Energetic stability and electronic properties of exohedral derivatives of C20: C20Xn (X = H,F, Cl; n = 1–4)

Exohedral derivatives of the smallest fullerene, C₂₀, with the general formula of C₂₀X_n (X = H, F, Cl; n = 1–4) have been systematically investigated to evaluate the energetic stability of these molecular structures and determine their respective electronic properties. Analysis of the theoretical results indicate that the addition of exohedral atoms increase the stability of the caged‐structure to varying degrees according to the predicted HOMO‐LUMO gaps, ionization energies, and electron affinities. Further support for increasing stability is deduced from the calculated reaction and binding energies of the exohedral atoms. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Investigation into the molecular structure and energetic stability of endohedral and exohedral metallofullerene derivatives of C24

Density-functional theory was applied to the investigation of the structural and electronic properties of C₂₄ fullerene derivatives. Transition metals (TMs) from groups 11 and 12, in various oxidation and spin-states, are inserted at either endohedral (TM@C₂₄) or exohedral (TM-C₂₄) sites and their subsequent energetic stabilities are assessed. With the exception of Ag@C₂₄, all derivatives are predicted to occupy a minimum on the potential energy surface. The optimized exohedral TM-C₂₄ geometries yield TM-C bond lengths that are consistent with comparable carbon-metal bond lengths, and the overwhelming majority of the derivatives result in a slight deformation of the C₂₄ cage as the bonding carbon takes on more sp³ character. All of the TM@C₂₄ equilibrium structures maintain the integrity of the cage structure with a moderate increase in the diameter. All neutral exohedral and endohedral complexes favor the low spin-state; conversely, all of the charged exohedral complexes prefer the high spin-state, with the exception of Cu-C₂₄¹⁺ molecular ion. The Group 12 charged endohedral derivatives prefer the low spin-state, whereas the Group 11 molecular ions do not necessarily exhibit a definitive trend. Analysis of the energetic data predicts that of the lowest energy endohedral molecular species only four are predicted to be energetically favorable in terms of insertion energy and an advantageous HOMO-LUMO gap: Cu@C₂₄²⁺, Ag@C₂₄¹⁺, Au@C₂₄³⁺, and Zn@C₂₄²⁺.     

Synthesis, characterization, and theoretical study of stable isomers of C70(CF3)n (n = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10)

Reaction of C70 with ten equivalents of silver(I) trifluoroacetate at 320-340 degrees C followed by fractional sublimation at 420-540 degrees C and HPLC processing led to the isolation of a single abundant isomer of C70(CF3)n for n = 2, 4, 6, and 10, and two abundant isomers of C70(CF3)8. These six compounds were characterized by using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry, 2D-COSY and/or 1D 19F NMR spectroscopy, and quantum-chemical calculations at the density functional theory (DFT) level. Some were also characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The addition patterns for the isolated compounds were unambiguously found to be C1-7,24-C70(CF3)2, C1-7,24,44,47-C70(CF3)4, C2-1,4,11,19,31,41-C70(CF3)6, Cs-1,4,11,19,31,41,51,64-C70(CF3)8, C2-1,4,11,19,31,41,51,60-C70(CF3)8, and C1-1,4,10,19,25,41,49,60,66,69-C70(CF3)10 (IUPAC numbering). Except for the last compound, which is identical to the recently reported, crystallographically characterized C70(CF3)10 derivative prepared by a different synthetic route, these compounds have not previously been shown to have the indicated addition patterns. The largest relative yield under an optimized set of reaction conditions was for the Cs isomer of C70(CF3)8 (ca. 30 mol % of the sublimed mixture of products based on HPLC integration). The results demonstrate that thermally stable C70(CF3)n isomers tend to have their CF3 groups arranged on isolated para-C6(CF3)2 hexagons and/or on a ribbon of edge-sharing meta- and/or para-C6(CF3)2 hexagons. For Cs- and C2-C70(CF3)8 and for C2-C70(CF3)6, the ribbons straddle the C70 equatorial belt; for C1-C70(CF3)4, the para-meta-para ribbon includes three polar hexagons; for C1-7,24-C70(CF3)2, the para-C6(CF3)2 hexagon includes one of the carbon atoms on a C70 polar pentagon. The 10.3-16.2 Hz 7JF,F NMR coupling constants for the end-of-ribbon CF3 groups, which are always para to their nearest-neighbor CF3 group, are consistent with through-space Fermi-contact interactions between the fluorine atoms of proximate, rapidly rotating CF3 groups.     

