Ab initio quantum chemical studies of reaction mechanism for CH2CO with NCO

An extensive quantum chemical study of the potential energy surface (PES) for all possible isomerization and dissociation reactions of CH₂CO with NCO is reported at the DFT (B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)) and CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) levels of theory. For the CH₂CO+NCO reaction, the formation of CO+CH₂NCO via an addition–elimination mechanism is the dominant channel on the doublet surface. While the formation of CO+CH₂OCN via bimolecular substitution reaction is in the secondary. Meanwhile, the isomerization and dissociation reactions of the products, CH₂NCO and CH₂OCN, also have been investigated using the same theoretical approach. It can be concluded that these reaction channels are not feasible kinetically at low or fairly high temperatures. On the basis of the ab initio data, the total rate constants for the CH₂CO+NCO reaction in the T=296–560 K range have been computed using conventional transition state theory with Wigner tunneling correction and fitted by a rate expression as k=2.14×10⁻¹² (cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹) exp(654.29/T). The calculated total rate constants with Wigner tunneling correction for the CH₂CO+NCO reaction are in good agreement with the available experimental values.     

Structure and stability of ammonium-sulfate and guanidium-sulfate complex

Ab initio (HF/6-31G^** and B3LYP/6-31 + + G^**) methods have been used to study the stability and structure of complexes between CH₃SO⁻₃ and CH₃NH⁺₃ or C(NH₂)⁺₃. Results show that no hydrogen jump is involved in the complex formations, which is different from previous work studying complexes between CH₃COO⁻ and CH₃NH⁺₃. In addition, we have studied complexes between CH₃SO⁻₃ and HC(NH₂)⁺₃ or ⁺H₃NC(NH₂)₃, all of which have a cage structure.     

Thermochemical properties of molecules and cations of MgNnHm (n=1,2 and m=1–6): enthalpies of formation, proton affinities and ionization energies

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations are reported for small neutral molecules and cations containing magnesium, nitrogen and hydrogen. Structures have been optimized using gradient techniques at B3LYP/6-31+G(d) and at MP2(full)/6-311++G(d,p). Single-point calculations are reported at QCISD(T)(full)/6-311++G(2df,p) and at CCSD(T)(full)/6-311++G(2df,p) levels using geometries optimized at MP2(full)/6-311++G(d,p). Standard enthalpies of formation at 298 K have been calculated at these two higher levels of theory. Other thermochemical properties calculated include ionization energies and proton affinities. The binding enthalpies of ammonia to Mg⁺, MgNH₂⁺ and MgNH₃⁺ are also reported.     

An ab initio and density functional theory study of the dimethylzinc-hydrogen selenide adduct: (CH3)2Zn:SeH2

The molecular structure (equilibrium geometry) and binding energy of the dimethylzinc (DMZn)-hydrogen selenide (H₂Se) adduct, (CH₃)₂Zn:SeH₂, have been computed with ab initio molecular orbital and density functional theory (DFT) methods and, where possible, compared with experimental results. The structure of the precursors DMZn and H₂Se are perturbed to only a small extent upon adduct formation. (CH₃)₂Zn:SeH₂ was found to be 3 kcal mol⁻¹ less stable than the precursors at the B3LYP/6-311 + G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-311 + G(2d,p) level of computation, indicating that the (CH₃)₂Zn:SeH₂ adduct is unlikely to be a stable gas-phase species under chemical vapour deposition conditions. Further calculations at the B3LYP/6-311 + G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-311 + G(2d,p) level of computation suggest that the 1:2 adduct species, (CH₃)₂Zn:(SeH₂)₂, is much less stable than the 1:1 adduct and consequently the precursors by 19 kcal mol⁻¹.     

