Substituent effects on the energies of the electronic transitions of geminally diphenyl-substituted trimethylenemethane (TMM) radical cations. Experimental and theoretical evidence for a twisted molecular and localized electronic structure

Substituent effects on the energies (Eob) of electronic transitions of geminally diphenyl-substituted trimethylenemethane (TMM) radical cations 5a-k*+ and those of structurally related 1,1-diarylethyl cations 7a-k+ were determined experimentally by using electronic transition spectroscopy. In addition, transition energies of these radical cations were determined by using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations. The electronic transition bands of 5a-k*+ and 7a-k+ have maxima (lambdaob) that appear at 500-432 and 472-422 nm, respectively. A Hammett treatment made by plotting the Eob values relative to that of the diphenyl-TMM radical cation 5d*+ (DeltaEob) vs the cationic substituent parameter sigma+ give a favorable correlation with a boundary point at sigma+ = 0.00 and a positive rho for sigma+ < 0 and a negative rho for sigma+ > 0. A comparison of the lambdaob and rho values for 5a-k*+ and 7a-k+ suggests that the chromophore of 5*+ is substantially the same as that of 7+. The results of TD-DFT calculations, which reproduce the experimental electronic transition spectra and relationships between DeltaEob and sigma+, and suggest that the absorption band of 5*+ is associated with the SOMO-X --> SOMO transition, while that of 7+ is due to the HOMO --> LUMO transition. Another interesting observation is that Cl and Br substituents in the diphenyl-substituted TMM radical cations and 1,1-diarylethyl cations 7a-k+ act as electron-donating groups in terms of their effect on the corresponding electronic transitions. The results show that the molecular structure of 5*+ is a considerably twisted and that 5*+ has a substantially localized electronic state in which the positive charge and odd electron are localized in the respective diarylmethyl and the allyl moieties.     

Experimental and theoretical study of 2,6-difluorophenylnitrene, its radical cation, and their rearrangement products in argon matrices.

2,6-Difluorophenylnitrene was reinvestigated both experimentally, in Ar matrices at 10 K, and computationally, by DFT and CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations. Almost-pure samples of both neutral rearrangement products (the bicyclic azirine and the cyclic ketenimine) of a phenylnitrene were prepared and characterized for the first time. These samples were then subjected to X-irradiation in the presence of CH2Cl2 as an electron scavenger, which led to ionization of the neutral intermediates. Thereby, it was shown that only the phenylnitrene and the cyclic ketenimine yield stable radical cations, whereas the bicyclic azirine decays to both of these compounds on ionization. The cyclic ketenimine yields a novel aromatic azatropylium-type radical cation. The electronic structure of the title compound is discussed in detail, and its relation to those of the iso-pi-electronic benzyl radical and phenylcarbene is traced.     

Real-space indicators for chemical bonding. Experimental and theoretical electron density studies of four deltahedral boranes

In an approach combining high-resolution X-ray diffraction at low temperatures with density functional theory calculations, two closo-borates, B(12)H(12)(2-) (1) and B(10)H(10)(2-) (2), and two arachno-boranes, B(10)H(12)L(2) [L = amine (3) or acetonitrile (4)], were analyzed by means of the atoms-in-molecules (AIM) theory and electron localizability indicator (ELI-D). The two-electron three-center (2e3c) bonds of the borane cages are investigated with the focus on real-space indicators for chemical bonding and electron delocalization. In compound 2, only two of the three expected bond critical points (bcp's) are found. However, a weakly populated ELI-D basin is found for this pair of adjacent B atoms and the delocalization index and the Source contributions are on the same order of magnitude as those for the other pairs. The opposite situation is found in the arachno-boranes, where no ELI-D basins are found for two types of B-B pairs, which, in turn, exhibit a bcp. However, again the delocalization index is on the same order of magnitude for this bonding interaction. The results show that an unambiguous real-space criterion for chemical bonding is not given yet for this class of compounds. The arachno-boranes carry a special B-B bond, which is the edge of the crown-shaped molecule. This bond is very long and extremely curved inward the B-B-B ring. Nevertheless, the corresponding bond ellipticity is quite small and the ELI-D value at the attractor position of the disynaptic valence basin is remarkably larger than those for all other B-B valence basins. Furthermore, the value of the ED is large in relation to the B-B bond length, so that only this bond type does not follow a linear relationship of the ED value at the bcp versus B-B bond distances, which is found for all other B-B bcp's. The results indicate that both 2e2c and 2e3c bonding play a distinct role in borane chemistry.     

