Ab initioMODPOT/VRDDO/MERGE calculations on energetic compounds. IV. Nitrocubanes: Mononitro to octanitro quantum chemical calculations and electrostatic molecular potential contour maps

Ab initio MODPOT /VRDDO /MERGE calculations have been carried out for all the different position isomers of nitrocubane from mononitrocubane through octanitrocubane for a perfect symmetrical cubic cubane skeleton and for mononitrocubane through septanitrocubane for the almost cubic experimentally determined cubane skeleton. These calculations were carried out with our own rapid efficient ab initio programs which also incorporate a number of desirable computational strategies for calculations on large molecules. The skeletal total overlap population of the cubane skeleton (a theoretical index we showed years ago to be sensitive and predictive of stability of energetic molecular frameworks) indicates that successive nitration seems to increase the stability of the cubane skeleton. Successive nitration also seems to increase the total overlap population of the C? NO₂ bond. There are subtle differences depending on the exact positional isomer for a constant number of nitro groups—but the overall trend is definite. We have also generated electrostatic molecular potential contour (EMPC ) maps around these nitrocubanes. These maps are indicative of preferred positions of electrophilic and nucleophilic attack as a function of the number of nitro groups or their positions. These EMPC maps can also indicate, to a first approximation, a limit on how close these molecules may be able to approach each other in a crystal.     

Molecular calculations with the nonempirical ab initioMODPOT,VRDDO, and MODPOT/VRDDO procedures. IX. Carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene and its metabolites using a MERGE technique

Ab initio MODPOT /VRDDO calculations have been carried out on carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene and its metabolites. The MODPOT /VRDDO method incorporates two very desirable options into our fast ab initio Gaussian programs: MODPOT —ab initio effective core model potentials—and a charge-conserving integral prescreening approximation which we named VRDDO (variable retention of diatomic differential overlap). For orbital energies and population analyses the MODPOT /VRDDO results agree to essentially three decimal places with completely ab initio calculations using the same valence atomic basis set. For this series of very closely related congeners a new MERGE technique was implemented that allows reuse of integrals of a common skeletal fragment. Since our program computes integrals efficiently by blocks, reusing information common to the block, it was more difficult to implement a MERGE technique than for integral programs which calculate the integrals one-byone. The MODPOT /VRDDO calculations were performed for benzo(a)pyrene (BP), BP oxides, BP dihydrodiols, and BP dihydrodiol epoxides. The metabolites investigated were BP-7,8-oxide, BP-4,5-oxide, BP-7,8-dihydrodiol [cis(e, a), cis(a, e), trans(e, e), and trans(a, a)], and BP-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide [β,β,β (the most stable), β,β,α; α,α,β, and α,α,α all derived from cis-BP-7,8-dihydrodiol and β,α,β; α,β,β and α,β,β derived from trans-BP-7,8-dihydrodiol]. Several different conformations were calculated for each of the BP dihydrodiols and BP dihydrodiol epoxides. Calculations were carried out for the opening of the C₉—O—C₁₀ epoxide ring both toward C₉ and C₁₀ for the, most stable β,β,β isomer of BP-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide. Opening the epoxide ring between C₁₀ and O leads to a more stable intermediate than opening the epoxide ring between C₉ and C₁₀. However, there is no buildup of positive charge in C₁₀ as has been postulated by some cancer researchers, but rather the C₁₀ becomes slightly more negative. Nor is there a buildup of negative charge on the O atom. rather it becomes slightly less negative. As the epoxide ring is opened further than 90° for the O—C₉—C₁₀ or O—C₁₀—C₉ angles, there appears to be a possible mixing of configurations that is being investigated further.     

