Molecular structure of the trans and cis isomers of metal-free phthalocyanine studied by gas-phase electron diffraction and high-level quantum chemical calculations: NH tautomerization and calculated vibrational frequencies

The molecular structure of the trans isomer of metal-free phthalocyanine (H2Pc) is determined using the gas electron diffraction (GED) method and high-level quantum chemical calculations. B3LYP calculations employing the basis sets 6-31G**, 6-311++G**, and cc-pVTZ give two tautomeric isomers for the inner H atoms, a trans isomer having D2h symmetry and a cis isomer having C2v symmetry. The trans isomer is calculated to be 41.6 (B3LYP/6-311++G**, zero-point corrected) and 37.3 kJ/mol (B3LYP/cc-pVTZ, not zero-point corrected) more stable than the cis isomer. However, Hartree-Fock (HF) calculations using different basis sets predict that cis is preferred and that trans does not exist as a stable form of the molecule. The equilibrium composition in the gas phase at 471 degrees C (the temperature of the GED experiment) calculated at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level is 99.8% trans and 0.2% cis. This is in very good agreement with the GED data, which indicate that the mole fraction of the cis isomer is close to zero. The transition states for two mechanisms of the NH tautomerization have been characterized. A concerted mechanism where the two H atoms move simultaneously yields a transition state of D2h symmetry and an energy barrier of 95.8 kJ/mol. A two-step mechanism where a trans isomer is converted to a cis isomer, which is converted into another trans isomer, proceeds via two transition states of C(s) symmetry and an energy barrier of 64.2 kJ/mol according to the B3LYP/6-311++G** calculation. The molecular geometry determined from GED is in very good agreement with the geometry obtained from the quantum chemical calculations. Vibrational frequencies, IR, and Raman intensities have been calculated using B3LYP/6-311++G**. These calculations indicate that the molecule is rather flexible with six vibrational frequencies in the range of 20-84 cm(-1) for the trans isomer. The cis isomer might be detected by infrared matrix spectroscopy since the N-H stretching frequencies are very different for the two isomers.     

Ab initio and DFT energetics of silylenic X–CNSi (X=H, F, Cl, and Br)

Singlet–triplet energy splitting for 24 silylenic reactive intermediates, X–CNSi (where X=H, F, Cl and Br), are compared and contrasted at 11 levels of theory: B1LYP/6-31++G**, B3LYP/6-31++G**, B1LYP/6-311++G**, B3LYP/6-311++G**, MP3/6-31G*, MP3/6-311++G**, MP2/6-31+G**, MP2/6-311++G**, MP4 (SDTQ)/6-311++G**, QCISD(T)/6-311++G** and CCSD(T)/6-311++G**. Each X-substituted silylenic species may either be singlet (s) or triplet (t), with one of the following three structures: 3-X-2-aza-1-silacyclopropenylidene (1_s-X, 1_t-X); [(X-imino)methylene]silylene (2_s-X, 2_t-X); and X-cyanosilylene (3_s-X, 3_t-X). For all X–CNSi species studied, orders of singlet–triplet energy separations (ΔE_s-t,X), appear as a function of electro-negativity (F>Cl>Br>H). For the six H–CNSi isomers (X=H), stability order is: 3_s-H>1_s-H>2_t-H>3_t-H>2_s-H>1_t-H. Likewise, stability order for the six isomers with X=F, is: 3_s-F>3_t-F>1_s-F>1_t-F>2_s-F>2_t-F. For X=Cl, the order of stability is: 3_s-Cl>1_s-Cl>3_t-Cl>2_t-Cl>1_t-Cl>2_t-Cl. Finally, the order of stability for six isomers of Br–CNSi is: 3_s-Br>3_t-Br>1_s-Br>2_s-Br>2_t-Br>1_t-Br. The lowest energy minimum, among all 24 species scrutinized, appears to be the singlet acyclic 3_s-X. Triplet silylene 2_t-H is suggested to be more stable than its corresponding 2_s-H at MP3, MP2 and DFT levels of theory. Comparisons between relative stabilities; multiplicities and geometrical parameters of 1–3 are discussed.     

