Thermal unimolecular decomposition mechanism of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene: a first-principles DFT study

Simple C–NO₂ homolysis, 4,6-dinitroanthranil (DNAt) production by dehydration, and the nitro-nitrite rearrangement–homolysis for gas-phase TNT decomposition were recently studied by Cohen et al. (J Phys Chem A 111:11074, 2007), based on DFT calculations. Apart from those three pathways, other possible initiation processes were suggested in this study, i.e., CH₃ removal, O elimination, H escape, OH removal, HONO elimination, and nitro oxidizing adjacent backbone carbon atom. The intermediate, 3,5-dinitro-2(or 4)-methyl phenoxy, is more favor to decompose into CO and 3,5-dinitro-2(or 4)-methyl-cyclopentadienyl than to loss NO following nitro-nitrite rearrangement. Below ~1,335 K, TNT condensing to DNAt by dehydration is kinetically the most favor process, and the formations of substituted phenoxy and following cyclopentadienyl include minor contribution. Above ~1,335 K, simple C–NO₂ homolysis kinetically dominates TNT decomposition; while the secondary process changes from DNAt production to CH₃ removal above ~2,112 K; DNAt condensed from TNT by dehydration yields to that by sequential losses of OH and H above ~1,481 K and to nitro-nitrite rearrangement–fragmentation above ~1,778 K; O elimination replaces DNAt production above ~2,491 K, playing the third role in TNT decomposition; H escaping directly from TNT thrives in higher temperature (above ~2,812 K), as the fourth largest process. The kinetic analysis indicates that CH₃ removal, O elimination, and H escape paths are accessible at the suggested TNT detonation time (~100–200 fs), besides C–NO₂ homolysis. HONO elimination and nitro oxidizing adjacent backbone carbon atom paths are negligible at all temperatures. The calculations also demonstrated that some important species observed by Rogers and Dacons et al. are thermodynamically the most favor products at all temperatures, possibly stemmed from the intermediates including 4,6-dinitro-2-nitroso-benzyl alcohol, 3,5-dinitroanline, 2,6-dinitroso-4-nitro-phenylaldehyde, 3,5-dinitro-1-nitrosobenzene, 3,5-dinitroso-1-nitrobenzene, and nitrobenzene. All transition states, intermediates, and products have been indentified, the structures, vibrational frequencies, and energies of them were verified at the uB3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. Our calculated energies have mean unsigned errors in barrier heights of 3.4–4.2 kcal/mol (Lynch and Truhlar in J Phys Chem A 105:2936, 2001), and frequencies have the recommended scaling factors for the B3-LYP/6-311+G(d,p) method (Andersson and Uvdal in J Phys Chem A 109:2937, 2005; Merrick et al. in J Phys Chem A 111:11683, 2007). All calculations corroborate highly with the previous experimental and theoretical results, clarifying some pertinent questions.     

Thermal decomposition of di-t-butyl peroxide in the presence of (CH3)2CCH2: Reactions of CH3, (CH3)2ĊCH2CH3, and (CH3)2ĊCH2C(CH3)2CH2CH3 radicals

A study of the reaction initiated by the thermal decomposition of di-t-butyl peroxide (DTBP) in the presence of (CH₃)₂C?CH₂ (B) at 391–444 K has yielded kinetic data on a number of reactions involving CH₃ (M·), (CH₃)₂CCH₂CH₃ (MB·) and (CH₃)₂?CH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂CH₃ (MBB·) radicals. The cross-combination ratio for M· and MB· radicals, rate constants for the addition to B of M· and MB· radicals relative to those for their recombination reactions, and rate constants for the decomposition of DTBP, have been determined. The values are, respectively, where θ = RT ln 10 and the units are dm^3/2 mol^?1/2 s^?1/2 for k₂/k and k₉/k, s^?1 for k₀, and kJ mol^?1 for E. Various disproportionation-combination ratios involving M·, MB·, and MBB· radicals have been evaluated. The values obtained are: Δ₁(M·, MB·) = 0.79 ± 0.35, Δ₁(MB·, MB·) = 3.0 ± 1.0, Δ₁(MBB·, MB·) = 0.7 ± 0.4, Δ₁(M·, MBB·) = 4.1 ± 1.0, Δ₁(MB·, MBB·) = 6.2 ± 1.4, and Δ₁(MBB·, MBB·) = 3.9 ± 2.3, where Δ₁ refers to H-abstraction from the CH₃ group adjacent to the center of the second radical, yielding a 1-olefin. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Thermal decomposition of peroxy acetyl nitrate CH3C(O)OONO2