Post Hartree–Fock and density functional theory studies on Di-Protonated Allopurinol

Post Hartree–Fock and density functional theory (DFT) methods have been employed to study the molecular properties of Di-Protonated Allopurinol²⁺ tautomers in gaseous and aqueous phase environments. The tautomers in gaseous phase have been optimized at MP2/6-311G(2d,2p) and B3LYP/6-311G(2d,2p) levels of theory. The self-consistent reaction field theory (SCRF) has been employed to optimize the tautomers in aqueous phase (ε = 78.5) at B3LYP/6-311G(2d,2p) level of theory and the solvent effect has been studied. The structure, energetics and relative stabilities of the tautomers have been analyzed both in gaseous and aqueous phases. The principle of maximum hardness (MHP) has been tested at B3LYP/6-311G(2d,2p) level of theory. The condensed Fukui functions have been calculated using the atomic charges obtained through Natural population analysis to identify the relative change in the most reactive site of the optimized structures. NMR studies have been carried out, on the basis of Cheeseman coworker’s method, to analyze the molecular environment as well as the delocalization activities of electron clouds.     

Structure and conformational stability of CH2CHCH2X (X=F, Cl and Br) molecules—post Hartree–Fock and density functional theory methods

The molecular structure and conformational stability of CH₂CHCH₂X (X=F, Cl and Br) molecules were studied using ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) methods. The molecular geometries of 3-fluoropropene were optimized employing BLYP and B3LYP levels of theory of DFT method implementing 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. The MP2/6-31G^*, BLYP and B3LYP levels of theory of ab initio and DFT methods were used to optimize the 3-chloropropene and 3-bromopropene molecules. The structural and physical parameters of the molecules are discussed with the available experimental values. The rotational potential energy surface of the above molecules were obtained at MP2/6-31G^* and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory. The Fourier decomposition of the rotational potentials were analyzed. The HF/6-31G^* and MP2/6-31G^* levels of theory have predicted the cis conformer as the minimum energy structure for 3-fluoropropene, which is in agreement with the experimental values, whereas the BLYP/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory reverses the order of conformation. The ΔE values calculated for 3-chloropropene at MP2/6-31G^*, BLYP/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory show that the gauche form is more stable than the cis form, which is in agreement with the experimental value. The same levels of theory have also predicted that the gauche form is stable than cis for 3-bromopropene molecule. The maximum hardness principle has been able to predict the stable conformer of 3-fluoropropene at HF/6-31G^* level of theory, but the same level of theory reverses the conformational stability of 3-chloropropene and 3-bromopropene molecules and MP2/6-31G^* level of theory predicted the stable conformer correctly.     

The cyclohexadienylidenemethanone radical cation is a more stable distonic isomer of ionized benzaldehyde

Quantum chemical calculations (G3B3 and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)) and tandem mass spectrometric experiments demonstrate the higher stability of 1,3-cyclohexadienylidenemethanone radical cation compared to ionized benzaldehyde. Characterized by a heat of formation of 833 kJ mol⁻¹ (at 298 K), this ketene C₇H₆O⁺ isomer is found 43 kJ mol⁻¹ more stable. It has been generated by ion/molecule reaction between ionized benzaldehyde and neutral methanol, a new example of proton transport catalysis tautomerization. The greater stability of the ketene ion is due to the low IE of the neutral (7.49 eV).     

Field investigation of major and minor ions along Summit (Central Greenland) ice cores by ion chromatography

As a part of the European EUROCORE and GRIP (Greenland Ice Core Project) operations aimed at recovering deep ice cores at Summit (Central Greenland), we have for the first time successfully performed ion chromatography measurements in the field and investigated in detail the soluble impurities, including Na⁺, NH⁺₄, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, F⁻, CH₃COO⁻, CH₂ OHCOO⁻, HCOO⁻, CH₃SO₃⁻, Cl⁻, NO⁻₂, SO₄²⁻ and C₂O₄²⁻, trapped in ice deposited over some 200 000 years in Greenland.     