Molecular calculations with the nonempirical ab initioMODPOT,VRDDO, and MODPOT/VRDDO procedures. XII. Carcinogenic 3-methylcholanthrene and its metabolites using a MERGE technique

Ab initio MODPOT/VRDDO/MERGE calculations were carried out on carcinogenic 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MCA) and its metabolites. The results for 3-MCA were compared to our earlier similar calculations for carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene (BP). Both compounds 3-MCA and BP are carcinogenic and are metabolically activated by similar mechanisms but in different positions. Both the calculated wave functions for 3-MCA and BP and the electrostatic molecular potential contour maps generated from these wave functions correctly reflect the similarity of mechanisms of metabolic activation and the differences in position. Our calculated results both for BP and for 3-MCA reflect accurately their experimentally observed behavior. Thus this combination of theoretical techniques can be used with confidence to describe the behavior of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) and their metabolites. The ab initio MODPOT/VRDDO method incorporates two very desirable options into our fast ab initio Gaussian programs: MODPOT –ab initio effective core model potentials—and a charge-conserving integral prescreening approximation which we named VRDDO (variable retention of diatomic differential overlap). For orbital energies and population analysis the MODPOT/VRDDO results agree to essentially three decimal places with completely ab initio calculations using the same valence atomic basis set. For this series of very closely related congeners our recent MERGE technique which allows reuse of integrals from a common skeletal fragment was used. The ab initio MODPOT/VRDDO/MERGE calculations were carried out for 3-MCA, 3-MCA oxides, 3-MCA dihydrodiols, and 3-MCA dihydrodiolepoxides. The metabolites investigated were 3-MCA 9,10-oxide; 3-MCA 7,8-oxide; 3-MCA 9,10-dihydrodiol [trans(axial, axial); trans(equatorial, equatorial); cis(axial, equatorial); cis(equatorial, axial)]; and 3-MCA 9,10-dihydrodiol–7,8-epoxide [for both conformations A and B of the dihydrodiol and for all stereoisomers of the dihydrodiolepoxides relative to below and above the plane: ααα, and ααβ αβα αββ βαα βαβ ββα and βββ (most stable)]. Calculations were also carried out for opening of the C₇? O? C₈ epoxide ring both towards C₇ and C₈ for the most stable isomer Aβββ (above the ring). Opening the epoxide ring between C₇ and O leads to a more stable intermediate than opening the epoxide ring between C₈ and O. Again, however, as with opening the epoxide ring in BP 7,8-dihydrodiol–9,10-epoxide there is no buildup of positive charge on C₇ in the 3-MCA metabolites as postulated by some cancer researchers, but rather the C₇ becomes slightly more negative. Nor is there a buildup of negative charge on the O atom, but rather it becomes slightly more positive. As the epoxide ring is opened further than 90° for the O? C₇? C₈ or O? C₈? C₇ angles, there appears to be a possible mixing of configurations that is being investigated further.     

Molecular calculations with the nonempirical ab initioMODPOT,VRDDO, and MODPOT/VRDDO procedures. XI. Theoretical study of the [C6H5OH ⃛OC6H5]− molecular complex: Ab initioMODPOT/VRDDO calculations and electrostatic molecular potential contour maps

The transport of C₆H₅O^? (or similarly charged moieties) through a lipoidal membrane may possibly be facilitated by forming complexes with the neutral compound. Thus, theoretical studies were performed on the model [C₆H₅OH ?OC₆H₅]^? molecular complex to obtain some information concerning the possible molecular and electronic structure of such complexes. Ab initio MODPOT /VRDDO SCF calculations were carried out on the neutral-anion dimer [C₆H₅OH ?OC₆H₅] to optimize the equilibrium geometry. Electrostatic molecular potential contour maps have been generated from the ab initio MODPOT /VRDDO results in the molecular plane and in the plane perpendicular to the molecular plane and intersecting the hydrogen bond O ?H? O. Difference maps have also been generated showing the change of potential on complex formation. There is a decrease of electrostatic interactions of the phenoxide anion upon complex formation with the neutral phenol. Counterpoise corrections for basis set size could not be made since calculation of the phenoxide anions in the basis set of the phenol plus the phenoxide anion led to an excited state for the phenoxide anion. This behavior is somewhat similar to that occurring in the stabilization method for excited states of negative ions as the size of the basis set is increased.     