Mechanism for the gas-phase reaction between formaldehyde and hydroperoxyl radical. A theoretical study

We present a high-level theoretical study on the gas-phase reaction between formaldehyde and hydroperoxyl radical carried out using the DFT-B3LYP, QCISD, and CCSD(T) theoretical approaches in connection with the 6-311+G(d,p), 6-311+G(2df,2p), and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The most favorable reaction path begins with the formation of a pre-reactive complex and produces the peroxy radical CH(2)(OO)OH in a process that is computed to be exothermic by 16.8 kcal/mol. This reaction involves a process in which the oxygen terminal of the HO(2) moiety adds to the carbon of formaldehyde, and, simultaneously, the hydrogen of the hydroperoxyl group is transferred to the oxygen of the carbonyl in a proton-coupled electron-transfer mechanism. Our calculations show that this transition state lies below the sum of the energy of the reactants, and we computed a rate constant at 300 K of 9.29 x 10(-14) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), which is in good agreement with the experimental results. Also of interest in combustion chemistry, we studied the hydrogen abstraction process by HO(2), the result of which is the formation of HCO + H(2)O(2). We found two reaction paths with activation enthalpies close to 12 kcal/mol. For this process, we computed a rate constant of 1.48 x 10(-16) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) at 700 K, which also agrees quite well with experimental results.     

Correlation between ring-proton affinities and C1s binding energies. Application to monosubstituted benzenes

Ab initio calculations, using a STO-3G minimal basis set, on ring-protonation of monosubstituted benzene derivatives has shown that there is a linear correlation between the C_1s binding energy and the proton affinity of each position. Therefore it is possible to estimate, in a very economic way, ring-proton affinities.     

Antiaromaticity in fluorenylidene dications. Experimental and theoretical evidence for the relationship between the HOMO/LUMO gap and antiaromaticity

The relationship between the calculated energy of the HOMO-LUMO gap, where (epsilonLUMO - epsilonHOMO)/2 is defined as DeltaHL, and of the longest wavelength transition in the UV-visible spectrum, DeltaE, was examined for a series of aromatic and antiaromatic cations and dications. TD-DFT calculations accurately modeled the energies of a series of dications including fluorenylidene dications whose UV-visible spectra are reported, as well as the energies of a series of aromatic and antiaromatic monocations whose spectra were previously reported. There is a linear correlation of the energy of the longest wavelength transition, DeltaEcalc, with DeltaHL. There is no linear relationship between DeltaEcalc and the sum of the NICS values, but there is a linear relationship between DeltaEcalc multiplied by the number of atoms in the conjugated system, DeltaEcalcT, and the sum of the NICS values. There is also an approximate linear relationship between the average 1H NMR shift and the sum of the NICS values. These relationships give further support to the suggestion that the magnetic and energetic criteria of aromaticity and antiaromaticity are related. Furthermore, the data suggest that species that have DeltaEcalcT < 20 are antiaromatic whereas those with DeltaEcalcT > 30 are aromatic.     

