Dissociation of toluene cation: a new potential energy surface

The potential energy surface (PES) for the formation of tropylium and benzylium ions from toluene cation (1) has been explored theoretically. Quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G and G3//B3LYP levels were performed. A pathway to form o-isotoluene (5-methylene-1,3-cyclohexadiene) cation (5) from 1 was found. The isomerization occurs by two consecutive 1,2-H shifts from CH(3) to the ortho position of the aromatic ring via a distonic benzenium cation (2), which is also an intermediate in the well-known isomerization of 1 to cycloheptatriene cation (4). Since the barrier for the formation of 2 is the highest in the two isomerization pathways, 1, 4, and 5 are interconvertible energetically prior to dissociation. The benzylium ion can be produced via 5 as well as from 1 and the tropylium ion via 4. Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus model calculations were carried out based on the obtained PES. The result agrees with previous experimental observations. From a theoretical analysis of kinetics of the isomerizations and dissociations, we suggest that 5 plays an important role in the formation of C(7)H(7)(+) from 1.     

Unimolecular dissociation of aniline molecular ion: A theoretical study

The potential energy surface (PES) for dissociation of aniline ion was determined using density functional theory molecular orbital calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. On the basis of the PES obtained, kinetic analysis was performed by Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM) calculations. The RRKM dissociation rate constants agreed well with previous experimental data. The most favorable channel was formation of the cyclopentadiene ion by loss of HNC, occurring through consecutive ring opening and re-closure to a five-membered ring. Loss of H could compete with the HNC loss at high energy, which occurred by direct cleavage of an N–H bond or through ring expansion.     

A computational study of chlorocarbene additions to cyclooctyne

Dichloro- and phenylchlorocarbene (CCl2 and PhCCl) add to cyclooctyne via a barrierless process (MP2/6-311+G*, B3LYP/6-311+G*, B3LYP/6-31G*) to yield the expected corresponding cyclopropene adducts. A three-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) for CCl2 addition to cyclooctyne (B3LYP/6-31G*) shows the formation of the cyclopropene product and also possible formation of a vinylcarbene. Residing in a shallow energy well, the vinylcarbene easily rearranges to the cyclopropene product, or to an exocyclic vinyl bicyclo[3.3.0]octane. Although the calculated three-dimensional PES indicates possible dynamic control of the cyclooctyne-chlorocarbene system through the putative formation of a vinylcarbene (in addition to the expected cyclopropene), additional calculations and preliminary experimental work show paths through the vinylcarbene to be unlikely. If the additions of chlorocarbenes to cyclooctyne are controlled by reaction dynamics, we predict that the vast majority of the reactions proceed via traditional carbene cycloaddition with only a very minor amount of products formed from the alternative pathway.     

The C7-C10 cycloalkanes revisited

The conformers of cycloheptane through cyclodecane have been examined at the B3LYP/6-311+G* and MP2/6-311+G* theoretical levels, with some additional calculations at the CCD/6-311+G* and CCSD(T)/6-311++G** levels. With cyclooctane, B3LYP predicts that the boat-chair and crown conformers have similar energies, whereas MP2 and CCSD(T) predict that the crown conformer is 2 kcal/mol higher in energy. The latter is in agreement with the electron diffraction data. With cyclononane, B3LYP predicts that two of the higher-energy conformers found in molecular mechanics calculations should convert to one of the lower-energy conformers. However, MP2/6-311+G* optimizations find them to be true minima on the potential energy surface. B3LYP systematically predicts larger C-C-C bond angles for these compounds than either MP2 or CCD. The results of molecular mechanics MM4 calculations are generally in good agreement with those obtained using MP2.     

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.     

Structures of water octamers (H2O)8: exploration on ab initio potential energy surfaces by the scaled hypersphere search method

The potential energy surface (PES) of water octamers has been explored by the scaled hypersphere search method. Among 164 minima on the PES (based on MP2/6-311++G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) calculations), the cubic structure with D2d symmetry has been confirmed to be the global minimum. In a thermodynamic simulation using these 164 structures, the cubic structure with S4 symmetry has the highest population at low temperature, though double rings can become dominant as temperature going up, in good accord with a recent Monte Carlo simulation using an empirical potential. A transition temperature from cubic to noncubic has significantly been underestimated when potential energy data of B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) calculations are employed in the simulation. This serious discrepancy between the MP2 and the B3LYP results suggests an importance of dispersion interactions for discussions on thermodynamics of water octamers.     

