A DFT study of the mechanism and selectivities of the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between 3‐(benzylideneamino)oxindole and trans‐β‐nitrostyrene

The mechanism and regioselectivities and stereoselectivities of the [3 + 2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction of 3‐(benzylideneamino) oxindole (AY) and trans‐β‐nitrostyrene have been studied using both B3LYP and ωB97XD density functional theory methods together with the standard 6‐31G(d) basis set. Four reactive pathways associated with the ortho and meta regioselective channels and endo and exo stereoselective approaches modes have been explored and characterized. While the B3LYP functional fails to predict the experimental regioselectivity, the ωB97XD one succeeds to predict the experimentally observed meta regioselectivity favoring the formation of meta/endo cycloadduct as the major isomer. Inclusion of solvent effects increases the regioselectivity and decreases the experimentally observed stereoselectivity. Analysis of the density functional theory global reactivity indices and the Parr functions of the reagents in its ground state allows explaining the reactivity and the meta regioselectivity of this zwitterionic‐type 32CA reaction, which account for the high polar character of this reaction. Non‐covalent interaction analysis of the most favorable meta/endo transition state structure reveals that the formation of a hydrogen‐bond between 1 nitro oxygen and the AY N–H hydrogen is responsible for the selectivity experimentally found in this polar zwitterionic‐type 32CA reaction.     

Theoretical calculations of homogeneous catalysis in the gas phase: elimination kinetics of 2,2-dimethoxypropane in the presence of HCl,F3CCOOH and CH3COOH

The mechanisms of gas-phase elimination kinetics of 2,2-dimethoxypropane in the presence of hydrogen chloride, trifluoroacetic acid and acetic acid were studied using Moller Plesset, ab initio combined method Complete Basis Set (CBS)-QB3 and various density functional theory methods with 6-311G(d,p) and 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets. The M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) method provided reasonable agreement with the experimental enthalpy and energy of activation. Formation of 2-methoxypropene and methanol products occurs through six-membered cyclic ring transition state (TS) structure. The TS was characterised by single imaginary frequency, and confirmed through intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations. The IRC calculations suggest the development of a van der Waal complex between the 2, 2-dimethoxy propane and the acid catalyst, leading to the TS formation. The process of decomposition in the absence of the acid catalyst requires much higher temperature with an energy of activation above 200 kJ/mol. This fact appears to be a consequence of a four-membered cyclic TS-type of mechanism in the non-catalysed reaction. Structural parameters, analyses of natural bond orbital charges and bond orders of the acid-catalysed elimination reactions in this study suggest that the polarisation of the C–O bond, in the direction C^δ+—O^δ?, is rate-determining in the TS. These reactions are non-synchronous concerted polar in nature.     

Surfactant‐assisted specific‐acid catalysis of Diels–Alder reactions in aqueous media

Surfactant‐assisted specific‐acid catalysis (SASAC) for Diels–Alder reactions of dienophiles 1 and 4 with cyclopentadiene 2 in aqueous media at 32 °C was studied. This study showed that acidified anionic surfactants (pH 2) such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LAS) accelerate Diels—Alder reactions. Conversely, under similar reaction conditions (pH 2) these reactions are inhibited by (acidified) cationic surfactants such as dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), dodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), and dodecylmethylammonium bromide (DMAB). A modest rate acceleration resulting from the surfactant hydrogen‐bonding capacity is also recorded for the Diels–Alder reaction of naphthoquinones ( 6 ) with cyclopentadiene ( 2 ) in aqueous media at 32 °C. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sulphur dioxide insertion into tin―carbon bonds: solvent effects and the nature of the transition state

Data describing the insertion of sulphur dioxide into the carbon―tin bond of a range of substituted phenyltrimethyltin compounds in methanol and benzene solvents have been reconsidered. The reaction in methanol is cleanly second order, but the reaction in benzene has both a second‐order and third‐order component, the latter ascribable to an initial equilibrium formation of a SO₂ complex with the phenyl ring followed by the insertion of a second SO₂ molecule into the carbon–tin bond. Molecular orbital calculations have identified the transition states (TS) and the favoured reaction pathways for the second‐order and third‐order reaction pathways in benzene. The effects of solvents on TS and enthalpies of reaction have also been examined. New insights into the types of TS involved in electrophilic substitution reactions are revealed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Joint theoretical and experimental study of the gas‐phase elimination kinetics of tert‐butyl ester of carbamic,N, N‐dimethylcarbamic,N‐hydroxycarbamic acids and 1‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐imidazole

