Breaking and Making of Carbon–Carbon Bonds by Lanthanides and Third‐Row Transition Metals

Carbon‐atom extrusion from the ipso‐position of a halobenzene ring (C₆H₅X; X=F, Cl, Br, I) and its coupling with a methylene ligand to produce acetylene is not confined to [LaCH₂]⁺; also, the third‐row transition‐metal complexes [MCH₂]⁺, M=Hf, Ta, W, Re, and Os, bring about this unusual transformation. However, substrates with substituents X=CN, NO₂, OCH₃, and CF₃ are either not reactive at all or give rise to different products when reacted with [LaCH₂]⁺. In the thermal gas‐phase processes of atomic Ln⁺ with C₇H₇Cl substrates, only those lanthanides with a promotion energy small enough to attain a 4fⁿ5d¹6s¹ configuration are reactive and form both [LnCl]⁺ and [LnC₅H₅Cl]⁺. Branching ratios and the reaction efficiencies of the various processes seem to correlate with molecular properties, like the bond‐dissociation energies of the C?X or M⁺?X bonds or the promotion energies of lanthanides.     

The Prominent Enhancing Effect of the Cation–π Interaction on the Halogen–Hydride Halogen Bond in M1⋅⋅⋅C6H5X⋅⋅⋅HM2

We designed M¹???C₆H₅X???HM² (M¹=Li⁺, Na⁺; X=Cl, Br; M²=Li, Na, BeH, MgH) complexes to enhance halogen–hydride halogen bonding with a cation–π interaction. The interaction strength has been estimated mainly in terms of the binding distance and the interaction energy. The results show that halogen–hydride halogen bonding is strengthened greatly by a cation–π interaction. The interaction energy in the triads is two to six times as much as that in the dyads. The largest interaction energy is ?8.31 kcal mol^?1 for the halogen bond in the Li⁺???C₆H₅Br???HNa complex. The nature of the cation, the halogen donor, and the metal hydride influence the nature of the halogen bond. The enhancement effect of Li⁺ on the halogen bond is larger than that of Na⁺. The halogen bond in the Cl donor has a greater enhancement than that in the Br one. The metal hydride imposes its effect in the order HBeH<HMgH<HNa<HLi for the Cl complex and HBeH<HMgH<HLi<HNa for the Br complex. The large cooperative energy indicates that there is a strong interplay between the halogen–hydride halogen bonding and the cation–π interaction. Natural bond orbital and energy decomposition analyses indicate that the electrostatic interaction plays a dominate role in enhancing halogen bonding by a cation–π interaction.     

Die Elektronenstoßfragmentierung von substituierten Dimethylalkoxysilanen

Electron Impact Fragmentation of Substituted Dimethylalkoxysilanes The mass spectra of substitued dimethylalkoxysilanes (H₃C)₂SiOCH₃R (R ? ? F, ? Cl, ? H, ? OCH₃, ? C₆H₅, ? CH₃, ? C₂H₅, ? n-C₃H₇), and (H₃C)₂SiOC₂H₅R (R ? ? Cl, ? C₆H₅, ? CH₃, ? C₂H₅) have been recorded and the fragmentation patterns are presented. The yield of the electron impact induced reaction (M-15)⁺→(M-45)⁺+ H₂CO occuring upon fragmentation of substituted dimethylmethoxysilanes depends on the substituent R. A quantum chemical calculation was carried out by CNDO/2 method to determine the electron density distribution in the ion at mass number (M-15). It is shown that a correlation exists between the Si? O? π bond order in this ion and the yield as well as the activation energy of this reaction.     

Ion-Molecule Reactions of Free Phenyl Cations with Diethylamine in the Gas Phase: Radiochemical Study

Ion-molecule reactions of free phenyl cations with diethylamine in the gas phase were studied radiochemically. The reaction practically totally follows the pathway of proton transfer, which occurs in the intermediate complex not only from the incoming cation (C₆H₅ ⁺) but also from the ethyl substituent of the amine. Also, products of the reaction of diethylamine with benzyne (C₆H₄) generated by proton abstraction from the phenyl cation were detected.     

