A Highly Oxidizing and Isolable Oxoruthenium(V) Complex [RuV(N4O)(O)]2+: Electronic Structure,Redox Properties,and Oxidation Reactions Investigated by DFT Calculations

The electronic structure and redox properties of the highly oxidizing, isolable Ru^V?O complex [Ru^V(N₄O)(O)]²⁺, its oxidation reactions with saturated alkanes (cyclohexane and methane) and inorganic substrates (hydrochloric acid and water), and its intermolecular coupling reaction have been examined by DFT calculations. The oxidation reactions with cyclohexane and methane proceed through hydrogen atom transfer in a transition state with a calculated free energy barrier of 10.8 and 23.8 kcal mol^?1, respectively. The overall free energy activation barrier (ΔG^≠=25.5 kcal mol^?1) of oxidation of hydrochloric acid can be decomposed into two parts: the formation of [Ru^III(N₄O)(HOCl)]²⁺ (ΔG=15.0 kcal mol^?1) and the substitution of HOCl by a water molecule (ΔG^≠=10.5 kcal mol^?1). For water oxidation, nucleophilic attack on Ru^V?O by water, leading to O? O bond formation, has a free energy barrier of 24.0 kcal mol^?1, the major component of which comes from the cleavage of the H? OH bond of water. Intermolecular self‐coupling of two molecules of [Ru^V(N₄O)(O)]²⁺ leads to the [(N₄O)Ru^IV? O₂? Ru^III(N₄O)]⁴⁺ complex with a calculated free energy barrier of 12.0 kcal mol^?1.     

Understanding the Deactivation Pathways of Iridium(III) Pyridine-Carboxiamide Catalysts for Formic Acid Dehydrogenation

The degradation pathways of highly active [Cp*Ir(κ²-N,N-R-pica)Cl] catalysts (pica=picolinamidate; 1 R=H, 2 R=Me) for formic acid (FA) dehydrogenation were investigated by NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Under acidic conditions (1 equiv. of HNO₃), 2 undergoes partial protonation of the amide moiety, inducing rapid κ²-N,N to κ²-N,O ligand isomerization. Consistently, DFT modeling on the simpler complex 1 showed that the κ²-N,N key intermediate of FA dehydrogenation ( I_NH ), bearing a N-protonated pica, can easily transform into the κ²-N,O analogue ( I_NH2 ; ΔG^≠≈11 kcal mol⁻¹, ΔG ≈−5 kcal mol⁻¹). Intramolecular hydrogen liberation from I_NH2 is predicted to be rather prohibitive (ΔG^≠≈26 kcal mol⁻¹, ΔG≈23 kcal mol⁻¹), indicating that FA dehydrogenation should involve mostly κ²-N,N intermediates, at least at relatively high pH. Under FA dehydrogenation conditions, 2 was progressively consumed, and the vast majority of the Ir centers (58 %) were eventually found in the form of Cp*-complexes with a pyridine-amine ligand. This likely derived from hydrogenation of the pyridine-carboxiamide via a hemiaminal intermediate, which could also be detected. Clear evidence for ligand hydrogenation being the main degradation pathway also for 1 was obtained, as further confirmed by spectroscopic and catalytic tests on the independently synthesized degradation product 1 c . DFT calculations confirmed that this side reaction is kinetically and thermodynamically accessible.     

Benchmark approach to search of cost-effective and accurate density functional for homolytic cleavage of C─Mg bond of Grignard reagent