NMR spectra, GIAO and charge density calculations of five-membered aromatic heterocycles

The B3LYP/6-31+G(d) molecular geometry optimized structures of 17 five-membered heterocycles were employed together with the gauge including atomic orbitals (GIAO) density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p), B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) levels of theory for the calculation of proton and carbon chemicals shifts and coupling constants. The method of geometry optimization for pyrrole (1), N-methylpyrrole (2) and thiophene (7) using the larger 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p), B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p), B3LYP/6-31+G(2d,p) and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory gave little difference between calculated and experimental values of coupling constants. In general, the (1)H and 13C chemical shifts for all compounds are in good agreement with theoretical calculations using the smaller 6-31 basis set. The values of nJHH(n=3, 4, 5) and rmnJ(CH)(n=1, 2, 3, 4) were predicted well using the larger 6-31+G(d,p) and 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets and at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p), B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p), B3LYP/6-31+G(2d,2p) levels of theory. The computed atomic charges [Mülliken; Natural Bond Orbital Analysis (NBO); Merz-Kollman (MK); CHELP and CHELPG] for the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) geometry optimized structures of 1-17 were used to explore correlations with the experimental proton and carbon chemical shifts.     

The performance of B3-LYP density functional theory in describing SN2 reactions at saturated carbon

The performance of the B3-LYP variant of density functional theory when used in conjunction with the 6-31G(d) and 6-311 + G(3df, 2p) basis sets in describing the prototypical gas-phase S_N2 reactions of Cl⁻ + CH₃Cl and CH₃Br has been examined in detail. Reasonable values of the complexation energies (ΔH_comp) for the ion-molecule complexes formed in these reactions are obtained. However, the overall (ΔH_ovr^#) and central (ΔH_cent^#) barriers for these reactions calculated using the B3-LYP functional are significantly underestimated when compared with G2(+) or experimental results. This implies that the B3-LYP energies for the Cl(H₃C)Cl⁻ (D_3h) and Cl(H₃C)Br⁻ (C_3v) transition structures are relatively too low. The B3-LYP errors appear to be systematic, with similar errors being found for corresponding quantities for the two reactions examined.     

Structure and vibrational spectra of the salts of mononitroalkanes

The molecular geometries of the anions of nitromethane and 2-nitropropane were optimised and their harmonic force fields were calculated by the RHF/6-311G(d,p), MP2/6-311G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) methods. The force fields obtained made it possible to reliably interpret the IR and Raman spectra of the Na⁺ salt of nitromethane, d₂-nitromethane and 2-nitropropane. The assignment proposed significantly improves the interpretation of vibrational spectra known so far. Some general conclusions on geometry and vibrational spectra of the salts of mononitroalkanes studied are made. The hybrid density functional method used (B3LYP) is shown to be in better agreement with experimental data available than the Hartree–Fock methods.     

Matrix isolation and theoretical study of the photochemical reaction of CH3CN with CrO2Cl2 and OVCl3

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with theoretical calculations to identify and characterize the photoproducts in the reactions of CH₃CN with CrCl₂O₂ and OVCl₃. Twin jet co-deposition of these reagents led to the formation of a 1:1 molecular complex which was observed using UV/visible spectroscopy. Irradiation of these matrices with light of λ>300 nm led to the observation of new bands in the infrared spectra, the most intense of which was seen at 1942 cm⁻¹ for the CrCl₂O₂/CH₃CN system. The product bands are assigned to the ²η complexes of acetonitrile n-oxide with CrCl₂O and VCl₃, respectively. Identification of these species was supported by extensive isotopic labeling (²H and ¹⁵N), as well as by B3LYP/6-311++G(d,2p) density functional calculations.     

Thermochemistry of the higher chlorine oxides ClOx (x=3, 4) and Cl2Ox (x=3–7)†

Heats of formation for ClO₃, ClO₄, Cl₂O₃, Cl₂O₄, Cl₂O₅, Cl₂O₆ and Cl₂O₇ molecules are determined at the B3LYP, B3PW91, mPW1PW91 and B1LYP levels of the density functional theory employing a series of extended basis sets, and using Gaussian-3 model chemistries. Modified Gaussian-3 calculations, which employ accurate B3LYP/6-311+G(3d2f) molecular geometries and vibrational frequencies, were also performed. Heats of formation were calculated from both total atomization energies and isodesmic reaction schemes. The latter method in conjunction with Gaussian-3 models leads to the most reliable results. The best values at 298 K for ClO₃, ClO₄, Cl₂O₃ and Cl₂O₄ as derived from an average of G3//B3LYP and G3//B3LYP/6-311+G(3d2f) calculations are 43.1, 54.8, 31.7 and 37.4 kcal mol⁻¹. From calculations carried out at the G3(MP2)//B3LYP and G3(MP2)//B3LYP/6-311+G(3d2f) levels, heats of formation for Cl₂O₅, Cl₂O₆ and Cl₂O₇ are predicted to be 53.2, 52.2 and 61.5 kcal mol⁻¹. All best values are reproduced within 1 kcal mol⁻¹ by using mPW1PW91/6-311+G(3d2f) isodesmic energies. Enthalpy changes for relevant Cl–O bond fission reactions are reported. Comparisons with previous thermodynamics data are made.     

