Preparation and reactivity of [D3d]-octahedrane: the most stable (CH)12 hydrocarbon

The synthesis of the (CH)12 hydrocarbon [D(3d)]-octahedrane (heptacyclo[6.4.0.0(2,4).0(3,7).0(5,12).0(6,10).0(9,11)]dodecane) 1 and its selective functionalization retaining the hydrocarbon cage is described. The B3LYP/6-311+G* strain energy of 1 is 83.7 kcal mol(-1) (4.7 kcal mol(-1) per C-C bond) which is significantly higher than that of the structurally related (CH)16 [D(4d)]-decahedrane 2 (75.4 kcal mol(-1); 3.1 kcal mol(-1) per C-C bond) and (CH)20 [I(h)]-dodecahedrane 3 (51.5 kcal mol(-1); 1.7 kcal mol(-1) per C-C bond); the heats of formation for 1-3 computed according to homodesmotic equations are 52, 35, and 4 kcal mol(-1). Catalytic hydrogenation of 1 leads to consecutive opening of the two cyclopropane rings to give C2-bisseco-octahedrane (pentacyclo[6.4.0.0(2,6).0(3,11).0(4,9)]dodecane) 16 as the major product. Although 1 is highly strained, its carbon skeleton is kinetically quite stable: Upon heating, 1 does not decompose until above 180 degrees C. The B3LYP/6-31G* barriers for the S(R)2 attack of the tBuO. and Br3C. radicals on a carbon atom of one of the cyclopropane fragments (Delta(298) = 27-28 kcal mol(-1)) are higher than those for hydrogen atom abstraction. The latter barriers are virtually identical for the abstraction from the C1-H and C2-H positions with the tBuO. radical (DeltaG(298) = 17.4 and 17.9 kcal mol(-1), respectively), but significantly different for the reaction at these positions with the Br3C. radical (DeltaG(298) = 18.8 and 21.0 kcal mol(-1)). These computational results agree well with experiments, in which the chlorination of 1 with tert-butyl hypochlorite gave a mixture of 1- and 2-chlorooctahedranes (ratio 3:2). The bromination with carbon tetrabromide under phase-transfer catalytic (PTC) conditions (nBu4NBr/NaOH) selectively gave 1-bromooctahedrane in 43 % isolated yield. For comparison, the PTC bromination was also applied to 2,4-dehydroadamantane yielding 54 % 7-bromo-2,4-dehydroadamantane.     

Formation of a 1-bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl anion and an experimental determination of the acidity and C-H bond dissociation energy of 3-tert-butylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentane

Decarboxylation of 1-bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanecarboxylate anion does not afford 1-bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl anion as previously assumed. Instead, a ring-opening isomerization which ultimately leads to 1,4-pentadien-2-yl anion takes place. A 1-bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl anion was prepared nevertheless via the fluoride-induced desilylation of 1-tert-butyl-3-(trimethylsilyl)bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane. The electron affinity of 3-tert-butyl-1-bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl radical (14.8 plus minus 3.2 kcal/mol) was measured by bracketing, and the acidity of 1-tert-butylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentane (408.5 +/- 0.9) was determined by the DePuy kinetic method. These values are well-reproduced by G2 and G3 calculations and can be combined in a thermodynamic cycle to provide a bridgehead C-H bond dissociation energy (BDE) of 109.7 +/- 3.3 kcal/mol for 1-tert-butylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentane. This bond energy is the strongest tertiary C-H bond to be measured, is much larger than the corresponding bond in isobutane (96.5 +/- 0.4 kcal/mol), and is more typical of an alkene or aromatic compound. The large BDE can be explained in terms of hybridization.     

Twin-rotor system created on a [4]radialene frame

[reaction: see text] Three extended [4]radialenes with two tricyclic rings connected with exocyclic butatriene units have been synthesized. The compounds, possessing thioxanthene and dihydroanthracene moieties as the terminal substituents, show a fast rotation around the butatriene bonds at ambient temperatures (DeltaG() = 13.7 and 14.9 kcal/mol, respectively). In contrast, the fluorene-substituted analogue shows a much higher rotational barrier (DeltaG() = 17.8 kcal/mol) of the butatriene bonds due to the reduced steric repulsion between the two fluorene moieties at the ground state.     

A stable silicon congener of highly strained bicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-1,3,6-triene

A silicon-containing fused bicyclic compound with a highly strained bridgehead double bond, 2,3,6,7-tetra-tert-butyl-4-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-5-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-5-silabicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-1,3,6-triene (2), was synthesized quantitatively by the reaction of 1,2-bis-tert-butyl-4,4-bis(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-4-silatriafulvene (3) with di-tert-butylcyclopropenone (4) at 80 degrees C. An X-ray crystallographic analysis for 2 not only confirmed a bicyclic structure having a silacyclopentadiene (silole) ring fused with a silacyclobutene ring but also the remarkable deformation around the double bonds; the sum of the bond angles around the unsaturated bridgehead carbon was 333 degrees . The strain energy of a model 5-silabicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-1,3,6-triene was calculated at the MP2/6-31+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level (30.2 kcal/mol) to be comparable to that for parent bicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-1,3,6-triene (30.7 kcal/mol). Despite the high steric strain, 2 was stable enough to be kept intact for several months in the air. The high stability is ascribed to the effective steric protection of the ring system by the bulky substituents.     