Grignard reactions are of importance in organic chemistry for the synthesis β-keto esters and diethyl malonate, alcohols, aldehydes or ketones, monocarboxylic acids, and other organometallic compounds. Generally, the heterolytic dissociation of C─Mg bond in Grignard reagent is the key step in these reactions. Recently, homolytic cleavage of the C─Mg bond in Grignard reagents has been reported in the preparation of stable radicals. These reactive species react with other compounds, which result in the formation of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Therefore, the study of homolytic cleavage of C─Mg bonds is quite vital to better understand the kinetics and thermodynamics of these reactions. In the current study, a benchmark approach is adopted to find a cost-effective and accurate density functional (DF) for bond dissociation energies measurement of the C─Mg bond of Grignard reagents. Twenty-nine DFs from 13 density functional theory (DFT) classes with three types of basis sets (Pople' 6-31G(d) and 6-311G(d), Dunning's aug-cc-pVDZ, and Karlsruhe' def2-SVP basis sets) are implemented for the measurement of dissociation energies of the C─Mg bond. Theoretical dissociation energy values are compared with experimental reported values of the C─Mg bond of selected Grignard reagents. TPSSTPSS of the meta-GGA class with 6-31G (d) basis set gave accurate results, and its Pearson's correlation is 0.95. SD, root mean square deviation, and mean unsigned error of this method are 2.36 kcal mol⁻¹, 2.33 kcal mol⁻¹, and −0.46 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. TPSSTPSS of the meta-GGA class is a one-electron, self-interaction, error-free Tao-Perdew-Staroverov-Scuseria functional that performed better with the 6-31G(d) basis set.     

Mechanism of the Tyrosine Ammonia Lyase Reaction—Tandem Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Enhancement by a Proton Transfer

Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations in tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL) ruled out the hypothetical Friedel–Crafts (FC) route for ammonia elimination from L ‐tyrosine due to the high energy of FC intermediates. The calculated pathway from the zwitterionic L ‐tyrosine‐binding state (0.0 kcal mol^?1) to the product‐binding state ((E)‐coumarate+H₂N? MIO; ?24.0 kcal mol^?1; MIO=3,5‐dihydro‐5‐methylidene‐4H‐imidazol‐4‐one) involves an intermediate (IS, ?19.9 kcal mol^?1), which has a covalent bond between the N atom of the substrate and MIO, as well as two transition states (TS1 and TS2). TS1 (14.4 kcal mol^?1) corresponds to a proton transfer from the substrate to the N1 atom of MIO by Tyr300? OH. Thus, a tandem nucleophilic activation of the substrate and electrophilic activation of MIO happens. TS2 (5.2 kcal mol^?1) indicates a concerted C? N bond breaking of the N‐MIO intermediate and deprotonation of the pro‐S β position by Tyr60. Calculations elucidate the role of enzymic bases (Tyr60 and Tyr300) and other catalytically relevant residues (Asn203, Arg303, and Asn333, Asn435), which are fully conserved in the amino acid sequences and in 3D structures of all known MIO‐containing ammonia lyases and 2,3‐aminomutases.     

Quantitative decomposition of resonance-assisted hydrogen bond energy in β-diketones into resonance and hydrogen bonding (π- and σ-) components using molecular tailoring and function-based approaches

Using the molecular tailoring and function-based approaches allows one to divide the energy of the O─H⋯O═C resonance-assisted hydrogen bond in a series of the β-diketones into resonance and hydrogen bonding components. The magnitude of the resonance component is assessed as about 6 kcal mol⁻¹. This value increases by ca. 1 kcal mol⁻¹ on going from the weak to strong resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding. The magnitude of the hydrogen bonding component varies in the wide range from 2 to 20 kcal mol⁻¹ depending on the structure of the β-diketone in question.     

Bonding Energetics of Palladium Amido/Aryloxide Complexes in DMSO: Implications for Palladium-Mediated Aniline Activation

Thermodynamic knowledge of the metal–ligand (M−L) σ-bond strength is crucial to understanding metal-mediated transformations. Here, we developed a method for determining the Pd−X (X=OR and NHAr) bond heterolysis energies (ΔG_het(Pd−X)) in DMSO taking [(tmeda)PdArX] (tmeda=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) as the model complexes. The ΔG_het(Pd−X) scales span a range of 2.6–9.0 kcal mol⁻¹ for ΔG_het(Pd−O) values and of 14.5–19.5 kcal mol⁻¹ for ΔG_het(Pd−N) values, respectively, implying a facile heterolytic detachment of the Pd ligands. Structure-reactivity analyses of a modeling Pd-mediated X−H bond activation reveal that the M−X bond metathesis is dominated by differences of the X−H and Pd−X bond strengths, the former being more influential. The ΔG_het(Pd−X) and pK_a(X−H) parameters enable regulation of reaction thermodynamics and chemoselectivity and diagnosing the probability of aniline activation with Pd−X complexes.     