Experimental and theoretical binding energy spectra and momentum distributions for the valence orbitals of H2O

The binding energy spectra (10–46 eV) and momentum distributions of the valence orbitals of H₂O have been measured using a new high-sensitivity binary (e,2e) electron spectrometer employing position-sensitive detectors. The binding energy spectrum shows a previously unreported feature at = 27 eV which is shown to be associated with the (2a₁)^?1 ionization process. The region between 25 and 46 eV is compared with previous (e,2e) and X-ray photoelectron measurements as well as with several existing and new many-body calculations indicating a splitting of the 2a₁ ionization pole strength. In addition the separate momentum distributions of the three outer valence orbitals of H₂O have been obtained from deconvoluted binding energy spectra run at a series of azimuthal angles. The results, which show considerably improved signal-to-noise ratio over earlier measurements using single-channel instrumentation are compared with spherically averaged momentum distributions calculated with a variety of wavefunctions.     

Experimental and theoretical approaches into the C- and D-ring problems of sterol biosynthesis. Hydride shift versus C-C bond migration due to cation conformational changes controlled by the counteranion

The C- and D-ring problems of sterol biosynthesis, how an enzyme overcomes the Markovnikov wall, were investigated by using a model compound from an experimental as well as theoretical standpoint. When model diol 20 was treated with BF₃·Et₂O, SnCl₄, TiF₄, Sc(OTf)₃, FeCl₃, or TfOH, spirocyclic ether 21 was formed as the sole product via a tert-cationic intermediate 16 through 1,2-hydride shift. However, the treatment with TiCl₄ afforded six-membered ring products 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 via the ring expansion into the unstable six-membered ring secondary cation 17. Occurrence of both α and β chloride 23 and 24 is distinctive evidence of the existence of secondary cation 17, ruling out the idea of the concerted mechanism. Molecular mechanics calculations of the naked cation 15 elucidated two possible conformers, parallel 15-I (five membered ring and cationic plane) that is favorable for the hydride shift generating 16 and perpendicular 15-II leading to C-C bond migration to 17. The first ab initio calculation of the cation conformation in the presence of counteranions such as [TiCl₄OH]⁻, [TiF₄OH]⁻, [BF₃OH]⁻, and [OTf]⁻ entirely supported our experimental results. Although the counteranion [TiCl₄OH]⁻ stabilizes perpendicular cation 15-II, it destabilizes the parallel conformer 15-I significantly, and thus, the C-C bond migration to 17 becomes the only possible pass. On the other hand, [TiF₄OH]⁻, [BF₃OH]⁻, and [OTf]⁻ stabilize parallel conformer 15-I and the hydride shift to 16 becomes the only possible pass. The relative location or distance of the counteranion from the cation should be the biggest factor to control the stability and, thus, the conformation of the cation. Our results indicate that the carboxylate anions in the enzyme cavity enable to control the conformation of pre-C-ring cationic intermediate 3 to be perpendicular leading to six-membered C-ring secondary cation 4. The parallel conformation of the cation 5 could lead to hydride shift to give tirucallanoids or lanostanoids. Therefore, this result is the first example that overcame the big Markovnikov wall experimentally and theoretically at least to our knowledge.     

Gas phase reactions between acetylene radical cation and water. energies, structures and formation mechanism of C2H3O+ and C2H4O+* ions

Reactions of the acetylene radical cation (C2H2(+*)) with H2O were investigated using ion mobility mass spectrometry. The primary products are the C2H3O(+) and C2H4O(+*) ions, produced with an overall rate coefficient k(300 K) = 2(+/-0.6) x 10(-11) cm(3) s(-1) that increases with decreasing temperature. The C2H4O(+*) (adduct) vs C2H3O(+) (H loss) ratio also increases with decreasing temperature, and with increasing third-body pressure. Ab initio calculations on the products showed seven stable C2H3O(+) isomers and eleven stable C2H4O(+*) isomers. In the C2H4O(+*) adduct channel, the reactivity and energetics suggest that the adduct is the H2C=CHOH(+*) (vinyl alcohol) ion. In the C2H3O(+) channel, the H loss occurs exclusively from water. The C2H3O(+) product ion undergoes slow deprotonation by water to form H(+)(H2O)n clusters. The reactivity, combined with energetics, suggests that the protonated ketene CH2COH(+) is the most likely observed C2H3O(+) ion probably with some contribution from the cyclic c-CH2CHO(+) ion.     

