Dissociation reactions of the vinyl radical in the AA″ state

In the present theoretical work we have explored mechanisms of dissociation reactions of the vinyl radical in the A²A″ state (C₂H₃ (A²A″)) and examined possible pathways for nonadiabatic dissociation of C₂H₃ (A²A″) into C₂H₂ (X¹Σ_g⁺). In the calculations we used the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and multiconfiguration second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) methods in conjunction with the cc-pVDZ and cc-pVTZ basis sets. Mechanisms for the following three dissociation channels of C₂H₃ in the A²A″ state were explored: (1) C₂H₃ (A²A″) → C₂H₂ (trans, ³A_u) + H, (2) C₂H₃ (A²A″) → C₂H₂ (cis, ³A₂) + H, and (3) C₂H₃ (A²A″) → H₂CC (³A₂) + H. The CASSCF and CASPT2 potential energy curve calculations for the C₂H₃ (A²A″) dissociation channels (1)–(3) indicate that there is neither transition state nor intermediate for each of the channels. At the CASPT2//CASSCF/cc-pVTZ level, the dissociation energies for channels (1)–(3) are predicted to be 84.3, 91.1, and 86.9 kcal/mol, respectively. For a recently observed nonadiabatic dissociation of C₂H₃ (A²A″) into C₂H₂ (X¹Σ_g⁺) + H [J. Chem. Phys. 111 (1999) 3783], two previously suggested internal conversion (IC) pathways were examined based on our CASSCF and CASPT2 calculations. Our preliminary CASSCF and CASPT2 calculations indicate that the assumed IC pathway via the twisted C₂H₃ (A²A^′) structure might be feasible. The CASSCF/cc-pVTZ geometry optimization and frequency analysis calculations were performed for the four C_2v bridge structures in the ²B₂, ²A₂, ²B₁, and ²A₁ states along the pathways of the 1²A^′ (X²A^′), 1²A″ (A²A″), 2²A″, and 2²A^′ states of C₂H₃, respectively, and the CASPT2//CASSCF/cc-pVTZ energetic results indicate that the assumed IC pathway, via a C_2v (²A₂) structure and then ²A₂/²A₁ surface crossing, be not feasible since at their excitation wavelengths (327.4 and 366.2 nm) the C_2v (²A₂) structure could not be accessed.     

Synthesis of (2R,3S,4S)-4-aryl-3-hydroxyprolinols

Synthesis of (2R,3S,4S)-4-aryl-3-hydroxyprolinols has been established starting from 2-benzyloxymethylpyrrolidin-2-one framework, which is derived from commercially available trans-(2S,4R)-4-hydroxyproline. The single diastereomer having a trans–cis relative configuration with C₂ and C₃ and C₃ and C₄ is constructed in two one-pot functional group transformations of Grignard addition/dehydration and epoxidation/isomerization as the key steps in moderate yield.     

Description of the pVT behavior of ionic liquids and the solubility of gases in ionic liquids using an equation of state

A molecular thermodynamic model developed previously for fluids of chain-like molecules has been extended to correlate the pVT behavior of ionic liquids and the solubilities of gases such as CO₂, C₃H₆, C₃H₈, C₄H₁₀ in various ionic liquids. The relative deviation between the calculated molar volume and experimental data is less than 0.2%. It is shown that this equation of state can be used to correlate the solubility of CO₂ in ionic liquids with only one temperature-independent adjustable interaction parameter, and the accuracy of the correlation can be further improved using two temperature-independent adjustable parameters. The water content of ionic liquids has a large influence on the calculated results. For systems with water content lower than 0.1%, the average relative deviations of bubble point pressure are 3.14 and 4.90% using two parameters and one parameter, respectively. For systems containing C₃H₆, C₃H₈ and C₄H₁₀ two temperature dependent adjustable parameters are needed to obtain a good fit, and the corresponding deviation of the gas solubility is less than 2%, except for C₃H₈.     

