Facts and artifacts about aromatic stability estimation

The stability of a set of 105 five-membered π-electron systems (involving aromatic, non-aromatic and anti-aromatic species) was evaluated using six isodesmic reactions of which two belong to the subclass of homodesmotic reactions, which are based on cyclic and acyclic reference systems. We demonstrate that the ‘Resonance Energies’ derived from isodesmotic schemes have obvious flaws and do not correct or cancel other contributions to the energy, such as the changes of hybridization, homoconjugation of heterosubstituted cyclopentadienes, conjugative interactions of CC or CX (X=N or P) with a π or pseudo π orbital at Y (Y=O, S, NH, PH), strain, etc. as effectively as possible. Likewise, ‘aromatic stabilization energies (ASE)’ derived from homodesmotic schemes based on the acyclic reference compounds do not give satisfactory results. We strongly recommend that only cyclic reference compounds should be used for ASE and other aromaticity evaluations. The analysis is based on ab initio optimized geometries at B3LYP/6-311+G^∗∗.     

Regio- and π-facial selective Lewis acid interceded Diels-Alder reactions of α-dienyl-β-lactams: an indepth analysis

The regio-, diastereo-, and π-facial selective Lewis acid mediated Diels-Alder reactions of cis/trans-3-butadienyl-2-azetidinones with unsymmetrical dienophiles viz. methyl acrylate, dimethyl fumarate, and acrolein leading to the synthesis of diastereomerically pure and biologically potent 1,3,4-trisubstituted-2-azetidinones are reported. Theoretical calculations at HF/6-31G^∗∗ and 6-31G^∗∗/DFT levels have been performed to support the observed π-facial selectivity. The formation of diastereomerically pure ‘endo’ adducts is supported by the X-ray diffraction studies.     

Intra-annular cyclophane diamines as proton sponges: a computational study

Gas-phase proton affinities of cyclophanes containing intra-annular amino groups were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31+G^∗∗//B3LYP/6-31G^∗ level. They are higher in magnitude as those for proton sponges such as 1,8-bisaminonaphthalene, however, they are slightly weaker bases than 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene. The high basicity of the cyclophane diamines is attributed mainly to their structural flexibility, which allows them to maximize the hydrogen bond strength in the cations by achieving N-H?N linearity, while strain relief upon protonation is less important. Another contributing factor is the stabilizing interaction of the added proton with adjacent phenyl π systems of the cyclophanes. Barriers for proton transfer between the nitrogen atoms of the diamine cations are also reported.     

A DFT study on pyridine-derived N-heterocyclic carbenes

To appreciate the chemistry of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), eight carbenic tautomers of pyridine (azacyclohexadienylidenes) are studied at B3LYP/AUG-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-31+G^∗ and B3LYP/6-311++G^∗∗//B3LYP/6-31+G^∗ levels of theory. Various thermodynamic parameters are calculated for these minima, along with a kinetic focus on carbene-pyridine tautomerization. Appropriate isodesmic reactions show stabilization energies of 2-azacyclohexa-3,5-dienylidene (1) and 4-azacyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene (6) as 119.4 and 104.1 kcal/mol, rather close to that of the synthesized 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene (129.2 kcal/mol). Three different mechanisms are suggested for the tautomerizations including: [1,2]-H shift, [1,4]-H shift, and three sequential [1,2]-H shifts. The calculated energy barrier for [1,2]-H shift of 1 is 44.6 kcal/mol, while the first [1,2]-H shift for the proposed sequential mechanism of 6 requires 65.1 kcal/mol. Three preliminary minimum templates are introduced, which may possess the potential of synthetic consideration: 2,6-di(X)-3,5-dichloro-4-azacyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene for X=Mes, t-Bu, and Ad.     

Explicit and implicit solvation of radical ions: the cycloreversion of CPD dimers

The electron transfer catalyzed cycloreversion of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers is the key step in repair of light-induced DNA lesions catalyzed by the enzyme CPD photolyase. The formation of the CPD radical anion was found to be strongly solvent dependent due to a specific hydrogen bond that stabilizes the valence bound state over the dipole bound state of the additional electron. The effect of solvation on the vertical and adiabatic electron affinity of uracil and uracil dimers as well as on the mechanism of the cycloreversion of the uracil dimer radical anion is explored for three model systems that include explicit solvent molecules at the B3LYP/6-311++G^∗∗/B3LYP/6-31+G^∗ level of theory. The second solvation shell is described using the implicit C-PCM solvation model. These calculations indicate an effectively barrierless mechanism. These results are in agreement with the available experimental data for the reaction energies and isotope effects. It is also shown that a single hydrogen bond donor is a sufficient minimal model for the first solvation shell by adequately describing the stabilization of the valence bound state of the radical anion through hydrogen bonding. The relationship of these model systems with the enzymatic reaction catalyzed by DNA photolyase is also discussed.     