Halogen switching of azacarbenes C2NH ground states at ab initio and DFT levels

Relative stabilities and singlet–triplet energy differences are calculated for 24 C₂NX azacarbenes (where X is H, F, Cl, and Br). Three skeletal arrangements are employed including azacyclopropenylidene, [(imino)methylene]carbene, and cyanocarbene. Halogens appear to alternate the electronic ground states of C₂NH azacarbenes, from triplet to singlet states, at MP3/6‐311++G**, B1LYP/6‐311++G**, B3LYP/6‐311++G**, MP2/6‐311++G**, MP4(SDTQ)/6‐311++G**, QCISD(T)/6‐311++G**, CCSD(T)/6‐311++G**, CCSD(T)/cc‐pVTZ, G1, and G2 levels of theory. The aromatic characters of singlet cyclic azacyclopropenylidenes are measured using GIAO–NICS calculations. Linear correlations are found between the B3LYP/6‐311++G** calculated LUMO–HOMO energy gaps (ΔE_{HOMO ‐ LUMO}) of the singlet carbenes versus their corresponding singlet–triplet energy separations (ΔE). Electrophilic characters are found for all singlet azacarbenes in their addition reactions to alkenes with the highest electrophilicity being exhibited for X = F. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 19:377–388, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20442     

An Ab Initio Molecular Orbital Study of Valence Bond Isomers of Silabenzene and Phosphabenzene

Ab initio molecular orbital calculation at HF/6-31G*, HF/6-31G**, HF/6-311G**, HF/6-311++G**, RMP2-FC/6-31G*, and B3LYP/6-31G* levels of theory for geometry optimization and MP4(SDQ)/6-31G* for a single point total energy calculation are reported for silabenzene ( 7 ), phosphabenzene ( 8 ) and 16 valence bond isomers of silabenzene and phosphabenzene ( 9-24 ). The calculated energy difference (19.78 kcal mol m 1 ) between silabenzene and the most stable valence bond isomer of silabenzene (1-silabenzvalene, 9 ) is much smaller than the difference (73.60 kcal mol m 1 ) between benzene and benzvalene ( 2 ). The energy difference between phosphabenzene and the most stable valence bond isomer of phosphabenzene (1-phosphabenzvalene, 17 ) is calculated to be 43.29 kcal mol m 1 .     

Structures and stabilities of HPO<Subscript>2</Subscript> isomers

The potential energy surface of HPO₂ system including eight isomers and twelve transition states is predicated at MP2/6-311++G(d, p) and QCISD(t)/6-311++G(3df,2p)(single-point) levels of theory. On the potential energy surface, cis-HOPO(E1) is found to be thermodynamically and kinetically most stable isomer followed by trans-HOPO(E2) and HPO(O)(C_2v, E3) at 10.99 and 48.36 kJ/mol higher, respectively. Based on the potential energy surface, only E1 and E3 are thermodynamically stable isomers, and should be experimentally observable. The products cis-HPOO(E5) and trans-HPOO(E6) in the first-step reaction of HP with O₂ can isomerize into isomer E1 that has higher stability. The reaction of OH with PO will directly lead to the formation of isomer E1. The computed results are well consistent with the previous experimental studies.     

Structures and stabilities of HPS2 isomers

The potential energy surface of HPS² system containing nine isomers and fifteen transition states is obtained at MP2/6-311++G(d, p) and QCISD(t)/6-311++G(3df, 2p)(single-point) levels. On the potential energy surface, the lowest-lying trans-HSPS(E1) is found to be thermodynamically the most stable isomer followed by cis-HSPS(E2) and HP(S)S(C_2v, E3) at 3.43 and 14.17 kJ/mol higher, respectively. The computed results show that species E1, E2, E3, stereo HP(S)S(C_s, E4) with PSS three-membered ring, isomers trans-HPSS(E5) and cis-HPSS(E6) which coexist with E4 are kinetically stable isomers. The products E6 and E5 in the reaction of HP with S² can be isomerized into higher kinetic stable isomer E4 with 65.75 and 71.73 kJ/mol reaction barrier height, respectively. The predicated results may correct the possible inaccurate conclusion in that the product was experimentally assigned as isomer cis-HPSS(E6).     

Theoretical study on structures and stability of SiCP2 isomers

The structures, energetics, spectral parameters and stability of the singlet SiCP₂ isomers are explored at the density functional theory and ab initio levels. Eight isomers connected by ten interconversion transition states are located at the CCSD(T)/6-311G(2d)//B3LYP/6-311G(d)level. The kinetically stable isomers and their relevant interconversion transition states are further refined at CCSD(T)/6-311+G(2df)//QCISD/6-311G(d) level. At QCISD/6-311G(d) level, one four-membered ring isomer cSiPCP and two linear structures PSiCP, SiCPP possess considerable kinetic stability (more than 15 kcal/mol). The valence bond structures of three kinetically stable SiCP₂ isomers are analyzed. The similarities and discrepancies in structure, energy and stability between SiCP₂ and its analogous C₂P₂, Si₂P₂, SiCN₂ and CSiNP molecules are also discussed. The predicted structures and spectroscopic properties are expected to be informative for the identification of the SiCP₂ in the laboratory and space.     

