Matrix isolation study of the reaction of dimethyl sulfoxide with CrCl2O2 and OVCl3

The matrix isolation technique, combined with infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, has been employed to investigate the thermal and photochemical reactions of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with CrCl₂O₂ and OVCl₃. Twin jet codeposition leads to formation and isolation of a photochemically unstable 1:1 complex. The photoproduct in the twin jet DMSO + CrCl₂O₂ experiments is identified as dimethyl sulfone, (CH₃)₂SO₂, interacting with the Cl₂CrO fragment, while in the analogous OVCl₃ reaction, the photoproduct bands were too weak to allow product identification. Merged jet codeposition led to rapid gas phase reaction, and in the case of DMSO + CrCl₂O₂, dimethyl sulfone is formed in high yield. This marks the first demonstration of a gas phase thermal oxygen atom transfer from CrCl₂O₂ to an organic substrate. For the reaction of DMSO with OVCl₃, no volatile products are deposited in the matrix and dimethyl sulfone is not a product. These results support differing pathways for the reactions of CrCl₂O₂ and OVCl₃, a conclusion that is supported by density functional calculations.     

Matrix isolation study of the thermal and photochemical reaction of OVCl3 and CrCl2O2 with cycloalkylamines

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations to identify and characterize the initial and secondary products in the thermal and photochemical reactions of OVCl₃ and CrCl₂O₂ with cyclopropyl-, cyclobutyl- and cyclopentylamine. Initial twin jet deposition led to the formation of two new species, the 1:1 molecular complex and the secondary HCl elimination product (e.g. Cl₂V(O)N(H)C₃H₅), as well as free HCl. Overall, the yield decreased with the size of the cycloalkyl ring, to the point with cyclopentylamine, the yield was extremely low and no firm conclusions could be reached. The complexes appear to be moderately strongly bound, leading to shifts to certain vibrational modes of both the acid and base subunits. Bands due to the complexes were destroyed by near-UV irradiation and led an increase in the intensity of the bands due to the HCl elimination product, as well as cage-paired HCl. Theoretical calculations were used to aid in product identification and band assignments.     

Matrix isolation and theoretical study of the photochemical reaction of CH3CN with CrO2Cl2 and OVCl3

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with theoretical calculations to identify and characterize the photoproducts in the reactions of CH₃CN with CrCl₂O₂ and OVCl₃. Twin jet co-deposition of these reagents led to the formation of a 1:1 molecular complex which was observed using UV/visible spectroscopy. Irradiation of these matrices with light of λ>300 nm led to the observation of new bands in the infrared spectra, the most intense of which was seen at 1942 cm⁻¹ for the CrCl₂O₂/CH₃CN system. The product bands are assigned to the ²η complexes of acetonitrile n-oxide with CrCl₂O and VCl₃, respectively. Identification of these species was supported by extensive isotopic labeling (²H and ¹⁵N), as well as by B3LYP/6-311++G(d,2p) density functional calculations.     

Matrix isolation study of the thermal and photochemical reaction of ozone with Trimethyl Indium

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations to explore the reaction of (CH₃)₃In with O₃ over a range of time scales. Upon twin jet deposition (short reaction time), formation of the novel H₃COIn(CH₃)₂ species along with a low yield of CH₂O was observed. Subsequent UV irradiation greatly increased the yield of H₃COIn(CH₃)₂ while the intensities of the CH₂O bands were not affected. An extensive set of bands were seen for H₃COIn(CH₃)₂ after irradiation and ¹⁸O spectroscopic data was obtained as well. The identification of this species was supported by theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/lanl2dz and B3LYP/dgdzvp levels of theory. Merged jet deposition (longer reaction times) led to high yield of H₂CO, CH₃OH and C₂H₆, identifications that were confirmed by ¹⁸O substitution. Mechanistic inferences for the initial steps of this reaction are discussed.     

Infrared matrix isolation study of the reaction of CrCl2O2 with (CH3)2O and (CH3)2CO

Matrix isolation has been combined with infrared spectroscopy to study the reaction chemistry of CrCl₂O₂ with (CH₃)₂O and (CH₃)₂CO. Very similar results were obtained with twin jet and room temperature merged jet deposition, indicating that the initial product forms on the surface of the matrix during deposition, not in the deposition lines prior to matrix condensation. The initial product in both systems was identified as the 1:1 complex between the two reagents, with a structure in which the oxygen atom of the base donates electron density to the Cr center. A number of perturbed vibrational modes of both subunits were observed; for the bases, these modes were vibrations involving the oxygen atom. Hg arc irradiation of the CrCl₂O₂·O(CH₃)₂ complex led to growth of a secondary product that is tentatively identified as Cl₂CrO(OCH₃)₂. The CrCl₂O₂·OC(CH₃)₂ complex was not photosensitive, and no rearrangements were observed.     

