'s. The ΔΔH_homo(Fe–N)'s ( 1 and 2 ) conform to the captodative principle. The polar effects of the meta‐substituents show the dominant role to the magnitudes of ΔΔH_homo(Fe–N)'s. σ_α· and σ_c· values for meta‐substituents are all related to polar effects. Spin‐delocalization effects of the meta‐substituents in ΔΔH_homo(Fe–N)'s are small but not necessarily zero. RE plays an important role in determining the net substituent effects on ΔH_homo(Fe–N)'s. Insight from this work may help the design of more effective catalytic processes.     

Steady-state fluorescence and photo-isomerization study of 1-methyl-4′-(p-N,N dimethyl-amino styryl) pyridinium iodide

Photochemical and thermal trans/cis isomerization reactions are reported for 1-methyl-4′-(p-N,N dimethyl-amino styryl) pyridinium iodide, Cy, which is synthesized in the trans configuration. In a basic solution the trans form, Cy_tr, cannot isomerise directly to the cis form. Its protonated form, Cy_trH⁺, is active and reacts photochemically from trans to cis isomer, Cy_cH⁺. The quantum yields Φ_tc and Φ_ct are determined in water. Deprotonation process of Cy_cH⁺ yields the cis isomer, Cy_c, which can thermally revert to the stable trans form. The rate constant and the activated parameters of the thermal reaction are also determined. Due to irreversibility of the thermal reaction , a complete molecular reaction cycle is performed in one direction. To get more information on the spectral properties of protonated form, its absorption and fluorescence spectra were investigated in sixteen neat polar protic and aprotic solvents. Absorption energy correlates linearly with hydrogen bond acceptor ability of the solvent. Another linear correlation was found between fluorescence energy of CyH⁺ and free energy for transferring the proton to the surrounding solvent, ΔG_t^o.     

Theoretical study of keto–enol tautomerism by quantum mechanical calculations (the QM/MC/FEP method)

In this study, the tautomeric equilibrium between the keto and enol forms has been studied for five typical ketones and aldehydes: i‐butanal, acetaldehyde, acetone, acetylacetone, and dimedone. The level of theory used in the gas‐phase calculation was Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr/6‐311G(d,p)//Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr/6‐31G(d). The free energies of solvation were included in the calculation by using the free‐energy perturbation method based on Monte Carlo simulation, that is, the quantum mechanical/Monte Carlo/free‐energy perturbation method. Three different models, incorporating no‐water, one‐water, and two‐waters, were adopted. The results showed that in the gas phase the addition of water molecules to the reaction mechanism caused the activation barriers (ΔG^?_gas) to decrease by half relative to the water‐free mechanism, but there was no effect on the relative difference in free energy, ΔG_gas. The solvation effects (ΔG_sol), based on quantum mechanical/Monte Carlo/free‐energy perturbation calculations, were added to those of the gas‐phase results of the one‐water and two‐waters models. The two‐waters model produced values that were very consistent with the experimental data for all of the tautomers. The differences in the relative Gibbs free energy (ΔG_rxn) were less than 1.0 kcal mol^–1. In summary, the inclusion of solvent molecules in gas‐phase calculations plays a very important role in producing results consistent with experimental data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of glycyl dipeptides on the micellar behavior of gemini surfactant: A conductometric and fluorescence spectroscopic study

The effect of glycyl dipeptides (glycylglycine, glycyl-L-valine, and glycyl-L-leucine) on the micellar properties of gemini surfactant pentamethylene-1,5-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide) (12-5-12) has been investigated by means of conductivity and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results obtained from conductivity show that the effect of glycyl dipeptides depends upon their nature and concentration, as well as the temperature. The values of critical micelle concentration (cmc) of 12-5-12 have been estimated in water + glycyl dipeptide media at various concentrations of dipeptide in the 293.15-318.15 K temperature range at 5 K intervals. From cmc values, it is observed that the micellization tendency of the surfactant increases in the presence of glycyl dipeptides. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG_m^o, ΔH_m^o, and ΔS_m^o) of micellization of 12-5-12 in aqueous glycyl dipeptide solutions have been obtained by applying the mass action model and an enthalpy-entropy compensation effect was observed. The pyrene fluorescence spectra were used to study the change of micropolarity produced by the interaction of 12-5-12 with glycyl dipeptides, and the aggregation behavior of 12-5-12.     