The determination of sulfoxide configuration in six-membered rings using NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations

Cyclic six-membered ring sulfoxides and sulfones were prepared by a stepwise in situ oxidation of the corresponding sulfides with meta-chloroperbenzoic acid in an NMR tube. The oxidation was followed by NMR spectra and the ¹H and ¹³C NMR data were collected. The geometries of all of the compounds were optimized using the DFT B3LYP/6-31G^∗∗ method and the ¹³C and ¹H NMR chemical shifts were calculated for geometry-optimized structures with the DFT B3LYP/6-31++G^∗∗ method. The calculated ¹³C NMR chemical shifts induced by oxidation (Δδ values) are in very good agreement with the experimental data and can be used to determine the oxidation state of the sulfur atom (-S-, -SO-, -SO₂-). The characteristic differences of the induced oxidation chemical shifts of carbon atoms at the α- and β-position to sulfur were successfully used for distinguishing between the diastereoisomeric sulfoxides.     

Aromaticity and ring currents in ferrocene and two isomeric sandwich complexes

Ring currents induced in the ferrocene molecule and its two hypothetical isomers (η⁴-C₄H₄)Fe(η⁶-C₆H₆) and (η³-C₃H₃)Fe(η⁷-C₇H₇) by an external magnetic field directed along the principal axis are plotted within the ipsocentric approach (at the B3LYP/6-31G∗∗//B3LYP/6-31G∗∗ level). The carbocyclic ligands in all three species are found to be aromatic, i.e. to support individual diatropic ring currents, with formal charges that are consistent with the 4n + 2 rule and the +2 oxidation state of iron.     

A DFT Study on the Interactions between Sulfolane and Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The B3LYP method with 6-31G^*, 6-311+G^* and aug-cc-pvdz basis sets was used to predict the geometries of aromatic hydrocarbon (benzene, toluene, benzonitrile) and sulfolane interaction systems. Nine stable conformers were obtained with no imaginary frequencies. The interaction energies of these binary mixtures have been obtained at the B3LYP/6-31G^*, B3LYP/6-311+G^* and B3LYP/aug-cc-pvdz levels. The natural bond orbital (NBO) and the atoms in molecules theory (AIM) were used to analyze the nature of the interactions at these levels. The results show that hydrogen bonds are present in these systems. Of all levels, the interaction of the sulfolane-benzonitrile system at B3LYP/6-311+G^* is the strongest with an interaction energy of −21.84 kJ⋅mol⁻¹ (BSSE corrected), and the intensity order of the interactions is A(2) > A(3) > A(1), B(2) > B(3) > B(1), C(2) > C(3) > C(1), and C(2) > B(2) > A(2).     

Novel platinum-catalysed cascade reactions: cyclisation, ring expansion and 1,2-oxygen shift reaction of a camphor-derived diyne

2,3-Bis(ethynyl)-3-hydroxy-camphorsultam was converted in one step into a novel tetracyclic cyclopentenone derivative, in an unprecedented platinum-catalysed cascade reaction. In the course of this reaction, cyclisation of the alkynes takes place, together with a ring expansion of the camphor skeleton and 1,2-migration of an oxygen atom. The structure of the unexpected product was analysed in detail by one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, and validated with the help of quantum mechanical calculations (B3LYP/6-31G^∗∗ and B3LYP/6-31+G(2df)) of the IR vibrational frequencies and the ¹H and ¹³C isotropic chemical shifts.     

Hydrazones from hydroxy naphthaldehydes and N-aminoheterocycles: structure and stereodynamics

Schiff bases derived from 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde, or 1-hydroxy-2-naphthaldehyde, and different saturated N-aminoheterocycles have been prepared. Their structures have been elucidated in both solution and the solid state, including unequivocal X-ray diffraction analyses. Experimental data evidence the presence of imine (or hydrazone) structures as the most stable tautomers, while all attempts to switch to enamine (or enhydrazine) structures based on electronic and steric considerations were unsuccessful. A complete conformational analysis assisted by DFT calculations at B3LYP/6-31G^∗ and M06-2X/6-311++G^∗∗ levels has been performed on each series of representative structures.     