An ab initio and matrix isolation infrared study of the 1:1 C2H2–CHCl3 adduct

The details of weak C–Hπ interactions that control several inter and intramolecular structures have been studied experimentally and theoretically for the 1:1 C₂H₂–CHCl₃ adduct. The adduct was generated by depositing acetylene and chloroform in an argon matrix and a 1:1 complex of these species was identified using infrared spectroscopy. Formation of the adduct was evidenced by shifts in the vibrational frequencies compared to C₂H₂ and CHCl₃ species. The molecular structure, vibrational frequencies and stabilization energies of the complex were predicted at the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels. Both the computational and experimental data indicate that the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex has a weak hydrogen bond involving a C–Hπ interaction, where the C₂H₂ acts as a proton acceptor and the CHCl₃ as the proton donor. In addition, there also appears to be a secondary interaction between one of the chlorine atoms of CHCl₃ and a hydrogen in C₂H₂. The combination of the C–Hπ interaction and the secondary ClH interaction determines the structure and the energetics of the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex. In addition to the vibrational assignments for the C₂H₂–CHCl₃ complex we have also observed and assigned features owing to the proton accepting C₂H₂ submolecule in the acetylene dimer.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic investigation of the coordination chemistry and reactivity of OVF3

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with infrared spectroscopy to identify and characterize the product of the codeposition of OVF₃ with NH₃ and with a series of nitrogen and oxygen donor bases into argon matrices at 14 K. This codeposition led to the formation of the isolated 1:1 complexes between OVF₃ and these bases. Each complex was characterized spectroscopically, including strong shifts to the V–F stretching modes, and a lesser shift to the V=O stretching mode. Numerous perturbed vibrational modes of the base subunits were noted, including a strong, 230 cm⁻¹ blue shift to the symmetric bending mode of NH₃. The magnitudes of these shifts indicate that OVF₃ is a moderate strength Lewis acid. However, in contrast to analogous reactions with OVCl₃, no further thermal or photochemical transformations of the complex occurred. Theoretical calculations were also carried out in support of the experimental work.     

Matrix isolation and ab initio studies of the H2S---CO complex

The structure, energetics, and vibrational properties of complexes formed between H₂S and CO have been investigated by matrix isolation FTIR spectroscopy and ab initio molecular orbital theory. Two stable computational minima were found representing nearly linear hydrogen bonds between the subunits. The H₂S---CO and H₂S---OC species were calculated to be bound by 5.22 and 1.54 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The computational results were reproduced by experimental assignments for the carbon attached complex. The stretching vibrations of the complex subunits were found to be similarly perturbed upon complexation both experimentally and computationally.     

FTIR studies of the CH3CN–BF3 complex in solid Ar, N2, and Xe: Matrix effects on vibrational spectra

FTIR spectra of the four isotopically substituted 1:1 complexes of acetonitrile and boron trifluoride were recorded in Ar, N₂ and Xe matrices. In Ar, previously unreported three vibrational modes of the complex were clearly observed. Several significant vibrational bands were also observed in N₂ and Xe. The observed frequency shifts on complexation, Δν, were qualitatively in good agreement with the computational results, which were calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level using the optimized geometry of the C_3v eclipsed conformation. The observed magnitudes of Δν for most of the complex bands were larger than the calculated values. The BF₃ symmetric deformation mode is an exception. The observed frequency shits for this mode were smaller than the calculated values, especially in N₂. This suggests that even an inert matrix can significantly affect the vibrational spectrum of the complex.     

Coordination of niobium and tantalum oxides by Ar, Xe and O2: Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study of NbO2(Ng)2 (Ng = Ar, Xe) and MO4(X) (M = Nb, Ta; X = Ar, Xe, O2) in solid argon

The combination of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results indicate that the NbO₂ molecule is coordinated by two noble gas atoms in forming the NbO₂(Ng)₂ (Ng = Ar, Xe) complexes in solid noble gas matrixes. In contrast, the TaO₂ molecule is not able to form similar noble gas complex. The niobium and tantalum dioxides further react with dioxygen to form the side-on bonded superoxo-dioxide complexes MO₄ (M = Nb, Ta), which are coordinated by one argon atom in solid argon matrix. The coordinated Ar atom in MO₄(Ar) can be replaced by O₂ or Xe in forming the MO₆ and MO₄(Xe) complexes. The results indicate that the NbO₂, NbO₄ and TaO₄ molecules trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the NbO₂(Ng)₂ and MO₄(Ng) (Ng = Ar, Xe; M = Nb, Ta) complexes instead of “isolated” metal oxide species.     

