The preparation and characterisation of chromium(III) complexes of C-meso-5, 12-dimethyl-1, 4, 8, 11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (LM). Aquation and base hydrolysis kinetics ofcis- andtrans-[CrLMCl2]+

Summary The reaction of [CrCl₃(DMF)₃] with C-meso-5, 12-dimethyl-1, 4, 8, 11-tetra-azacyclotetradecane(L_M) in DMF gives a mixture ofcis-[CrL_MCl₂]Cl (ca. 90%) andtrans-[CrL_MCl₂]Cl (ca. 10%). These complexes are readily separated, as thecis-isomer is insoluble in warm methanol while thetrans-isomer is soluble. Using the dichlorocomplexes as precursors it has been possible to prepare a range ofcis-[CrL_MX₂]⁺ complexes (X=Br^–, NO ₃ ^– , N ₃ ^– , NCS^– and X₂=bidentate oxalate) and alsotrans-[CrL_MX₂]⁺ complexes (X=Br^–, H₂O or NCS^–). The spectroscopic properties and detailed stereochemistry of the complexes are discussed.The aquation and base hydrolysis kinetics ofcis- andtrans-[CrL_MCl₂]⁺ have been studied at 25° C. Base hydrolysis of thecis-complex is extremely rapid with K_OH =1.46×10⁵ dm³ mol^–1 at 25° C. This unusual reactivity appears to be associated with thetrans II stereochemistry of thesec-NH centres of the macrocycle. Base hydrolysis of thetrans complex with thetrans III chiral nitrogen stereochemistry is quite normal with k_OH =1.1 dm³ mol^–1 s^–1 at 25° C.     

Quantum-chemical gas-phase calculations on the protonation forms oftrans- andcis-urocanic acid

The neutral, cationic, and anionic structures of both prototropic tautomers oftrans- andcis-urocanic acid [(E)- and (Z)-3-(1H-imidazol-4(5)-yl)propenoic acid, respectively] were studied by using semiempirical andab initio gas-phase calculations. Potential energy surfaces of the structures were calculated by using the semiempirical AM1 method, and the geometries corresponding to global minima on these surfaces were optimized up to the MP2/6-31G^* level of theory. The calculated protonation forms of each urocanic acid isomer have a planar molecular structure due to a delocalized -electron system, and all of them prefer thes-trans conformation with respect to the bond between the imidazole and the propenoic acid moieties. Thecis-urocanic acid structures are stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond. The chargedcis-urocanic acid isomers have a lower molecular energy than the correspondingtrans-isomers, whereas the neutral molecules have, after inclusion of thermodynamic corrections, approximately the same energy. The cationic urocanic acid structures have about 2500 kJ mol^–1 lower energy than the anionic ones and about 1000 kJ mol^–1 lower energy than the neutral ones. The nonzwitterionic forms of the neutral urocanic acid isomers have about 200 kJ mol^–1 lower energy than the zwitterionic ones. These energy differences are explained by the proton affinities of the imidazole and the propenoic acid moieties of the urocanic acid structures.     

A molecular orbital study of the rotation about the C-C bond in 1,3-butadiene

The geometry and energy of 1,3-butadiene have been calculated using the 6-311G** basis set as a function of the CCCC dihedral angle-0 ° (trans), 30 °, 60 °, 75 °, 90 °, 120 °, 135 °, 150 °, 165 ° and 180 ° (cis)-assuming that the vinyl groups remain planar. Potential minima are located at 0 ° and 141.4 °, with the trans structure more stable than the gauche by 13.2 kJ mol^–1. Potential maxima are located at 76.7 °, giving a barrier height of 25.4 kJ mol^–1 relative to the trans structure, and at 180 ° giving a barrier height of 3.0 kJ mol^–1 relative to the 141.4 °-gauche structure. Using the 6-31G* basis set the inclusion of electron correlation, accounting for about 52% of the correlation energy, was found to produce no significant change in the shape of the potential energy curve. The magnitude of the expectation energy differences is such that both barriers with respect to the 14l.4 °-gauche maximum structure can be categorized unequivocally as attractive-dominant, whereas the values for the energy barrier with respect to the trans structure, although characteristic of a repulsive-dominant barrier at the 6–311G** level, are sufficiently small that higher level calculations might give the opposite result. Analysis of V _nn for the conversion reactions cis 150 °-gauche, trans 60 °-gauche, and trans 90 °-gauche in terms of the individual contributions from the various internuclear interactions shows that nonbonded interactions are important, not only in initiating the destabilization of the crowded cis structure, but also through-out the entire range of CCCC dihedral angles, 0 ° to 180 °.     