A quest for triplet silylenes XHSi3 at ab initio and DFT levels (X = H, F, Cl and Br)

Four ground state triplet silylenes are found among 30 possible silylenic XHSi₃ structures (X = H, F, Cl and Br), at seven ab initio and DFT levels including: B3LYP/6-311++G^∗∗, HF/6-311++G^∗∗, MP3/6-311G^∗, MP2/6-311+G^∗∗, MP4(SDTQ)/6-311++G^∗∗, QCISD(T)/6-311++G^∗∗ and CCSD(T)/6-311++G^∗∗. The latter six methods indicate that the triplet states of 3-flouro-1,2,3-trisilapropadienylidene, 1-chloro-1,2,3-trisilapropargylene and 3-chloro-1,2,3-trisilapropargylene are energy minima. These triplets appear more stable than their corresponding singlet states which cannot even exist for showing negative force constants. Also, triplet state of 1-flouro-1,2,3-trisilapropargylene is possibly accessible for being an energy minimum, since its corresponding singlet state is not a real isomer. Some discrepancies are observed between energetic and/or structural results of DFT vs. ab initio data.     

DFT study of bis(picolinato-N,O)-copper(II) complex

The geometry of bis(pyridine-2-carboxylato-N,O)-copper(II) complex is optimized at B3LYP/6-311G^∗ level of theory and compared with experimental data. Comparing the electronic structure of this complex with that of its anionic ligand does not indicate any mechanical strain in the five-membered Cu–O–C–C–N metallocycle. The copper d-electron population of 9.2 corresponds to Cu(II) oxidation state. Using 6-31G^∗ basis sets produces an incorrect non-planar structure of the complex.     

Structural isomers of 2-(2,3 and 4-substituted-phenyl)-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one: A Theoretical Study

A series of 2-(2,3 and 4-substituted-phenyl)-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one molecules were theoretically investigated by the use of density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G^∗∗ level of the theory. The substituents studied in this work are X = H; CH₃; NH₂; OH; OCH₃; F, Cl; Br; NO₂; CN; COCH₃; CO₂H; CO₂Me; SH; BH₂. We have selected these functional groups to be placed in the 2, 3 and 4 positions with relation to the benzisoselenazol moiety in order to show the effect of these structural modifications on the electronic properties of the molecules.     

A computational approach towards predicting π-facial selectivity in sterically unbiased olefins: an evaluation of the relative importance of electrostatic and orbital effects

Computational studies are presented to show that electrostatic interactions significantly impact the stereochemical outcome in electrophilic addition to a number of sterically unbiased alkenes. Transition states have been located for the reaction of different electrophiles with all the sterically unbiased alkenes studied here and the calculations effectively include interactions involving the σ and σ^∗ orbitals of the newly formed bond. Electrostatic interaction between the substrates and electrophiles was modelled by removing the electrophiles from the transition state geometry and placing the calculated charge at a distance from a selected atom as observed in TS structures. Electrostatic interactions between the electrophiles and the substrate seem to effectively determine the face selectivities in the systems studied and our model calculations indicate that it may not be important to invoke Cieplak type orbital interactions to rationalize the observed face selectivities. The face selectivities predicted for these alkenes and electrophiles with DFT B3LYP/6-31G^∗ and ab initio MP2/6-31G^∗ levels are generally in good agreement.     

Nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) profiles in a series of monocyclic planar inorganic compounds

A series of monocyclic planar inorganic compounds have been optimized at the B3LYP/6-311+G^∗ level. GIAO-B3LYP nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) profiles calculated in the perpendicular direction of each ring show that the series of analyzed compounds can be classified in three groups according to their aromatic, non-aromatic or antiaromatic character. Our results suggest exercising caution in the use of single-point NICS calculations as a quantitative measure of aromaticity for these species.     

The C−NO2 bond dissociation energies of some nitroaromatic compounds: DFT study

The C−NO₂ bond dissociation energies in nitrobenzene; 3-amino-nitrobenze; 4-amino-nitrobenze; 1,3-dinitrobenzene; 1,4-dinitrobenzene; 2-methyl-nitrobenzene; 4-methyl-nitrobenzene; and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene nitroaromatic molecules, are computed using B3LYP, B3PW91, B3P86 three-parameter hybrid Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods in conjunction with 6-31G^** basis set. By comparing the computed energies and experimental ones, it is found that B3P86/6-31G^** is not capable of predicting the satisfactory bond dissociation energy (BDE). The BDEs computed with both B3LYP/6-31G^** and B3PW91/6-31G^** for the nitroaromatic molecules are closer to the experimental ones than those obtained with B3P86/6-31G^**. But, when compared with the experimental one, the BDE from the B3LYP/6-31G^** has the maximum deviation, which is completely outside our desired target accuracy for chemical predictions (less than 2.00 kcal mol⁻¹). Therefore, we suggest B3PW91/6-31G^** method as a reliable method of computing the BDE for removal of the nitrogen dioxide group in the nitroaromatic compounds. In addition, the C−NO₂ BDEs for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB), diaminotrinitrobenzene (DATB), and picramide are studied with B3PW91/6-31G^** method.     