Structural elucidation of nitro-substituted five-membered aromatic heterocycles utilizing GIAO DFT calculations

The GIAO (Gauge Including Atomic Orbitals) DFT (Density Functional Theory) method is applied at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d), B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d), B3LYP/6-311+G (2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) levels of theory for the calculation of proton and carbon chemicals shifts and coupling constants for 25 nitro-substituted five-membered heterocycles. Difference (1D NOE) spectra in combination with long-range gHMBC experiments were used as tools for the structural elucidation of nitro-substituted five-membered heterocycles. The assigned NMR data (chemical shifts and coupling constants) for all compounds were found to be in good agreement with theoretical calculations using the GIAO DFT method. The magnitudes of one-bond (1JCH) and long-range (nJCH, n>1) coupling constants were utilized for unambiguous differentiation between regioisomers of nitro-substituted five-membered heterocycles.     

Gas-phase chemistry of nitrogen trifluoride NF3: structure and stability of its M–NF3 (M=H, Li, Na, K) complexes

The stationary points characterizing the potential energy profiles of the complex processes of the M⁺(M=H, Li, Na, K) and NF₃ were investigated by QCISD and B3LYP in conjunction with the 6-311+G(2d,2p) basis set. The optimized geometries and NBO analysis indicate that the complexes of M⁺(M=Li, Na, K) and NF₃ exist as ion-dipole molecules. But for H⁺ complexes, there are two stable isomers NF₃H⁺ and NF₂⁺–HF. The interaction distances of isomers follow the sequence H⁺< Li⁺< Na⁺< K⁺. The calculated affinity energies of the most stable isomers of H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ complexes exceed 20.1 kJ/mol, and these values suggest that the M⁺–NF₃ (M=H, Li, Na, K) complexes could be observed as stable species in gas phase, which supports Fujii's proposal that Li⁺ ion attachment mass spectrometry can serve as a conceivable technique to quantify the emissions of the NF₃.     

CH3CF2O2与HO2自由基反应机理的理论研究

用密度泛函理论(DFT)的B3LYP方法，在6-311G、6-311+G(d)、6-311++G(d, p) 基组水平上研究了CH₃CF₂O₂与HO₂自由基反应机理. 结果表明, CH3CF₂O₂与HO₂自由基反应存在两条可行的通道. 通道CH3CF₂O₂＋HO₂→IM1→TS1→CH₃CF₂OOH＋O₂的活化能为77.21 kJ•mol^－1，活化能较低，为主要反应通道，其产物是O₂和CH₃CF₂OOH. 这与实验结果是一致的；而通道CH₃CF₂O₂＋HO₂→IM2→TS2→IM3→TS3→IM4＋IM5→IM4＋TS4→IM4＋OH＋O₂→TS5＋OH＋O₂→CH₃＋CF₂O＋OH＋O₂→CH₃OH＋CF₂O＋O₂的控制步骤活化能为93.42 kJ•mol^－1，其产物是CH₃OH、CF₂O和O₂. 结果表明这条通道也能发生，这与前人的实验结果一致.     