Cyclohexanone Dimethyl Acetals: A 13C NMR, Thermodynamic, and Ab Initio Study

The spatial structures of a number of mono- and disubstituted 1,1-dimethoxycyclohexanes (cyclohexanone dimethyl acetals) were studied by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. In the monosubstituted acetals, substituents (Me, Et, i-Pr, and MeO) on C-2 are axially oriented, contrary to their normal, equatorial orientation on C-3 and C-4. Besides the spectroscopic study, the relative thermodynamic stabilities of the cis-trans isomers of a few 2,X-dialkyl (X = 3, 4, 5, or 6) derivatives of the parent cyclohexanone dimethyl acetal were determined by acid-catalyzed chemical equilibration in MeOH solution. In the most stable isomeric form, the 2-substituent is axial and the other equatorial. In the less stable isomer, both substituents are equatorial, excluding the cis-2,6-dimethyl derivative, where the ¹³C NMR shift data point to a predominance of the diaxial form. In general, the enthalpy difference between the isomeric forms is ca. 9 kJ mol^–1, while the entropy term favors the less stable isomer by 4 to 16 J K^–1 mol^–1. In the 2,6-dimethyl derivatives, however, the trans form is favored by only 0.8 kJ mol^–1 in G _m at 298.15 K. The main findings of the experimental work are in good agreement with ab initio calculations.     

Activation Parameters for the Formation and Decay of Partial-Charge-Transfer Exciplexes of 9-Cyanoanthracene, 1,12-Benzperylene, and Pyrene

The factors affecting the rate of formation and decay of exciplexes with partial charge transfer, which form in the kinetic region of photoinduced electron transfer (G ^* _et > –0.2 eV), were studied. The rate of formation of exciplexes is controlled mainly by the diffusion of reactants and the low steric factor (0.15–1.0). The activation enthalpy and entropy for the exciplex formation (9–13 kJ mol^–1 and –(12–28) J mol^–1 K^–1) are close to the activation enthalpy and entropy of diffusion, respectively. Charge transfer in an exciplex and polarization of the medium generally occur after passing the transition state. In contrast, the activation enthalpy of exciplex decay (its conversion into the reaction products) is close to zero (±6 kJ mol^–1) and the activation entropy is strongly negative –(80–130) J mol^–1 K^–1.     

Formation Enthalpy and Entropy of Exciplexes with Variable Extent of Charge Transfer in Solvents of Different Polarity

Temperature dependence was studied for relative quantum yields of emission from some exciplexes of pyrene, 1,12-benzoperylene, and 9-cyanoanthracene with methoxybenzenes or methylnaphthalenes in solvents of different polarity (ranging from toluene to acetonitrile). The enthalpy H _Ex ^*, the entropy S _Ex ^*, and the Gibbs free energy G _Ex ^*of formation of the exciplexes were determined. Depending of the Gibbs free energy of excited-state electron transfer (G _et ^*) and solvent polarity, the values of H _Ex ^*, S _Ex ^*, and G _Ex ^*vary over the ranges from –5 to –40 kJ mol^–1, from +3 to –90 J mol^–1K^–1, and from +3 to –21 kJ mol^–1, respectively. The possibility is discussed that the effect of solvent polarity G _et ^*on the exciplex formation enthalpies can be rationalized in terms of the model of correlated polarization of an exciplex and the medium.     

Molecular structure,conformational mobility,vibrational spectra,and thermochemistry of peroxyacetic acid: an ab initio and density functional study

The structure of the peroxyacetic acid (PAA) molecule and its conformational mobility under rotation about the peroxide bond was studied by ab initio and density functional methods. The free rotation is hindered by the trans-barrier of height 22.3 kJ mol^–1. The equilibrium molecular structure of AcOOH (C _s symmetry) is a result of intramolecular hydrogen bond. The high energy of hydrogen bonding (46 kJ mol^–1 according to natural bonding orbital analysis) hampers formation of intermolecular associates of AcOOH in the gas and liquid phases. The standard enthalpies of formation for AcOOH (–353.2 kJ mol^–1) and products of radical decomposition of the peroxide — AcO^· (–190.2 kJ mol^–1) and AcOO^· (–153.4 kJ mol^–1) — were determined by the G2 and G2(MP2) composite methods. The O—H and O—O bonds in the PAA molecule (bond energies are 417.8 and 202.3 kJ mol^–1, respectively) are much stronger than in alkyl hydroperoxide molecules. This provides an explanation for substantial contribution of non-radical channels of the decomposition of peroxyacetic acid. The electron density distribution and gas-phase acidity of PAA were determined. The transition states of the ethylene and cyclohexene epoxidation reactions were located (E _a = 71.7 and 50.9 kJ mol^–1 respectively).     