Understanding Stability Trends along the Lanthanide Series

The stability trends across the lanthanide series of complexes with the polyaminocarboxylate ligands TETA^4? (H₄TETA=2,2′,2′′,2′′′‐(1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐1,4,8,11‐tetrayl)tetraacetic acid), BCAED^4? (H₄BCAED=2,2′,2′′,2′′′‐{[(1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diyl)bis(ethane‐2,1‐diyl)]bis(azanetriyl)}tetraacetic acid), and BP18C6^2? (H₂BP18C6=6,6′‐[(1,4,10,13‐tetraoxa‐7,16‐diazacyclooctadecane‐7,16‐diyl)bis(methylene)]dipicolinic acid) were investigated using DFT calculations. Geometry optimizations performed at the TPSSh/6‐31G(d,p) level, and using a 46+4fⁿ ECP for lanthanides, provide bond lengths of the metal coordination environments in good agreement with the experimental values observed in the X‐ray structures. The contractions of the Ln³⁺ coordination spheres follow quadratic trends, as observed previously for different isostructural series of complexes. We show here that the parameters obtained from the quantitative analysis of these data can be used to rationalize the observed stability trends across the 4f period. The stability trends along the lanthanide series were also evaluated by calculating the free energy for the reaction [La( L )]^n+/?_(sol)+Ln³⁺_(sol)→[Ln( L )]^n+/?_(sol)+La³⁺_(sol). A parameterization of the Ln³⁺ radii was performed by minimizing the differences between experimental and calculated standard hydration free energies. The calculated stability trends are in good agreement with the experimental stability constants, which increase markedly across the series for BCAED^4? complexes, increase smoothly for the TETA^4? analogues, and decrease in the case of BP18C6^2? complexes. The resulting stability trend is the result of a subtle balance between the increased binding energies of the ligand across the lanthanide series, which contribute to an increasing complex stability, and the increase in the absolute values of hydration energies along the 4f period.     

Expanded‐Ring N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes for the Stabilization of Highly Electrophilic Gold(I) Cations

Strategies for the synthesis of highly electrophilic Au^I complexes from either hydride‐ or chloride‐containing precursors have been investigated by employing sterically encumbered Dipp‐substituted expanded‐ring NHCs (Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃). Thus, complexes of the type (NHC)AuH have been synthesised (for NHC=6‐Dipp or 7‐Dipp) and shown to feature significantly more electron‐rich hydrides than those based on ancillary imidazolylidene donors. This finding is consistent with the stronger σ‐donor character of these NHCs, and allows for protonation of the hydride ligand. Such chemistry leads to the loss of dihydrogen and to the trapping of the [(NHC)Au]⁺ fragment within a dinuclear gold cation containing a bridging hydride. Activation of the hydride ligand in (NHC)AuH by B(C₆F₅)₃, by contrast, generates a species (at low temperatures) featuring a [HB(C₆F₅)₃]^? fragment with spectroscopic signatures similar to the “free” borate anion. Subsequent rearrangement involves B?C bond cleavage and aryl transfer to the carbophilic metal centre. Under halide abstraction conditions utilizing Na[BAr^f₄] (Ar^f=C₆H₃(CF₃)₂‐3,5), systems of the type [(NHC)AuCl] (NHC=6‐Dipp or 7‐Dipp) generate dinuclear complexes [{(NHC)Au}₂(μ‐Cl)]⁺ that are still electrophilic enough at gold to induce aryl abstraction from the [BAr^f₄]^? counterion.     