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of the title compounds were carried out in a static reaction system and seasoned with allyl bromide. The working temperature and pressure ranges were 200–280 °C and 22–201.5 Torr, respectively. The reactions are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first‐order rate law. These substrates produce isobutene and corresponding carbamic acid in the rate‐determining step. The unstable carbamic acid intermediate rapidly decarboxylates through a four‐membered cyclic transition state (TS) to give the corresponding organic nitrogen compound. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficients is expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: for tert‐butyl carbamate logk₁ (s^?1) = (13.02 ± 0.46) – (161.6 ± 4.7) kJ/mol(2.303 RT)^?1, for tert‐butyl N‐hydroxycarbamate logk₁ (s^?1) = (12.52 ± 0.11) – (147.8 ± 1.1) kJ/mol(2.303 RT)^?1, and for 1‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐imidazole logk₁ (s^?1) = (11.63 ± 0.21)–(134.9 ± 2.0) kJ/mol(2.303 RT)^?1. Theoretical studies of these elimination were performed at Møller–Plesset MP2/6‐31G and DFT B3LYP/6‐31G(d), B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) levels of theory. The calculated bond orders, NBO charges, and synchronicity (Sy) indicate that these reactions are concerted, slightly asynchronous, and proceed through a six‐membered cyclic TS type. Results for estimated kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are discussed in terms of the proposed reaction mechanism and TS structure. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The keto–enol equilibrium and thermal conversion kinetics of 2- and 4-hydroxyacetophenone in the gas phase: a DFT study

Keto–enol tautomeric equilibrium and the mechanism of thermal conversion of 2- and 4-hydroxyacetophenone in gas phase have been studied by means of electronic structure calculations using density functional theory (DFT). A topological analysis of electron density evidence that the structure of keto and enol forms of 2-hydroxyacetophenone are stabilised by a relatively strong intramolecular hydrogen bond. 2- and 4-hydroxyacetophenone undergo deacetylation reactions yielding phenol and ketene. Two possible mechanisms are considered for these eliminations: the process takes place from the keto form (mechanism A), or occurs from the enolic form of the substrate (mechanism B). Quantum chemical calculations support the mechanism B, being found a good agreement with the experimental activation parameters. These results suggest that the rate-limiting step is the reaction of the enol through a concerted, non-synchronous, semi-polar, four-membered cyclic transition state (TS). The most advanced reaction coordinate in the TS is the rupture of O₁···H₁ bond, with an evolution in the order of 79.7%–80.9%. Theoretical results also suggest a three-step mechanism for the phenyl acetate formation from 2-hydroxyacetophenone.     

3-三苯基锗基-1,1-二苯基-1-丁醇类化合物的拉曼光谱和红外光谱研究

我们合成３－三苯基锗基－１,１－二苯基－１－丙醇及同系物３－三苯基锗基－１,１－二苯基－１－丁醇;３－三苯基锗基－２－甲基－１,１－二苯基－１－丙醇,这些化合物都是有机锗类化合物,是具有抗肿瘤活性的化合物３－三苯基锗基－１－二苯基－１－丙醇的类似物,它们可能具有生物活性。我们测量了它们的拉曼光谱及红外光谱。经光谱分析,指认了主要波数所对应的分子振动。在这三种化合物中,Ｇｅ－Ｐｈ的伸缩振动出现在１０     

Kinetic studies of the reaction of phenacyl bromide derivatives with sulfur nucleophiles

The reaction of the substituted phenacyl bromides 1a–e and 2a–e with thioglycolic acid 3 and thiophenol 6 in methanol underwent nucleophilic substitution S_N2 mechanism to give the corresponding 2‐sulfanylacetic acid derivatives 4a–e, 5a–e and benzenethiol derivatives 9a–e, 10a–e. The reactants and products were identified by mass spectra, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance. We measured the kinetics of these reactions conductometrically in methanol at a range of temperatures. The rates of the reactions were found to fit the Hammett equation and correlated with σ‐Hammett values. The ρ values for thioglycolic acid were 1.22–1.21 in the case of 4‐substituted phenacyl bromide 1a–e, while in the case of the nitro derivatives 2a–e they were 0.39–0.35. The ρ values for thiophenol were 0.97–0.83 in the case of 4‐substituted phenacyl bromide 1a–e, while in the case of the nitro derivatives 2a–e they were 0.79–0.74. The Brønsted‐type plot was linear with a α = ?0.41 ± 0.03. The kinetic data and structure‐reactivity relationships indicate that the reaction of 1a–e and 2a–e with thiol nucleophiles proceeds by a concerted mechanism. The plot of log k₄₅ versus log k₃₀, the plot log(k_x,3‐NO2/k_H) versus log(k_x/k_H), and the Brønsted‐type correlation indicate that the reactions of the thiol nucleophiles with the substituted phenacyl bromides 1a–e and 2a–e are attributed to the electronic nature of the substituents. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High pressure: A promising tool for multicomponent reactions