Homochiral cyclopentane-based C1-symmetric P,P ligands C5H8(PPh2)(PR2) from C2-symmetric C5H8(PCl2)2

Treatment of 1,2-trans-C₅H₈(PCl₂)₂ with 1,2-C₂H₄(NHPr-i)₂ gave the C₂-symmetric perhydro-1,6,2,5-diazaphosphocine C₅H₈{P(Cl)N(Pr-i)CH₂}₂-cyclo, which produced dissymmetric C₅H₈(PPh₂){P[N(Pr-i)CH₂]₂-cyclo} on further reaction with PhMgBr. Cleavage of the P---N bonds with gaseous HCl afforded C₅H₈(PPh₂)(PCl₂), which was converted to C₅H₈(PPh₂){P(OPh)₂}₂ by reaction with phenol. All chiral P,P derivatives were obtained as racemates as well as resolved (1R,2R)- and (1S,2S)-enantiomers.     

Theoretical studies on the BN substituted fullerenes C70−2x(BN)x (x=1–3)—isoelectronic equivalents of C70

The equilibrium structures and relative stabilities of BN-doped fullerenes C_70−2x(BN)_x (x=1–3) have been studied at the AM1 and MNDO level. The most stable isomers of C_70−2x(BN)_x have been found out and their electronic properties have been predicted. The calculation results show that the BN substituted fullerenes C_70−2x(BN)_x have considerable stabilities, though they are less stable than their all carbon analog. For C₆₈BN, the isomers whose BN is located in the most chemically active bonds of C₇₀ (namely B and A) are among the most stable species, of which B is predicted to be the ground state. The stabilities of C₆₈BN decrease and the dipole moments increase with increasing the distance between the heteroatoms. For C₆₆(BN)₂, the lowest energy species is the isomer in which the B–N–B–N bond is formed; For C₆₄(BN)₃, the most stable species should have three BN units located in the same hexagon to form B–N–B–N–B–N ring. The ionization potentials and the affinity energies of the most stable species of BN-doped C₇₀ are almost the same as those of C₇₀ because of the isoelectronic relationship. The ionization potentials and affinity energies depend on the relative position of the heteroatoms in C₆₈BN, the chemical reactivities of the isomers whose heteroatoms are well separated should differ significantly from their all carbon analog.     

Packing atomic metal cations with C60: Mass spectrometric observation of M(C60)n with M = Sr and Mo and n = 0–4

The atomic cations of Sr and Mo have been observed to add sequentially up to four molecules of C₆₀ in helium at 0.35 Torr and room temperature in the flow tube of a modified inductively coupled plasma/selected-ion flow tube (ICP/SIFT) tandem mass spectrometer. The available center-of-mass energy in collision-induced dissociation experiments of approximately 1.3 eV failed to remove C₆₀ from M⁺(C₆₀)₄. A structure is proposed for M⁺(C₆₀)₄ cations in which the bonding involves η⁶ interaction of the metal with the C₆₀ ligands and η²-to-η² interactions between the C₆₀ ligands.     

Structural evolutions of the n-heneicosane and n-tricosane molecular alloys at 293 K

A structural study of odd-numbered n-alkane (C_n) binary mixtures (C₂₁ : C₂₃) was carried out on powder samples using a Guinier-de Wolff camera with increasing concentration of n-C₂₃ at 293 K.

Despite the reports in the literature, these molecular alloys do not form an orthorhombic continuous homogeneous solid solution to C₂₁ from C₂₃ at “low temperature”. Instead, as already observed in two even-numbered C_n systems, X-ray diffraction results show the existence of seven solid solutions as the molar concentration of C₂₃ increases: four terminal solid solutions, denoted β₀(C₂₁)β₀(C₂₃), isostructural with the “low temperature” phase of pure C₂₁ and C₂₃ (Pbcm), β′₀(C₂₁) and β′₀(C₂₃), identical to the phase β′₀ which appears in pure C₂₃ above the δ transition, and three orthorhombic intermediate solid solutions, designated β″₁, β′₁ and β″₂.