Density functional theory study of substituent effects on gas‐phase heterolytic Fe–O and Fe–S bond energies of m‐G‐C6H4OFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and m‐G‐C6H4SFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5)

The knowledge of accurate bond strengths is a fundamental basis for a proper analysis of chemical reaction mechanisms. Quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory have been used to investigate heterolytic Fe–O and Fe–S bond energies of (meta‐substituted phenoxy)dicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [m‐G‐C₆H₄OFp ( 1 )] and (meta‐substituted benzenethiolato)dicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [m‐G‐C₆H₄SFp ( 2 )] complexes. In this study, Fp is (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂, and G is NO₂, CN, COMe, CO₂Me, CF₃, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO, and NMe₂. The results show that Tao–Perdew–Staroverov–Scuseria and Becke's power‐series ansatz from 1997 with dispersion corrections functionals can provide the best price/performance ratio and accurate predictions of ΔH_het(Fe–O)'s and ΔH_het(Fe–S)'s. The excellent linear free energy relations [r = 1.00 (g, 1e), 1.00 (g, 2b)] among the ΔΔH_het (Fe–O)'s and δΔG⁰ of O?H bonds of m‐G‐C₆H₄OH or ΔΔH_het(Fe–S)'s and ΔpK_a's of S?H bonds of m‐G‐C₆H₄SH imply that the governing structural factors for these bond scissions are similar. And, the linear correlations [r = ?0.97 (g, 1 g), ?0.97 (g, 2 h)] among the ΔΔH_het (Fe–O)'s or ΔΔH_het(Fe–S)'s and the substituent σ_m constants show that these correlations are in accordance with Hammett linear free energy relationships. The inductive effects of these substituents and the basis set effects influence the accuracy of ΔH_het(Fe–O)'s or ΔH_het(Fe–S)'s. The ΔΔH_het(Fe–O)'s(g) (1) and ΔΔH_het(Fe–S)'s(g)(2) follow the capto‐dative Principle. The substituent effects on the Fe–O bonds are much stronger than those on the less polar Fe–S bonds. Insight from this work may help the design of more effective catalytic processes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A revised treatment of the non-electrostatic contribution to the solvation free energy of DNA-binding ligands

A revised magnitude of the microscopic surface tension coefficient, γ_vdW, is suggested to account for the van der Waals solvation energy, ΔG_vdW^solv, in the standard expression ΔG_vdW^solv = γ_vdW ⋅ ΔA, where ?A is the change in solvent accessible surface area on complexation. The revised value of γ_vdW = − 0.063(± 0.008) kcal/mol/Ų is based on the decomposition of the Gibbs free energy for 49 reactions of non-covalent bimolecular ligand-DNA and ligand-ligand complexation, involving 20 DNA-binding molecules that differ in structure and charge state. The total non-electrostatic contribution to the solvation free energy can also be calculated from the standard equation ΔG_nel^solv = γ_nel ⋅ ΔA with the revised coefficient γ_nel = − 0.013(± 0.008) kcal/mol/Ų. It is proposed that these results may be utilized for analysis of any ligand-DNA or ligand-ligand interaction, if the structure and other physical properties of the interacting molecules do not change on complexation.     