Molecular calculations with the MODPOT,VRDDO, and MODPOT/VRDDO procedures. IV. Boron hydrides and carboranes

Reference completely ab initio 6–3G and nonempirical 3G/MODPOT (ab initio effective core model potential) LCAO -MO -SCF calculations (using the same valence atomic orbital basis) were performed for a series of boron hydrides (B₄H₁₀, B₅H₉, B₅H₁₁, and B₆H₁₀) and a test 3G/MODPOT + VRDDO (variable retention of diatomic differential overlap for charge conserving integral prescreening) calculation were also performed for B₅H₉, B₆H₁₀, and B₁₀H₁₄. The agreement between the ab initio 6–3G and the corresponding 3G/MODPOT calculations was excellent for valence orbital energies, gross atomic populations, and dipole moments. The results also compared favorably to previous ab initio minimum STO basis results of Lipscomb and coworkers. The 3G/MODPOT + VRDDO calculations verified that for such spatially compact molecules (such as boron hydrides, which are fragments of polyhedra), the VRDDO procedure does not result in a noticeable savings in computer time for molecules of the size and shape of B₅H₉ and B₆H₁₀, in contrast to the savings previously realized for organic molecules of comparable atomic size. However, the agreement in calculational results between the 3G/MODPOT and the 3G/MODPOT +VRDDO results was still as extremely close as it had been for the organic molecules. 3G/MODPOT calculations were also carried out for B₈H₁₂, B₉H₁₅, B₁₀H₁₄, B₁₀H₁₄^?2, 1,2-C₂B₄H₆, and 1,6-C₂B₄H₆ and the results compared to the previous minimum STO basis results. For B₁₀H₁₄, the 3G/MODPOT +VRDDO method led to savings in computer time of 28% over the 3G/MODPOT method itself. The agreement of the 3G/MODPOT results with available experimental photoelectron spectral data for B₅H₉ and 1,6-C₂B₄H₆ was as good as that of the previous ab initio minimum STO basis calculations.     

Theoretical Studies on Geometry, Stability and Electronic Spectra of DATB and TATB

The geometries of DATB( 1,3-diamino-2,4 ,6-trinitrobenzene) and TATB( 1,3,5-tri-amino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene) have been optimized by M1NDO/3 method. It is found that the total energy of the molecule is rather low at the plane configuration. It is also found that the orbitals between the amino-N and its adjacent nitro-N as well as the amino-N and its adjacent nitro-N on the ring are rather close and matched in symmetry and have high orbital interaction through space, which are evidently seen from the computed results of the atomic bond index. The electronic spectra of DATB have been computed by using INDO/2-CI method, and the results are well conformed with the experimental facts. For instance, the transition from 'A' (ground state" ) to 'A' (the 7th exciled state) corresponds to the computed spectrum line(2. 48×104 cm-1) which is close to the experimental value (2. 43×104 cm-1). From a similar computation, we may predict that the major spectrum line of TATB will be 2. 75, 2. 77, 3. 28 and 3. 32×104 cm     

Studies on (non) energetic compounds

Five salts of dichloroanilinium bromide (DCABr) were prepared and characterized by elemental and spectral studies. The thermal decomposition of DCABr was studied by using TG-DTG-DTA techniques and the results are discussed here. Kinetic parameters with the help of model fitting and isoconversional methods have been evaluated critically. A mechanism of decomposition has also been suggested.     

Molecular mechanics calculations on carbonyl compounds. III. Cycloketones

Molecular mechanics (MM4) calculations were carried out on cycloketones for ring sizes ranging from 4 to 11 carbon atoms. The MM4 relative energies for the various conformations of the cycloketones were compared to density functional theory (DFT) calculations (B3LYP/6‐31G*), which were also carried out in this work. For small ring sizes (n=4–6), calculated molecular geometries, dipole moments, moments of inertia, and vibrational spectra were compared to experimental data. The axial–equatorial energy differences in methyl‐substituted cyclohexanones were also calculated by MM4 and compared to ab initio, DFT, and experimental results. The results of the MM4 studies on cycloketones showed significant improvement from those of MM3 calculations performed in parallel with the MM4 calculations. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1451–1475, 2001     