Heterolysis of H2 Across a Classical Lewis Pair, 2,6‐Lutidine⋅BCl3: Synthesis,Characterization, and Mechanism

We report that 2,6‐lutidine?trichloroborane (Lut?BCl₃) reacts with H₂ in toluene, bromobenzene, dichloromethane, and Lut solvents producing the neutral hydride, Lut?BHCl₂. The mechanism was modeled with density functional theory, and energies of stationary states were calculated at the G3(MP2)B3 level of theory. Lut?BCl₃ was calculated to react with H₂ and form the ion pair, [LutH⁺][HBCl₃^?], with a barrier of ΔH^≠=24.7 kcal mol^?1 (ΔG^≠=29.8 kcal mol^?1). Metathesis with a second molecule of Lut?BCl₃ produced Lut?BHCl₂ and [LutH⁺][BCl₄^?]. The overall reaction is exothermic by 6.0 kcal mol^?1 (Δ_rG°=?1.1). Alternate pathways were explored involving the borenium cation (LutBCl₂⁺) and the four‐membered boracycle [(CH₂{NC₅H₃Me})BCl₂]. Barriers for addition of H₂ across the Lut/LutBCl₂⁺ pair and the boracycle B?C bond are substantially higher (ΔG^≠=42.1 and 49.4 kcal mol^?1, respectively), such that these pathways are excluded. The barrier for addition of H₂ to the boracycle B?N bond is comparable (ΔH^≠=28.5 and ΔG^≠=32 kcal mol^?1). Conversion of the intermediate 2‐(BHCl₂CH₂)‐6‐Me(C₅H₃NH) to Lut?BHCl₂ may occur by intermolecular steps involving proton/hydride transfers to Lut/BCl₃. Intramolecular protodeboronation, which could form Lut?BHCl₂ directly, is prohibited by a high barrier (ΔH^≠=52, ΔG^≠=51 kcal mol^?1).     

The thermodynamic stability of P8, A CBS‐Q study

The thermodynamic stabilities of P₂, P₄, and three P₈ cage structure were investigated through high‐precision CBS‐Q calculations. The CBS‐Q values for the bond energy of P₂ (ΔE_o: +115.7 kcal mol⁻¹) and the formation of P₄ from P₂ (Δ E_o:‐56.6 kcal mol⁻¹) were in excellent agreement with the experimental values (E_o: +117 and ‐56.4 kcal mol⁻¹ respectively). Among the P₈ cages, the cubane structure was the least stable (Δ E_o +37 kcal vs. 2×P₄). The most stable P₈ isomer adopts a cuneane structure resembling S₄N₄, and is more stable than white phosphorus at T = 0 K (Δ E_o −3.3 kcal mol⁻¹), but still unstable under standard conditions for entropic reasons (Δ G^o of +8.1 kcal mol⁻¹ vs. 2×P₄). The CBS‐Q energies represent significant revisions (6–20 kcal mol⁻¹) of previous computational predictions obtained by high‐level single method calculations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:453–457, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20119     

Substituent Effect on the Stability and 14N NQR Parameters of Linkage Isomers of Nitriles in a Rhodium Half‐Sandwich Metallacycle: A Theoretical Study

In this work, using the MPW1PW91 method, the substituent effect on the stability and on the ¹⁴N NQR parameters of linkage isomers of nitriles in a rhodium half‐sandwich metallacycle is illustrated. After determination of the corresponding isomerization transition state (TS), the substituent effect on the barrier energy and on the activation thermodynamic parameters (ΔG^‡ and ΔH^‡) of isomerization is explored. The electric field gradient tensor, nuclear quadrupole coupling constant, asymmetry parameter, and nuclear quadrupole resonance frequencies of the studied isomers are calculated. Also, linear correlations between these parameters and Hammett constant of the substituent are explored.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the thermal decomposition reaction of acetone cyclic diperoxide in methyl tert‐butyl ether solution