Substituent effects on gas‐phase homolytic Fe–O and Fe–S bond energies of m‐G‐C6H4OFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and m‐G‐C6H4SFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) studied using Hartree–Fock and density functional theory methods

The thermochemistry of organometallic complexes in solution and in the gas phase has been an area of increasing research interest. In this paper, the Fe–O and Fe–S homolytic bond dissociation energies [ΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s] of two series of meta‐substituted phenoxydicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [m‐G‐C₆H₄OFp ( 1 )] and (meta‐substituted benzenethiolato)dicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [m‐G‐C₆H₄SFp ( 2 )] were studied using Hartree–Fock and density functional theory methods with large basis sets. In this study, Fp is (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂, and G are NO₂, CN, COMe, CO₂Me, CF₃, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO, and NMe₂. The results show that Tao–Perdew–Staroverov–Scuseria and Minnesota 2006 functionals can provide the best price/performance ratio and accurate predictions of ΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s. The polar effects of the meta substituents show that the dominant role to the magnitudes of ΔΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s or ΔΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s. σ_α·, σ_c· values for meta substituents are all related to polar effects. Spin‐delocalization effects of the meta substituents in ΔΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s are small but not necessarily zero. Molecular effects rather than ΔΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s are more suitable indexes for the overall substituent effects on ΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s. The meta substituent effects of meta‐electron‐withdrawing groups on the Fe–S bonds are much stronger than those on the Fe–O bonds. For meta‐electron‐donating groups, the meta substituent effects have the comparable magnitudes between series 1 and 2 . ΔΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s ( 1 ) and ΔΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s ( 2 ) conform to the captodative principle. Insight from this work may help the design of more effective catalytic processes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Remote substituent effects on gas‐phase homolytic Fe–O and Fe–S bond energies of p‐G‐C6H4OFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and p‐G‐C6H4SFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) studied using Hartree–Fock and density functional theory methods

Metal–ligand bond enthalpy data can afford invaluable insights into important reaction patterns in organometallic chemistry and catalysis. In this paper, the Fe–O and Fe–S homolytic bond dissociation energies [ΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s] of two series of para‐substituted phenoxydicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [p‐G‐C₆H₄OFp ( 1 )] and (para‐substituted benzenethiolato)dicarbonyl(η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl) iron [p‐G‐C₆H₄SFp ( 2 )] were studied using Hartree–Fock and density functional theory (DFT) methods with large basis sets. In this study, Fp is (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂, and G are NO₂, CN, COMe, CO₂Me, CF₃, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO, and NMe₂. The results show that DFT methods can provide the best price/performance ratio and accurate predictions of ΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s. The remote substituent effects on ΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s [ΔΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s] can also be satisfactorily predicted. The good correlations [r = 0.98 (g, 1), 0.98 (g, 2)] of ΔΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s in series 1 and 2 with the substituent σ_p⁺ constants imply that the para‐substituent effects on ΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s and ΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s originate mainly from polar effects, but those on radical stability originate from both spin delocalization and polar effects. ΔΔH_homo(Fe–O)'s ( 1 ) and ΔΔH_homo(Fe–S)'s ( 2 ) conform to the captodative principle. Insight from this work may help the design of more effective catalytic processes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorption of formaldehyde on the Fe site of clean and M (Ca, Sr and Ba) doped LaFeO3 (0 1 0) surface

The adsorption of formaldehyde (H₂CO) on the Fe site of clean and M²⁺ (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺) doped LaFeO₃ (0 1 0) surface have been investigated using the density functional theory (DFT) method. Calculation results show that the oxygen atom of the H₂CO molecule prefers to be adsorbed on the Fe site of the clean LaFeO₃ (0 1 0) surface. The adsorption of H₂CO could change the electronic properties of the LaFeO₃, indicating that the LaFeO₃ could be used as gas sensing material to detect the H₂CO gas. The analysis results of the DOS suggest that the bonding mechanism between the H₂CO molecule and the Fe site is mainly from the interaction between the Fe 3d and H₂CO 2p orbital. Comparing with the binding energy and the net charge-transfer, we find that the M²⁺ (Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺) doping cannot improve the sensitivity of the LaFeO₃ to the H₂CO gas.     

