2D Cu(I) and 3D mixed-valence Cu(I)/Cu(II) coordination polymers: Synthesis and structural characterization of [CuCl(pyz-H)2]·2H2O and [Cu2Cl2(pyz)(H2O)]·H2O (pyz-H = pyrazinic acid)

Two new coordination polymers of copper(I) chloride and pyrazinic acid (pyz-H), namely [CuCl(pyz-H)₂]·2H₂O (1) and [Cu₂Cl₂(pyz)(H₂O)]·H₂O (2) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic, magnetic and crystallographic methods. The overall physical measurements suggest that 1 is diamagnetic and contains monodentate N-pyrazinic acid, whereas 2 is paramagnetic and contains tridentate N,N′,O- chelating bridging pyrazinato anion. In the structure of 1 as elucidated by X-ray single crystal analysis, the asymmetric units [CuCl(pyz)₂] are linked together forming a zigzag chain with tetrahedral copper(I) environment. The two lattice water molecules form hydrogen bonds with the uncoordinated N atom and carboxylate group O atom of pyz-H molecules. The Cu–N bond lengths are 2.009(6) Å and Cu–Cl distances are 2.337(2) Å. Complex 2 has a three-dimensional structure with the chains [Cu(I)Cu(II)(C₅H₃N₂O₂)Cl₂(H₂O)] interconnected by [Cu(I)Cl₂N] tetrahedral unit and [Cu(II)NO₂Cl₂] polyhedra. The Cu(I)–Cl and Cu(I)–N distances are 2.327(2)–2.581(2) Å and 1.988(6) Å, respectively, whereas the Cu(II)–Cl and Cu(II)–N bond lengths are 2.258(2), 2.581(2) Å, and 2.017(6) Å, respectively. Hydrogen bonds of the type O–HO are formed between lattice and coordinated water, and carboxylate oxygens of pyrazinato ligand giving rise to a three-dimensional network. The Cl⁻ anions act as bridging ligands in both complexes. The magnetic data of complex 2 have been measured from 2 to 300 K and discussed.     

Structural and spectral studies of N-2-(pyridyl)-, N-2-(3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-picolyl)- and N-2-(4,6-lutidyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthioureas

Structures of the following compounds have been obtained: N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, PyTu2SMe, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=11.905(3), b=4.7660(8), c=23,532(6) Å, β=95.993(8)°, V=1327.9(5) ų and Z=4; N-2-(3-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenyl-thiourea, 3PicTu2SeMe, monoclinic, C2/c, a=22.870(5), b=7.564(1), c=16.941(4) Å, β=98.300(6)°, V=2899.9(9) ų and Z=8; N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, 4PicTu2SMe, monoclinic P2₁/a, a=9.44(5), b=18.18(7), c=8.376(12) Å, β=91.62(5)°, V=1437(1) ų and Z=4; N-2-(5-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, 5PicTu2SMe, monoclinic, C2/c, a=21.807(2), b=7.5940(9), c=17.500(2) Å, β=93.267(6)°, V=2893.3(5) ų and Z=8; N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenylthiourea, 6PicTu2SMe, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=8.499(4), b=7.819(2), c=22.291(8) Å, β=90.73(3)°, V=1481.2(9) ų and Z=4 and N-2-(4,6-lutidyl)-N′-2-thiomethoxyphenyl-thiourea, 4,6LutTu2SMe, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=11.621(1), b=9.324(1), c=14.604(1) Å, β=96.378(4)°, V=1572.4(2) ų and Z=4. Comparisons with other N-2-pyridyl-N′-arylthioureas having substituents in the 2-position of the aryl ring are included.     

Thermal cis—trans isomerization of bis(diamine) cobalt(III) and chromium(III) complexes in a solid phase

