Three-Dimensional Hückel Theory for closo-Carboranes

We have recently developed a 3-dimensional Hückel method for cluster compounds. The method uses a set of approximations for Coulomb, resonance, and overlap integrals very similar to those employed in the familiar 2-dimensional Hückel theory for the pi electrons of planar conjugated hydrocarbons. The method can be adapted to heteroatomic clusters by introducing heteroatomic Coulomb integrals, alpha(Y) = alpha(X) + hbeta, whereh is a parameter for heteroatom Y. In this paper, we use the 3-dimensional Hückel method to study the properties of the closo-carboranes, C(2)B(n)()(-)(2)H(n)(). We calibrate the method by choosing a value of the heteroatomic parameter h that distinguishes positional isomers by energy and gives them relative energies in rough agreement with those established by observation and ab initio calculations. We obtain modest improvement in matching ab initio relative energies of isomers by means of a three-parameter, first-order perturbation treatment. We use the calibrated method to evaluate various mechanisms proposed for the isomerizations of C(2)B(4)H(6), C(2)B(5)H(7), and C(2)B(6)H(8), all of which have been observed to undergo intramolecular isomerizations. Rearrangements of C(2)B(6)H(8) have been satisfactorily explained by a single-DSD (diamond-square-diamond) process. Those for C(2)B(5)H(7) require at least two DSD processes, concerted, consecutive, or overlapping. Several different mechanisms have been proposed for the rearrangement of C(2)B(4)H(6). In evaluating intermediate and transition state structures, the 3-dimensional Hückel method gives higher energies to those structures with a larger number of nontriangular faces, a plausible conclusion except that occasionally it is wrong. In comparison with ab initio results, the 3-dimensional Hückel method fails to give low energies for classical structures.     

An Analytical Bond Order Potential for Mg−H Systems

Magnesium-based materials provide some of the highest capacities for solid-state hydrogen storage. However, efforts to improve their performance rely on a comprehensive understanding of thermodynamic and kinetic limitations at various stages of (de)hydrogenation. Part of the complexity arises from the fact that unlike interstitial metal hydrides that retain the same crystal structures of the underlying metals, MgH₂ and other magnesium-based hydrides typically undergo dehydrogenation reactions that are coupled to a structural phase transformation. As a first step towards enabling molecular dynamics studies of thermodynamics, kinetics, and (de)hydrogenation mechanisms of Mg-based solid-state hydrogen storage materials with changing crystal structures, we have developed an analytical bond order potential for Mg−H systems. We demonstrate that our potential accurately reproduces property trends of a variety of elemental and compound configurations with different coordinations, including small clusters and bulk lattices. More importantly, we show that our potential captures the relevant (de)hydrogenation chemical reactions 2H (gas)→H₂ (gas) and 2H (gas)+Mg (hcp)→MgH₂ (rutile) within molecular dynamics simulations. This verifies that our potential correctly prescribes the lowest Gibbs free energies to the equilibrium H₂ and MgH₂ phases as compared to other configurations. It also indicates that our molecular dynamics methods can directly reveal atomic processes of (de)hydrogenation of the Mg−H systems.     

New ab initio potential energy surface for BrH2 and rate constants for the H + HBr → H2 + Br abstraction reaction

A global potential energy surface (PES) for the electronic ground state of the BrH(2) system was constructed based on the multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) method including the Davidson's correction using a large basis set. In addition, the spin-orbit correction were computed using the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian and the unperturbed MRCI wavefunctions in the Br + H(2) channel and the transition state region. Adding the correction to the ground state potential, the lowest spin-orbit correlated adiabatic potential was obtained. The characters of the new potential are discussed. Accurate initial state specified rate constants for the H + HBr → H(2) + Br abstraction reaction were calculated using a time-dependent wave packet method. The predicted rate constants were found to be in excellent agreement with the available experimental values and much better than those obtained from a previous PES.     

An ab initio-based global potential energy surface for the SH3 system and full-dimensional state-to-state quantum dynamics study for the H2 + HS → H2S + H reaction

An accurate potential energy surface for the ground electronic state of SH₃ system has been constructed with 41,882 high level ab initio energy points and the neural network fitting method. The time-dependent wave packet method has been used to calculate the first state-to-state differential cross sections for the title reaction up to 1.2 eV in full dimensions, based on the reactant–product decoupling scheme. It is found that the majority of H₂S are produced in the ground vibrational state, with a large fraction of available energy for the reaction ending up as product translational motion. The differential cross sections at the threshold energy are dominated by a very narrow peak in the backward direction. With the increase of collision energy, the width of the angular distribution increases considerably, which is a typical feature of a direct reaction via abstract mechanism, similar to the H₂ + OH → H₂O + H reaction. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Heterolytic bond dissociation in water: why is it so easy for C4H9Cl but not for C3H9SiCl?