On the basis of powder X-ray photographs, the phases β″₁ and β″₂ (C₂₁ : C₂₃) are indistinguishable, and they are isostructural with the intermediate solid solution β″ of the even-numbered C_n binary systems (C₂₂ : C₂₄) and (C₂₄ : C₂₆). The phase β′₁(C₂₁ : C₂₃) is also isostructural with the two indistinguishable intermediate solid solutions β′₁ and β′₂ of the molecular alloys (C₂₂ : C₂₄) and (₂₄ : C₂₆).

From this study and our other laboratory results, the sequences of appearance of the solid solutions and the structural identities between these phases are established at “low temperature” for all the binary molecular alloys of consecutive C_n (odd-odd, even-even or odd-even: 19 < n < 27) when increasing the solute concentration.     

Supercritical fluid chromatographic analysis of polyprenols in Ginkgo biloba L

A supercritical fluid chromatographic (SFC) procedure for the quantitation of three major polyprenols present in the leaves of Ginkgo biloba was developed. In contrast to previously reported high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods, the SFC method does not require extensive pre-purification for polyprenol analysis. The SFC analytical procedure described shows a very broad range of linearity and detects many known polyprenol isoprenologs with baseline separation. Dodecaprenol was used as the internal standard. The coefficient of variation of the method was 5.8% for the quantitation of C₈₅, C₉₀ and C₉₅ polyprenols. The SFC assay results showed that the content of polyprenols in ginkgo leaves were higher than the previously published values. In addition, the chromatogram of the highly concentrated leaf extract revealed the presence of an isoprenolog (C₁₂₀) not previously detected by HPLC methods.     

Studies in macrolide synthesis: A highly stereoselective synthesis of (+)-(9S)-dihydroerythronolide a using macrocyclic stereocontrol

(+)-(9S)-Dihydroerythronolide A, 1, is prepared in 8 steps from macrolide 3 by exploiting the conformational preferences of the (5E,11E)-diene intermediate 2. The stereocontrolled introduction of the hydroxyl groups at C₆, C₁₁, and C₁₂ is achieved by osmylation, 2 → 13 and 15 → 1, while that at C₅ is obtained by a Zn(BH₄)₂ reduction, 13 → 14.     

Global minima of (C60)nCa, (C60)nF and (C60)nI clusters

Likely candidates for the lowest potential energy minima of (C₆₀)_nCa²⁺, (C₆₀)_nF⁻ and (C₆₀)_nI⁻ clusters are located using basin-hopping global optimisation. In each case, the potential energy surface is constructed using the Girifalco form for the C₆₀ intermolecular interaction, an averaged Lennard–Jones C₆₀–ion interaction, and a polarisation potential, which depends on the first few non-vanishing C₆₀ multipole polarisabilities. We find that the ions generally occupy the interstitial sites of a (C₆₀)_n cluster, the coordination shell being tetrahedral for Ca²⁺ and F⁻. The I⁻ ion has an octahedral coordination shell in the global minimum for (C₆₀)₆I⁻, however for 12  n  8 the preferred coordination geometry is trigonal prismatic.     

Electronic structures of dihedral (D5h, D5d, D6h, D6d) fullerenes

By means of our proposed method for Hückel theory calculation, we have calculated the electronic structures of dihedral (D_5h, D_5d, D_6h, D_6d) fullerences, which are generated from icosahedral C₂₀, C₆₀, C₈₀, C₁₈₀, C₂₄₀ and C₅₄₀, respectively. From the calculated results of 1224 fullerence molecules, certain rules on the stability and chemical reactivity have been drawn for such types of dihedral fullerenes.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of (C8h8)Nd(C5H9C5H4) (THF)2 and [(C8H8)Gd(C5H9C4H4(THF)][(C8H8)GD(C5H9C5H4(THF)2]

LnCl₃ (Ln=Nd, Gd) reacts with C₅H₉C₅H₄Na (or K₂C₈H₈) in THF (C₅H₉C₅H₄ = cyclopentylcyclopentadienyl) in the ratio of 1 : to give (C₅H₉C₅H₄)LnCl₂(THF)_n (orC₈H₈)LnCl₂(THF)_n], which further reacts with K₂C₈H₈ (or C₅H₉C₅H₄Na) in THF to form the litle complexes. If Ln=Nd the complex (C₈H₈)Nd(C₅H₉C₅H₄)(THF)₂ (a) was obtained: when Ln=Gd the 1 : 1 complex [(C₈H₈)Gd(C_%H₉)(THF)][(C₈H₈)Gd(C₅H₉H₄)(THF)₂] (b) was obtained in crystalline form.