Thermal cis—trans isomerization of the simple bis(diamine) complexes [MX₂(aa or bb)₂]X · HX · n H₂O and the mixed bis(diamine) complexes [MX₂(aa)(bb)]X · HX · n H₂O was investigated in a solid phase, where M = Co(III) or Cr(III) ion, X = Cl or Br, aa and bb are one of the diamines selected from ethylenediamine (en), d, l-1,2-propane-diamine (pn), d,l-2,3-butanediamine (dl-bn), d,l-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (chxn), 1,3-propanediamine (ln) and d,l-2,4-pentanediamine (ptn), and n = 0–2. The information obtained may be summarized as follows. (1) The features of isomerization are considerably dependent upon the kind of metal ions, halide ions and diamines contained in the complexes. (2) Trans-cis isomerization was identified in the simple bis(diamine) complexes containing en, pn, dl-bn or chxn which can form five-membered chelate rings with metal ions, whereas cis-trans isomerization was detected in the simple bis(diamine) complexes containing tn or ptn which forms six-membered rings; all the mixed bis(diamine) complexes isomerize from trans to cis even when they have a combination of five- and six-membered chelate rings. (3) The cobalt(III) complexes isomerize in a temperature range of dehydration and/or dehydrohalogenation with activation energies of about 100 kJ mole⁻¹, whereas the chromium(III) complexes usually isomerize in the anhydrous state and the activation energies amount to as much as 150–190 kJ mole⁻¹. (4) “Aquation-anation” and “bond rupture” were proposed for the isomerization of the cobalt(III) and the chromium(III) complexes, respectively.     

Organometallic complexes for nonlinear optics: Part 32: Synthesis, optical spectroscopy and theoretical studies of some osmium alkynyl complexes

The complexes trans-[Os(CCPh)Cl(dppe)₂] (1), trans-[Os(4-CCC₆H₄CCPh)Cl(dppe)₂] (2), and 1,3,5-{trans-[OsCl(dppe)₂(4-CCC₆H₄CC)]}₃C₆H₃ (3) have been prepared. Cyclic voltammetric studies reveal a quasi-reversible oxidation process for each complex at 0.36–0.39 V (with respect to the ferrocene/ferrocenium couple at 0.56 V), assigned to the Os^II/III couple. In situ oxidation of 1–3 using an optically transparent thin-layer electrochemical (OTTLE) cell affords the UV–Vis–NIR spectra of the corresponding cationic complexes 1⁺–3⁺; a low-energy band is observed in the near-IR region (11 000–14 000 cm⁻¹) in each case, in contrast to the neutral complexes 1–3 which are optically transparent below 20 000 cm⁻¹. Density functional theory calculations on the model compounds trans-[Os(CCPh)Cl(PH₃)₄] and trans-[Os(4-CCC₆H₄CCPh)Cl(PH₃)₄] have been used to rationalize the observed optical spectra and suggest that the low-energy bands in the spectra of the cationic complexes can be assigned to transitions involving orbitals delocalized over the metal, chloro and alkynyl ligands. These intense bands have potential utility in switching nonlinear optical response, of interest in optical technology.     

Raman and infrared spectra, conformational stability, ab initio calculations and vibrational assignments for 2-chloroethyl silane

The infrared (3500–30 cm⁻¹) spectra of gaseous and solid and the Raman (3500–10 cm⁻¹) spectra of liquid with quantitative depolarization ratios and solid 2-chloroethyl silane, ClCH₂CH₂SiH₃, have been recorded. Similar data have been recorded for the Si–d₃ isotopomer. These data indicate that two conformers, trans and gauche, are present in the fluid states but only one conformer, trans, is present in the solid. The mid-infrared spectra of the sample dissolved in liquified xenon as a function of temperature (−55 to −100°C) has been recorded. The enthalpy difference between the conformers has been determined to be 181±12 cm⁻¹ (2.17±0.14 kJ/mol) with the trans rotamer the more stable form. From the isolated Si–H frequencies from the Si–d₂ isotopomer the r_o Si–H distances of 1.484 and 1.483 Å for the trans and 1.481 for the gauche conformers have been obtained. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with several different basis sets up to MP2/6-311+G** from which structural parameters and conformational stabilities have been determined. With all the basis sets the trans form is predicted to be the more stable conformer which is consistent with the experimental results. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities for the carbon analogue.     

C CP MAS NMR, FTIR, X-ray diffraction and PM3 studies of some N-(ω-carboxyalkyl)morpholine hydrohalides

N-(ω-carboxyalkyl)morpholine hydrochlorides, OC₄H₈N(CH₂)_nCOOH·HCl, n=1–5, were obtained and analyzed by ¹³C cross polarization (CP) magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR, FTIR and PM3 calculations. The structure of N-(3-carboxypropyl)morpholine hydrochloride (n=3) has been solved by X-ray diffraction method at 100 K and refined to the R=0.031. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a=14.307(3), b=9.879(2), c=7.166(1) Å, β=93.20(3)°, V=1011.3(3) ų, Z=4. In this compound the nitrogen atom is protonated and two molecules form a centrosymmetric dimer, connected by two N⁺–HCl⁻ (3.095(1) Å) and two O–HCl⁻ (3.003(1) Å) hydrogen bonds. ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectra, contrary to the solution, showed non-equivalence of the ring carbon atoms. The PM3 calculations predict a molecular dimer without proton transfer for an HCl complex, while for an HBr complex an ion pairs with proton transfer, and reproduces correctly the conformation of both dimers but overestimates H-bond distances. Shielding constants calculated from the PM3 geometry of ion pairs gave a linear correlation with the ¹³C chemical shifts in solids.     