Magnitude and origin of the attraction and directionality of the halogen bonds of the complexes of C6F5X and C6H5X (X = I, Br, Cl and F) with pyridine

The geometries and interaction energies of complexes of pyridine with C₆F₅X, C₆H₅X (X=I, Br, Cl, F and H) and R_FI (R_F=CF₃, C₂F₅ and C₃F₇) have been studied by ab initio molecular orbital calculations. The CCSD(T) interaction energies (E_int) for the C₆F₅X–pyridine (X=I, Br, Cl, F and H) complexes at the basis set limit were estimated to be ?5.59, ?4.06, ?2.78, ?0.19 and ?4.37 kcal mol^?1, respectively, whereas the E_int values for the C₆H₅X–pyridine (X=I, Br, Cl and H) complexes were estimated to be ?3.27, ?2.17, ?1.23 and ?1.78 kcal mol^?1, respectively. Electrostatic interactions are the cause of the halogen dependence of the interaction energies and the enhancement of the attraction by the fluorine atoms in C₆F₅X. The values of E_int estimated for the R_FI–pyridine (R_F=CF₃, C₂F₅ and C₃F₇) complexes (?5.14, ?5.38 and ?5.44 kcal mol^?1, respectively) are close to that for the C₆F₅I–pyridine complex. Electrostatic interactions are the major source of the attraction in the strong halogen bond although induction and dispersion interactions also contribute to the attraction. Short‐range (charge‐transfer) interactions do not contribute significantly to the attraction. The magnitude of the directionality of the halogen bond correlates with the magnitude of the attraction. Electrostatic interactions are mainly responsible for the directionality of the halogen bond. The directionality of halogen bonds involving iodine and bromine is high, whereas that of chlorine is low and that of fluorine is negligible. The directionality of the halogen bonds in the C₆F₅I– and C₂F₅I–pyridine complexes is higher than that in the hydrogen bonds in the water dimer and water–formaldehyde complex. The calculations suggest that the C? I and C? Br halogen bonds play an important role in controlling the structures of molecular assemblies, that the C? Cl bonds play a less important role and that C? F bonds have a negligible impact.     

Thermal Ethane Activation by Bare [V2O5]+ and [Nb2O5]+ Cluster Cations: on the Origin of Their Different Reactivities

The gas‐phase reactivity of [V₂O₅]⁺ and [Nb₂O₅]⁺ towards ethane has been investigated by means of mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The two metal oxides give rise to the formation of quite different reaction products; for example, the direct room‐temperature conversions C₂H₆→C₂H₅OH or C₂H₆→CH₃CHO are brought about solely by [V₂O₅]⁺. In distinct contrast, for the couple [Nb₂O₅]⁺/C₂H₆, one observes only single and double hydrogen‐atom abstraction from the hydrocarbon. DFT calculations reveal that different modes of attack in the initial phase of C?H bond activation together with quite different bond‐dissociation energies of the M?O bonds cause the rather varying reactivities of [V₂O₅]⁺ and [Nb₂O₅]⁺ towards ethane. The gas‐phase generation of acetaldehyde from ethane by bare [V₂O₅]⁺ may provide mechanistic insight in the related vanadium‐catalyzed large‐scale process.     

Über die Reaktion von 2,2-Dimethylpropylidinphosphan mit Molybdänpentachlorid; die Kristallstruktur von [Mo2Cl6(α,α′-Dipyridyl)3]

Reaction of 2,2-Dimethylpropylidynephosphine with Molybdenum Pentachloride; Crystal Structure of [Mo₂Cl₆(α,α′-dipyridyl)₃] 2,2-Dimethylpropylidynephosphine and molybdenum pentachloride dissolved in POCl₃ react with oxydation of the phosphorus and reduction of the molybdenum atom to give the alkyne complex [Mo₂Cl₄(μ-Cl)₂(μ-H₉C₄? C?C? C₄H₉)(OPCl₃)₂]. Addition of α,α′-dipyridyl or of methyltriphenylphosphonium chloride in dichloromethane results in a displacement of the ligands POCl₃ and H₉C₄? C?C? C₄H₉ from this complex and in the formation of [Mo₂Cl₆(dipy)₃] or [(H₅C₆? )₃P? CH₃]₃[Mo₂Cl₉]. Besides the latter compound small amounts of [(H₅C₆? )₃P? CH₃]₂[MoCl₆] can be isolated from the reaction mixture. [Mo₂Cl₆(dipy)₃] which has already been prepared by other methods crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with {a = 1612; b = 148; c = 1296 pm; γ 109.3°; Z = 4} at 20°C. As shown by a crystal structure determination the complex is built up from [MoCl₂(dipy)₂]⁺ cations and [MoCl₄(dipy)]^? anions. The molybdenum atoms are both octahedrally surrounded. With average values of 238 and 243 pm the Mo? Cl bond distances in the cation, where a cis-arrangement of the chlorine atoms is observed, and in the anion differ significantly from each other. [Mo₂Cl₆(dipy)₃] which has already been prepared by other methods crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with {a = 1612; b = 148; c = 1296 pm; γ = 109.3°; Z = 4} at 20°C. As shown by a crystal structure determination the complex is built up from [MoCl₂(dipy)₂]⁺ cations and [MoCl₄(dipy)]^? anions. The molybdenum atoms are both octahedrally surrounded. With average values of 238 and 243 pm the Mo? Cl bond distances in the cation, where a cis-arrangement of the chlorine atoms is observed, and in the anion differ significantly from each other.     