The crystal structure analysis shows that in (C₈H₈)Ln(C₅H₉C₅H₄)(THF)₂ (Ln=Nd or Gd), the Cyclopentylcyclopentadieny (η⁵), cyclooctatetraenyl (η⁸) and two oxygen atoms from THF are coordinated to Nd³⁺ (or Gd³⁺) with coordination number 10.

The centroid of the cyclopentadienyl ring (Cp′) in C₅H₉C₅H₄ group, cyclooctatetraenyl centroid (COTL) and two oxygens (THF) form a twisted tetrahedron around Nd³⁺ (or Gd³⁺). In (C₈H₈)Gd(C₅H₉C₅H₄)(THF), the cyclopentyl-cyclopentadienyl (η⁵), cyclooctatetraenyl (η⁸) and one oxygen atom are coordinated to Gd³⁺ with the coordination number of 9 and Cp′, COT and oxygen atom form a triangular plane around Gd³⁺, which is almost in the plane (dev. -0.0144 Å).     

The interaction between C28 (Td) and X (X=H and F)

Hydrogen and fluorine addition reactions with C₂₈(T_d) have been investigated by the density function theory method at B3LYP/6-31G level. The interaction potential between C₂₈(T_d) and atom X (X=H and F) shows that there are three possible stable isomers of C₂₈(T_d)X (X=H and F) and the average binding energy calculations suggest that C₂₈(T_d)H₄ is the most stable hydrogen adduct among C₂₈(T_d)H_n (n=1–28). Furthermore, by comparisons of the energy between C₂₈(T_d)H and C₂₈(C_s)H we found that the former are more stable than the later, and the structural and energy analysis further indicate that C₂₈(C_s)H is only with a small distortion of C₂₈(T_d)H symmetry. In addition, the transition states, as well as reaction pathways of X transfer reactions between different key points on C₂₈(T_d) representative patch are given to explore the possible reaction mechanism.     

On the vibrational spectrum of C9, C11 and C13

The harmonic frequencies and infrared intensities of C₉, C₁₁ and C₁₃ have been calculated using SCF and complete active space SCF (CASSCF) methods. The ordering of the harmonic frequencies in C₉ is predicted wrongly unless at least the π HOMO and LUMO are included in the active space. Infrared intensities depend crucially on the size of the active space. For linear odd-numbered clusters C₁₃ and larger, the computed SCF spectrum is qualitatively wrong. The recent observation of a band near 1809 cm⁻¹ in the gas phase is explained using our CASSCF results on C₁₃.     

The crystal structure of (η-C6Me6)Ti[(μ-Cl)2(AlClEt)]2 and the catalytic activity of the (C6Me6)TiAl2Cl8−xEtx(x = 0---4) complexes towards butadiene

The composition of (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl_8−xEt_x complexes in (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl₈ + n Et₃Al (n = 0.5-6) systems was studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy and the X-ray crystal structure of one of them, (η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ti[(μ-Cl)₂(AlClEt)]₂ (IIa-2), has been determined. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ with Z = 4 and lattice parameters a 15.634(3), b 11.355(2), c 14.417(2) Å. The ethyl groups of IIa-2 reside in outer positions of aluminate ligands farther away from the C₆Me₆ ligand. The other part of the complex does not differ remarkably from structures of other (arene)Ti^II complexes. Negligible activity of (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl₈ towards the butadiene cyclotrimerization is considerably increased by addition of 2.5–3.0 equivalents of Et₃Al. As follows from UV-Vis spectra, such systems contain mainly the (C₆Me₆)TiAl₂Cl₅Et₃ complex. It is suggested that the introduction of three Et substituents destabilizes the Ti-(η⁶-C₆Me₆) bond so that the replacement of hexamethylbenzene by butadiene in the first step of a catalytic cycle becomes more feasible.     