Structural effects in electron transfer reactions: comparative interfacial electrochemical kinetics for cis- versus trans-dioxorhenium(V)(bi)pyridine oxidation

The comparative interfacial oxidation kinetics of the approximate structural isomers trans-(O)₂Re^V(py)⁺₄ and cis-(O)₂Re^V(bpy)(py)⁺₂ (py, pyridine; bpy, 2,2′-bipyridine) have been assessed in aqueous solution via conventional cyclic voltammetry at a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) electrode. HOPG was employed because of its known propensity to diminish interfacial electron transfer (ET) rates (by ca. three to four orders of magnitude) and because of a probable lack of importance of kinetic work terms (diffuse double-layer corrections). Measured rates for the trans complex exceed those for the cis by about a factor of 3. Expressed as an effective activation Gibbs energy difference ΔG^*, this corresponds to a cis-trans difference of ca. 3 kJ mol⁻¹. The actual vibrational barriers to ET have determined from a combination of published X-ray structural results (trans complex) and new resonance Raman results (cis complex). The values are 0.6 kJ mol ⁻¹ for the trans oxidation and 4.4 kJ mol⁻¹ for the cis oxidation (i.e. close to the barrier difference inferred from rate measurements). Further analysis shows that most of the barrier difference is associated with displacement of a (predominantly) Re-N(bpy) stretching mode found only in the cis system. Differences in metal-oxo displacements (cis > trans) are also implicated.     

Thermal decomposition and kinetic data of Cd(BF4)2·6H2O

The thermal dehydration and decomposition of Cd(BF₄)₂·6H₂O were studied by means of DTA, TG, DSC and X-ray diffraction methods and the end products of the thermal decomposition were identified. The results of thermal analysis show that the compound is fused first, then it is dehydrated until Cd(BF₄)₂·3H₂O is obtained, which has not been described in the literature so far. The enthalpy of phase transition is H _ph.tr.=115.6 kJ mol^–1 Separation of the compound is difficult since it is highly hygroscopic. Then, dehydration and decomposition take place simultaneously until CdF₂ is obtained which is proved by X-ray diffraction. On further increasing the temperature, CdF₂ is oxidized to CdO and the characteristic curve assumes a linear character.Based on TG data, kinetic analyses were carried out separately for both parts of the curve: first until formation of the trihydrate and then — until formation of CdF₂. The formal kinetic parameters are as follows:for the first phase:E ^*=45.3 kJ mol^–1; rate equationF=^2/3; correlation coefficient 0.9858 for the second phase:E ^*=230.1 kJ mol^–1; rate equationF=(1–)^2/3[1-(1–)^1/3]^–1; correlation coefficient 0.9982.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reactions ofcis-tetraaminediaqua-cobalt(III) with nitrite,azide and salicylate ions in aqueous acidic media

Summary Kinetic studies of the anation of the title complex by NO ₂ ^– show that it occurs in a stepwise manner leading to thecis-dinitro-complex both steps having a common rate equation:-d[complex]/dt = a[NO ₂ ^– ]/{[NO ₂ ^– ] + b}. The variation ofpseudo-first-order rate constant (k_obs) with [NO ₂ ^– ] indicates that the reaction proceeds through ion-pair interchange path. Activation parameters calculated by the Eyring equation are: H ₁ = (65±7) kJ mol^–1 and S ₁ = (–82±11) JK^–1 mol^–1 for the formation of [Co(NH₃)₄(NO₂)(H₂O)]²⁺, and H ₂ = (97±1) kJ mol^–1 and S ₂ = (6±2) JK^–1 mol^–1 for the formation of [Co(NH₃)₄(NO₂)₂]⁺. Anation of the title complex by N ₃ ^– at pH 4.1 also occurs in a stepwise manner ultimately producing thecis-diazido species. At a fixed pH the reaction shows a first-order dependence on [N ₃ ^– ] for each step. pH-variation studies at a fixed [N ₃ ^– ] show that the hydroxoaqua-form of the complex reactsca. 16 times faster than the diaqua form. Evidence is presented for an ion-pair preequilibrium at high ionic strength (I = 2.0 mol dm^–3). Activation parameters obtained from temperature variation studies are: H ₁ = (121±1) kJ mol^–1 and S ₁ = (104±3) JK^–1 mol^–1 (for the first step anation), and H ₂ = (111±2) kJ mol^–1 and S ₂ = (74±9) JK^–1 mol^–1 (for the second step anation). The reaction ofcis-tetraaminediaquacobalt(III) ion with salicylate (HSal^–) has been studied in aqueous acidic medium in the temperature range 39.8–58.2°C. The reaction is biphasic corresponding to the anation of two salicylate ions. The kinetic results for the first phase reaction are compatible with the equation: k_obs = k_IPQ[HSal^–]/(1 + Q[HSal^–]) where Q denotes ion-pair formation constant and k_IP is the first-order rate constant for the interchange reaction. The activation parameters obtained from the temperature dependence of rate are: H = (138±3) kJ mol^–1 and S = (135±4) JK^–1 mol^–1. The reaction seems to take place by a dissociative interchange mechanism.     