Assessment of intermolecular interactions at three sites of the arylalkyne in phenylacetylene‐containing lithium‐bonded complexes: Ab initio and QTAIM studies

The intermolecular interactions existing at three different sites between phenylacetylene and LiX (X = OH, NH₂, F, Cl, Br, CN, NC) have been investigated by means of second‐order Møller?Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) calculations and quantum theory of “atoms in molecules” (QTAIM) studies. At each site, the lithium‐bonding interactions with electron‐withdrawing groups (? F, ? Cl, ? Br, ? CN, ? NC) were found to be stronger than those with electron‐donating groups (? OH and ? NH₂). Molecular graphs of C₆H₅C?CH···LiF and πC₆H₅C?CH···LiF show the same connectional positions, and the electron densities at the lithium bond critical points (BCPs) of the πC₆H₅C?CH···LiF complexes are distinctly higher than those of the σC₆H₅C?CH···LiF complexes, indicating that the intermolecular interactions in the C₆H₅C?CH···LiX complexes can be mainly attributed to the π‐type interaction. QTAIM studies have shown that these lithium‐bond interactions display the characteristics of “closed‐shell” noncovalent interactions, and the molecular formation density difference indicates that electron transfer plays an important role in the formation of the lithium bond. For each site, linear relationships have been found between the topological properties at the BCP (the electron density ρ_b, its Laplacian ?²ρ_b, and the eigenvalue λ₃ of the Hessian matrix) and the lithium bond length d(Li‐bond). The shorter the lithium bond length d(Li‐bond), the larger ρ_b, and the stronger the π···Li bond. The shorter d(Li‐bond), the larger ?²ρ_b, and the greater the electrostatic character of the π···Li bond. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Thermal Dehydrogenation of Base‐Stabilized B2H5+ Complexes and Its Role in CH Borylation

Thermally induced dehydrogenation of the H‐bridged cation L₂B₂H₅⁺ (L=Lewis base) is proposed to be the key step in the intramolecular C? H borylation of tertiary amine boranes activated with catalytic amounts of strong “hydridophiles”. Loss of H₂ from L₂B₂H₅⁺ generates the highly reactive cation L₂B₂H₃⁺, which in its sp²‐sp³ diborane(4) form then undergoes either an intramolecular C? H insertion with B? B bond cleavage, or captures BH₃ to produce L₂B₃H₆⁺. The effect of the counterion stability on the outcome of the reaction is illustrated by formation of LBH₂C₆F₅ complexes through disproportionation of L₂B₂H₅⁺ HB(C₆F₅)₃^?.     

The C—H⃛O hydrogen bond in (di­cyano­methyl)­ammonium p‐toluene­sulfonate

In the title compound, C₃H₄N₃⁺·C₇H₇O₃S^?, the activated C—H group of the cation forms a short but bent C—H?O hydrogen bond with a sulfonate O atom of the anion; C?O = 3.075 (5) Å and C—H?O = 130°.     