The consequences of cation radical fluorination theory—I : A comparison of various theoretical scenarios with experiment for carbocyclic-aromatics,using CNDO/2 and INDO calculations

Various of the possible scenarios (Table 1) derived from cation radical fluorination theory are examined critically in the light of experiment. The predictions of the theory are made using CNDO/2 and some INDO calculations, and these are compared with the known experimental results for benzene, benzotrifluoride, naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene. It is concluded that cation radical theory must be broadly correct; it works well for monocyclic hydrocarbon compounds, assuming product control to be via spin or charge density in the intermediates (cations, radicals, cation-radicals), with sequence 3 (Table 1) preferred. In the absence of any modifying hypothesis, however, control of products by spin or charge density alone cannot explain the experimental results for the polycyclic substrates. The most plausible modifications appear to be product control via Wheland intermediate stability (sequence 7, Table 1) and/or rapid rearrangements.     

ESCA applied to polymers. XXXI. A theoretical investigation of molecular core binding and relaxation energies in a series of prototype systems for nitrogen and oxygen functionalities in polymers

Nonempirical LCAO MO SCF computations (in the ΔSCF formalism) were performed on the ground and core-hole states of a range of nitrogen-containing model systems which encompass most of the common functionalities of interest in the study of polymers. The data complement those previously presented on oxygen functionalities and show that for specific functionalities (e.g. nitrate esters and nitriles) substituent effects can be substantially different than normally anticipated on the basis of a simple additivity model. A comparison was drawn in appropriate cases with experimental data on simple model systems and polymers.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the structure of N,N-dimethyl-4-nitroaniline derivatives as model compounds for non-linear optical organic materials

Molecular and crystal structure of a series of derivatives of N,N-dimethyl-4-nitroaniline has been studied by both X-ray diffraction method and high-level ab initio calculations. According to these data, the dimethylamino groups were found to have a trigonal-pyramidal configuration and are considerably turned with respect to the ring plane in all molecules having a substituent in the ortho-position; on the contrary, this group is planar in the meta-substituted molecules. Topological analysis of the electron density function for all molecules studied within the framework of Bader's ‘atoms in molecules’ (AIM) theory revealed that introduction of a substituent into the ortho- or meta-position of the ring results in increasing of the contribution of the resonance forms different from the quinoid one. Contribution of the latter form is predominant for the structure of N,N-dimethyl-4-nitroaniline (1). Topological analysis of the electron density distribution was used to explain a decreasing of the molecular hyperpolarisabilites of the ortho- and meta-substituted compounds as compared with those for 1.     

Molecular recognition of NO/NO+ via multicenter (charge-transfer) binding to bridged diarene donors. Effect of structure on the optical transitions and complexation thermodynamics

Bridged diarenes form very strong [1:1] complexes with nitrosonium/nitric oxide in which the NO moiety is optimally sandwiched in the cleft between a pair of cofacial aromatic rings which act as a molecular "Venus flytrap". The spectral features of these associates are generally similar to those for [1:1] and [2:1] nitrosonium complexes with mononuclear alkyl-substituted benzenes, and they are appropriately described within the LCAO molecular-orbital methodology and the Mulliken (charge-transfer) formulation of donor/acceptor electronic transitions. The thermodynamics study indicates that the efficient binding is determined by (i) the close matching of the donor/acceptor redox potentials and (ii) the ability of bridged diarenes for multicentered interactions with a single NO moiety. The best fit of the electronic and structural parameters is provided by a calixarene host that allows the interacting centers to be arranged in a manner similar to those extant in [2:1] nitrosonium complexes with analogous (nonbridged) aromatic donors; this results in its very strong noncovalent binding with nitrosonium/nitric oxide with the formation constant of K(B) approximately 10(8) M(-)(1) and free-energy change of -DeltaG degrees = 45 kJ mol(-)(1). Such strong, selective, and reversible bindings of nitrosonium/nitric oxide by (cofacial) aromatic centers thus provide the basis for the development of efficient NO sensors/absorbents and also suggest their potential relevance to biochemical systems.     