In this paper the application of high pressure in multicomponent reactions is discussed. Using high pressure the scope of certain multicomponent reactions can be increased. Reactions are described that can only be performed in a multicomponent fashion when high pressure catalysis is applied. An overview of high pressure catalysed multicomponent reactions is presented with special attention to the domino [4 + 2]/[3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.     

Solvent network at the transition state in the solvolysis of hindered sulfonyl compounds

Alcoholysis rates of unhindered benzenesulfonyl chlorides (X‐ArSO₂Cl, X = H‐; 4‐Br‐; 4‐Me‐) are similar in methanol; the same behavior is also observed in ethanol, whereas the reactivity order in iso‐propanol is 4 Me‐ < H‐ < 4‐Br‐. On the other hand, alcoholysis of sterically hindered arenesulfonyl chlorides (X‐ArSO₂Cl) (X = 2,4,6‐Me₃‐3‐NO₂‐; 2,6‐Me₂‐4‐tBu‐; 2,4,6‐Me₃‐; 2,3,5,6‐Me₄‐; 2,4,6‐iPr₃‐; 2,4‐Me₂‐; 2,4,6‐(OMe)₃‐) in all studied alcohols show a significant increase in reactivity, the so‐called positive steric effect. Most of the substrates showed a reaction order b ~ 2 with respect to the nucleophile in methanol and ethanol, and b ~ 3 in iso‐propanol. The correlation between reactivity and the Kirkwood function (1/ξ) gives negative sensitivity (U) for all systems. All substrates showed high sensitivity to media nucleophilicity that depends on Σσ_X. Obtained results suggest the alcoholysis of benzenesulfonyl chlorides proceeds through S_N2 mechanism where the transition state (TS) involves the participation of 2–3 alcohol molecules; such a TS can be cyclic, in the case of unbranched alcohols, or linear, for alcohols with bulkier hydrocarbon groups like iso‐propanol. To include the number of alcohol molecules playing such a role in the TS, the following terminology is proposed: cS_N2s_n for S_N2 reactions involving n solvent molecules in a cyclic (c) TS, where “s” stands for the solvent and “n” is either the closest integer or half‐integer to the reaction order relative to the solvent or, in computational studies, the proposed number of solvent molecules taking part in the TS, whereas S_N2s_n is proposed when the TS is not cyclic. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A bonding evolution theory study on the catalytic Noyori hydrogenation reaction

ABSTRACT

The electronic rearrangements involved in Noyori hydrogenation reactions with double bonds (ethene and formaldehyde) are analysed using the bonding evolution theory. The study and analysis of the changes on the electron localisation function topology along a given reaction path reveals fluxes of electron density, allowing to unambiguously identify the main chemical events happening along the chemical reactions. This analysis shows that the first hydrogen transfer (with hydride character) occurs before the transition state (TS), while the second hydrogen transfer (with proton character) takes places after having reached the TS. The lower energy barrier found for formaldehyde over ethene is explained by two reasons. First, the hydride transfer is favoured for the C?=?O bond over C?=?C due to the electrophilic character of the carbon atom. Second, a negatively charged CH₃–X (X?=?CH₂, O) hidden intermediate is formed in the proximities of the TS region. The oxygen atom is able to stabilise this negatively charged species more effectively than the CH₂ group due to its higher electronegativity and the presence of V(O) lone pairs. The obtained analysis explains and rationalises catalyst chemoselectivity (C?=?O vs. C?=?C). Finally, a curly arrow representation diagram accounting for the electronic rearrangements is proposed on the basis of BET results.     