Base induced C-5 epimerisation of 4-methyl-5-phenyl oxazolidinones: Chiral auxiliaries derived from norephedrine and norpseudoephedrine.

Treatment of cis- and trans-4-methyl-5-phenyl oxazolidinones 2 and 3 with excess butyllithium at 0°C results in C-5 epimerisation, via a common intermediate N,C-5-dianion, generating after protonation a 1:4 mixture of 2:3.     

MP2 study of substituent effects of 2-substituted alkyl ethyl methylcarbamates in homogeneous, unimolecular gas phase elimination reaction

Møller-Plesset MP2/6-31G method was used to examine the gas-phase elimination of 2-substituted alkyl ethyl N,N-dimethylcarbamates. The results of these calculations support a concerted non-synchronous six-membered cyclic transition state mechanism for carbamates containing a C_β–H bond at the alkyl side of the ester. These substrates produce the N,N-dimethylcarbamic acid and the corresponding olefin. The unstable intermediate, N,N-dimethylcarbamic acid, rapidly decomposes through a four-membered cyclic transition state to dimethylamine and CO₂ gas. Correlation of the logarithm of theoretical rate coefficients against original Taft's σ* values gave an approximate straight line (ρ*=−1.39, r=0.9558 at 360 °C). In addition to this fact, when log k_rel is plotted against the theoretical log k_rel for 2-substituted ethyl N,N-dimethylcarbamates a reasonable straight line (r=0.9919 at 360 °C) is obtained, suggesting similar mechanism.     

A study on copper(II)-Schiff base-azide coordination complexes: Synthesis, X-ray structure and luminescence properties of [Cu(L)(N3)]X (L = Schiff bases; X = ClO4, PF6)

Two Schiff bases N,N′-(bis(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene)propane-1,3-diamine (pbpd) and N,N′-(bis(pyridin-2-yl)formylidene)butane-1,4-diamine (pfbd) have been prepared and used to synthesize copper(II) complexes. Four complexes of the type [Cu(L)(N₃)]X (1–4) [L = pbpd; X = ClO₄ (1); L = pbpd; X = PF₆ (2); L = pfbd; X = ClO₄ (3); L = pfbd; X = PF₆ (4)] have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of microanalytical, spectroscopic, magnetic, electrochemical, luminescence and other physicochemical properties. Two representative complexes of the series, 2 and 3, have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements which reveal that in each complex the copper(II) ion assumes a distorted trigonal bipyramidal environment through coordination of the metal centre by two pyridine N atoms and two imine N atoms of the Schiff base with the fifth position occupied by a N atom of a terminal . They display intraligand ¹(π–π^*) fluorescence at room temperature and intraligand ³(π–π^*) phosphorescence in glassy solutions (MeOH at 77 K). A band (492 nm) observed for the complexes in their solid-state emission spectra is an excimeric emission arising due to an aromatic π–π interaction. Electrochemical electron transfer study reveals Cu^II–Cu^I reduction in methanolic solutions.     

Strong antiferromagnetism in the dinuclear 2-pyridone complex with N–C–O bridges: A paddle-wheel analogue of the dinuclear tetracarboxylates