Al2O3-SiO2-CaO-FeO四元体系煤灰结构及流动性关系的实验和理论研究

将分子动力学、热力学计算与实验结合研究了Al₂O₃-SiO₂-CaO-FeO四元体系灰渣黏度变化机理。在Al₂O₃-SiO₂-CaO-FeO四元体系中,钙铁质量比（简称钙铁比,下同）增加,黏度下降,黏温曲线类型由结晶渣转变为玻璃渣,钙铁比为2时为黏温特性转变的拐点。钙铁比小于2时,体系中的矿物质主要是结晶矿物质,体系中降温过程中生成晶体矿物较多,当钙铁比大于2时,体系以无定形矿物质为主;从微观角度分析,钙铁比增加导致体系中Al由六配位（[AlO₆]^9-）转变为四配位（[AlO₄]^5-）,钙铁两种原子对体系中六配位铝的影响存在竞争作用。体系中的桥氧含量降低,体系的聚合程度降低,稳定性降低。通过四元体系的氧键为桥梁,建立了碱性组分含量与黏度的函数关系。     

Polarized Cu K-edge XANES of square planar CuCl42− ion. Experimental and theoretical evidence for shake-down phenomena

To elucidate the origin of the shoulder structure which is known to appear about half-way up the Cu K-edge in the X-ray absorption spectra of Cu(II) compounds, polarized X-ray absorption spectra were measured on the single crystal of (creatinium)₂CuCl₄ by using synchrotron radiation. The transition responsible for the shoulder structure was found to be exclusively polarized in the direction normal to the molecular plane of the CuCl₄^2? ion. The polarization dependence of other structures in the XANES spectra was also examined and compared with the results of ab initio SCF CI calculation. It is shown that the structure half-way up the Cu K-edge is due to the shake-down accompanying the 1s-4p= excitation, arising from the ligand-to-metal charge transfer induced by the core-hole creation. Structures attributable to the shake-down accompanying the 1s-4pσ and 1s-5p=, σ excitations were also found.     

Alternated quinoid/aromatic units in terthiophenes building blocks for electroactive narrow band gap polymers. Extended spectroscopic, solid state, electrochemical, and theoretical study

We report here the synthesis of three novel pi-conjugated heterocyclic mixed trimers that contain two electron-donating 3,4-ethylenedioxy-2-thienyl (EDOT) units covalently attached to a central proquinoid electron-accepting thienopyrazine moiety (two of these narrow-HOMO-LUMO gap D-A-D compounds also bear hexyl side chains attached either to the outermost alpha positions of the EDOT end rings or to the beta positions of the pyrazine fused ring). The modification of the terthiophene structure upon EDO, pyrazine, and hexyl substitutions has been treated in detail with spectroscopic and theoretical arguments. Solid-state properties reveal the occurrence of short intramolecular contacts between heteroatoms of adjacent rings. The analysis of the structure of the pi-conjugated backbone of each molecule is consistent with a partial quinoid-like pattern which partially reverts to be subtly more aromatic depending on the topology of the positive inductive effect of the hexyl chains. This quinoidization is a consequence of the appearance of a D(EDOT)-->A(PyT)<--D(EDOT) intramolecular charge transfer which further polarizes the structure. The same chemical concepts have been applied to address their electrochemical behavior. The three mixed trimers exhibit amphoteric properties due to the combination of electron acceptor and donor groups. Given their relative low HOMO-LUMO energy gap, these trimers promise to be good candidates for obtaining polymers with significant low energy gap combining electroactivity.     