The thermal decomposition reaction of acetone cyclic diperoxide (3,3,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1,2,4,5‐tetroxane, ACDP), in the temperature range of 130.0–166.0°C and initial concentrations range of 0.4–3.1 × 10^?2 mol kg^?1 has been studied in methyl t‐butyl ether solution. The thermolysis follows first‐order kinetic laws up to at least ca 60% ACDP conversion. Under the experimental conditions, the activation parameters of the initial step of the reaction (ΔH^# = 33.6 ± 1.1 kcal mol^?1; ΔS^# = ?4.1 ± 0.7 cal mol^?1 K^?1; ΔG^# = 35.0 ± 1.1 kcal mol^?1) and acetone, as the only organic product, support a stepwise reaction mechanism with the homolytic rupture of one of its peroxidic bond. Also, participation of solvent molecules in the reaction is postulated given an intermediate diradical, which further decomposes by C? O bond ruptures, yielding a stoichiometric amount of acetone (2 mol per mole of ACDP decomposed). The results are compared with those obtained for the above diperoxide thermolysis in other solvents. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 302–307, 2004     

Molecular Recognition of Pyranosides by a Family of Trimeric, 1,1′-Binaphthalene-Derived Cyclophane Receptors

The synthesis and carbohydrate-recognition properties of a new family of optically active cyclophane receptors, 1 – 3 , in which three 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diol spacers are interconnected by three buta-1,3-diynediyl linkers, are described. The macrocycles all contain highly preorganized cavities lined with six convergent OH groups for H-bonding and complementary in size and shape to monosaccharides. Compounds 1 – 3 differ by the functionality attached to the major groove of the 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diol spacers. The major grooves of the spacers in 2 are unsubstituted, whereas those in 1 bear benzyloxy (BnO) groups in the 7,7′-positions and those in 3 2-phenylethyl groups in the 6,6′-positions. The preparation of the more planar, D₃-symmetrical receptors (R,R,R)- 1 (Schemes 1 and 2), (S,S,S)- 1 (Scheme 4), (S,S,S)- 2 (Scheme 5), and (S,S,S)- 3 (Scheme 8) involved as key step the Glaser-Hay cyclotrimerization of the corresponding OH-protected 3,3′-diethynyl-1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diol precursors, which yielded tetrameric and pentameric macrocycles in addition to the desired trimeric compounds. The synthesis of the less planar, C₂-symmetrical receptors (R,R,S)- 2 (Scheme 6) and (S,S,R)- 3 (Scheme 9) proceeded via two Glaser-Hay coupling steps. First, two monomeric precursors of identical configuration were oxidatively coupled to give a dimeric intermediate which was then subjected to macrocyclization with a third monomeric 1,1′-binaphthalene precursor of opposite configuration. The 3,3′-dialkynylation of the OH-protected 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diol precursors for the macrocyclizations was either performed by Stille (Scheme 1) or by Sonogashira (Schemes 4, 5, and 8) cross-coupling reactions. The flat D₃-symmetrical receptors (R,R,R)- 1 and (S,S,S)- 1 formed 1 : 1 cavity inclusion complexes with octyl 1-O-pyranosides in CDCl₃ (300 K) with moderate stability (ΔG⁰ ca. −3 kcal mol⁻¹) as well as moderate diastereo- (Δ(ΔG⁰) up to 0.7 kcal mol⁻¹) and enantioselectivity (Δ(ΔG⁰)=0.4 kcal mol⁻¹) (Table 1). Stoichiometric 1 : 1 complexation by (S,S,S)- 2 and (S,S,S)- 3 could not be investigated by ¹H-NMR binding titrations, due to very strong signal broadening. This broadening of the ¹H-NMR resonances is presumably indicative of higher-order associations, in which the planar macrocycles sandwich the carbohydrate guests. The less planar C₂-symmetrical receptor (S,S,R)- 3 formed stable 1 : 1 complexes with binding free enthalpies of up to ΔG⁰=−5.0 kcal mol⁻¹ (Table 2). With diastereoselectivities up to Δ(ΔG⁰)=1.3 kcal mol⁻¹ and enantioselectivities of Δ(ΔG⁰)=0.9 kcal mol⁻¹, (S,S,R)- 3 is among the most selective artificial carbohydrate receptors known.     

A dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance study of nitrogen inversion in N,N'-dimethylimidazolidine

The 251 MHz ¹H and the natural-abundance 63.1 MHz ¹³C NMR spectra of N,N'-dimethylimidazolidine have been measured from ?50 to ?170°C. Below about ?140°C. nitrogen inversion in the compound becomes slow on the NMR time scale and both the ¹H and the ¹³C spectra indicate that it exists in solution as a mixture of cis and trans conformations having nearly the same energies. The free-energy barrier (ΔG^≠) for nitrogen inversion in N,N'-dimethylimidazolidine is 6.4 kcal mol^?1, a value which is 1.5 kcal mol^?1 lower than that for N-methylpyrrolidine.     

High-level computational study on the thermochemistry of saturated and unsaturated three- and four-membered nitrogen and phosphorus rings

The heats of formation and strain energies for saturated and unsaturated three- and four-membered nitrogen and phosphorus rings have been calculated using G2 theory. G2 heats of formation (ΔH_f298) of triaziridine [(NH)₃], triazirine (N₃H), tetrazetidine [(NH)₄], and tetrazetine (N₄H₂) are 405.0, 453.7, 522.5, and 514.1 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Tetrazetidine is unstable (121.5 kJ mol⁻¹ at 298 K) with respect to its dissociation into two trans-diazene (N₂H₂) molecules. The dissociation of tetrazetine into molecular nitrogen and trans-diazene is highly exothermic (ΔH₂₉₈ = −308.3 kJ mol⁻¹ calculated using G2 theory). G2 heats of formation (ΔH_f298) of cyclotriphosphane [(PH)₃], cyclotriphosphene (P₃H), cyclotetraphosphane [(PH)₄], and cyclotetraphosphene (P₄H₂) are 80.7, 167.2, 102.7, and 170.7 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Cyclotetraphosphane and cyclotetraphosphene are stabilized by 145.8 and 101.2 kJ mol⁻¹ relative to their dissociations into two diphosphene molecules or into diphosphene (HP(DOUBLE BOND)PH) and diphosphorus (P₂), respectively. The strain energies of triaziridine [(NH)₃], triazirine (N₃H), tetrazetidine [(NH)₄], and tetrazetine (N₄H₂) were calculated to be 115.0, 198.3, 135.8, and 162.0 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively (at 298 K). While the strain energies of the nitrogen three-membered rings in triaziridine and triazirine are smaller than the strain energies of cyclopropane (117.4 kJ mol⁻¹) and cyclopropene (232.2 kJ mol⁻¹), the strain energies of the nitrogen four-membered rings in tetrazetidine and tetrazetine are larger than those of cyclobutane (110.2 kJ mol⁻¹) and cyclobutene (132.0 kJ mol⁻¹). In contrast to higher strain in cyclopropane as compared with cyclobutane, triaziridine is less strained than tetrazetidine. The strain energies of cyclotriphosphane [(PH)₃, 21.8 kJ mol⁻¹], cyclotriphosphene (P₃H, 34.6 kJ mol⁻¹), cyclotetraphosphane [(PH)₄, 24.1 kJ mol⁻¹], and cyclotetraphosphene (P₄H₂, 18.5 kJ mol⁻¹), calculated at the G2 level are considerably smaller than those of their carbon and nitrogen analog. Cyclotetraphosphene containing the P(DOUBLE BOND)P double bond is less strained than cyclotetraphosphane, in sharp contrast to the ratio between the strain energies for the analogous unsaturated and saturated carbon and nitrogen rings. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 62 : 373–384, 1997     

Multi‐Pathway Consequent Chemoselectivities of CpRuCl(PPh3)2/MeI‐Catalysed Norbornadiene Alkyne Cycloadditions