Photolysis of (Me2Si)6 in argon matrices doped with high concentrations (ca. 20%) of N2O or C2H4O: formation of (Me2SiO)6

Irradiation using a low pressure mercury lamp (λ=ca. 250 nm) of argon matrices containing ca. 1% (Me₂Si)₆ and ca. 20% ethylene oxide (C₂H₄O) or nitrous oxide (N₂O) for a period of ca. 20 h leads to the formation of the cyclic compound (Me₂SiO)₆. This has a 12-membered ring with alternating Si and O atoms. It is identified by comparison of its infrared spectrum with a spectrum of an authentic sample. The reaction appears to proceed by stepwise insertion of O atoms into Si---Si bonds.     

Infrared spectroscopic study of the local structural changes across the metal insulator transition in nickel-doped GdBaCo2O5.5

Phonons in GdBaCo₂O_5.5 have been identified using infrared spectroscopy and their mode assignments have been carried out using ab initio lattice dynamical calculations. Metal insulator transitions in undoped and nickel-doped GdBaCo₂O_5.5 have been probed using infrared absorption spectroscopy. The phonon modes corresponding to the bending mode of the CoO₆ octahedra/pyramids are seen to soften, broaden and develop an asymmetry across the insulator-metal transition pointing to extensive electron phonon interaction effects in these systems. Correlated changes of the phonon line shape parameters associated with the transition indicate a suppression of T_MIT with increased nickel doping of the cobalt sublattice. Temperature dependence of the octahedral stretching mode frequencies in undoped GdBaCo₂O_5.5 points to distinct structural distortions accompanying the high temperature metallic transition.     

Matrix isolation FT-IR spectroscopy and molecular orbital study of sarcosine methyl ester

N-methylglycine methyl ester (sarcosine-Me) has been studied by matrix isolation FT-IR spectroscopy and molecular orbital calculations undertaken at the DFT/B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory with the 6-311++G(d,p) and 6-31++G(d,p) basis set, respectively. Twelve different conformers were located in the potential energy surface of the studied compound, with the ASC conformer being the ground conformational state. This form is analogous to the dimethylglycine methyl ester most stable conformer and is characterized by a NH?O intramolecular hydrogen bond; in this form, the ester group assumes the cis configuration and the OC-C-N and Lp-N-C-C (where Lp is the nitrogen lone electron pair) dihedral angles are ca. −17.8 and 171.3°, respectively. The second most stable conformer (GSC) differs from the ASC conformer essentially in the conformation assumed by the methylamino group, which in this case is gauche (Lp-N-C-C dihedral angle equal to 79.4°). On the other hand, the third most stable conformer (AAC) differs from the most stable form in the conformation of the OC-C-N axis (151.4°). These three forms were predicted to differ in energy by less than ca. 5 kJ mol⁻¹ and represent ≈95% of the total conformational population at room temperature. FT-IR spectra were obtained for sarcosine-Me isolated in argon matrices revealing the presence in the matrices of the three lowest energy conformers predicted by the calculations. The matrices were prepared by deposition of the vapour of the compound using two different nozzle temperatures, 25 and 60 °C. The relative populations of the three conformers trapped in the matrices were found to be consistent with occurrence of conformational cooling during matrix deposition and with a stabilization of the most polar GSC and AAC conformers in the matrices compared to the gas phase. Indeed, like it was previously observed for the methyl ester of dimethylglycine [Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 5 (2003) 52] the different strength of the interactions between the conformers and the matrix environment seem to lead to a change in the relative order of stabilities of GSC and ASC upon going from the gas phase to the matrices, with the first conformer becoming the conformational ground state in the latter media. The assignment of the bands observed in the matrix spectra to the three experimentally observed conformers of sarcosine-Me is presented and discussed.     

Interaction in trans-2-halocyclohexanols — an infrared and theoretical study

The O–H and C–O stretching frequencies of trans-2-halocyclohexanols in CCl₄ solutions have been measured and theoretical calculations have been performed to elucidate the main interactions, which are responsible for the conformational equilibria in these systems. It can be concluded that hydrogen bonding is predominant for trans-2-fluorocyclohexanol, leading to a stabilization of the eq–eq conformation, while for the chlorine, bromine and iodine derivatives, besides hydrogen bonding, gauche and steric interactions are also present.     

The structures of some trimers of carbon monoxide—An infrared matrix isolation spectroscopic and ab initio molecular orbital study

Using a number of potential models for the gas-phase structure of the trimer of carbon monoxide as a guide, ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been carried out on this aggregate in order to determine its probable structure and vibrational spectrum in cryogenic matrices. The Fourier transform infrared spectra of carbon monoxide trapped in argon and nitrogen matrices have been recorded and, on the basis of the results of the theoretical calculations, a search for possible absorptions which may be assigned to trimeric species has been undertaken.     