Intermolecular interaction between hexafluorobenzene and benzene: Ab initio calculations including CCSD(T) level electron correlation correction

The intermolecular interaction energy of hexafluorobenzene-benzene has been calculated with the ARS-E model (a model chemistry for the evaluation of the intermolecular interaction energy between aromatic systems using extrapolation), which was formerly called the AIMI model. The CCSD(T) interaction energy at the basis-set limit has been estimated from the MP2 interaction energy at the basis-set limit and the CCSD(T) correction term obtained using a medium-sized basis set. The slipped-parallel (Cs) complex has the largest (most negative) interaction energy (-5.38 kcal/mol). The sandwich (C6v) complex is slightly less stable (-5.07 kcal/mol). The interaction energies of two T-shaped (C2v) complexes are very small (-1.74 and -0.88 kcal/mol). The calculated interaction energy of the slipped-parallel complex is about twice as large as that of the benzene dimer. The dispersion interaction is found to be the major source of attraction in the complex, although electrostatic interaction also contributes to the attraction. The dispersion interaction increases the relative stability of the slipped-parallel benzene dimer and the hexafluorobenzene-benzene complex compared to T-shaped ones. The electrostatic interaction is repulsive in the slipped-parallel benzene dimer, whereas it stabilizes the slipped-parallel hexafluorobenzene-benzene complex. Both electrostatic and dispersion interactions stabilize the slipped-parallel hexafluorobenzene-benzene complex, which is the cause of the preference of the slipped-parallel orientation and the larger interaction energy of the complex compared to the benzene dimer.     

Ab initio calculations including electron correlation,and mindo/3 calculations on the system C2H+7

Ab initio SCF and CEPA PNO calculations have been performed together with MINDO/3 calculations on the system C₂H⁺₇. In agreement with experimental assignment, but in contradiction to MINDO/3 results, the ab initio methods show the CC protonated structure to be more stable than the CH protonated structure. The energy difference is 8.5 kcal/mol at the SCF level and 6.3 kcal/mol with inclusion of electron correlation. Additionally, ΔH⁰₃₀₀ for the reaction C₂H⁺_s + H₂ = C₂H⁺₇ and the proton affinity of ethane are computed.     

Scopolamine and atropineN-methyl diastereomer stability.Ab initio calculations onO-formylscopine andO-formyltropine model compounds

Ab initio geometry optimizations at the RHF-21G basis set level were calculated forequatorial andaxial N-methyl diastereomers ofO-formyltropine andO-formylscopine esters and other model compounds. These optimized geometries were then utilized as input for single-point energy calculations using the higher level RHF/6-31G^* basis set to afford a more precise estimation of the total energies and atomic charges. Ethano bridge pinching of theN-protonated tropanyl piperidine moiety pushes the smalleraxial N-proton closer toward the neighboring twoaxial C-H bonds compared with the analogous case for a bulkyaxial N-methyl. Increasedcis 1,3-diaxial interactions in theaxial N-methyl diastereomer destabilize this epimer in favor of theequatorial N-methyl counterpart [e.g., 2.121 kcal/mol lower energy for theequatorial N-methylO-formyltropineN-protonated diastereomer (12) than for theaxial epimer (13)]. Lower pyramidality at nitrogen in the free base maintains the relative stability of theequatorial N-methyl free base diastereomer (14) (1.120 kcal/mol more stable than theaxial free base15). A nonprotonated carbon atom at the apex of a three-membered ring fused to the 6,7-positions of theO-formyltropine skeleton results in severe transannular nonbonding steric interactions involving the neighboringequatorial N-methyl group inN-protonated16 (3.335 kcal/mol less stable than theaxial N-methyl epimer17, where these transannular interactions are reduced due to the smallerequatorial N-H proton). Oxygen atom occupation of the apex of a similar fused three-membered ring retains the same severe transannular nonbonding steric interactions involving the neighboringequatorial N-methyl group inN-protonated18. These transannular interactions now become electrostatically attractive in theN-protonatedaxial N-methyl epimer19 (2.031 kcal/mol more stable than theequatorial epimer). Reduced pyramidality at nitrogen in theO-formylscopine free base reduces the repulsive transannular interaction with the neighboringequatorial N-methyl group compared to that in theN-protonated form. Lowered pyramidality also reduces thecis-1,3-diaxial interactions in theaxial N-methyl epimer, but the nitrogen lone pair is pushed close to the transannular oxygen lone pair as a result (theequatorial N-methyl free base20 is 3.870 kcal/mol more stable than theaxial epimer21). Theseab initio-calculated models ofO-formyltropines andO-formylscopineN-methyl diastereomeric protonated cations and free bases provide stereochemical insight into the relative stabilities of solution-state atropine and scopolamineN-methyl species previously observed by NMR spectroscopic methods.     