The recently developed (Song, L.; Wu, W.; Zhang, Q.; Shaik, S. J. Phys. Chem. A 2004, 108, 6017-6024) valence bond method coupled to a polarized continuum model (VBPCM) is used to address the long standing conundrum of the heterolytic dissociation of the C-Cl and Si-Cl bonds, respectively, in tertiary-butyl chloride and trimethylsilyl chloride in condensed phases. The method is used here to compare the bond dissociation in the gas phase and in aqueous solution. In addition to the ground state reaction profile, VB theory also provides the energies of the purely covalent and purely ionic VB structures as a function of the reaction coordinate. Accordingly, the C-Cl and Si-Cl bonds are shown to be of different natures. In the gas phase, the resonance energy arising from covalent-ionic mixing at equilibrium geometry amounts to 42 kcal/mol for tertiary-butyl chloride, whereas the same quantity for trimethylsilyl chloride is significantly higher at 62 kcal/mol. With such a high value, the root cause of the Si-Cl bonding is the covalent-ionic resonance energy, and this bond belongs to the category of charge-shift bonds (Shaik, S.; Danovich, D.; Silvi, B.; Lauvergnat, D.; Hiberty, P. C. Chem.- Eur. J. 2005, 11, 6358). This difference between the C-Cl and Si-Cl bonds carries over to the solvated phase and impacts the heterolytic cleavages of the two bonds. For both molecules, solvation lowers the ionic curve below the covalent one, and hence the bond dissociation in the solvent generates the two ions, Me3E+ Cl- (E = C, Si). In both cases, the root cause of the barrier is the loss of the covalent-ionic resonance energy. In the heterolysis reaction of Si-Cl, the covalent-ionic resonance energy remains large and fully contributes to the dissociation energy, thereby leading to a high barrier for heterolytic cleavage, and thus prohibiting the generation of ions. By contrast, the covalent-ionic resonance energy is smaller for the C-Cl bond and only partially contributes to the barrier for heterolysis, which is consequently small, leading readily to ions that are commonly observed in the classical SN1 mechanism. Thus, the reluctance of R3Si-X molecules to undergo heterolysis in condensed phases and more generally the rarity of free silicenium ions under these conditions are experimental manifestations of the charge-shift character of the Si-Cl bond.     

Rate constant for the reaction C2H5 + HBr → C2H6 + Br

RRKM theory has been employed to analyze the kinetics of the title reaction, in particular, the once-controversial negative activation energy. Stationary points along the reaction coordinate were characterized with coupled cluster theory combined with basis set extrapolation to the complete basis set limit. A shallow minimum, bound by 9.7 kJ?mol(-1) relative to C(2)H(5) + HBr, was located, with a very small energy barrier to dissociation to Br + C(2)H(6). The transition state is tight compared to the adduct. The influence of vibrational anharmonicity on the kinetics and thermochemistry of the title reaction were explored quantitatively. With adjustment of the adduct binding energy by ～4 kJ?mol(-1), the computed rate constants may be brought into agreement with most experimental data in the literature, including new room-temperature results described here. There are indications that at temperatures above those studied experimentally, the activation energy may switch from negative to positive.     

Quantum instanton calculation of rate constants for the C2H6 + H → C2H5 + H2 reaction: anharmonicity and kinetic isotope effects

Thermal rate constants and kinetic isotope effects for the title reaction are calculated by using the quantum instanton approximation within the full dimensional Cartesian coordinates. The obtained results are in good agreement with experimental measurements at high temperatures. The detailed investigation reveals that the anharmonicity of the hindered internal rotation motion does not influence the rate too much compared to its harmonic oscillator approximation. However, the motion of the nonreactive methyl group in C(2)H(6) significantly enhances the rates compared to its rigid case, which makes conventional reduced-dimensionality calculations a challenge. In addition, the temperature dependence of kinetic isotope effects is also revealed.     