A comparison of the behavior of functional/basis set combinations for hydrogen-bonding in the water dimer with emphasis on basis set superposition error

We evaluate the performance of ten functionals (B3LYP, M05, M05-2X, M06, M06-2X, B2PLYP, B2PLYPD, X3LYP, B97D, and MPWB1K) in combination with 16 basis sets ranging in complexity from 6-31G(d) to aug-cc-pV5Z for the calculation of the H-bonded water dimer with the goal of defining which combinations of functionals and basis sets provide a combination of economy and accuracy for H-bonded systems. We have compared the results to the best non-density functional theory (non-DFT) molecular orbital (MO) calculations and to experimental results. Several of the smaller basis sets lead to qualitatively incorrect geometries when optimized on a normal potential energy surface (PES). This problem disappears when the optimization is performed on a counterpoise (CP) corrected PES. The calculated interaction energies (ΔEs) with the largest basis sets vary from -4.42 (B97D) to -5.19 (B2PLYPD) kcal/mol for the different functionals. Small basis sets generally predict stronger interactions than the large ones. We found that, because of error compensation, the smaller basis sets gave the best results (in comparison to experimental and high-level non-DFT MO calculations) when combined with a functional that predicts a weak interaction with the largest basis set. As many applications are complex systems and require economical calculations, we suggest the following functional/basis set combinations in order of increasing complexity and cost: (1) D95(d,p) with B3LYP, B97D, M06, or MPWB1k; (2) 6-311G(d,p) with B3LYP; (3) D95++(d,p) with B3LYP, B97D, or MPWB1K; (4) 6-311++G(d,p) with B3LYP or B97D; and (5) aug-cc-pVDZ with M05-2X, M06-2X, or X3LYP.     

Probing furanose ring conformation by gas-phase computational methods: energy profile and structural parameters in methyl beta-D-arabinofuranoside as a function of ring conformation

The potential energy surface of methyl beta-D-arabinofuranoside (3) has been studied by ab initio molecular orbital (HF/6-31G) and density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G) calculations via minimization of the 10 possible envelope conformers. The partial potential energy surface identified that the global minimum and lowest energy northern conformer was E(2). In the HF calculations, (2)E was the most stable southern conformer, while the density functional theory methods identified (4)E as the local minimum in this hemisphere. Additional calculations at higher levels of theory showed that the B3LYP-derived energies of many of the envelope conformers of 3 are dependent upon the basis set used. It has also been demonstrated that B3LYP/6-31+G//B3LYP/6-31G single point energies are essentially the same as those obtained from full geometry optimizations at the B3LYP/6-31+G level. The northern and southern minima of the B3LYP/6-31+G surface are, respectively, the E(2) and (2)E conformers. The B3LYP/6-31G geometries were used to study the relationship between ring conformation and various structural parameters including bond angles, dihedral angles, bond lengths, and interatomic distances.     

Acid/base catalysis by pure water: the aldol reaction

[reaction: see text] The mechanism of aldol reactions in pure water has been studied with density functional calculations (B3LYP/6-311++G(3d,3p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d)). The reaction is a three-step process that involves: (1) water autoionization generates catalytic hydroxide and hydronium ions, (2) hydroxide and hydronium ions rapidly convert donor aldehyde or ketone into enol, and (3) C-C bond formation and proton transfer occur to give the aldol product. This study provides a general basis for understanding acid/base catalysis by pure water.     

Comprehensive density functional theory study on serine and related ions in gas phase: conformations, gas phase basicities, and acidities

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to investigate the gas-phase conformations of serine and its three related ions (serineH(+), serine(-), and serine(2-)). The full ensemble of possible conformations, 324 conformations for serine, 108 for serineH(+), 162 for serine(-) and 54 for serine(2-), were first surveyed at B3LYP/6-31G level, and then the obtained unique conformations were further refined at B3LYP/6-311+G level. From full optimizations, 74 unique conformations for seine, 14 for serineH(+), 11 for serine(-), and 4 for serine(2-) were located, and their relative energies were also determined at B3LYP/6-311+G level. Atoms in molecules (AIM) analysis was carried out to establish rigorous definition of hydrogen bonds. Six types of intramolecular H-bonds in conformers of serine, six types in serineH(+), three types in serine(-), and two types in serine(2-) were identified within the framework of AIM theory and their relative strengths were determined based on topological properties at bond critical points (BCPs) of H-bonds. The intramolecular H-bonds were demonstrated to play an important role in deciding the relative stability of conformations of amino acids and the related ions. The enthalpies and Gibbs free energies of protonation and deprotonation reactions of serine and its related ions were calculated at B3LYP/6-311+G//B3LYP/6-31G, and B3LYP/6-311+G//B3LYP/6-311+G level. The calculated results are both in excellent agreement with the experimental data. We demonstrate in this study that B3LYP is an efficient and accurate method to predict the thermochemical and structural parameters of amino acids and the related ions.     

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.     