Chemoselectivities of five experimentally realised CpRuCl(PPh₃)₂/MeI‐catalysed couplings of 7‐azabenzo‐norbornadienes with selected alkynes were successfully resolved from multiple reaction pathway models. Density functional theory calculations showed the following mechanistic succession to be energetically plausible: (1) CpRuI catalyst activation; (2) formation of crucial metallacyclopentene intermediate; (3) cyclobutene product ( P2 ) elimination (ΔG_Rel(RDS)≈11.9–17.6 kcal mol^?1). Alternative formation of dihydrobenzoindole products ( P1 ) by isomerisation to azametalla‐cyclohexene followed by subsequent CpRuI release was much less favourable (ΔG_Rel(RDS)≈26.5–29.8 kcal mol^?1). Emergent stereoselectivities were in close agreement with experimental results for reactions a , b , e . Consequent investigations employing dispersion corrections similarly support the empirical findings of P1 dominating in reactions c and d through P2 → P1 product transformations as being probable (ΔG≈25.3–30.1 kcal mol^?1).     

Sels de Pyrylium. XVIII. Etude par RMN du Carbone-13 de Sels d'Aminopyrylium et des Barrières de Rotation dans quelques Cations N,N-Diméthylaminopyrylium

The C-2—N bond of 2-N,N-dimethylaminopyrylium cations has a partial π character due to the conjugation of the nitrogen lone-pair with the ring. The values of ΔG^≠, ΔH^≠, ΔS^≠ parameters related to the corresponding hindered rotation have been determined by ¹³C NMR total bandshape analysis. This conjugation decreases the electrophilic character of carbon C-4 so that the displacement of the alkoxy group is no longer possible. Such a hindered rotation also exists in 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyrylium cations and the corresponding ΔG^≠ parameters have been evaluated. Comparison of these two cationic species shows that hindered rotation around the C—N bond is larger in position 4 than in position 2. Furthermore, the barrier to internal rotation around the C-2? N bond decreases with increasing electron donating power of the substituent at position 4. ΔG^≠ values decreases from 19.1 kcal mol^?1 (79.9 kJ mol^?1) to 12.6 kcal mol^?1 (52.7 kJ mol^?1) according to the following sequence for the R-4 substituents: -C₆H₅, -CH₃, -OCH₃, -N(CH₃)₂.     

Dissociation dynamics of the trifluoromethoxy radical

Trifluoromethoxy radical formation (by O-atom addition to trifluoromethyl) and dissociation (by F-atom elimination) are studied by ab initio molecular-orbital theory. The activation enthalpy (298 K) for F-atom elimination is 35.3 kcal mol⁻¹ at the UMP4SDQ/6-31 G¹//UHF/6-31 G¹+ΔZPE+Δ(H-E₀ level. The implication of calculated RRKM dissociation rate constants is discussed.     

New insight into the substituent effects on the hydrolytic deamination of saturated and unsaturated cytosine

Ab initio calculations were carried out to understand the effect of electron donating groups (EDG) and electron withdrawing groups (EWG) at the C5 position of cytosine (Cyt) and saturated cytosine (H₂Cyt) of the deamination reaction. Geometries of the reactants, transition states, intermediates, and products were fully optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level in the gas phase as this level of theory has been found to agree very well with G3 theories. Activation energies, enthalpies, and Gibbs energies of activation along with the thermodynamic properties (ΔE, ΔH, and ΔG) of each reaction were calculated. A plot of the Gibbs energies of activation (ΔG^‡) for C5 substituted Cyt and H₂Cyt against the Hammett σ-constants reveal a good linear relationship. In general, both EDG and EWG substituents at the C5 position in Cyt results in higher ΔG^‡ and lower σ values compared to those of H₂Cyt deamination reactions. C5 alkyl substituents ( H,  CH₃,  CH₂CH₃,  CH₂CH₂CH₃) increase ΔG^‡ values for Cyt, while the same substituents decrease ΔG^‡ values for H₂Cyt which is likely due to steric effects. However, the Hammett σ-constants were found to decrease at the C5 position of cytosine (Cyt) and saturated cytosine (H2Cyt) on the deamination reaction. Both ΔG^‡ and σ values decrease for the substituents Cl and Br in the Cyt reaction, while ΔG^‡ values increase and σ decrease in the H₂Cyt reaction. This may be due to high polarizability of bromine which results in a greater stabilization of the transition state in the case of bromine compared to chlorine. Regardless of the substituent at C5, the positive charge on C4 is greater in the TS compared to the reactant complex for both the Cyt and H₂Cyt. Moreover, as the charges on C4 in the TS increase compared to reactant, ΔG^‡ also increase for the C5 alkyl substituents ( H,  CH₃,  CH₂CH₃,  CH₂CH₂CH₃) in Cyt, while ΔG^‡ decrease in H₂Cyt. In addition, analysis of the frontier MO energies for the transition state structures shows that there is a correlation between the energy of the HOMO–LUMO gap and activation energies.     