Matrix isolation infrared studies of complexes formed between substituted phenols and trimethylamine

Infrared spectroscopy and matrix isolation technique have been used to study the 1 : 1 complexes formed between 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP) or 2-chloro-4,6-dinitrophenol (CNP) and trimethylamine (TMA) isolated in solid argon. The results were analyzed in relation to the type of complex formed. Depending on the proton-donor ability of the phenol three different types of hydrogen bonded complexes have been identified in argon matrices. The weakest phenol in the series, TCP (pK_a = 6.72), forms a strong molecular hydrogen bonded complex with TMA as indicated by the broad ν(OHN) absorption with a maximum at 2490 cm⁻¹ and a band at 811 cm⁻¹ due to the ν_s(C₃N) mode of the perturbed amine. The strongest phenol, CNP (pK_a = 2.01), interacts with TMA in an argon matrix to form ionic complex with the proton transferred to the base molecule. This is evidenced by the presence of the ν(NH⁺---O⁻) absorption between 3000−1800 cm⁻¹, by the ν_as(C₃N⁺) and ν_s(C₃N⁺) absorptions due to the protonated amine and by numerous product bands due to the relatively strongly perturbed modes of the phenol ring. The interaction between TMA and a phenol of intermediate strength, PCP (pK_a = 4.74), in solid argon probably leads to the formation of two types of hydrogen bonded complexes: an ionic complex with the proton transferred to the amine molecule and a pseudosymmetric one with the proton more or less equally shared between the phenol and amine molecules. In this case the protonic absorption consists of two broad features situated in the 3000–1600 cm⁻¹ and 950–400 cm⁻¹ regions due to the ν(NH⁺O⁻) and ν(OHN) modes, respectively.     

Infrared spectroscopic study on the reaction mechanism of CO hydrogenation over Pd/CeO2

In situ infrared spectroscopy was applied to elucidate the reaction mechanism of CO hydrogenation over Pd/CeO₂. Instead of direct dissociation of CO, a new reaction pathway is proposed for methane formation, involving geminal dicarbonyl intermediates and (HCO)₂(a) intermediates, which may be located on the surface of Pd covered with thin layers of reduced ceria (SMST effect). Transformation of methane formation sites into methanol formation ones by the oxidation with water vapor formed during the CO-H₂ reaction is proposed, which may be located on the Pd (111) planes adjacent to ceria support.     

Characterization of the dispersion process for NiFe2O4 nanocrystals in a silica matrix with infrared spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance

The structural development of the NiFe₂O₄ nanocrystals dispersed in a silica matrix was followed by IR and EPR spectroscopies of the dried gel 10NiO–10Fe₂O₃–90SiO₂ after heat treatment. The dried gel obtained at 200°C was amorphous, in which Fe³⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions were distributed in the pores of silica matrix. When the dried gel was heat treated at 400°C, NiFe₂O₄ clusters were partially formed, showing an enhanced interaction with the silica matrix. NiFe₂O₄ clusters were completely formed in silica matrix when the heat treatment was increased to 600°C, at which the interactions between the clusters and silica matrix reached a maximum. The formation reaction of NiFe₂O₄ clusters was accompanied by a rearrangement of the silica matrix network. Further increase of the heat treatment temperature to 800°C led to superparamagnetic single domain NiFe₂O₄ nanocrystals (ca. 4 nm) dispersed in the silica matrix with the elimination of the interactions between magnetic nanocrystals and silica matrix.     

Argon matrix isolation study of the thermal and photochemical reaction of OVCl3 with (CH3)2CO

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations to identify and characterize the initial and secondary products in the thermal and photochemical reactions of OVCl₃ with (CH₃)₂CO. Initial deposition into argon matrices at 14 K led to the formation, in high yield, of the 1:1 molecular complex. This species appears to be strongly bound, leading to large shifts to certain vibrational modes of both the acid and base subunits. Bands due to the complex were destroyed by near-UV irradiation (λ>300 nm), and led to the formation of intense product bands. In contrast to previous studies, HCl elimination from an initial complex was not observed. Many possible products were considered, including isomerization, decomposition, addition, and addition followed by fragmentation pathways. The products were identified by the use of isotopic labeling and comparison to theoretical calculations. The primary product was determined to be Cl₃V(CH₃)OC(O)CH₃, formed through rupture of a C–C bond in (CH₃)₂CO and addition of the two fragments to OVCl₃. Possible evidence for a second isomer, slightly higher in energy (Cl₃V(OCH₃)(C(O)CH₃)) was also found.     

An efficient and mild carboxylation of multiwall carbon nanotubes using H2O2 in the presence of heteropolyacid

A clean,fast,and facile oxidation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes（MWCNTs） by H₂O₂/heteropolyacid(H₃PW₁₂O₄₀) gave highly carboxylated MWCNTs under mild conditions,at a conveniently accessible temperature.After an easy workup,the product was characterized by SEM,XRD,and FT-IR.