The thermal decomposition of peroxy acetyl nitrate (PAN) is investigated by low pressure flash thermolysis of PAN highly diluted in noble gases and subsequent isolation of the products in noble gas matrices at low temperatures and by density functional computations. The IR spectroscopically observed formation of CH3C(O)OO and H2CCO (ketene) besides NO2, CO2, and HOO implies a unimolecular decay pathway for the thermal decomposition of PAN. The major decomposition reaction of PAN is bond fission of the O-N single bond yielding the peroxy radical. The O-O bond fission pathway is a minor route. In the latter case the primary reaction products undergo secondary reactions whose products are spectroscopically identified. No evidence for rearrangement processes as the formation of methyl nitrate is observed. A detailed mapping of the reaction pathways for primary and secondary reactions using quantum chemical calculations is in good agreement with the experiment and predicts homolytic O-N and O-O bond fissions within the PAN molecule as the lowest energetic primary processes. In addition, the first IR spectroscopic characterization of two rotameric forms for the radical CH3C(O)OO is given.     

N2O decomposition on TiO2 (110) from dynamic first-principles calculations

We have carried out a systematic study of N(2)O dissociation on a TiO(2) (110) surface by means of plane-wave pseudopotential density-functional theory calculations. We have made use of both static and dynamic calculations in order to elucidate N(2)O decomposition mechanisms. We find that dissociation is not favorable on the stoichiometric surface. On the other hand, the presence of oxygen bridging vacancies make the N(2)O decomposition possible. The role of the defective surface is to provide electrons to the adsorbed molecule. We find two channels for decomposition, depending on whether the molecule is adsorbed with the O or the N end of the molecule on a vacancy. The first case is energetically downhill and proceeds spontaneously, leading to N(2) ejection from the surface and vacancy oxidation. The second case relies on the formation of an intermediate bridging configuration of the adsorbed molecule and is hindered by a small energy barrier. In this case, molecule breaking produces N(2) in the gas phase and leaves oxygen adatoms on the surface. We relate our results to recent experimental findings.     

An ab initio molecular orbital study of the trimethylgallium-arsine adduct: (CH3)3Ga:AsH3

The structure, harmonic frequencies, and binding energy of the trimethylgallium-arsine adduct, (CH₃)₃Ga: AsH₃, have been computed using ab initio molecular orbital methods, and, where possible, compared with experimental results. The structures and frequencies of the precursors trimethylgallium and arsine are perturbed to only a small extent upon adduct formation. The binding energy of (CH₃)₃Ga: AsH₃ is found to be 5.2 kcal/mol lower than that for H₃Ga:AsH₃ at the MP2/HUZSP^*//RHF/HUZSP^* level of computation.     

Thermal decomposition of CH3I using I-atom absorption

The recently developed I-atom atomic resonance absorption spectrometric (ARAS) technique has been used to study the thermal decomposition kinetics of CH₃I over the temperature range, 1052–1820 K. Measured rate constants for CH₃I(+Kr)→CH₃+I(+Kr) between 1052 and 1616 K are best expressed by k(±36%)=4.36×10⁻⁹ exp(−19858 K/T) cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. Two unimolecular theoretical approaches were used to rationalize the data. The more extensive method, RRKM analysis, indicates that the dissociation rates are effectively second-order, i.e., the magnitude is 61–82% of the low-pressure-limit rate constants over 1052–1616 K and 102–828 torr. With the known E₀=ΔH₀⁰=55.5 kcal mole ⁻¹, the optimized RRKM fit to the ARAS data requires (ΔE)_down=590 cm⁻¹. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 29: 535–543, 1997.     

A first-principles study of methanol decomposition on Pt(111)

A periodic, self-consistent, Density Functional Theory study of methanol decomposition on Pt(111) is presented. The thermochemistry and activation energy barriers for all the elementary steps, starting with O[bond]H scission and proceeding via sequential hydrogen abstraction from the resulting methoxy intermediate, are presented here. The minimum energy path is represented by a one-dimensional potential energy surface connecting methanol with its final decomposition products, CO and hydrogen gas. It is found that the rate-limiting step for this decomposition pathway is the abstraction of hydroxyl hydrogen from methanol. CO is clearly identified as a strong thermodynamic sink in the reaction pathway while the methoxy, formaldehyde, and formyl intermediates are found to have low barriers to decomposition, leading to very short lifetimes for these intermediates. Stable intermediates and transition states are found to obey gas-phase coordination and bond order rules on the Pt(111) surface.     