Synthesis, characterization and thermal analysis of 1:1 and 2:3 lanthanide(III) citrates

The synthesis and characterization of lanthanide(III) citrates with stoichiometries 1:1 and 2:3; [LnL·xH₂O] and [Ln₂(LH)₃·2H₂O], Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm and Eu are reported. L stands for (C₆O₇H₅)^3? and LH for (C₆O₇H₆)^2?. Infrared absorption spectra of both series evidence coordination of carboxylate groups through symmetric bridges or chelation. X-ray powder patterns show the amorphous character of [LnL·xH₂O]. The compounds [Ln₂LH₃·2H₂O] are crystalline and isomorphous. Emission spectra of Eu compounds suggest C _2v symmetry for the coordination polyhedron of [LnL·xH₂O] and C _4v for [Ln₂(LH)₃·2H₂O]. Thermal analyses (TG-DTG-DTA) were carried out for both series. The thermal analysis patterns of the two series are quite different and both fit in a 4-step model of thermal decomposition, with lanthanide oxides as final products.     

Fragmentations of Hydroxymethyl Radical Cation: An Ab Initio Study

The probable fragmentation channels of hydroxymethyl radical cation were studied through the H‐and H₂‐abstraction and C‐O bond breaking reactions including their related isomerization reactions. The energy barriers for hydroxymethyl cation undergoing isomerization reactions are generally higher than those undergoing the concerted 1,2‐elimination reactions to generate CHO⁺ and H₂. The fragmentation reaction to form CHO⁺ and H₂ through the 1,2‐elimination pathways is the major fragmentation channel for hydroxymethyl cation, consistent with the experimental observation. H abstraction from the hydroxyl group of CH₂OH⁺ is more difficult than that from the methylene group. The feasible path to lose H is to generate CHOH₂⁺ through hydrogen transfer reaction as the first step and then to undergo H‐elimination to generate trans‐CHOH⁺. Among all the reactions found in this study, the OH‐elimination to generate CH₂⁺ has the highest energy barrier. Our calculation results indicate that the major signals contributed from the related species of hydroxymethyl cation found in the mass spectrum should be m/e 29, m/e 30.     

Homo‐ and Heterodinuclear Ir and Rh Imine‐functionalized Protic NHC Complexes: Synthetic,Structural Studies,and Tautomerization/Metallotropism Insights

The influence of the potentially chelating imino group of imine‐functionalized Ir and Rh imidazole complexes on the formation of functionalized protic N‐heterocyclic carbene (pNHC) complexes by tautomerization/metallotropism sequences was investigated. Chloride abstraction in [Ir(cod)Cl{C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}] ( 1 a ) (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene, Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) with TlPF₆ gave [Ir(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 3 a ⁺[PF₆]^?). Plausible mechanisms for the tautomerization of complex 1 a to 3 a ⁺[PF₆]^? involving C2?H bond activation either in 1 a or in [Ir(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}₂]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 6 a ⁺[PF₆]^?) were postulated. Addition of PR₃ to complex 3 a ⁺[PF₆]^? afforded the eighteen‐valence‐electron complexes [Ir(cod)(PR₃){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 7 a ⁺[PF₆]^? (R=Ph) and 7 b ⁺[PF₆]^? (R=Me)). In contrast to Ir, chloride abstraction from [Rh(cod)Cl{C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}] ( 1 b ) at room temperature afforded [Rh(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κN3}₂]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 6 b ⁺[PF₆]^?) and [Rh(cod){C₃H₃N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 3 b ⁺[PF₆]^?) (minor); the reaction yielded exclusively the latter product in toluene at 110 °C. Double metallation of the azole ring (at both the C2 and the N3 atom) was also achieved: [Ir₂(cod)₂Cl{μ‐C₃H₂N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine),κN3}] ( 10 ) and the heterodinuclear complex [IrRh(cod)₂Cl{μ‐C₃H₂N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine),κN3}] ( 12 ) were fully characterized. The structures of complexes 1 b , 3 b ⁺[PF₆]^?, 6 a ⁺[PF₆]^?, 7 a ⁺[PF₆]^?, [Ir(cod){C₃HN₂(DippN=CMe)(DippN=CH)(Me)‐κ²(N3,N_imine)}]⁺[PF₆]^? ( 9 ⁺[PF₆]^?), 10? Et₂O ? toluene, [Ir₂(CO)₄Cl{μ‐C₃H₂N₂(DippN=CMe)‐κ²(C2,N_imine),κN3}] ( 11 ), and 12? 2 THF were determined by X‐ray diffraction.     