Thermodynamic properties of potassium metasilicate (K2SiO3)

The standard enthalpy of formation of potassium metasilicate (K₂SiO₃), determined by hydrofluoric acid solution calorimetry, was found to be ΔH^o_f,298 = −363.866±0.421 kcal mol⁻¹ (−1522.415±1.762 kj mol⁻¹). The standard enthalpy of formation from the oxides was found to beΔH^o₂₉₈ = −64.786±0.559 kcal mol⁻¹ (−271.065±2.339 kJ mol⁻¹).These experimentally determined data were combined with data from the literature to calculate the Gibbs energies of formation and equilibrium constants of formation over the temperature range of the literature data. The standard enthalpies of formation and Gibbs energies of formation are given as functions of temperature. The standard Gibbs energy of formation is ΔG_f,298.15⁰ = −341.705 kcal mol⁻¹ (−1429.694 kJ mol⁻¹).     

Theoretical study of omeprazole behavior: Racemization barrier and decomposition reaction

Omeprazole is a substituted benzimidazole which suppresses gastric‐acid secretion by means of H⁺, K⁺‐ATPase inhibition. It is an optically active drug with the sulfur of the sulfoxide being the chiral center. This pro‐drug can be easily converted into its respective sulfenamide at low pH. In this work, omeprazole has been studied in relation to racemization barrier and decomposition reaction. Quantum chemistry coupled to PCA chemometric method were used to find all minimum energy structures. Conformational analysis and calculation of racemization barriers were carried out by PM3 semiempirical method (Gaussian 98). The average racemization energy barrier for all minimum energy structures (43.56 kcal mol^?1) can be related to the velocity constant in Eyring's equation. The enormous half‐life time at 100°C (9.04 × 10⁴ years) indicates that the process cannot be observed in human time scale. On the other hand, the difference of free energy change (Δ(ΔG) = ?266.78 kcal mol^?1) for the decomposition reaction shows that the process is favorable to the sulfenamide formation. The highly negative Δ(ΔG) obtained for the decomposition reaction shows that this process is extremely exothermic. This result explains why omeprazole decomposes and does not racemize. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Activation of Strong Boron–Fluorine and Silicon–Fluorine σ‐Bonds: Theoretical Understanding and Prediction

The oxidative addition of BF₃ to a platinum(0) bis(phosphine) complex [Pt(PMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) was investigated by density functional calculations. Both the cis and trans pathways for the oxidative addition of BF₃ to 1 are endergonic (ΔG°=26.8 and 35.7 kcal mol^?1, respectively) and require large Gibbs activation energies (ΔG°^≠=56.3 and 38.9 kcal mol^?1, respectively). A second borane plays crucial roles in accelerating the activation; the trans oxidative addition of BF₃ to 1 in the presence of a second BF₃ molecule occurs with ΔG°^≠ and ΔG° values of 10.1 and ?4.7 kcal mol^?1, respectively. ΔG°^≠ becomes very small and ΔG° becomes negative. A charge transfer (CT), F→BF₃, occurs from the dissociating fluoride to the second non‐coordinated BF₃. This CT interaction stabilizes both the transition state and the product. The B?F σ‐bond cleavage of BF₂Ar^F (Ar^F=3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) and the B?Cl σ‐bond cleavage of BCl₃ by 1 are accelerated by the participation of the second borane. The calculations predict that trans oxidative addition of SiF₄ to 1 easily occurs in the presence of a second SiF₄ molecule via the formation of a hypervalent Si species.