Quantum chemical modeling of the addition reactions of 1‐n‐phenylpropyl radicals to C60 fullerene

Modeling of the addition of various radicals to C₆₀ fullerene is currently an active research area. However, the radicals considered are not able to adequately model polymeric radicals. In this work, we have performed a theoretical study of the possible reactions of C₆₀ fullerene with 1‐n‐phenylpropyl radicals, which are used to model polystyrene radicals. Several possible ways of subsequent addition of up to four 1‐phenylpropyl radicals to C₆₀ have been analyzed, the structures of the intermediates have been defined and thermal properties, such as the activation enthalpies of the corresponding reactions, have been calculated using density functional theory with the approximation of PBE/3z. It is shown that the topology of the spin density distribution on the fullerenyl radical causes regioselectivity for further radical addition. According to the energetic characteristics of the reactions, we assume the possibility of formation of products of one‐, two‐, three‐, and four‐ addition of the growth radical to the fullerene core in radical polymerization of styrene in the presence of C₆₀ fullerene. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Structure and electronic properties of hollow‐caged C60 fullerene‐derived (MN4)nC6(10 − n) (M = Zn,Mg, Fe,n = 1−6) complexes

Unique hollow‐caged (MN₄)_nC_{6(10 ? n)} (M = Zn, Mg, Fe, n = 1?6) complexes designed by introduction of n porphyrinoid fragments in C₆₀ fullerene structure were proposed and the atomic and electronic structures were calculated using LC‐DFT MPWB95 and M06 potentials and 6‐311G(d)/6‐31G(d) basis sets. The complexes were optimized using various symmetric configurations from the highest O_h to the lowest C₁ point groups in different spin states from S = 0 (singlet) to S = 7 (quindectet) for M = Fe to define energetically preferable atomic and electronic structures. Several metastable complexes were determined and the key role of the metal ions in stabilization of the atomic structure of the complexes was revealed. For Fe₆N₂₄C₂₄, the minimum energy was reported for C_2h, D_2h, and D_4h symmetry of pentet state S = 2, so the complex can be regarded as unique molecular magnet. It was found that the metal partial density of states determine the nature of HOMO and LUMO levels making the clusters promising catalysts. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hypervalent Pentafluoroethylgermanium Compounds, [(C2F5)nGeX5−n]− and [(C2F5)3GeF3]2− (X=F,Cl; n=2–5)

This paper gives an account on hypervalent fluoro‐ and chloro(pentafluoroethyl)germanium compounds. The selective synthesis of the tris(pentafluoroethyl)dichlorogermanate salt [PNP][(C₂F₅)₃GeCl₂] as well as its X‐ray structural analysis is described. As a representative example for pentafluoroethylfluorogermanates, the synthesis and structure of 2,4,6‐triphenylpyryliumtris(pentafluoroethyl)difluorogermanate [C₂₃H₁₇O][(C₂F₅)₃GeF₂] is reported. Fluoride‐ion affinities for pentafluoroethylgermanes were calculated using quantum chemical methods, disclosing (C₂F₅)₃GeF as a weaker Lewis acid than (C₂F₅)₃SiF or (C₂F₅)₃PF₂. The theoretical results were confirmed by experiments and give the basis of a synthetic protocol for (C₂F₅)₃GeF. Pentakis(pentafluoroethyl)germanate [PPh₄][Ge(C₂F₅)₅] was detected as an intermediate during the synthesis of [PPh₄][(C₂F₅)₄GeF] starting from tris(pentafluoroethyl)difluorogermanate and LiC₂F₅.     

A Key Intermediate in Copper‐Mediated Arene Trifluoromethylation, [nBu4N][Cu(Ar)(CF3)3]: Synthesis,Characterization, and C(sp2)−CF3 Reductive Elimination

The synthesis, characterization, and C(sp²)?CF₃ reductive elimination of stable aryl[tris(trifluoromethyl)]cuprate(III) complexes [nBu₄N][Cu(Ar)(CF₃)₃] are described. Mechanistic investigations, including kinetic studies, studies of the effect of temperature, solvent, and the para substituent of the aryl group, as well as DFT calculations, suggest that the C(sp²)?CF₃ reductive elimination proceeds through a concerted carbon–carbon bond‐forming pathway.     

Structures,stabilities, and electronic properties of fullerene C36 with endohedral atomic Sc,Y, and La: A dispersion‐corrected DFT study

The M@C₃₆ compounds form a family of small endohedral metallofullerenes. Recently, these have been detected as the smallest endohedral compounds formed with Sc, Y, and La. For the first time, these compounds are studied theoretically. Calculations obtained at the dispersion‐corrected DFT level PBE‐D3(BJ)/def2‐TZVP agree admirably with experimental results. The zero‐point energy corrected binding energies can explain the lower abundance of La@C₃₆ in comparison with Sc@C₃₆ and Y@C₃₆. Their small HOMO‐LUMO gaps denote high reactivity. The bond between Y and Sc with the cage is mostly covalent. In contrast, La is located at the fullerene's center with an ionic interaction; all metals transferred charge to the cage. Furthermore, La@C₃₆ was found in doublet state and the others preferred the quartet state. To conclude, according to the analysis of aromaticity performed by the NICS(0)_iso index, the insertion of none of these metals increase the aromaticity.     