Ion-molecule chemistry within boron tribromide clusters: experiment and theory

Molecular clusters of BBr3 were subjected to electron ionization and mass analysis in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Five series of cluster ions were observed, with formulas corresponding to each of the possible fragment ions of BBr3 being solvated by neutral BBr3 molecules. Geometry optimizations on the observed cluster ions using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G*) predict that fragment ions smaller than BBr3+ undergo reactions with neutral BBr3 molecules to form covalently bound adduct species that function as core ions within the clusters. Once all boron atoms are saturated, the reactions cease, and larger cluster ions consist of BBr3 molecules loosely bound to the core ions. Divalent bromine atoms are present in at least three of the cluster ions, and most of the intermolecular contact within the clusters is between Br atoms. Enthalpies of formation, addition reactions, and BBr3 elimination from the cluster ions were derived from B3LYP and MP2 calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G* geometries using both the 6-31G* and the 6-311++G(2df,2p) basis sets. The results are compared to limiting expectations based on known bulk thermochemistry.     

Unimolecular reactivity of strong metal-cation complexes in the gas phase: ethylenediamine-Cu(+)

The gas-phase reactions between ethylenediamine (en) and Cu(+) have been investigated by means of mass spectrometry techniques. The MIKE spectrum reveals that the adduct ions [Cu(+)(H(2)NCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))] spontaneously decompose by loosing H(2), NH(3) and HCu, the loss of hydrogen being clearly dominant. The spectra of the fully C-deuterated species show the loss of HD, NH(3) and CuD but no losses of H(2), D(2), NH(2)D, NHD(2), ND(3) or CuH are observed. This clearly excludes hydrogen exchange between the methylene and the amino groups as possible mechanisms for the loss of ammonia. Conversely, methylene hydrogen atoms are clearly involved in the loss of molecular hydrogen. The structures and bonding characteristics of the Cu(+)(en) complexes as well as the different stationary points of the corresponding potential energy surface (PES) have been theoretically studied by DFT calculations carried out at B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. Based on the topology of this PES the most plausible mechanisms for the aforementioned unimolecular fragmentations are proposed. Our theoretical estimates indicate that Cu(+) strongly binds to en, by forming a chelated structure in which Cu(+) is bridging between both amino groups. The binding energy is quite high (84 kcal mol(-1)), but also the products of the unimolecular decomposition of Cu(+)(en) complexes are strongly bound Cu(+)-complexes.     

丁烯和丁烷自由基阳离子的分子结构和超精细结构的 理论研究

用密度函数理论B3LYP方法和6-31G(d,p),6-311G(d,p)及6-311+G(d,p)基组，分别对1-C4H^+~8,2-C4H^+~8和C4H^+~10进行了构型优化和频率分析计算，预言1-C4H^+~8具有非平面构型，与以往报道的从头算和密度函数理论计算结果不同。在各自由基阳离子的B3LYP构型上，进行了B3LYP、MP2及MRSDCI方法的超精细偶合常数计算，得到了比以往更好的结果，特别是MP2/B3LYP计算值是至今与实验值符合得最好的理论计算结果。     

Analysis of the reactivity on the c7h6 potential energy surface

The reactivity and decomposition kinetics on the C(7)H(6) potential energy surface (PES) were investigated, determining structures of stationary points at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level and energies at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ level with extension to the complete basis set limit. For the reactions characterized by a significant multireference character, the energies were calculated at the CASPT2/cc-pVTZ level. The portion of the PES investigated consisted of 27 wells connected by 39 saddle points. Of the 27 wells, 16 can be accessed through transition states having activation energies smaller than the dissociation threshold. In agreement with previous theoretical studies, it was found that the main interconversion channel takes place on the singlet PES and connects phenylcarbene, cycloheptatetrane, spiroheptatriene, fulvenallene, and three ethynylcyclopentadiene isomers. Two new mechanisms are proposed for the formation of 5-ethynylcyclopentadiene and for the conversion of spiroheptatriene to fulvenallene. The unimolecular decomposition kinetics was thoroughly investigated. It was found that the fastest high pressure decomposition channel, at the temperatures at which C(7)H(6) undergoes unimolecular decomposition (1500--2000 K), leads to the formation of cyclopentadienylidene and acetylene. The rate of crossing from the singlet to the triplet PES may affect considerably this reaction channel, as it is formally spin forbidden. The alternative pathway, which is the decomposition to fulvenallenyl, is however only a factor of 2--3 slower and significantly less activated (82 vs 96 kcal/mol).     