Comparative theoretical study of transition structures,barrier heights,and reaction energies for the intramolecular tautomerization in acetaldehyde/vinyl alcohol and acetaldimine/vinylamine systems

The transition structures associated with the possible intramolecular tautomerization for acetaldehyde/vinyl alcohol and acetaldimine/vinylamine systems as models of keto/enol and imine/enamine interconversion processes, respectively, were characterized. The relative stabilities of the tautomers and the associated barrier heights were calculated. Ab initio analytical gradients and second derivatives at the HF level of theory and 3-21G, 6-31G, 6-31G**, 6-31++G**, and 6-311++G** basis-set, DFT (BP86/6-311++G** and BLYP/6-311++G**), and semiempirical (AM1 and PM3) procedures were used to identify the stationary points. Correlation effects were estimated using the perturbational approach at MP2/6-31G**, MP2/6-311++G**, and MP2/6-311++G (3df,2p) levels. The geometry, electronic structure, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and transition vector associated with the transition structures as well as the relative stabilities of different isomers and barrier heights were analyzed. The dependence of these properties upon theoretical methods is analyzed and discussed. The transition structures are four-membered rings and the corresponding transition vectors are associated to collective fluctuations. The 1,3 intramolecular hydrogen migration is much more advanced than are the hybridization changes on donor and acceptor centers at the transition structure. The corresponding barrier heights can be related to the change of bond orders and acid/base properties of these centers. A comparison of the results obtained with different methods renders that the nature of the transition structure seems to be a rather robust entity. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 66 : 9–24, 1998     

Theoretical study of light-metal tetrahydroborates

Ab initio calculations of the structural, energetic, vibrational, and magnetic characteristics of the lowest-lying structures for isolated molecules and ions of light-metal tetrahydroborates (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 structural parameters, the energies of different decomposition pathways, barriers to internal rotation of BH₄ groups, normal mode frequencies, magnetic shielding constants, and spin density distribution (in radicals) have been analyzed in various related series of these compounds. The results obtained by ab initio methods and at the DFT level are compared. The economical approximation B3LYP/6-311++G**//B3LYP/6-311+G** adequately reproduces the results obtained at the higher level of theory CCSD(T)/6-311++G*s*//MP2/6-31G* even though it requires considerably shorter CPU times and smaller amounts of memory.     

A theoretical study on C2HXSi silylenes (X = H,CN, NH2, and OMe)

Relative stabilities and structural characters of 30 silylenic C₂HXSi species (X = H, NH₂, CN, and OMe), with singlet (s) and/or triplet (t) states, are calculated at six levels of theory: HF/6‐311++G**, MP3/6‐31G*, B1LYP/6‐311++G**, B3LYP/6‐311++G**, MP2/6‐311++G**, and MP4(SDTQ)/6‐311++G**. The four possible isomers considered for C₂SiHX are (i) 3‐X‐1‐silacyclopropenylidene ( 1 _s‐X and 1 _t‐X ), (ii) X‐vinilydensilylene ( 2 _s‐X and 2 _t‐X ), (iii) ethynyl‐X‐silylene ( 3 _s‐X and 3 _t‐X ), and (iv) (X‐ethynyl)silylene ( 4 _s‐X and 4 _t‐X ). The GIAO–NICS calculations show that singlet cyclic structures, 1 _s‐X , are considerably more aromatic than benzene. Conversely, triplet cyclic C₂HCNSi breaks down through optimization, and transforms into a novel high‐spin acyclic carbenosilylene minimum ( 1 _t‐CN ). Singlet 3 and triplet 3 cross at a divalent angle (|XSiC) of 152°. This angle narrows to 137° for crossing of singlet 3 _s‐CN and triplet, 3 _t‐CN . The smallest |XSiC occurs at 132° for crossing of 3 _s‐H and 3 _t‐H . © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:283–293, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20297     