Selectivity in metal ions mediated C–N bond formation reactions of 8‐aminoquinoline derivatives

Cyclisation reactions via C–N bond formation of 2‐bromo‐N‐(quinolin‐8‐yl)propanamide (I) and 2‐bromo‐N‐(quinolin‐8‐yl)acetamide (II) are facilitated by metal salts such as copper (+2), nickel (+2) perchlorate or nitrate and palladium (+2) acetate. Nickel (+2) perchlorate mediated reaction of I and II resulted in C–N bond formation to give corresponding perchlorate salts of three fused six‐membered heterocyclic rings. The copper (+2) mediated reactions are found to be solvent dependent for I, but independent for II. Copper mediated reaction of II gave cyclised product analogous to the one obtained from reaction of II with nickel (+2) perchlorate in methanol or ethanol. But the reaction of I with copper (+2) perchlorate in methanol gave C–N bonded methoxylated cyclised product. This reaction took place in two steps, cyclisation followed by methoxylation. The source of methoxy group is confirmed to be from methanol by deuterium labelling experiments. Whereas similar copper mediated reaction of I in ethanol led to nucleophilic substitution of bromide ion by ethoxide. The structures of the salts of fused heterocyclic compounds were determined and their fluorescence emissions were studied. The large difference in fluorescence emission of compound V formed from copper mediated reaction in ethanol from the compound VI formed from nickel mediated reaction in methanol or ethanol, this feature can be used to distinguish nickel (+2) and copper (+2) ions. The reaction of II with palladium (+2) acetate resulted in the formation of C–N bond to yield the corresponding heterocycle as bromide salt; without anion exchange. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Basic hydrolysis of quinolinyl N,N‐dimethylcarbamates: a two‐step mechanism

The reactivity of 6‐quinolinyl and 8‐quinolinyl N,N‐dimethylcarbamates was examined in several aqueous basic media. A quadratic dependence was observed for the constant rates upon hydroxide concentration for both compounds, which is a typical behaviour of a mechanism involving a base‐catalysed deprotonation of the tetrahedral intermediate with the formation of a dianion at high concentrations of hydroxide ion, while at lower concentrations a specific‐base catalysed addition–elimination mechanism seems to be predominant. The reactivity of 8‐quinolinyl N,N‐dimethylcarbamate was also studied in several amine buffers, showing specific base catalysis. The reactivity of 6‐quinolinyl N,N‐dimethylcarbamate was studied in H₂O and in D₂O and the solvent isotope effect supports the proposal of a mechanism involving a specific‐base hydrolysis. All results confirm the existence of a mechanism with a rate determining step involving the substrate anion and a second mole of hydroxide ion. This mechanism was so far unknown for carbamate reactivity, being only known to occur with amides. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

吡喃木糖热裂解机理的密度泛函理论研究

采用密度泛函理论理论方法M062X/6-311++G(d,p)，对吡喃木糖的热解反应机理进行了理论计算分析。针对吡喃木糖热解可能发生的化学反应共设计了九条可能的热解路径，并对各路径中的反应物、中间体和过渡态的几何结构进行了能量梯度全优化，并在梯度全优化的基础上计算了各热解反应路径的热力学和动力学参数。文中以两大类方式来设计反应路径：1）木糖首先经过过渡态TS1发生开环反应生成链状中间体2，该步的反应能垒为188.7 kJ/mol，对于中间体2共设计了五种可能的热解反应路径；2）考虑双键同时断裂的情况，木糖先发生脱水反应，接着按C-C和C-O键同时断裂的情况发生开环反应，针于这种情况共设计了四条可能的热解路径。计算结果表明，吡喃木糖热解的主要反应产物有乙醇、乙醛、糠醛、丙酮、酸类、CO2和CO等小分子化合物。     

Theoretical investigation of the oxidation pathways of the Cl-initiated reaction of 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol

The mechanism and products of the reaction of 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBO232) with Cl atoms in the presence of O₂ have been elucidated by performing high-level quantum chemistry calculations. The geometries of the reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products are optimized at the MP2(full)/6-311G(d,?p) level, and their single-point energies are refined at the CCSD(T)/6-311?+?G(d,?p) level. The potential energy surface profiles have been constructed at the CCSD(T)/6-311?+?G(d,?p)//MP2(full)/6-311G(d,?p)?+?0.95?×?ZPE level of theory, and the possible channels involved in the reaction are also discussed. The calculations indicate that the reaction predominantly proceeds via the addition of Cl atoms to the double bond rather than the direct abstraction of the H atoms in MBO232. The nascent adducts (CH₃)₂C(OH)CHCH₂Cl (IM1) and (CH₃)₂C(OH)CHClCH₂ (IM2) do not undergo subsequent isomerization and dissociation reactions, but rather react with O₂. The theoretical results show that the major products are CH₂ClCHO and CH₃C(O)CH₃ for the reaction of MBO232?+?Cl in the presence of O₂, which is in good agreement with the experimental finding.     