Proton affinities of polybenzenoid aromatic hydrocarbons and those with five-membered rings

Proton affinities of PAHs including one five-membered ring are calculated by using the AM1 Hamiltonian for the determination of ΔH_f^o of the neutral and protonated molecules. The calculated PAs are compared to experimental PAs measured by chemical ionization mass spectrometry, using a new method based on competition between charge transfer and proton transfer occurring during the ionization process. A procedure is proposed to validate AM1-calculated PAs from experimental PAs after rescaling the calculated and measured PA values. The site of protonation is first determined on the criterion of the lowest loss of aromaticity, then on the criterion of the largest HOMO coefficient. For indene, the corrected result is compared to an ab initio calculation at the MP2/6-31G^*//HF/6-31G^* level and to a DFT calculation at the B3LYP/6-31G^* and the B3LYP/6-311 + G^** levels. Five new PAs are thus established and one published experimental PA is revised. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Weak intramolecular interactions as controlling factors in the diastereoselective formation of 3-phosphinoxido- and 3-phosphono-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophosphinine 1-oxides

A series of 3-phosphinoxido-and 3-phosphono-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophosphinine oxides was synthesized by the diastereoselective addition of diphenylphosphine oxide and dialkyl phosphites to the α,β-double-bond of 1,2-dihydrophosphinine oxides. Further refunctionalizations led to a 3-P(O)(OH)₂ derivative and to a disulfide. The conformation of the products was evaluated using the B3LYP/6-31+G^∗//B3LYP/3-21G^∗ method, validated by calculation for a simple tetrahydrophosphinine oxide with a known stereostructure. The preferred conformers of the 3-P(X)Z₂-tetrahydrophosphinine derivatives were among the twist-boat forms containing the exocyclic P-function in the axial position due to three kinds of favorable intramolecular interactions. Only the 3-P(O)(OH)₂ derivative was found to adopt a half-chair conformation as a consequence of intramolecular H-bonding.     

The effect of spiroadamantane substitution on the conformational preferences of N-Me pyrrolidine and N-Me piperidine: a description based on dynamic NMR spectroscopy and ab initio correlated calculations

Dynamic NMR spectroscopy and ab initio correlated calculations revealed that the attachment of a spiroadamantane entity at the C-2 position of N-methylpyrrolidine or N-methylpiperidine induces a severe steric crowding around nitrogen, which changes the conformational space of the heterocycle resulting in: (a) the complete destabilization of the N-Me(eq) conformer in spiranic structures; in contrast the N-Me(eq) conformer corresponds to the global minimum in N-methylpyrrolidine or N-methylpiperidine. The spiroadamantane structure raises the energy of the equatorial conformer because of the severe van der Waals repulsion between the N-Me(eq) group and adamantane C-H bonds. (b) The interconversion between the only populated enantiomeric N-Me(ax) conformers ax→[eq]→ax′; the interconversion eq→ax between N-Me(eq) and N-Me(ax) conformers, which are both populated, is observed in N-methylpyrrolidine or N-methylpiperidine. (c) The raising of ring and nitrogen inversion barriers ax→ts by ∼4-6 kcal mol⁻¹. The dynamic NMR study provides evidence that the most important process required for the enantiomerization between the axial N-Me conformers in spiropiperidine 4 and spiropyrrolidine 5 are different, i.e., a nitrogen inversion in 5 (9.10 kcal mol⁻¹) and a ring inversion in 4 (15.2 kcal mol⁻¹). While an enantiomerization interconverts N-Me axial conformers in spiropiperidine 5 and spiropyrrolidine 4, substitution of the pyrrolidine ring of 5 with a C-Me group effects a diastereomerization between two N-Me axial conformers and reduces effectively the nitrogen inversion barrier according to the protonation experiments and the calculations. In general, all the calculations levels used, i.e., the MM3, B3LYP/6-31+G^∗∗ and MP2/6-311++G^∗∗//B3LYP/6-31+G^∗∗, predict correctly the different stability of the local minima; however only MP2/6-311++G^∗∗//B3LYP/6-31+G^∗∗ was found to be reliable for the calculation of the nitrogen inversion barriers.