A novel dinuclear complex [Cu₂(μ-L)₄(HL)₂] (1) was isolated from starting 2-pyridone (HL) via a resonance and a tautomeric transformation. Each copper centre is in a square-pyramidal coordination sphere, defined by two oxygen atoms (Cu–O4 1.978(5), Cu–O11 1.964(4) Å) and two nitrogen atoms (Cu–N2 2.003(5), Cu–N3 2.007(5) Å) of four bridging deprotonated pyridin-2-olates and an oxygen atom on the top from a neutral 2-pyridone (Cu–O2 2.227(5) Å), analogous to tetracarboxylate paddle-wheel complexes. Compound 1 was compared with mixed pyridin-2-olato/methanoato analogues [Cu₂(μ-HCO₂)₂(μ-L)₂(HL)₂] · 2CH₃CN (2) and [Cu₂(μ-HCO₂)₂(μ-L)₂(HL)₂] (2a) (2a is an air stable form obtained from 2 outside mother-liquid). The EPR spectra of air stable 1 and 2a show three signals H_z1, H₂ and H_z2, typical for the binuclear systems with spin S = 1, both revealing strong antiferromagnetism 2J = −334 (1) and −324 cm⁻¹ (2a). Interestingly, only for 1 additional H₁ signal at 100 mT is noticed (D(1) = 0.293 cm⁻¹ < hν = 0.320 cm⁻¹ < D(2a) = 0.347 cm⁻¹). On the other hand, several broad signals in the 100–450 mT region, only in the high temperature spectrum for 2a are observed. These results are in agreement with the magnetic susceptibility analysis.     

Thermal decomposition study on mixed ligand thymine complexes of divalent nickel(II) with dianions of some dicarboxylic acids

Thermal decomposition of mixed ligand thymine (2,4-dihydroxy-5-methylpyrimidine) complexes of divalent Ni(II) with aspartate, glutamate and ADA (N-2-acetamido)iminodiacetate dianions was monitored by TG, DTG and DTA analysis in static atmosphere of air. The decomposition course and steps of complexes [Ni(C₅H₆N₂O₂)(C₄H₅NO₄)²⁻(H₂O)₂]·H₂O, [Ni(C₅H₆N₂O₂)(C₅H₇NO₄)²⁻(H₂O)₂]·H₂O and [Ni(C₅H₆N₂O₂)(C₆H₈N₂O₅)²⁻(H₂O)₂]·1.5H₂O were analyzed. The final decomposition products are found to be the corresponding metal oxides. The kinetic parameters namely, activation energy (E*), enthalpy (ΔH*), entropy (ΔS*) and free energy change of decomposition (ΔG*) are calculated from the TG curves using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger equations. The stability order found for these complexes follows the trend aspartate > ADA > glutamate.     

Synthesis of new chiral amino ether derivatives: synthetic application of meso aziridinium ions prepared from β-amino alcohols

Methods of synthesis of new chiral amino ether derivatives through the opening of aziridinium ions, prepared in situ using trans-(±)-2-(1-N,N-dialkylamino)cyclohexyl mesylate with (R)-(+)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol, are described. The (R,R,R)-diastereomer was obtained as the major product and isolated as an enantiopure salt, and characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. The C₂-chiral (R,R,R,R,R)-diamino ether was obtained as the major product by opening of the aziridinium ion, prepared using trans-(±)-2-(1-pyrrolidino)cyclohexyl mesylate and (R)-(+)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol in the presence of aq NaOH. This was also characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Structural, spectral and thermal studies of N-2-(4-picolyl)- and N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-(2-chlorophenyl)thioureas and N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-(2-bromophenyl)thiourea

N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-2-chlorophenylthiourea, 4PicTu2Cl, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a=10.068(5), b=11.715(2), β=96.88(4)°, and Z=4; N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-2-chlorophenylthiourea, 6PicTu2Cl, triclinic, P-1, a=7.4250(8), b=7.5690(16), c=12.664(3) Å, =105.706(17), β=103.181(13), γ=90.063(13)°, V=665.6(2) ų and Z=2 and N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-2-bromophenylthiourea, 6PicTu2Br, triclinic, P-1, a=7.512(4), b=7.535(6), c=12.575(4) Å, a=103.14(3), β=105.67(3), γ=90.28(4)°, V=665.7(2) ų and Z=2. The intramolecular hydrogen bonding between N′H and the pyridine nitrogen and intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving the thione sulfur and the NH hydrogen, as well as the planarity of the molecules, are affected by the position of the methyl substituent on the pyridine ring. The enthalpies of fusion and melting points of these thioureas are also affected. ¹H NMR studies in CDCl₃ show the NH′ hydrogen resonance considerably downfield from other resonances in their spectra.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two novel nickel (imidazole) complexes having hydrogen-bonded networks