Diruthenium(III,III) bis(alkynyl) compounds with donor/acceptor-substituted geminal-diethynylethene ligands

Reported in this contribution are the preparation and characterization of a series of Ru(2)(DMBA)(4) (DMBA = N,N'-dimethylbenzamidinate) bis(alkynyl) compounds, trans-Ru(2)(DMBA)(4)(X-gem-DEE)(2) [gem-DEE = σ-geminal-diethynylethene; X = H (1), Si(i)Pr(3) (2), Fc (3); 4-C(6)H(4)NO(2) (4), and 4-C(6)H(4)NMe(2) (5)]. Compounds 1-5 were characterized by spectroscopic and voltammetric techniques as well as the single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 2 and 3. Both the single-crystal structural data of compounds 2 and 3 and the spectroscopic/voltammetric data indicate that the gem-DEE ligands are similar to simple acetylides in their impact on the molecular and electronic structures of the Ru(2)(DMBA)(4) core. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations revealed more extensive π delocalization in aryl-donor-substituted gem-DEEs and that the hole-transfer mechanism will likely dominate the charge delocalization in Ru(2)-gem-DEE-based wires.     

Ab initio calculations of structures and interaction energies of toluene dimers including CCSD(T) level electron correlation correction

The intermolecular interaction energy of the toluene dimer has been calculated with the ARS-F model (a model chemistry for the evaluation of intermolecular interaction energy between ARomatic Systems using Feller's method), which was formerly called as the AIMI model III. The CCSD(T) (coupled cluster calculations with single and double substitutions with noniterative triple excitations) interaction energy at the basis set limit has been estimated from the second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation interaction energy at the basis set limit obtained by Feller's method and the CCSD(T) correction term obtained using a medium-size basis set. The cross (C(2)) dimer has the largest (most negative) interaction energy (-4.08 kcal/mol). The antiparallel (C(2h)) and parallel (C(S)) dimers (-3.77 and -3.41 kcal/mol, respectively) are slightly less stable. The dispersion interaction is found to be the major source of attraction in the toluene dimer. The dispersion interaction mainly determines the relative stability of the stacked three dimers. The electrostatic interaction of the stacked three dimers is repulsive. Although the T-shaped and slipped-parallel benzene dimers are nearly isoenergetic, the stacked toluene dimers are substantially more stable than the T-shaped toluene dimer (-2.62 kcal/mol). The large dispersion interaction in the stacked toluene dimers is the cause of their enhanced stability.     