Electron-diffraction investigation of the structure of the complex of trimethylgallium with dimethyl ether (CH3)3GaO(CH3)2 in the gas phase

Journal of Structural Chemistry -     

Synthese,NMR‐Spektren und Molekülstruktur von [(CH3)2Ga{μ‐P(H)Si(CH3)3}2Ga(CH3)2{μ‐P(Si(CH3)3)2}Ga(CH3)2]

Synthesis, NMR Spectra and Structure of [(CH₃)₂Ga{μ‐P(H)Si(CH₃)₃}₂Ga(CH₃)₂{μ‐P(Si(CH₃)₃)₂}Ga(CH₃)₂] The title compound has been prepared in good yield by the reaction of [Me₂GaOMe]₃ (Me = CH₃) with HP(SiMe₃)₂ in toluene (ratio 1 : 1,1) and purified by crystallization from pentane or toluene, respectively. This organogallium compound forms (Ga–P)₃ ring skeletons with one Ga–P(SiMe₃)₂–Ga and two Ga–P(H)SiMe₃–Ga bridges and crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c. The known homologous Al‐compound is isotypic, both (M^III–P)₃ heterocycles have twist‐conformations, the ligands of the monophosphane bridges have trans arrangements.     

Dative sigma- and pi-bonding in boron-nitrogen compounds: molecular structures of (CH3)2NB(CH3)N(CH3)B(CH3)2 and [(CH3)2B]2NN(CH3)2 determined by gas electron diffraction and quantum chemical calculations

The molecular structures of dimethylamino[(dimethylboryl)methylamino]methylborane, Me2NBMeNMeBMe2 (1) and 1,1-bis(dimethylboryl)-2,2-dimethylhydrazine, (Me2B)2NNMe2 (2) have been determined by gas electron diffraction (GED), density functional theory calculations at the B3PW91/6-311++G** level and ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311++G** level. 1 adopts an open structure similar to that of the isoelectronic hydrocarbon molecule permethylbutadiene; the central B-N bond distance at 148.0/149.3(7) pm (MP2/GED) corresponds to a single covalent N--B bond distance, the two terminal distances, 140.9/140.5(4) pm and 141.8/141.3(4) pm, correspond to the distance between N and B atoms joined by a covalent sigma-bond and a dative pi-bond. A closed form where the establishment of a dative bond between the terminal N and B atoms has led to the formation of a four-membered ring also corresponds to a minimum on the potential energy surface, but the energy is calculated to be 14.3 kJ mol(-1) higher at the MP2 level. This structure is also incompatible with the GED data. 2 adopts a structure in which a dative sigma-bond between the dimethylamino N atom and one of the boron atoms has led to the formation of a three-membered N(2)B ring. The dative sigma-bond distance is 165.5/164.0(13) pm, the two other bond distances in the ring are N-B=150.6/148.9(9) pm corresponding to a covalent sigma-bond and N-N=145.1/145.4(3) pm. The terminal B--N distance 139.6/138.9(9) pm is consistent with a covalent sigma-bond augmented by a dative pi-bond. An open Y-shaped structure also corresponds to a minimum on the potential energy surface, but the energy is 18.7 kJ mol(-1) higher (MP2) and it is incompatible with the GED data.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction study of the thermal decomposition of Fe(CH3COO)2 and FeOH(CH3COO)2

Thermal decomposition of iron(II) acetate, Fe(CH₃COO)₂, and iron(III) acetate hydroxide, FeOH(CH₃COO)₂, has been studied using⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Samples were thermally treated in air atmosphere between 150°C and 1000°C. The formation of maghemite '-Fe₂O₃, and hematite, -Fe₂O₃, is discussed. Hematite appears as the final decomposition product.     

Thermal decomposition of 2,2-propane-d2. CH3CDCH3 radical isomerization

The decomposition of CH₃CD₂CH₃ was studied from 713 to 853 K at pressures of 98–466 torr. The values of k₁/k₂ = 2.08 ± 0.05 and k₃/k₄ = 2.04 ± 0.66 were found independent of temperature by measuring the ratios of CH₄/CH₃D and CH₃CHD₂/CH₃CD₃, respectively, for the following reactions: . Isomerization of CH₃CDCH₃ was detected by measuring CHDCH₂ formed from the isomerized radical. The expression of k₂₁/k₂₂ was found to be where k₂₁ and k₂₂ are the rate constants of . The results and conclusions are discussed and compared with previous works.     