Two nickel (imidazole) complexes, Ni(im)₆Cl₂·4H₂O (1) and Ni(im)₆(NO₃)₂ (2) (im=imidazole) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV, TG and single crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with a=8.800(6) Å, b=9.081(6) Å, c=10.565(7) Å, =75.058(9)°, β=83.143(8)°, γ=61.722(8)°, V=718.3(8) Å³, Z=1 and R₁ (wR₂)=0.0469 (0.1497). 2 crystallizes in the trigonal space group R-3 with a=12.370(6) Å, b=12.370(6) Å, c=14.782(14) Å, =90.00°, β=90.00°, γ=120.00°, V=1959(2) Å³, Z=3 and R₁ (wR₂)=0.0358 (0.0955). 1 and 2 exhibit different supramolecular network due to their different counter anions and different hydrogen bonding connection. In compound 1, [Ni(im)₆]²⁺ cation and counter anions Cl⁻ alternatively array in an ABAB fashion via N–HCl hydrogen bonding. In compound 2, the plane of each NO₃²⁻ is almost parallel and each NO₃²⁻ connect three different [Ni(im)₆]²⁺ cations via N–HO hydrogen bonding.     

Preparation and crystal structure of a 1:1 inclusion compound of 1,4,11,14-tetramethoxy-dibenzo[b,n]tetraphenylene with pyridine

The new host 1,4,11,14-tetramethoxy-dibenzo[b,n]tetraphenylene forms a 1:1 inclusion compound with pyridine, in which a pair of centrosymmetrically-related guest species are enclosed in the cage surrounded by six host molecules. C₃₆H₂₈O₄·C₅H₅N, F_W=603.68, triclinic, space group P-1, a=11.796(2), b=16.075(3), c=9.004(2) Å; =98.39(3)°, β=90.01(3)°, γ=108.19(3)°, V=1602.8(5) Å³, Z=2, F(000)=636, D_c=1.251 g/cm³, μ=0.080 mm⁻¹. The final R indices [I>2σ(I)] R₁=0.0759, wR₂=0.1970 for 5623 MoK observed data.     

Three copper(II) complexes constructed from a new 1,3,5-triazine derivative ligand

Three new complexes {[Cu(dpdapt)(Hhbd)] · 6H₂O}_n (1) (dpdapt = N,N′-di(2-pyridyl)-2,4-diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine, Hhbd = 2-hydroxybutanedioicate dianion), [Cu(dpdapt)(SO₄)] · 2H₂O (2) and [Cu(dpdapt)(oxa)] · H₂O (3) (oxa = oxalate dianion) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The non-covalent interactions of π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding extend complexes 1–3 into supramolecular architectures, where 1 self-assembles into a 1D polymeric chain by dicarboxylate bridges and exhibits a 3D framework with 1D open channels, while complexes 2 and 3 display 2D wavelike networks. Interestingly, in 1, the host framework encapsulates hexameric water clusters that are connected into 1D arrays by supramolecular association along the 1D open channels. The UV/vis, IR spectra, fluorescence and TG analysis for complexes 1, 2 and 3 are also discussed.     

Ab initio structural trends and torsional sensitivity in n-hexane and comparisons with crystallographic structural results

The molecular structures of n-hexane were determined by RHF/4-21G ab initio geometry optimization at 30° grid points in its three-dimensional τ₁(C11–C8–C5–C1), τ₂(C14–C11–C8–C5), τ₃(C17–C14–C11–C8) conformational space. Of the resulting 12×12×12=1728 grid structures, 468 are symmetrically non-equivalent and were optimized constraining the torsions τ₁, τ₂, and τ₃ to the respective grid points, while all other structural parameters were relaxed without any constraints. From the results, complete parameter surfaces were constructed using natural cubic spline functions, which make it possible to calculate parameter gradients, |P|=[(∂P/∂τ_i)²+(∂P/∂τ_j)²]^1/2, where P is a C–C bond length or C–C–C angle. The parameter gradients provide an effective measure of the torsional sensitivity of the system and indicate that dynamic activities in one part of the molecule can significantly affect the density of states, and thus the contributions to vibrational entropy, in another part. This opens the possibility of dynamic entropic conformational steering in complex molecules; i.e. the generation of free energy contributions from dynamic effects of one part of a molecule on another. When the conformational trends in the calculated C–C bond lengths and C–C–C angles are compared with average parameters taken from some 900 crystallographic structures containing n-hexyl fragments or longer C–C bond sequences, some correlation between calculated and experimental trends in angles is found, in contrast to the bond lengths for which the two sets of data are in complete disagreement. The results confirm experiences often made in crystallography. That is, effects of temperature, crystal structure and packing, and molecular volume effects are manifested more clearly in bond lengths than bond angles which depend mainly on intramolecular properties. Frequency analyses of the τ₁, τ₂ and τ₃ torsional angles in the crystal structures show conformational steering in the sense that, if τ₁ is trans peri-planar (170°≤τ₁≤180°; −180°≤τ₁≤−170°), the values of τ₂ and τ₃ are clustered closely around the ideal gauche (±60°) and trans (±180°) positions. In contrast, when τ₁ is in the region (50°≤τ₁≤70°), there is a definite increase in the populations of τ₂ and τ₃ at −90 and −150°.     