Practical Methylation Procedure for (1H)‐1,2,4‐Triazole

Conversion of (1H)‐1,2,4‐triazole to its sodium salt with methanolic sodium methoxide is followed by reaction with iodomethane. A scalable approach that overcomes problems associated with water‐soluble starting material and water‐soluble product combined continuous extraction (chloroform/water) with a final short‐path distillation under a controlled vacuum to obtain spectroscopically pure 1‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazole in 63% yield. Adaptation to microwave synthesis conditions, while providing a faster reaction time, offers no product yield or purification advantages over the conventional approach described. Conversions of this product to related derivatives such as 1,4‐dimethyl‐1,2,4‐triazolium iodide and 1‐methyl‐1,2,4‐triazolium hydrochloride are readily achieved.     

Pd(II)-Mediated C−H Activation for Cysteine Bioconjugation

Selective bioconjugation remains a significant challenge for the synthetic chemist due to the stringent reaction conditions required by biomolecules coupled with their high degree of functionality. The current trailblazer of transition-metal mediated bioconjugation chemistry involves the use of Pd(II) complexes prepared via an oxidative addition process. Herein, the preparation of Pd(II) complexes for cysteine bioconjugation via a facile C−H activation process is reported. These complexes show bioconjugation efficiency competitive with what is seen in the current literature, with a user-friendly synthesis, common Pd(II) sources, and a more cost-effective ligand. Furthermore, these complexes need not be isolated, and still achieve high conversion efficiency and selectivity of a model peptide. These complexes also demonstrate the ability to selectively arylate a single surface cysteine residue on a model protein substrate, further demonstrating their utility.     

C−H Functionalization and Allylic Amination for Post-Polymerization Modification of Polynorbornenes

Post-polymerization modification (PPM) via direct C−H functionalization is a powerful synthetic strategy to convert polymer feed-stocks into value-added products. We found that a metal-free, Se-catalyzed allylic C−H amination provided an efficient method for PPM of polynorbornenes (PNBs) produced via ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Inherent to the mechanism of the allylic amination, PPM on PNBs preserved the alkene functional groups along the polymer backbone, while also avoiding transposition of the double bonds. Amination using a series of aryl sulfonamides led to good control over the degree of functionalization, access to a range of functionalities, and tunable thermal properties from the resulting polymers.     

Gold-Catalyzed C−H Functionalization Polycondensation for the Synthesis of Aromatic Polymers

Homogeneous gold (Au) complexes have demonstrated tremendous utility in modern organic chemistry; however, their application for the synthesis of polymers remains rare. Herein, we demonstrate the first catalytic application of Au complexes toward the polycondensation of alkyne-containing comonomers and heteroarene nucleophiles. Polymerization occurs through successive intermolecular hydroarylation reactions to produce high molecular weight aromatic copolymers with 1,1-disubstituted alkene backbone linkages. Clear correlations between the rate and degree of polymerization (DP) were established based on catalyst structure and counterion pairing, thus enabling polymerization reactions that proceeded with remarkable efficiency, high reactivity, and exceptional DPs. The reactivity is broad in scope, enabling the copolymerization of highly functionalized aromatic and aliphatic monomers. These results highlight the untapped utility of Au catalysis in providing access to new macromolecular constructs.     

Evidence for CH Hydrogen Bonding in Salts of tert-Butyl Cation

Environmentally sensitive: A combination of C?H????anion hydrogen bonding and hyperconjugative charge delocalization explains the sensitivity of the IR spectrum of the tert-butyl cation to its anion (see high-resolution X-ray structure with a CHB(11) Cl(11) (-) counterion). The νCH vibration of the cation scales linearly with the basicity of carborane anions on the νNH scale. The same also holds for the C(6) H(7) (+) benzenium ion.     

H+−H− Pairs in Partially Oxidized MAX Phases for Bifunctional Catalytic Conversion of Furfurals into Linear Ketones

Currently, less favorable C=O hydrogenation and weak concerted acid catalysis cause unsatisfactory catalytic performance in the upgrading of biomass-derived furfurals (i.e., furfural, 5-methyl furfural, and 5-hydroxymethyl furfural) to ketones (i.e., cyclopentanone, 2,5-hexanedione, and 1-hydroxyl-2,5-hexanedione). A series of partially oxidized MAX phase (i.e., Ti₃AlC₂, Ti₂AlC, Ti₃SiC₂) supporting Pd catalysts were fabricated, which showed high catalytic activity; Pd/Ti₃AlC₂ in particular displayed high performance for conversion of furfurals into targeted ketones. Detailed studies of the catalytic mechanism confirm that in situ hydrogen spillover generates Frustrated Lewis H⁺−H⁻ pairs, which not only act as the hydrogenation sites for selective C=O hydrogenation but also provide acid sites for ring opening. The close intimate hydrogenation and acid sites promote bifunctional catalytic reactions, substantially reducing the reported minimum reaction temperature of various furfurals by at least 30–60 °C.     