Thermal decomposition of Cd(CH3COO)2·2H2O studied by a coupled TG-DTA-MS method

The thermal decomposition of cadmium acetate dihydrate in helium and in air atmosphere has been investigated by means of a coupled TG-DTA-MS method combined with X-ray diffraction analysis. Dehydration of Cd(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O is a two-stage process with Cd(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O as intermediate. The way of Cd(CH₃COO)₂ decomposition strongly depends on the surrounding gas atmosphere and the rate of heating. CdO, acetone and CO₂ are the primary products of decomposition in air. In helium decomposition goes by two parallel and consecutive reactions in which intermediates, Cd and CdCO₃, are formed. Metallic cadmium oxidizes and cadmium carbonate decomposes giving CdO. Some of the metallic cadmium, depending on the heating rate and the concentration of oxygen, evaporates. Acetone is partially oxidized in secondary reactions with oxygen. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A first-principles DFT study of UN bulk and (001) surface: comparative LCAO and PW calculations

LCAO and PW DFT calculations of the lattice constant, bulk modulus, cohesive energy, charge distribution, band structure, and DOS for UN single crystal are analyzed. It is demonstrated that a choice of the uranium atom relativistic effective core potentials considerably affects the band structure and magnetic structure at low temperatures. All calculations indicate mixed metallic-covalent chemical bonding in UN crystal with U5f states near the Fermi level. On the basis of the experience accumulated in UN bulk simulations, we compare the atomic and electronic structure as well as the formation energy for UN(001) surface calculated on slabs of different thickness using both DFT approaches.     

Tris(tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl)gallium,Ga{Si(Si(CH3)3)3}3

The title compound has been prepared in good yield by the reaction of gallium trichloride with base‐free hypersilyl lithium (Li–Si(SiMe₃)₃, Me = CH₃) in a 1 : 3 molar ratio. Ga(Si(SiMe₃)₃)₃ is monomeric in solution and in the solid state. The compound has been characterized with NMR, IR and Raman techniques as well as by an X‐ray structure determination (planar GaSi₃‐skeleton, monoclinic space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, d(Ga–Si) = 249,8 ± 0,2 pm).     

D-alaninol adsorption on Cu(100): photoelectron spectroscopy and first-principles calculations

The adsorption of a single molecule of the D-enantiomer of alaninol (2-amino-1-propanol) on the surface of Cu(100) is investigated through density functional theory calculations. Different possible adsorption sites for D-alaninol are tested, and it is found that the most stable configuration presents both amino and hydroxyl group covalently interacting with "on top" copper atoms. The electronic structure is analyzed in detail and compared with experimental photoelectron spectra. Another adsorption structure in which a dehydrogenation process is assumed to occur on the amino group is analyzed and provides a possible explanation of the valence band electronic structure and of the experimentally observed N 1s core-level shift at full coverage, where a self-assembled ordered chiral monolayer is formed on the copper surface.     

Analysis of the intermolecular interaction between CH(3)OCH(3), CF(3)OCH(3), CF(3)OCF(3), and CH(4): high level ab initio calculations

The intermolecular interaction energies of the CH₃OCH₃? CH₄, CF₃OCH₃? CH₄, and CF₃OCF₃? CH₄ systems were calculated by ab initio molecular orbital method with the electron correlation correction at the second order Møller–Plesset perturbation (MP2) method. The interaction energies of 10 orientations of complexes were calculated for each system. The largest interaction energies calculated for the three systems are ?1.06, ?0.70, and ?0.80 kcal/mol, respectively. The inclusion of electron correlation increases the attraction significantly. It gains the attraction ?1.47, ?1.19, and ?1.27 kcal/mol, respectively. The dispersion interaction is found to be the major source of the attraction in these systems. In the CH₃OCH₃? CH₄ system, the electrostatic interaction (?0.34 kcal/mol) increases the attraction substantially, while the electrostatic energies in the other systems are not large. Fluorine substitution of the ether decreases the electrostatic interaction, and therefore, decreases the attraction. In addition the orientation dependence of the interaction energy is decreased by the substitution. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 1472–1479, 2002     

Spectroscopic calculations for the (CH3)3N · BF3 and (CH3)3N · BCL3 complexes

Mean amplitudes of vibration and perpendicular amplitude correction coefficients are calculated for (CH₃)₃N · BF₃ and (CH₃)₃N · BCl₃ complexes using different versions of force fields originating from spectroscopic studies with somewhat different assignments. The results are discussed in conjunction with the electron diffraction results and bonding features.