Modeling the Proton Transport in Orthoperiodic and Orthotelluric Acids and Their Salts

Orthoperiodic and orthotelluric acids, their salts MIO₆H₄ (M = Li, Rb, Cs) and CsH₅TeO₆, and dimers of the salt · acid type are calculated within density functional theory B3LYP and basis set LanL2DZ complemented by the polarizationd,p-functions. According to calculations, the salt · acid dimerization is energetically favorable for compounds MIO₆H₄ · H₅IO₆ (M = Rb, Cs) and CsIO₆H₄ · H₆TeO₆. The dimerization energy is equal to 138–146 kJ mol^–1. With relatively small activation energies equal to 4 kJ mol^–1 (M = Li) and 11 kJ mol^–1 (M = Rb, Cs), possible is rotation of octahedron IO₆ relative to the M atom in monomers of salt molecules. The proton transfer along an octahedron occurs with activation energies of 63–84 kJ mol^–1. The activation energy for the proton transfer between neighboring octahedrons of the type salt · acid acid · salt equals 8–17 kJ mol^–1. Quantum-chemical calculations nicely conform to x-ray diffraction and electrochemical data.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of [N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′,N′-triacetatocobalt(II)] by vanadate ion

The kinetics of oxidation of Co^IIHEDTA {HEDTA = N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N,N-triacetic acid} by vanadate ion have been studied in aqueous acid in the pH range 0.75–5.4 at 43–57 °C. The reaction exhibits second-order kinetics; first-order in each of the reactants. The reaction rate is a maximum at pH = 2.1. A mechanism is proposed in which the species [Co^IIHEDTA(H₂O)]^– and VO₂ ⁺ react to form an intermediate which decompose slowly to give pentadentate Co^IIIHEDTA(H₂O) and V^IV as final products. The rate law was derived and the activation parameters calculated: H* = 26.96 kJ mol^–1 and S* = –311.08 JK^–1 mol^–1.     

High levelab initio stabilization energies of benzene

Summary G2 theory is shown to be reliable for calculating isodesmic and homodesmotic stabilization energies (ISE and HSE, respectively) of benzene. G2 calculations give HSE and ISE values of 92.5 and 269.1 kJ mol^–1 (298 K), respectively. These agree well with the experimental HSE and ISE values of 90.5±7.2 and 268.7±6.3 kJ mol^–1, respectively. We conclude that basis set superposition error corrections to the enthalpies of the homodesmotic or isodesmic reactions are not necessary in calculations of the stabilization energies of benzene using G2 theory. The calculated values of the enthalpies of formation of such molecules containing multiple bonds such as benzene ands-trans 1,3-butadiene, which are found from the enthalpies of isodesmic and homodesmotic reactions rather than of atomization reactions, demonstrate good performance of G2 theory. Estimates of theH _f ^o value for benzene from the G2 calculated enthalpies of homodesmotic reaction (2) and isodesmic reaction (3) are 80.9 and 82.5 kJ mol^–1 (298 K), respectively. These are very close to the experimentalH _f ^o value of 82.9±0.3 kJ mol^–1. TheH _f ^o value ofs-trans 1,3-butadiene calculated using the G2 enthalpy of isodesmic reaction (4) is 110.5 kJ mol^–1 and is in excellent agreement with the experimentalH _f ^o value of 110.0±1.1 kJ mol^–1.     