Thermally and photochemically induced vinyl-hydrogen activation of [η-1,2:3,4-(trans-1,3,5-hexatriene)](η-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt: Regio- and stereospecific hydrogen migrations

[η⁴-1,2:3,4-(trans-1,3,5-hexatriene)](η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)cobalt (3) undergoes dimerization to form a flyover carbene, 5, with concomitant elimination of one equivalent of trans-1,3,5-hexatriene. Structure 5 thermally rearranges via a metal-mediated [1,5]-H shift to carbene 6: E_a = 29.1 ± 0.4 kcal mol⁻¹, log A = 11.6 ± 0.6. The structures of 5 and 6 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray determination. Low temperature irradiation of 6 generates 13 which undergoes a thermally induced reversion to 6: E_a = 19.4 ± 0.9 kcal mol⁻¹, log A = 10.0 ± 1.3. Deuterium labeling studies indicate the mechanisms involved in these C---H transformations are intramolecular, regio-, and stereospecific. The chemical study of this system is extended to include a variety of homologous CpCo(triene) complexes. A comparison between the triene approach to the formation of these flyover pentadienyl carbenes and direct carbene addition is described.     

Gaseous nitryl azide N4O2: A joint theoretical and experimental study

Gaseous nitryl azide N₄O₂ is generated by the heterogeneous reaction of gaseous ClNO₂ with freshly prepared AgN₃ at −50 °C. The geometric and electronic structure of the molecule in the gas phase has been characterized by in situ photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and quantum chemical calculations. The experimental first vertical ionization energy of N₄O₂ is 11.39 eV, corresponding to the ionization of an electron on the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) {4a″(π_{nb(N4–N5–N6)})}⁻¹. An apparent vibrational spacing of 1600 ± 60 cm⁻¹ (ν_asO1N2O3) on the second band at 12.52 eV (π_{nb(O1–N2–O3)}) further confirms the preference of energetically stable chain structure in the gas phase. To complement the experimental results, the potential-energy surface of this structurally novel transient molecule is discussed. Both calculations and spectroscopic results suggest that the molecule adopts a trans-planar chain structure, and a five-membered ring decomposition pathway is more favorable.     

Structure and conformational properties of carbonylbisimidosulfuryl fluoride, O=C(N=S(O)F2)2

The molecular structure and conformational properties of O=C(N=S(O)F₂)₂ (carbonylbisimidosulfuryl fluoride) were determined by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantumchemical calculations (HF/3-21G* and B3LYP/6-31G*). The analysis of the GED intensities resulted in a mixture of 76(12)% syn–syn and 24(12)% syn–anti conformer (ΔH⁰=H⁰(syn–anti)−H⁰(syn–syn)=1.11(32) kcal mol⁻¹) which is in agreement with the interpretation of the IR spectra (68(5)% syn–syn and 32(5)% syn–anti, ΔH⁰=0.87(11) kcal mol⁻¹). syn and anti describe the orientation of the S=N bonds relative to the C=O bond. In both conformers the S=O bonds of the two N=S(O)F₂ groups are trans to the C–N bonds. According to the theoretical calculations, structures with cis orientation of an S=O bond with respect to a C–N bond do not correspond to minima on the energy hyperface. The HF/3-21G* approximation predicts preference of the syn–anti structure (ΔE=−0.11 kcal mol⁻¹) and the B3LYP/6-31G* method results in an energy difference (ΔE=1.85 kcal mol⁻¹) which is slightly larger than the experimental values. The following geometric parameters for the O=C(N=S)₂ skeleton were derived (r_a values with 3σ uncertainties): C=O 1.193 (9) Å, C–N 1.365 (9) Å, S=N 1.466 (5) Å, O=C–N 125.1 (6)° and C–N=S 125.3 (10)°. The geometric parameters are reproduced satisfactorily by the HF/3-21G* approximation, except for the C–N=S angle which is too large by ca. 6°. The B3LYP method predicts all bonds to be too long by 0.02–0.05 Å and the C–N=S angle to be too small by ca. 4°.