Über die Reaktion von 2,2-Dimethylpropylidinphosphan mit Wolframhexachlorid; die Kristallstrukturen von [(Cl3PO)WCl4(H9C4?CC?C4H9)] und [(H5C6)4As][WCl6]

Reaction of 2,2-Dimethylpropylidynephosphane with Tungsten Hexachloride as well as the Crystal Structures of [(Cl₃PO)WCl₄(H₉C₄? C?C—C₄H₉)] and [(H₅C₆)₄As][WCl₆] The reaction of 2,2-dimethylpropylidynephosphane, (CH₃)₃C? C?P|, with tungsten hexachloride suspended in POCl₃ results, with oxidation of the phosphorus atom, in 2,2,5,5-tetramethylhex-3-yne. This compound reacts with tungsten tetrachloride simultaneously formed to give the alkyne complex [(Cl₃PO)WCl₄(H₉C₄? C?C—C₄H₉)], which is dark green in colour. A small amount of tungsten hexachloride is reduced merely to tungsten pentachloride; after the addition of tetraphenyl arsonium chloride it can be isolated as [(H₅C₆)₄As][WCl₆]. For this compound, a new and very simple synthesis from WCl₆, [(H₅C₆)₄As]Cl and C₂Cl₄ as reducing agent is described. The structure of [(Cl₃PO)WCl₄(H₉C₄? C?C? C₄H₉)] has been determined from X-ray diffraction data (R = 5.8%). The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with: {a = 1510; b = 1517; c = 849 pm; β = 93.1°; Z = 4}. The tungsten atom is sevenfold coordinated by four equatorial chlorine atoms, by the C°C group of the acetylene ligand and by the oxygen atom of the POCl₃ molecule in trans position. The bulky acetylene ligand which is nearly symmetrically bound shifts the chlorine atoms towards the solvated POCl₃ molecule so that no common plane with the tungsten atom is possible. With 130 pm the C°C bond length of the 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-yne ligand corresponds to a C°C double bond. The i.r. spectrum of [(H₅C₆)As][WCl₆] shows two WCl₆ strectching vibrations and therefore proves a reduction of octahedral symmetry. In agreement with the results of a crystal structure determination (space group P4/n; a = 1301; c = 780 pm; Z = 2.7%) the [WCl₆]^?-anion has nearly exact C_4V symmetry with somewhat shorter W? Cl bond lengths parallel to the fourfold axis of rotation.     

Gas-phase halo alkylation of C60-fullerene by ion-molecule reaction under chemical ionization

Chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra of C₆₀-fullerene were studied using 1,2-dibromoethane and 1,2-dichloroethane as CI reagents. The ion-molecule reaction between C₆₀ and C₂H₄X⁺ (X=Br and Cl) leads to the formation of (C₆₀+C₂H₄X)⁺ adducts. The collision-induced dissociation of the adducts reveal gas phase halo alkylation of C₆₀-fullerence involving the C?C bond formation.     

Uncommon hydrogen bonds between a non-classical ethyl cation and π hydrocarbons: a preliminary study