Anharmonic effect of the unimolecular dissociation of CH3COOH

Anharmonic and harmonic rate constants of the reactions have been calculated with the Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus theory, and the anharmonic results are higher than the harmonic ones. The anharmonic effect and isotopic effect on the decomposition reactions have also been examined. The anharmonic effect in all the four reactions is obvious, especially at the high temperatures or energies. Relatively, the anharmonic effect on the reaction trans-acetic acid → TS2 radical is the least obvious among the four reactions. In the microcanonical system, the difference of the rate constants between the deuterated results and the non-deuterated results is not negligible; in other words, the isotopic effect is obvious in all the four reactions. Among these reactions, three of the deuterated results (d, d3 and d4) have a big difference.     

Regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of Diels–Alder reaction: a DFT study on the functionalization of organic semiconductor crystals

Diels–Alder (DA) reaction is one of the most commonly tools in functionalizing organic semiconductor crystals. The DA reactions of two organic semiconductors, i.e. tetracene ( 1 ) and rubrene ( 2 ), to several dienophiles ( 3 to 7 ) were performed experimentally recently. But the kinetics and mechanism of stereoselectivity and regioselectivity remain unknown. In the current study, all related 20 DA reactions (totally 32 possible pathways) were investigated by density functional theory. It was found that the reaction of 7 and a–b position of 1 is the most favorable one. The c–d position of 2 is more reactive than its a–b position when 2 combines with 3 , but is less reactive when combines with 4 to 7 . The endo and exo pathways have similar activation barriers in each reaction. The rate coefficients were calculated using the canonical variational transition state theory and their Arrhenius expressions were fitted. The theoretical conclusion agrees with the experimental observations and is of general importance for similar reactions. Solvent has a slight effect on these reactions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An experimental investigation of substituent effects on the formation of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones: a kinetic study

The effect of different substituents on the kinetics of the reactions between 2‐amino‐benzamide and some of benzaldehyde derivatives have been spectrally investigated in the presence of formic acid. The proposed mechanism were challenged due to the determination of rate‐determining step (RDS) and also, to obtain the general rate law of the reaction. For all substituents, the reactions followed the second‐order kinetics and the partial orders of reactions were recognized with respect to each reactant. Electron withdrawing substituents on benzaldehyde ring increased the rate of reaction. Kinetic values (k and E_a) and associated activation parameters (ΔH^?, ΔG^? and ΔS^?) of the reactions were determined. Both the Arrhenius and the Eyring equations were used to calculate activation energy. Comparison of magnitude of and T showed that the reactions were enthalpy controlled. Isokinetic plots for the reactions were plotted and linear relationship between and recognized that relative contribution of enthalpy and entropy to the overall free energy was the same in the reactions.     

Theoretical study of the optical and charge transport properties in non-peripherally octasubstituted phthalocyanine–tetrabenzoporphyrin hybrids

The charge transfer rate of seven non-peripherally phthalocyanine–tetrabenzoporphyrin hybrids was investigated theoretically at the level of B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) using density functional theory. The results showed that the hybrids are semiconductor molecules, which have a certain absorption in the visible region. The hole or electron transport capability of a non-peripherally substituted octamethyl phthalocyanine molecule is obviously better than that of phthalocyanine or non-peripherally substituted octafluorine, octamethoxy phthalocyanine molecules at 300 K, whereas the holes or electron transport capabilities of four non-peripherally substituted octamethoxy phthalocyanine–tetrabenzoporphyrin hybrids are basically the same. Overall, the hole transport capability of hybrids is superior to their electron transport capability. The charge transfer rate constant and the carrier mobility rate of three representative molecules using three methods, that is the long range-corrected functionals CHB-B3LYP and WB97XD, the metahybrid GGA M06-2X functional, are consistent with the use of the density functional B3LYP method.     

Dimers and trimers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as models of graphene bilayers and trilayers: enhanced electron density at the edges

Structures of dimers and trimers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) having zig-zag edges, and continuous electron density and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) distributions in these systems were studied in gas phase. Dimers of benzene and naphthalene for which high-accuracy results are available were used to test the reliability of four different functionals of density functional theory in combination with the 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The dispersion-corrected WB97XD functional was found to be distinctly superior to the other three functionals used and was employed to study PAH dimers and trimers. Electronic structures and geometries of dimers of a four benzene ring and a nine benzene ring systems and trimers of the four benzene ring system were investigated. The dimers and trimers of PAHs were found to be of parallel-displaced type, as observed experimentally for graphene. The enhanced electron density edge effect found in the PAH monomers earlier is found to exist in the dimers and trimers also.