Density functional and multiphoton ionization studies of N,N-dimethylformamide–(methanol)n clusters

The multiphoton ionization of the hydrogen-bonded clusters N,N-dimethylformamide–(methanol)_n (DMF–(CH₃OH)_n) was studied using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer at the wavelengths of 355 and 532 nm. At both wavelengths, a series of protonated DMF–(CH₃OH)_nH⁺ ions was obtained. The clusters were also investigated by density functional theory B3LYP method in conjunction with basis sets 6-31+G(d,p) and 6-311+G(2d,p). Equilibrium geometries of both neutral and ionic DMF–CH₃OH clusters, and dissociation channels and dissociation energies of the ionic clusters are presented. The results show that when DMF–CH₃OH is vertically ionized and dissociated, DMFH⁺ and CH₃O are the dominant products via proton transfer reaction. A high energy barrier makes another channel corresponding to the production of DMFH⁺ and CH₂OH disfavored. In the DMF–(CH₃OH)H⁺ ion, the proton prefers to link with the O atom of DMF molecule. Variation of atomic charges during proton transfer in hydrogen bond of the protonated cluster DMF–(CH₃OH)H⁺ ion is also discussed.     

Inductive effects in radicals calculated from DFT energies; substituted bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-1-yloxy radicals

Energies of a series of 4-substituted 1-oxybicyclo[2.2.2]octan-1-yloxy radicals with 18 various substituents were calculated within the framework of the DFT theory at the levels UB3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)//UB3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and UB3LYP/6-311++G(2df,p)//UB3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and compared with similar series of the parent alcohols, their deprotonated and protonated forms calculated at the levels B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311++G(2df,p)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p). The two levels are of the same performance and both are sufficient for molecules of this type according to comparison with scarce experimental gas-phase acidities and basicities. The substituent effects were analyzed in terms of isodesmic equations. In addition to strong dependence on the substituent inductive effect, a slight dependence on the electronegativity of the first atom of the substituent was proven in certain cases. In all aspects, there is no qualitative difference between the effects on radicals and on similar closed shell species. Radicals behave as slightly electron deficient; the substituent effect is weaker than that on the ions but stronger than on neutral molecules.     

Density functional theory assessment of the thermal degradation of diclofenac and its calcium and iron complexes

Thermogravimetric analyses of diclofenac sodium, its Ca²⁺ and Fe³⁺ complexes manifested a decreasing trend of the onset decomposition temperatures at which these compounds dissociated. The drop in the temperature was metal ion dependent; the sodium salt showed thermal stability up to 245 °C, whereas the complexes started their degradation processes at temperatures starting from 90 °C. While G* for the cleavage of the acetate moiety in the sodium salt was 63.76 kJmol⁻¹, it was 82.06 and 140.57 kJmol⁻¹ in the cases of Ca²⁺ and Fe³⁺, respectively. However, their complete fusion took place at 187.65, 150.34 and 98.77 °C, respectively, displaying a reversed trend which is probably indicative of some catalytic part on the binding metals.

Using the Gaussian 98 W package of programs, ab initio molecular orbital treatments were applied to diclofenac and its Ca²⁺ and Fe³⁺ metal complexes to study their electronic structure at the atomic level. The thermochemistry of diclofenac sodium was followed through the TG fragmentation peak temperatures using the density functional theory calculations at the 6-31G(d) basis set level. The FT-IR data were in good agreement with the theoretically calculated values.

Single point calculations at the B3LYP/ 6-311G(d) level of theory, were used to compare the geometric features, energies and dipole moments of these compounds to detect the effect of the binding metal ions on the thermal dissociation of their diclofenac complexes.     

Vibrational spectra and density functional study of propylgermane

Raman and infrared spectra of propylgermane, CH₃CH₂CH₂GeH₃, and its Ge-deuterated analog, CH₃CH₂CH₂GeD₃, were investigated in their gaseous, liquid and solid states. The normal coordinate treatment was carried out by density functional theory (DFT) calculation, using B3LYP/6-31G^* and 6-311++G^** basis sets, and the corresponding fundamental vibrations were assigned. The trans (T) and gauche (G) forms around the central C–C bond coexisted in the gaseous and liquid states and only the T form existed in the solid state. From the temperature dependent measurements of the Raman spectra in the liquid state, the enthalpy difference was found to be ΔH(T−G)=−0.36±0.02 kcalmol⁻¹ with the T form being more stable. The energy differences between the isomers obtained by DFT calculations were ΔE(T−G)=−0.46 kcalmol⁻¹ and ΔE(T−G)=−0.87 kcalmol⁻¹ by the 6-31G^* basis set and 6-311++G^** basis set, respectively.