Fluorescence of CF2(B1, 040,K'' = 9) excited by the 253.7 nm Hg resonance line

Resonance fluorescence spectra of CF₂(¹B₁, 040, K' = 9) excited at 253 7 nm have been observed in the photolysis of C₂F₄ using a low-pressure mercury lamp. At low C₂F₄ pressures, the spectra with a series of doublet hands from 254 to 400 nm were consistent with the transitions from ¹B₁, 040, K'=9 to ¹A₁, 0v'₂0, K' = 8, 10, and also to ¹A₁, 1v'₂0, K' = 8, 10 The appearance of doublet bands (Δ K = ±1) provides clear evidence that the transition is of the perpendicular type.     

Effect of solvent polarity on the aggregation of fullerenes: a comparison between C60 and C70

Effect of solvent polarity on the aggregation behaviour of C₇₀ has been investigated in several mixed solvents using optical absorption, fluorescence, dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopic measurements and compared with those observed for the other fullerene analogue, C₆₀. It is seen that similar to C₆₀, aggregation of C₇₀ also requires the solvent polarity to exceed some critical value. In terms of solvent dielectric constant the critical solvent polarity, required for C₇₀ aggregation is found to be in the range of 27–31, which is much higher than that required for C₆₀ aggregation (12–14). The large difference in the critical solvent polarity required for C₆₀ and C₇₀ aggregation has been rationalized on the basis of the molecular shapes and the polarizabilities of two fullerene molecules.     

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxo, pyrazolato and carboxylato derivatives of the PdR(PPh3)moiety (R = C6F5 or C6Cl5)

The hydroxo-complexes [{PdR(PPh₃)(μ-OH)}₂] (R = C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) have been obtained by reaction of the corresponding [{PdR(PPh₃)(μ-Cl)}2] complexes with NBu₄OH in acetone. In this solvent, the reaction of the hydroxo-bridged complexes with pyrazole (Hpz) and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hdmpz) in 1:2 molar ratio leads to the formation of the new complexes [{Pd(C₅F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-azolate)}2] and [{Pd(C₆Cl₅)(PPh₃)}₂(μ-OH)(μ-azolate)] (azolate = pz or dmpz). The reaction of the bis(μ-hydroxo) complexes with Hpz and Hdmpz in acetone in 1:1 molar ratio has also been studied, and the resulting product depends on the organic radical (C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) as well as the azolate (pz or dmpz). The identity of the isomer obtained has been established in every case by NMR (¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P) spectroscopy. The reaction of the bis(μ-hydroxo) complexes with oxalic (H₂Ox) and acetic (HOAc) acids yields the binucle ar complexes [{PdR(PPh₃)}2(μ-Ox)] (R = C₆F₅ or C₆Cl₅) and [{Pd(C₆F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-OAc)}2], respectively. [{Pd(C₆F₅)(PPh₃)(μ-OH)}₂] reacts with PPh₃ in acetone in 1:2 ratio giving the mononuclear complex trans-[Pd(C₆F₅) (OH)(PPh₃)₂], whereas the pentachlorophenylhydroxo complex does not react with PPh₃, even under forcing conditions.     

Stereochemical patterns in bromofullerenes C60Br2 to C60Br12

The stabilities of different isomers of C₆₀Br_n have been calculated for n = 2 to 12. A general stereochemical pattern which emerges is the tendency to form strings created by the edge sharing of C₆Br₂ hexagonal faces. Stable structures are formed if these strings form loops, thereby eliminating string ends, which may involve the creation of C₆Br₃ hexagonal faces. A particularly stable structure is formed at C₆₀Br₆ in which the loop forms a C₁₀Br₆ fragment with a pentagonal pyramidal arrangement of six bromine atoms. Two isomers of C₆₀Br₁₂ are also particularly stable. One isomer contains two of these Br₆ pentagonal pyramids on opposite sides of the molecule, and the other isomer contains a single large loop wrapped around the middle of the molecule.     

Electron Spin Resonance Spectra of Some Free Radical in Pure C60 and Mixture of C60/C70

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