Isomerization study of C5H5NO molecules

The complex potential energy surface (PES) for the isomerization of C₅H₅NO species, including 18 isomers and 23 interconversion transition states, is probed theoretically at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) and MP2//B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) levels of theory. The geometries and relative energies for various stationary points were determined. The zero‐point vibrational energy (ZPVE) corrections have been made to calculate the reliable energy. We predicted a six‐membered ring structure as a global minima isomer I, which is 118.49 and 131.48 kcal · mol^?1 more stable than the least stable, four‐ and three‐membered ring isomer VIII at B3LYP and MP2//B3LYP levels of theory, respectively. The isomers and interconversion transition states have verified by frequency calculation. The intrinsic reaction coordinates (IRC) calculations have been performed to confirm that each transition state is linked by the desired reactants and products. The isomer stability has been studied using relative energies, chemical hardness, and chemical potential. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

On the mechanism of intramolecular nitrogen‐atom hopping in the carbon chain of C6N radical: A Plausible 3c−4e crossover Long‐Bond

Linear isomers of C₆N radical differ in the position of the nitrogen atom in the carbon chain of C₆N. Reaction routes, involving intramolecular nitrogen atom insertion at varying position in the carbon chain of C₆N, are analyzed for the isomerisation between linear isomers of C₆N. Through an automated and systematic search performed with global reaction route mapping of the potential energy surface, thermal isomerisation pathways for C₆N radical are proposed based on the computations carried out at CASSCF/aug‐cc‐pVTZ, and CCSD(T)/6‐311++G(d,p)//B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) levels of the theory. Notably, a high lying linear isomer, centrosymmetric with respect to the nitrogen atom, is observed to be stabilized by a unique crossover three center‐four electron π long bond between the carbon atoms that are spatially separated by a nitrogen atom in a natural bond orbital. This long bond is concluded to be responsible for the predicted thermal isomerisation to be more feasible than the dissociation during the isomerisation pathway of a linear isomer of C₆N. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Nitrosonium nitrite isomer of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>: Quantum-chemical data

The geometrical, electronic, and thermodynamic parameters of three known isomers of dinitrogen trioxide N₂O₃ were calculated by the density functional theory DFT/B3LYP method using the 6-311++G(3df) basis. The structure of the new isomer, NONO₂, was calculated. From the calculation of vibrational frequencies it follows that the structure of NONO₂ has a local potential energy minimum and corresponds to the stationary state of the N₂O₃ isomer. The molecular structure of NONO₂ is characterized by a substantial negative charge on the NO₂ fragment and positive charge on the NO fragment. The electronic structure of the NO⁺NO ₂ ^? isomer can be characterized as nitrosonium nitrite, which can be oxidized to nitrite and participate in nitrosylation in accordance with the biogenic characteristics of the NO _x intermediate, assumed to be formed in biological systems during the oxidation of NO.     

An Ab Initio Molecular Orbital Study of Isophosphinines

Ab initio molecular orbital calculation at HF/6-31G*, HF/6-31G**, HF/6-311G**, HF/6-311++G**, RMP2-FC/6-31G*, and B3LYP/6-31G* levels of theory for geometry optimization and MP4(SDQ)/6-31G* for a single-point total energy calculation are reported for phosphinine and 13 isophosphinines 7-19 . Isomers 7-11 with an allenic system are calculated to be 8-18 kcal mol m 1 more stable than structures 12-17 with an acetylenic moiety. The calculated energy difference (66.19 kcal mol m 1 ) between phosphinine and the most stable isophosphinine (1-phospha-1,2,4-cyclohexatriene, 10 ) is smaller than the difference (78.96 kcal mol m 1 ) between benzene and the most stable isobenzene (cyclohexa-1,2,4-triene, 2 ). The isophosphinines 18 and 19 , with a butatriene moiety, are calculated to be the least stable isomers.     

Structure and Stability of Isomers of the Promising Interstellar Molecule PC3O

DFT/B3LYP/6-311G(d) and CCSD(T)/6-311G(2d) single-point calculations are carried out for exploring the doublet potential energy surface (PES) of PC₃O, a molecule of potential interest in interstellar chemistry. A total of 29 minima connected by 65 interconversion transition states are located. The structures of the most relevant isomers and transition states are further optimized at the QCISD level followed by CCSD(T) single-point energy calculations. At the CCSD(T)/6-311G(2df)//QCISD/6-311G(d)+ZPVE level, the global minimum is the quasi-linear structure PCCCO 1 (0.0 kcal/mol) with a great kinetic stability of 47.9 kcal/mol, and the cumulenic form features largely in its resonance structures. Moreover, the chainlike isomer OPCCC 3 (64.5) and five-membered-ring species cPCCCO 19 (77.8) possess considerable kinetic stability of about 18.0 kcal/mol. All these three isomers are very promising candidates for future experimental and astrophysical detection. Additionally, a three-membered-ring isomer CC-cCOP 10 (69.6) has slightly lower kinetic stability of around 15 kcal/mol and may also be experimentally observable. Possible formation mechanisms of the four stable isomers in interstellar space are discussed. The present research is the first attempt to study the isomerization and dissociation mechanisms of PC _n O series. The predicted spectroscopic properties, including harmonic vibrational frequencies, dipole moments and rotational constants for the relevant isomers, are expected to be informative for the identification of PC₃O in laboratory and interstellar medium.     