The Curl–Divergence equations for the electronic non-adiabatic coupling terms: study of the C2H molecule and the H2+H system

This Letter is part of an effort to use the Curl equations to calculate non-adiabatic coupling terms, subject to ab initio boundary conditions. As examples we consider two-state, planar, systems characterized by two coordinates, θ and q and treat the corresponding non-adiabatic coupling terms, namely, τ_θ(q,θ) and τ_q(q,θ). The theory, which yields τ_q(q,θ) once τ_θ(q,θ) is given, is applied to three cases: an analytical model and two ab initio treatments – one for the C₂H molecule and one for the H+H₂ molecular system. In all three cases encouraging agreements were obtained between the theoretical τ_q(q,θ) values and the ab initio ones.     

A Modular Flow Design for the meta-Selective C−H Arylation of Anilines

Described herein is an effective and practical modular flow design for the meta-selective C−H arylation of anilines. The design consists of four continuous-flow modules (i.e., diaryliodonium salt synthesis, meta-selective C−H arylation, inline copper extraction, and aniline deprotection) which can be operated either individually or consecutively to provide direct access to meta-arylated anilines. With a total residence time of 1 hour, the desired product could be obtained in high yield and excellent purity without the need for column chromatography, and the residual copper content meets the standards for parenterally administered pharmaceutical substances.     

Frustrated Lewis Pairs Comprising Nitrogen Lewis Acids for Si–H Bond Activation

N-heterocyclic nitrogen Lewis acids are a recent addition to the field of organic chemistry. Based on nitrenium cations, these acids where previously shown to generate Lewis adducts when combined with the appropriate Lewis bases. Herein, a triazinium-based Lewis acid was combined with tBu₃P to generate a frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) capable of cleaving, for the first time, Si−H bonds in silanes. Whereas low yields were initially encountered owing to insufficient Lewis acidity, a new nitrenium-based Lewis acid was synthesized, and its superior Lewis acidity was experimentally and computationally confirmed. A FLP based on this acid cleaved the Si−H bond in PhSiH₃, generating the triazane product in a quantitative yield. This unprecedented N−H triazane was fully characterized by multinuclear NMR techniques and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. A new class of compounds, N-H triazanes display the potential capacity to participate in hydride transfer reactions.     

Recent strategic advances for the activation of benzylic C–H bonds for the formation of C–C bonds

Alkylarenes, obtained from abundant hydrocarbon feedstock sources, are an attractive starting material for the formation of complex molecular architectures. Conventional activation strategies of the relatively inert sp³-hybridized benzylic C–H bonds usually require relatively harsh conditions and are difficult to apply to the synthesis of fine chemicals. The present review describes recent strategic advances for the activation of benzylic C–H bonds for the catalytic formation of C–C bonds. In particular, two activation methods, i.e., strategies that generate benzylic radicals or benzyl anions, are discussed.     

Ab initio potential energy surface and quantum dynamics for the H + CH4 → H2 + CH3 reaction

A new full-dimensional potential energy surface for the title reaction has been constructed using the modified Shepard interpolation scheme. Energies and derivatives were calculated using the UCCSD(T) method with aug-cc-pVTZ and 6-311++G(3df,2pd) basis sets, respectively. A total number of 30,000 data points were selected from a huge number of molecular configurations sampled by trajectory method. Quantum dynamical calculations showed that the potential energy surface is well converged for the number of data points for collision energy up to 2.5 eV. Total reaction probabilities and integral cross sections were calculated on the present surface, as well as on the ZBB3 and EG-2008 surfaces for the title reaction. Satisfactory agreements were achieved between the present and the ZBB3 potential energy surfaces, indicating we are approaching the final stage to obtain a global potential energy surface of quantitative accuracy for this benchmark polyatomic system. Our calculations also showed that the EG-2008 surface is less accurate than the present and ZBB3 surfaces, particularly in high energy region.