Base hydrolysis of mono-alkylsubstituted chloropentaamminecobalt(III) complexes

Summary The preparation of the series ofcis- andtrans-[Co(NH₃)₄(RNH₂)Cl]²⁺ complexes (withcis, R = Me orn-Pr andtrans, R = Me, Et,n-Pr,n-Bu ori-Bu) is described. The u.v-visible spectra indicate a decrease of the ligand field on increasing chain length. Infrared spectra show an enhanced Co-Cl bond strength compared to the pentaammine. Partial molar volumes of the complex cations do not reveal steric compression. From proton exchange studies in D₂O it follows that [Co(NH₃)₅Cl]²⁺ and thecis- andtrans-[Co(NH₃)₄-(CH₃NH₂)C1]²⁺ complexes exchange the amine protons on the grouptrans to the chloro faster than those on thecis. A coordinated methylamine group exchanges its amine protons slower than a corresponding NH₃ group in the parent pentaammine, but the methyl introduction accelerates the exchange of the other NH₃ groups. The aquation of thetrans-alkylamine complexes (studied at 52° C) is acceleratedca. 10 times compared to the parent pentaammine, irrespective of the nature of the alkyl group. Thecis complexes do not show this acceleration of aquation. In base hydrolysis (studied at 25° C) thecis complexes are the most reactive (a factor 20 over the parent ion). Thecis/trans product ratio in base hydrolysis and the competition ratio in the presence of azide ions were calculated from the 500 MHz¹H n.m.r. spectra, which display distinctly different alkyl resonances for each individual complex. Thecis ions react under stereochemical retention of configuration; thetrans compounds give 10±1%trans tocis rearrangement. The ionic strength (4 mol dm^–3) and the pH do not affect this result. The same product ratio is obtained in methanol-water and DMSO-water mixtures. Ammoniation in liquid ammonia gives the same ratios as in base hydrolysis, base-catalyzed solvolysis in neat methylamine gives stereochemical retention for both thecis- andtrans-methylamine ion. The product competition ratio (Co-N₃)/(Co-OH₂) for thecis compounds and the bulkier amines (R =n- andi-Bu), 15–25% at 1 mol dm^–3N ₃ ^– , isca. twice that of thetrans compounds and the pentaammine. The results are interpreted in the classical conjugate base mechanism, and discussed in the context of current ideas about stereochemistry of base hydrolysis.Prof. C. R. Píriz Mac-Coll from Uruguay is a guest at the Free University of Amsterdam.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of thiosulphato-amine complexes of cobalt(III). Part II. Base hydrolysis of the bis(ethylenediamine)thiosulphatocobalt(III) ion

Summary Base hydrolysis of the bis(ethylenediamine)thiosulphatocobalt(III) was investigated spectrophotometrically between 35 and 65 °C and with base concentrations (NaOH) up to 2.0 mol dm^–3. The hydrolysis consists of a one-stage reaction, followed by a slow dechelation step, and then by a fast ligand loss. The reaction is base-dependent. The products of the reaction are an equilibrium mixture ofcis- andtrans-Coen₂ (OH) ₂ ⁺ . Activation parameters for the reaction as determined by the Eyring equation, are H=77.8±4.6 kJ mol^–1 and S=–75±20 JK^–1 mol^–1.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of thiosulphato-amine complexes of cobalt(III). Part I. Isomerization and base hydrolysis ofcis andtrans isomers of dithiosulphatobis(ethylenediamine) cobalt(III) ion in aqueous solution

Summary Investigations were carried out on the isomerization and base hydrolysis ofcis andtrans forms of dithiosulphatobis-(ethylenediamine)cobalt(III) ions. Thecis form isomerizes to thetrans form in neutral aqueous medium, rates being 1.15, 2.30 and 4.0×10^–5s^–1, respectively at 42, 50 and 58 °C. Thetrans complex isomerizes to thecis form in basic solution only, the rate varying with pH in a sigmoid pattern. In presence of OH^–, an acid-base equilibrium of the complex ion sets in, but only the basic form takes part in the isomerization reaction. Hydrolysis of thecis isomer proceeds through a base-dependent path only, but that of thetrans isomer proceeds both through base-dependent and base-independent paths. The mechanisms are associative in nature. Thetrans form reacts faster thancis in all cases.     

Kinetic exchange studies of metal ion substitution in EDTA chelates Fe(III)- UO2 EDTA exchange

A kinetic study of the exchange reaction between UO₂EDTA complex and Fe(III), at a constant ionic strength of 0.1, over the concentration range of 5×10^–3–1×10^–2 M of each reactant and pH 4.5–5.5 has been carried out radiometrically. The rate of the exchange process can be expressed by the equation: R=k₁[UO₂EDTA][Fe]+k₂[EDTA][H⁺]^–1. The activation parameters calculated were H^*=25.95 kJ mol^–1 and S^*=0.67 kJ mol^–1 K^–1.     