This study undertakes a theoretical investigation into uncommon hydrogen bonds between the ethyl cation (C₂H₅ ⁺) and π hydrocarbons. Firstly, it considers the hyperconjugation effect of the ethyl cation, in which the non-localized hydrogen (H⁺) is taken to be a pseudoatom bound to the carbons of the methyl groups. The goal of the research is to use this electronic phenomenon to gain a better understanding of the (H⁺···π) and (H⁺···p-π) hydrogen bonds, which are considered uncommon because they are formed through the interaction of the H⁺ of the ethyl cation with the π bonds of the acetylene (C₂H₂) and ethene (C₂H₄), as well as with the pseudo-π bond of the cyclopropane (C₃H₆). In view of this, B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations were used to determine the geometries of the C₂H₅ ⁺···C₂H₂, C₂H₅ ⁺···C₂H₄, and C₂H₅ ⁺···C₃H₆ hydrogen-bonded complexes. Deformations of the bond lengths and bond angles of these systems were analyzed geometrically. Examination of the stretch frequencies and absorption intensities of the (H⁺···π) and (H⁺···p-π) hydrogen bonds has revealed red-shifts in π and p-π bonds. After structural modeling and vibrational characterization, analysis of the charge transfer following the ChelpG approach and subsequently quantification of the hydrogen bond energies (basis sets superpostition error and zero point vibrational energies being considered) were used to predict the strength of the (H⁺···π) and (H⁺···p-π) hydrogen bonds. In addition, the molecular topography was estimated using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM). QTAIM was chosen because of a desire to understand the (H⁺···π) and (H⁺···p-π) hydrogen bonds chemically on the basis of the quantity of charge density and interpretation of Laplacian fields. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The formation of the anilinium ion from the ammonium ion in the ammonia chemical ionization of substituted benzenes

Compounds C₆H₅X(X ? F, Cl, Br, NO₂, CN, OCH₃) have been studied under chemical ionization conditions with ammonia as reagent gas. A pulsed electron beam and time resolved ion collection has allowed the determination of the reaction leading to the formation of [C₆H₅NH₃]⁺ (m/z 94). [NH₄]⁺ reacts with C₆H₅X(X ? F, Cl, Br) to yield m/z 94 but C₆H₅X (X ? CN, NO₂) forms this ion only by reactions involving either [NH₃]⁺ or [C₆H₅X]⁺. C₆H₅OCH₃ does not form m/z 94.     

On the Gas‐Phase Reactivity of Complexed OH+ with Halogenated Alkanes

OH⁺ is an extraordinarily strong oxidant. Complexed forms (L? OH⁺), such as H₂OOH⁺, H₃NOH⁺, or iron–porphyrin‐OH⁺ are the anticipated oxidants in many chemical reactions. While these molecules are typically not stable in solution, their isolation can be achieved in the gas phase. We report a systematic survey of the influence on L on the reactivity of L? OH⁺ towards alkanes and halogenated alkanes, showing the tremendous influence of L on the reactivity of L? OH⁺. With the help of with quantum chemical calculations, detailed mechanistic insights on these very general reactions are gained. The gas‐phase pseudo‐first‐order reaction rates of H₂OOH⁺, H₃NOH⁺, and protonated 4‐picoline‐N‐oxide towards isobutane and different halogenated alkanes C_nH_2n+1Cl (n=1–4), HCF₃, CF₄, and CF₂Cl₂ have been determined by means of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance meaurements. Reaction rates for H₂OOH⁺ are generally fast (7.2×10^?10–3.0×10^?9 cm³ mol^?1 s^?1) and only in the cases HCF₃ and CF₄ no reactivity is observed. In contrast to this H₃NOH⁺ only reacts with tC₄H₉Cl (k_obs=9.2×10^?10), while 4‐CH₃‐C₅H₄N‐OH⁺ is completely unreactive. While H₂OOH⁺ oxidizes alkanes by an initial hydride abstraction upon formation of a carbocation, it reacts with halogenated alkanes at the chlorine atom. Two mechanistic scenarios, namely oxidation at the halogen atom or proton transfer are found. Accurate proton affinities for HOOH, NH₂OH, a series of alkanes C_nH_2n+2 (n=1–4), and halogenated alkanes C_nH_2n+1Cl (n=1–4), HCF₃, CF₄, and CF₂Cl₂, were calculated by using the G3 method and are in excellent agreement with experimental values, where available. The G3 enthalpies of reaction are also consistent with the observed products. The tendency for oxidation of alkanes by hydride abstraction is expressed in terms of G3 hydride affinities of the corresponding cationic products C_nH_2n+1⁺ (n=1–4) and C_nH_2nCl⁺ (n=1–4). The hypersurface for the reaction of H₂OOH⁺ with CH₃Cl and C₂H₅Cl was calculated at the B3 LYP, MP2, and G3_m* level, underlining the three mechanistic scenarios in which the reaction is either induced by oxidation at the hydrogen or the halogen atom, or by proton transfer.