In‐situ Raman spectroscopy study of Ru/TiO2 catalyst in the selective methanation of CO

Raman spectroscopic technique has been used to characterize a Ru/TiO₂ catalyst and to follow in situ their structural changes during the CO selective methanation reaction (S‐MET). For a better comprehension of the catalytic mechanism, the in‐situ Raman study of the catalysts activation (reduction) process, the isolated CO and CO₂ methanation reactions and the effect of the composition of the reactive stream (H₂O and CO₂ presence) have been carried out. Raman spectroscopy evidences that the catalyst is composed by islands of TiO₂–RuO₂ solid solutions, constituting Ru–TiO₂ interphases in the form of Ru_xTi_{1 − x}O₂ rutile type solid solutions. The activation procedure with H₂ at 300 °C promotes the reduction of the RuO₂–TiO₂ islands generating Ru^o–Ti³⁺ centers. The spectroscopic changes are in agreement with the strong increase in chemical reactivity as increasing the carbonaceous intermediates observed. The selective methanation of CO proceeds after their adsorption on these Ru^o–Ti³⁺ active centers and subsequent C―O dissociation throughout the formation of CH_x/C_nH_x/C_nH_xO/CH_x―CO species. These intermediates are transformed into CH₄ by a combination of hydrogenation reactions. The formation of carbonaceous species during the methanation of CO and CO₂ suggests that the CO presence is required to promote the CO₂ methanation. Similar carbonaceous species are detected when the selective CO methanation is carried out with water in the stream. However, the activation of the catalysts occurs at much lower temperatures, and the carbon oxidation is favored by the oxidative effect of water. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exchange‐coupled L10‐FePt/Fe composite patterns with perpendicular magnetization

L1₀‐FePt and exchange‐coupled L1₀‐FePt/Fe composite films are grown epitaxially on MgO(001) single crystal substrates and are subsequently large‐area patterned utilizing an electron beam lithography process with Ar⁺ ion etching. The patterning process of the continuous film system leads to a different demagnetization behavior resulting in an increase of the out‐of‐plane coercivity of the patterned samples. Due to exchange‐coupling between L1₀‐FePt and Fe the coercivity of the L1₀‐FePt/Fe composite patterns is reduced by 52% as compared to the coercivity of L1₀‐FePt patterns. From the analysis of the temperature dependence of the coercivity it follows that the dots include regions with reduced anisotropy. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Vibrations and chemical states of iron ions in soda‐lime glasses determined by element‐specific X‐ray analyses

We systematically study medium‐range structures including more than three neighboring atoms around iron ions (Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺) in soda‐lime glass samples with low iron oxide concentrations (M_Fe2O3) and a wide number ratio of Fe²⁺ to all iron ions (Fe²⁺/Σ_nFe). The precise medium‐range structures around iron ions in glass have not yet been revealed because of a lack of the appropriate measurement methods. To avoid this problem, we used element‐specific nuclear resonant inelastic scattering (NRIS) with synchrotron X‐rays to observe the vibrations of iron ions (⁵⁷Fe). The vibrations are related to medium‐range structures with more than three neighboring atoms and to the potential asymmetry and the coordination environment, around iron ions. The NRIS method has high sensitivity and can measure over a wide concentration range. Linear combination fitting of the X‐ray absorption fine structure spectra, which measures only the first neighbors but is a faster than using the NRIS method, was also used additionally. A systematically produced set of glasses with 0.015–5 wt% M_Fe2O3 and 0–0.85 Fe²⁺/Σ_nFe was measured with these methods. It was found that the soda‐lime glass possessed two different medium‐range structures with different iron ion valences (~2+ or ~3+), which were determined by the Fe²⁺/Σ_nFe, and that these structures were generated during production of the glass. Moreover, these medium‐range structures were the same from 0.015 to 5 wt% M_Fe2O3.