Theoretical studies of the benzene oxide—oxepin valence tautomerism

We have calculated the geometry and energy of the valence tautomers benzene oxide and oxepin using the semiempirical AM1 model and the 6–31G and 6–31G^* basis sets utilizing full geometry optimization. In the oxide the folding angle, the angle between the epoxide ring and the adjacent plane containing four carbon atoms, is about 106°. The carbon skeleton is almost planar, the folding angle, the angle between the two four-carbon atom planes being about 175°. In contrast, oxepin is found to have a marked boat-shaped structure with the corresponding and angles about 137° and 159°, respectively. The AM1, 6–31G, and 6–31G^* calculations give –11.4, –10.8, and –2.9 kcal mol^–1 for the energy change that accompanies the valence tautomerism, oxide-oxepin, compared to an experimental value of about +0.3 kcal mol^–1. Single point calculations of the energies at the 6–31 G^* geometry using Møller-Plesset perturbation theory to second order (MP2/6–31 G^*) and third order (MP3/6–31G^*) give E _T =+3.3 and +0.8 kcal mol^–1. The values for the energy change in the transfer of epoxide oxygen from ethylene oxide to benzene using AM1, 6–31G, and 6–31G^* are in good agreement, viz., +31.1, +34.5, and +33.6 kcal mol^–1, respectively. A large positive energy change is to be expected in view of the loss of benzene aromaticity.     

Ab Initio Study of Conformational Properties of ( Z, Z)-, ( E, Z)-, and ( E, E)-Cyclonona-1,5-dienes

Summary. Ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G^* level of theory for geometry optimization and MP2/6-31G^*//HF/6-31G^* for a single point total energy calculation are reported for the important energy-minimum conformations and transition-state geometries of (Z,Z)-, (E,Z)-, and (E,E)-cyclonona-1,5-dienes. The C₂ symmetric chair conformation of (Z,Z)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is calculated to be the most stable form; the calculated energy barrier for ring inversion of the chair conformation via the C_s symmetric boat-chair geometry is 58.3kJmol^–1. Interconversion between chair and twist-boat-chair (C₁) conformations takes place via the twist (C₁) as intermediate. The unsymmetrical twist conformation of (E,Z)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is the most stable form. Ring inversion of this conformation takes place via the unsymmetrical chair and boat-chair geometries. The calculated strain energy for this process is 63.5kJmol^–1. The interconversion between twist and the boat-chair conformations can take place by swiveling of the trans double bond with respect to the cis double bond and requires 115.6kJmol^–1. The most stable conformation of (E,E)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is the C₂ symmetric twist-boat conformation of the crossed family, which is 5.3kJmol^–1 more stable than the C_s symmetric chair–chair geometry of the parallel family. Interconversion of the crossed and parallel families can take place by swiveling of one of the double bonds and requires 142.0kJmol^–1.     

Ab Initio Study of Conformational Properties of ( Z, Z)-, ( E, Z)-, and ( E, E)-Cyclonona-1,5-dienes

Ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G^* level of theory for geometry optimization and MP2/6-31G^*//HF/6-31G^* for a single point total energy calculation are reported for the important energy-minimum conformations and transition-state geometries of (Z,Z)-, (E,Z)-, and (E,E)-cyclonona-1,5-dienes. The C₂ symmetric chair conformation of (Z,Z)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is calculated to be the most stable form; the calculated energy barrier for ring inversion of the chair conformation via the C_s symmetric boat-chair geometry is 58.3kJmol^–1. Interconversion between chair and twist-boat-chair (C₁) conformations takes place via the twist (C₁) as intermediate. The unsymmetrical twist conformation of (E,Z)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is the most stable form. Ring inversion of this conformation takes place via the unsymmetrical chair and boat-chair geometries. The calculated strain energy for this process is 63.5kJmol^–1. The interconversion between twist and the boat-chair conformations can take place by swiveling of the trans double bond with respect to the cis double bond and requires 115.6kJmol^–1. The most stable conformation of (E,E)-cyclonona-1,5-diene is the C₂ symmetric twist-boat conformation of the crossed family, which is 5.3kJmol^–1 more stable than the C_s symmetric chair–chair geometry of the parallel family. Interconversion of the crossed and parallel families can take place by swiveling of one of the double bonds and requires 142.0kJmol^–1.