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.     

Ab Initio Theoretical Studies on the Kinetics of Hydrogen Abstraction Type Reactions of Hydroxyl Radicals with CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>F and CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CClF<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The hydrogen abstraction reactions from CH₃Cl₂F (R-141b) and CH₃CClF₂ (R-142b) by OH radicals are studied theoretically by semi-classical transition state theory. The stationary points for the reactions are located by using KMLYP density functional method along with 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set and MP2 method along with 6-311+G(d,p) basis set. Single-point energy calculations are performed by the CBS-Q and G4 combination methods on the geometries optimized at the KMLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of theory. Vibrational anharmonicity coefficients, x _ij , which are needed for semi-classical transition state theory calculations, are computed at the KMLYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) and MP2/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory. The computed barrier heights are slightly sensitive to the quantum-chemical method. Thermal rate coefficients are computed over the temperature range from 200 to 2000 K and they are shown to be in accordance with available experimental data. On the basis of the computed rate coefficients, the tropospheric lifetime of the CH₃CCl₂F and CH₃CClF₂ are estimated to be about 6.5 and 12.0 years, respectively.     

Thermodynamic functions of lactams in the ideal gas state

Thermodynamic functions (enthalpy, entropy, free energy, and heat capacity) of azacycloalkan-2-ones with ring sizes n = 4–8 in the ideal gas state are calculated by means of quantum chemistry and statistical physics, using an anharmonic approximation in the range of 298–1500 K with allowance for all known conformers and optical isomers. Equilibrium structures and total energies of lactams are calculated using the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df, 3pd), B3LYP/aug-cc-pVQZ, and MP2/6-311++G(3df, 3pd) methods, and the anharmonic frequencies of the fundamental vibrations of all the investigated structures were found via B3LYP/6-311++G(3df, 3pd).     

Isomerization of B6, B6 − and B6 + clusters

The interconversions between isomers with the same spin multiplicity of neutral B₆ and charged B₆ ^? and B₆ ⁺ clusters have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory, including determination of the minimum energy pathways with transition states connecting the corresponding reactants and products. In dynamic calculations, 26 isomers were optimized, including 11 novel isomers. In order to further refine the energies, single-point B3LYP/6-311+G(3df) calculations were carried out on the corresponding B3LYP/6-311+G* geometries of all isomers of B₆, B₆ ^? and B₆ ⁺ and the corresponding isomerization transition states. The stability of each isomer of B₆ (singlet and triplet states), B₆ ^? (doublet state) and B₆ ⁺ (doublet state) was analyzed from both thermodynamic and dynamic viewpoints.     

Searching blue-shifted O–H···Y hydrogen bond in CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>OH complexes with CF<Subscript>4</Subscript>, C<Subscript>2</Subscript>F<Subscript>2</Subscript>, OC,Ne, and He: a theoretical study

The hydrogen-bonded structures of the CH₃OH complexes with CF₄, C₂F₂, OC, Ne, and He are designated as the starting points for geometry optimizations without and with counterpoise (CP) correction at MP2 level of theory with the basis sets 6-31+G*, 6-31++G**, and 6-311++G**, respectively. Tight convergence criteria are applied throughout all geometry optimizations in order to reduce the computational errors. According to the optimizations without CP correction, a blue-shifted O–H···Y (where Y = F, O, Ne, or He) hydrogen bond exists in all these five complexes. The magnitudes of blue shifts of ν(O–H) of the former four complexes with respect to that of CH₃OH are reduced greatly when the polarization and diffuse functions of the hydrogen atoms are added (results from 6-31+G* versus those from 6-31++G**). However, for the complexes CH₃OH–CF₄ and CH₃OH–C₂F₂, our optimizations using the CP corrections did not find the hydrogen-bonded structure to be a stationary point. The energy minimum of both the complexes corresponds to a non-hydrogen-bonded structure.