Theoretical Exploration of Stereochemical Nonrigidity for RfCo（PF3）x（CO）4-x（Rf=CF3, C2F5, C3F7, x=0-4）

The stereochemical nonrigidity of RfCo（PF3）x（CO）4-x（Rf=CF3,C2F5,C3F7,x=0-4） was studied at the theoretical level of B3LYP/6-31 1＋G^＊ via Gaussian 09.The intramolecular rearrangements in these penta-coordinated compounds are mainly caused by the vibrations of perfluoroalkyl groups.All the barriers along the reaction coordinate are less than 66.9 kJ/mol,which indicates that the rearrangements are kinetically favorable and hard to elucidate by experiment.Besides,ligand PF3 is a ligand similar to CO,the energy difference between the reactant and product is small.     

Theoretical studies on the structure and electronic spectra of some isomeric fullerene derivatives C60On (n=2, 3)

Possible isomers of Buckminsterfullerene derivatives C₆₀O₂ and C₆₀O₃ are studied with the semiempirical quantum mechanical INDO method. The C₆₀O₂ isomer of C_s symmetry, where the epoxy oxygen atoms are on the 6–6 bond of a hexagon, is found most stable. The C₆₀O₃ isomer of C_3v symmetry with a single epoxy chain connecting both carbons of a 6–6 bond is most stable. However, the other two isomers of C₂ and C_s symmetries are near as stable. In all cases, the 6–6 carbon–carbon bond in the epoxial ring is not broken. Based on the structures so identified, the calculated electronic spectra of C₆₀O₂, and the ¹³C‐NMR analysis of both C₆₀O₂ and C₆₀O₃ agree well with experiment. The calculated electronic spectra of C₆₀O₃ are theoretical prediction. The chemical reactivity of C₆₀O₂ and C₆₀O₃ is discussed in connection with our calculated results. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 76: 23–43, 2000     

Radical functionalization of [60]fullerene and its derivatives initiated by the C(CF3)2C6H4F radical

It was found that the 2-(p-fluorophenyl)hexafluoroisopropyl radical produced by thermal dissociation of the Polishchuk dimer [C(CF₃)₂C₆H₄F]₂ can withdraw, under mild conditions, the H atom from the methyl group of toluene and mesitylene to form the corresponding radicals, whose addition to [60]fullerene occurs more selectively than in the case of photochemical production of these radicals. Dynamics of the step-by-step multiaddition of the radicals to C₆₀ was studied by ESR. It was found that the addition of benzyl radicals affords adducts containing from 3 to 5 benzyl groups, whereas no spin-adducts with five addends were observed for more bulky 3,5-dimethylphenylmethyl radicals. The interaction of 3,5-dimethylphenylmethyl radicals with the metal complexes (η²-C₆₀[IrH(CO)(PPh₃)₂] and (η²-C₆₀[Pd(PPh₃)₂] was studied for the first time. It was shown that the palladium derivative undergoes only demetallation. In the case of the Ir complex, up to 3 radicals add to the fullerene ligand in the same hemisphere where the transition metal is coordinated. The reaction rates are ∼5 times lower than those for C₆₀. The ability of 2-(p-fluorophenyl)hexafluoroisopropyl radicals to dehydrogenate C₆₀H₃₆ was found. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1119–1123, June, 1999.     

Electronic structure and stability of BP clusters: theoretical calculations for (BP)n (n = 2–4)

The geometry, electronic configurations, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and stability of the structural isomers of boron phosphide clusters have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT). CCSD(T) calculations show that the lowest‐energy structures are cyclic (IIt, IVs) with D_nh symmetry for dimers and trimers. The caged structure for B₄P₄ lie higher in energy than the monocyclic structure with D_2d symmetry (VIs). The B–P bond dominates the structures for many isomers, so that one preferred dissociation channel is loss of the BP monomer. The hybridization and chemical bonding in the different structures are also discussed. Comparisons with boron nitride clusters, the ground state structures of B_nP_n (n = 2, 3) clusters are analogous to those of their corresponding B_nN_n (n = 2, 3) counterparts. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

Theoretical study of structure and vibrational properties of MgnOn (n = 3–10) clusters

The structure and harmonic vibrations of Mg_nO_n (n = 3–10) clusters have been investigated using density functional theory. All structures are found to be cumulenic D_nh rings (equal bonds, alternating angles), with one intense out‐of‐plane mode and three infrared (IR)‐active degenerate modes, of which the highest one is extremely intense and increases asymptotically to 1000 cm^?1 for n = 10 at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(2d,2p) level. Comparisons with C_2n clusters show that B_nN_n and Be_nO_n clusters, the structure and bonding type for the Mg_nO_n clusters are consistent with those of the C_2n (n = 3, 5, 7,…) clusters B_nN_n(n = 3–10) and Be_nO_n(n = 3–10) clusters. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