Secondary orbital effect in the electrocyclic ring closure of 7-Azahepta-1,2,4,6-tetraeneA CASSCF molecular orbital study

Results of (10,9)CASSCF/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G* level calculations on the potential surface for the electrocyclic ring closure of E-7-azahepta-1,2,4,6-tetraene 3 to 1-aza-6-methylidenecyclohexa-2,4-diene ( 4) are reported, as well as parallel calculations on the electrocyclizations of hepta-1,2,4,6-tetraene 5, hexa-1,3,5-triene 7, Z and E-1-aza-1,3,5-hexatrienes 9 and 10, and Z-7-azahepta-1,2,4,6-tetraene 12 for purposes of careful comparison. The 3 --> 4 rearrangement has been studied computationally with density functional theory (DFT) by others, leading to disagreement over whether it is pseudopericyclic (de Lera, A. R.; Alvarez, R.; Lecea, B.; Torrado, A.; Cossío, F. P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2001, 40, 557-561; de Lera, A. R.; Cossío, F. P. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 1150-1152) or pericyclic (Rodríguez-Otero, J.; Cabaleiro-Lago, E. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 1147-1150). In accordance with disrotatory motion, the normal mode vectors for TS 3-->4 calculated at the (10,9)CASSCF/6-31G* level show a greater magnitude of rotation of the N1-H group relative to the N1-C2 bond being formed than in TS 3-->4 calculated at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. Furthermore, comparison of orbital correlation diagrams constructed entirely from localized complete active space (CAS) molecular orbitals (MOs) for the electrocyclizations of 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 suggest that it is the highest occupied delocalized pi-MO of 3 that is primarily responsible for sigma-bond formation in 4, not the terminal allenyl pi-bond MO. However, there does appear to be a special secondary orbital effect role for the nitrogen lone-pair and hence the process is likely neither purely pericyclic nor pseudopericyclic.     

戊烯自由基阳离子的密度泛函理论研究

使用密度泛函理论B3LYP方法和6-31G(d,p)、6-31＋G(d,p)、6-311G(d,p)及6-311＋G(d,p)基组，分别对2-C5H10＋和1-C5H10＋的各种构象进行了几何构型优化，并用B3LYP/6-311G(d,p)进行了频率分析计算.计算预言1-C5H10＋具有非平面构型，与以往报导的从头算计算结论相反.在两个自由基阳离子的各种构象的B3LYP几何构型上，进行了B3LYP和UMP2(full)方法的超精细偶合常数计算，得到了比以往更好的结果.     

Theoretical study of light-metal tetrahydroaluminates

Ab initio calculations of the structural, energetic, vibrational, and magnetic characteristics of the lowest-lying structures for isolated molecules and ions of light-metal tetrahydroaluminates (Li, Na, Be, Mg, and Al) have been performed by the perturbation theory (MP2), quadratic configuration interaction (QCISD(T)), coupled cluster (CCSD(T)), and density functional theory (B3LYP) methods using the 6-31G*, 6-31G**, 6-311+G**, and 6-311++G** basis sets. The trends in the behavior of the molecular characteristics have been analyzed in various related series of these compounds. The results are compared with the data on analogous light-metal tetrahydroborates calculated at the same levels of theory. The differences in structure and stability between analogous hydroborate and alanate complexes are examined. The economical approximation B3LYP/6-311++G**//B3LYP/6-311+G** has been shown to adequately reproduce the results obtained at the higher level of theory CCSD(T)/6-311++G**//MP2/6-31G* even though it requires considerably shorter CPU times and smaller amounts of memory.     

Theoretical and experimental vibrational spectrum study of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as monomer and dimer

Theoretical calculations on the molecular geometry and the vibrational spectrum of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were carried out by the Density Functional Theory (DFT/B3LYP) method. In addition, IR and Raman spectra of the 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in solid phase were newly recorded using them in conjunction the experimental and theoretical data (including SQM calculations), a vibrational analysis of this molecular specie was accomplished and a reassignment of the normal modes corresponding to some spectral bands was proposed. The geometries of monomers and dimers in gas phase were optimized using the DFT B3LYP method with the 6-31G*, D95** and 6-311++G** basis sets. Also, both the vibrational spectra recorded and the results of the theoretical calculations show the presence of one stable conformer for the 4-hydroxybenzoic acid cyclic dimer. The B3LYP/6-31G* method was used to study the structure for cyclic dimer of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and for a complete assignment our results were compared with results of the cyclic dimer of benzoic acid. A scaled quantum mechanical analysis was carried out to yield the best set of harmonic force constants. The formation of the hydrogen bond was investigated in terms of the charge density by the AIM program and by the NBO calculations.     

2,3,7,8-四氯苯并二英分子结构与热力学性质的理论研究

用密度泛函理论(DFT)和从头算(ab initio)方法,在B3LYP/6-31G、 B3LYP/6-31G*、 B3LYP/6-311G*和MP2/6-31G*水平上全优化计算了2,3,7,8-四氯苯并二英(2,3,7,8-TCDD)的几何构型、电子结构和振动频率,并用校正后的频率计算了298～1500 K的标准热力学函数,同时用半经验的PM3 SCF-MO进行了同样的计算,计算结果与实验值及文献值较好地吻合.