Kinetic H/D isotope effects for gas phase hydroxylation of benzene and chlorobenzene between 520–1080 K. Hydroxyl radical versus O(3P) atom attack

Gas phase slow combustion of (chloro)benzene in O₂/N₂ mixtures, and induced by addends such as tert butylhydroperoxide, cyclohexane, or methanol, leads to (chloro)-phenol as the only important aromatic product. Using C₆H₆/C₆D₆ mixtures, formation of phenol/perdeuterophenol was studied between 520–1080 K. The temperature dependence of this product ratio was found to obey the Arrhenius expression for the intermolecular isotope effect log k_H/k_D = ?0.14 ± 0.03 + (1240 ± 80)/2.303RT (R in cal/mol K). Essentially the same result was obtained for the intramolecular isotope effect, measuring the change in isomer distribution for the chlorophenols formed from p-deuterio-chlorobenzene versus those for chlorobenzene. These results are in accordance with H(D)-abstraction by ·OH, via a linear transition state, as the first and (relative) rate determining step. Whereas above 1000 K, at reduced pressure, the intramolecular isotope effect continues to prevail, C₆H₆/C₆D₆ do not show differences in rate of formation of C₆H₅OH/C₆D₅OH. Under these conditions, the only effective reaction of arene to phenol appears to be set in by addition of O(³P).     

High-level ab initio calculations for the four low-lying families of minima of (H2O)20. I. Estimates of MP2/CBS binding energies and comparison with empirical potentials

We report estimates of complete basis set (CBS) limits at the second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation level of theory (MP2) for the binding energies of the lowest-lying isomers within each of the four major families of minima of (H(2)O)(20). These were obtained by performing MP2 calculations with the family of correlation-consistent basis sets up to quadruple zeta quality, augmented with additional diffuse functions (aug-cc-pVnZ, n=D, T, Q). The MP2/CPS estimates are -200.1 (dodecahedron, 30 hydrogen bonds), -212.6 (fused cubes, 36 hydrogen bonds), -215.0 (face-sharing pentagonal prisms, 35 hydrogen bonds), and -217.9 kcal/mol (edge-sharing pentagonal prisms, 34 hydrogen bonds). The energetic ordering of the various (H(2)O)(20) isomers does not follow monotonically the number of hydrogen bonds as in the case of smaller clusters such as the different isomers of the water hexamer. The dodecahedron lies ca. 18 kcal/mol higher in energy than the most stable edge-sharing pentagonal prism isomer. The TIP4P, ASP-W4, TTM2-R, AMOEBA, and TTM2-F empirical potentials also predict the energetic stabilization of the edge-sharing pentagonal prisms with respect to the dodecahedron, albeit they universally underestimate the cluster binding energies with respect to the MP2/CBS result. Among them, the TTM2-F potential was found to predict the absolute cluster binding energies to within <1% from the corresponding MP2/CBS values, whereas the error for the rest of the potentials considered in this study ranges from 3% to 5%.     

Evidence for increased exchange interactions with 5d compared to 4d metal ions. Experimental and theoretical insights into the ferromagnetic interactions of a series of trinuclear [{M(CN)8}3-/NiII] compounds (M = MoV or WV)

Two main questions are addressed in this study: (i) What increase of exchange interaction can be expected when replacing a paramagnetic metal ion with a heavier congener located farther down the periodic table (i.e., 3d-4d-5d), and (ii) for a molecular unit with higher coordination numbers, eight in the present case, how is the magnetic information transferred from the metal ion to its ligand set? Qualitative and quantitative investigations on a series of trimetallic cyano-bridged {MoV(CN)8-NiII} and {WV(CN)8-NiII} compounds revealed ferromagnetic interactions but with a strength modulated by the spin organization and their nature. DFT calculations have been used to examine the mechanism and strengths of the exchange coupling, as well as the influence of the local symmetry of the cyanometalate unit on the spin density distribution. Both the experimental and the calculated behaviors underline a noticeable difference between the Mo and the W derivatives (JMoNi = 26.9 cm(-1) and JWNi = 37.3 cm(-1)) that is correlated to the spin density transferred from the metal center to its ligand set. It is also shown that the shape of the {M(CN)8} polyhedron may lead to nonequivalent CN sites and, consequently, to different strengths of the exchange interaction as a result of the position of the bridging ligands.