DFT calculations of static dipole polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities for the boron clusters Bn (n=3–8,10)

The static electric dipole polarizabilities and second‐order hyperpolarizabilities of several bare boron clusters have been calculated with density functional theory. The average second‐order hyperpolarizability γ_av reaches a saturation limit of about 50,000 a.u. already with B₅ for a given type of structure. The average polarizability per atom shows overall a decrease with increasing cluster size, while the average second hyperpolarizability per atom first increases from B₃ to B₆, and then starts to decrease. For the noncentrosymmetric clusters dipole moments and first‐order hyperpolarizabilities are reported. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 78: 131–135, 2000     

Density Functional Theory Study on (Cl2GaN3)n(n=1–4) Clusters

The molecular geometries, vibrational properties, and thermodynamic properties of the clusters (Cl₂GaN₃)_n(n=1–4) have been predicted at the B3LYP/6‐311+G* level. The optimized clusters (Cl₂GaN₃)_n (n=2–4) all possess cyclic structures containing Ga N_α Ga linkages. The relationships between geometrical parameters and oligomerization degree n are discussed. The gas‐phase structures of the trimers prefer to exist in boat‐twisting conformation. As for the tetramer, the S₄ symmetry structure is the most stable. The infrared spectra are obtained and assigned by vibrational analysis. Thermodynamic properties derived from the infrared spectra on the basis of statistical thermodynamic principles are linearly correlated with the oligomerization degree n as well as the temperature. Meanwhile, thermodynamic analysis of the gas‐phase reaction suggests that the oligomerization is exothermic and favorable under high temperature.     

Relativistic effects on geometry and electronic structure of small Pdn species (n=1, 2, 4)

Relativistic effects on the properties of small neutral Pd_n species (n=1, 2, 4) and Pd₂⁻ have been examined for the first time at the all‐electron level by performing scalar‐relativistic and nonrelativistic density functional calculations using a gradient‐corrected density functional. Relativistic effects are found to be important: They lead to a contraction of bond lengths, increase of vibrational frequencies, and a significant enhancement of binding energies. While relativistic effects are quite uniform for several states of Pd₄, they vary for the states examined for Pd₂, leading to a change of ground state due to relativity. The calculated relativistic properties of Pd₂ and Pd₂⁻ are in good agreement with available experimental data from mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy. For Pd₄ three‐dimensional structures are found to be preferred to planar ones and many nearly isoenergetic isomers exist. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 74: 405–416, 1999     

Synthesen und Eigenschaften von Tetrakis(perfluoralkyl)tellur Te(Rf)4 (Rf = CF3, C2F5, C2F5, C3F7, C4F9)

Synthesis and Properties of Tetrakis(Perfluoroalkyl)Tellurium Te(R_f)₄ (R_f = CF₃, C₂F₅, C₃F₇, C₄F₉) Te(CF₃)₄ is obtained from the reaction of Te(CF₃)Cl₂ with Cd(CF₃)₂ complexes as a complex with e. g. CH₃CN, DMF. It is a light and temperature sensitive hydrolysable liquid. The reaction with fluorides yields the complex anion [Te(CF₃)₄F]⁻, with fluoride ion acceptors the complex cation [Te(CF₃)₃]⁺. With traces of water an acidic solution is formed. Te(CF₃)₄ acts as a trifluoromethylation reagent. The reaction with XeF₂ gives hints for the formation of Ye(CF₃)₄F₂. Properties and NMR spectra are discussed. The much more stable complexes of Te(R_f)₄ (R_f = C₂F₅, C₃F₇, C₄F₉) are formed from the reaction of TeCl₄ with the corresponding Cd(R_f)₂ complexes.     

Structure and energetic of Bn (n = 2–12) clusters: Electronic structure calculations

The electronic and geometric structures, total and binding energies, first and second energy differences, harmonic frequencies, point symmetries, and highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO–LUMO) gaps of small and neutral B_n (n = 2–12) clusters have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT), B3LYP with 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set. Linear, planar, convex, quasi‐planar, three‐dimensional (3D) cage, and open‐cage structures have been found. None of the lowest energy structures and their isomers has an inner atom; i.e., all the atoms are positioned at the surface. Within this size range, the planar and quasi‐planar (convex) structures have the lowest energies. The first and the second energy differences are used to obtain the most stable sizes. A simple growth path is also discussed with the studied sizes and isomers. The results have been compared with previously available theoretical and experimental works. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007