Ab initio and molecular mechanics (MM2 and MM3) calculations of nonconjugated positively charged nitrogen-containing compounds

High-level ab initio calculations have been performed on N-methyl-N-methyleneammonium and related compounds to obtain accurate rotational barriers, structures, and vibrational frequencies. The 6-31G** basis set has been utilized at the Hartree-Fock level of theory for these calculations because little experimental data are available. The MM2(91) and MM3(94) force fields have been parameterized to include these nonconjugated charged nitrogen-containing compounds. Molecular mechanics geometries and vibrational frequencies compare well with the ab initio results. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Ab initio and molecular mechanics (MM2 and MM3) calculations of positively charged conjugated nitrogen-containing compounds

Ab initio calculations have been carried out on s-trans-N-vinylmethyleneammonium, pyridinium, and related compounds to obtain rotational barriers, structures, and vibrational frequencies. The restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) level of theory with 6-31G** basis set was used for these calculations. In addition, the MM2(91) and MM3(94) force fields have been parameterized to calculate these positively charged nitrogen-containing compounds. A bond order term was incorporated in the force field to reproduce accurately the rotational barriers of s-trans-N-vinylmethyleneammonium and related compounds. Molecular mechanics geometries and vibrational frequencies compare well with those calculated by ab initio methods. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

(Eta3-phenylallyl)(phosphanyloxazoline)palladium complexes: X-ray crystallographic studies,NMR investigations,and Ab initio/DFT calculations

All possible (eta(3)-allyl)palladium complexes (1-4) of the ligand (4S)-[2-(2'-diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl]-4,5-dihydro-4-(2-propyl)-oxazole (L 1) and eta(3)-allyl ligands with one to three phenyl substituents at the terminal allylic centers were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis and, with respect to allylic isomers, by NMR investigations. Equilibrium geometries, electronic structures, and relative energies of isomeric complexes were computed by restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations; experimentally determined isomer ratios could be reproduced. The results allowed important conclusions to be drawn regarding the mechanism of Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitutions.     

Organothallium compounds : XVII. Halogenobis(polyfluorophenyl)thallium(III) complexes

The preparations, stabilities and structures of the complexes R₂TlX and R₂ LTlX (R = C₆F₅, p-HC₆F₄, or o-HC₆F₄; X = Br or Cl; L = Ph₃PO, 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy) or Ph₃P) have been examined or (R = C₆ F₅) reinvestigated. The derivatives R₂TlX are monomeric in acetone, from which the complex (p-HC₆F₄)₂ Me₂COTIBr has been isolated. In this solvent, the complexes R₂LTlX (L = Ph₃PO, bpy, or Ph₃P) undergo partial dissociation by loss of L. When L = bpy, there is also slight ionization into R₂LTl⁺ and R₂TlX^?₂. The acceptor properties of R₂TlX compounds towards uncharged ligands decrease R = C₆F₅ ? p-HC₆F₄ > o-HC₆F₄ > Ph. Dimeric behaviour is observed for R₂TIX compounds in benzene, whilst R₂LTlX (L = Ph₃PO or bpy) derivatives show slight but significant association. In the solid state, R₂TlX compounds are considered to be polymeric with five coordinate thallium, and R₂LTlX derivatives to be dimeric with five (L = Ph₃PO) or six (L = bpy) coordinate thallium by contrast with four coordinate dimeric and four or five coordinate monomeric structures previously proposed for the respective pentafluorophenyl derivatives. Halogen bridging is unsymmetrical for R = C₆F₅ or p-HC₆F₄, but may be more symmetrical for R = o-HC₆F₄ when L = Ph₃PO or bpy. Reported structural data for the complexes (C₆F₅)LTlX (L = Ph₃AsO, Ph₃P, Ph₃As, or 1,10-phenanthroline; X = Br or Cl) and (C₆F₅)₂TlCl^?₂ are reinterpreted and the proposed structures revised.     

Force field calculations (MM3) on glyoxal,quinones, and related compounds

A general force field type of calculation has been devised in connection with MM3 to treat 1,2- and 1,4-diketones, both when they are not conjugated (as in derivatives of glyoxal) and when they are conjugated (as in derivatives of ortho- and para-benzoquinone). The molecular structures, moments of inertia, dipole moments, and vibrational spectra have been examined for about 15 compounds, some in several conformations. Ab initio calculations (6-31G*) have been used to determine quantities that have not been previously defined by experiment. In general, the force field permits the calculation of the structures with high accuracy, and the spectroscopic and conformational energy data with fair accuracy. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.