Structure, strain, and degenerate rearrangement of tricyclo[2.1.0.0 1,3]pentasilane and related molecules

We theoretically investigate a highly strained tricyclic silane (tricyclo[2.1.0.0 1,3]pentasilane (4b), an isomer of pentasila[1.1.1]propellane (3b)) composed of three fused three-membered rings. The central ring is distorted. One of the fusion bonds in the central ring is shorter than the normal Si-Si single bond (2.350 A) whereas the other is as long as the fusion bonds in bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasilane (2b) (2.860 A) and 3b (2.778 A). The tricyclic silane is less strained than the carbon congener and more strained than the isomer 3b. The electron delocalization between one of the fusion bonds and the geminal Si-Si ring bonds elongates the fusion bond and stabilizes the molecules to reduce the strain. The silanes composed of the fused three-membered rings are less strained than the carbon congener. A degenerate rearrangement of a three-membered ring is predicted. The enthalpy of activation of the rearrangement of the distorted central ring is low (7.2 kcal/mol) for 4b, but appreciable (22.3 kcal/mol) for the germanium congener, tricyclo[2.1.0.0(1,3)]pentagermane (4c). We investigate the effects of the substituents on the distortion of the central three-membered ring and the degenerate rearrangement.     

Stereodynamics of 9,11-Diphenyl-10-azatetracyclo[6.3.0.0.(4,11)0.(5,9)]undecanes. Highly Restricted Nitrogen Inversion and Isolated Phenyl Rotation. X-ray Crystallographic, Dynamic NMR, and Molecular Mechanics Studies

The (1)H NMR spectra of 10-benzyl-9,11-diphenyl-10-azatetracyclo[6.3.0.0.(4,11)0.(5,9)]undecane (BnPh(2)()) and 10-methyl-9,11-diphenyl-10-azatetracyclo[6.3.0.0.(4,11)0.(5,9)]undecane (MePh(2)()) decoalesce due to slowing inversion at nitrogen and to slowing isolated bridgehead phenyl rotation. The high nitrogen inversion barriers in MePh(2)() (DeltaG() = 12.2 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol at 250 K) and BnPh(2)() (DeltaG() = 10.6 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol at 215 K) are typical of tertiary amines in which at least one C-N-C bond angle is constrained to a small value. Compared to the minuscule rotation barriers about sp(2)-sp(3) carbon-carbon bonds in simple molecular systems, the bridgehead phenyl rotation barriers in MePh(2)() (DeltaG() = 9.8 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol at 210 K) and BnPh(2)() (DeltaG() = 9.8 +/- 0.1 kcal/mol at 210 K) are unusually high. Molecular mechanics calculations (MMX force field) suggest that the origin of the high phenyl rotation barriers lies in the close passage of an o-phenyl proton and a methyl (or benzylmethylene) proton in the transition state. BnPh(2)() crystallized from hexane as white needles in the monoclinic system Pn. Unit cell dimensions are as follows: a = 12.198(1) ?, b = 6.1399(6) ?, c = 14.938(2) ?, beta = 107.470(4) degrees, V = 1067.1(2) ?(3), Z = 2. In the crystal molecular structure, the imine bridge CNC bond angle in BnPh(2)() is constrained to a small value (96 degrees ). The benzylic phenyl group is oriented gauche to the nitrogen lone pair.     

A redox-mediated molecular brake: dynamic NMR study of 2-[2-(methylthio)phenyl]isoindolin-1-one and S-oxidized counterparts

A redox-mediated molecular brake based on the sulfide-sulfoxide redox cycle is illustrated by modulation of the rotation rate of an N-Ar "shaft" by varying the oxidation state of sulfur in 2-[2-(sulfur-substituted)phenyl]isoindolin-1-ones. N-Ar rotational barriers in methylsulfinyl (2) and methylsulfonyl (3) derivatives (13.6 kcal mol(-1)) are approximately 5 kcal mol(-1) higher than sulfide 1. Rate reduction for N-Ar rotation is approximately 10(4) s(-1) (280 K) upon oxidation. Correlated N-pyramidalization/N-Ar rotation reduces the effectiveness of the brake by decreasing the energy barrier to N-Ar bond rotation.     

Dicyclobuta[de,ij]naphthalene and dicyclopenta[cd,gh]pentalene: a theoretical study

The structures, energetics, and aromatic character of dicyclobuta[de,ij]naphthalene, 1, dicyclopenta[cd,gh]pentalene, 2, dihydrodicyclobuta[de,ij]naphthalene, 3, and dihydrocyclopenta[cd,gh]pentalene, 4, have been examined at the B3LYP/6-311++G//B3LYP/6-31G level of theory. All molecules are bowl-shaped, and the pentalene isomers, 2 and 4, are most stable. A comparison with other C(12)H(6) and C(12)H(8) isomers indicates that 2 is approximately 25 kcal/mol less stable than 1,5,9-tridehydro[12]annulene and 4 is approximately 100 kcal/mol higher in energy than acenaphthylene, both of which are synthetically accessible. The transition state structure for bowl-to-bowl inversion of 1 is planar (D(2)(h)()) and lies 30.9 kcal/mol higher in energy than the ground state; the transition state for inversion of 2 is C(2)(h)() and lies 46.6 kcal/mol higher in energy. Symmetry considerations, bond length alternations, and NICS values (a magnetic criterion) all indicate that the ground states of 1, 3, and 4 are very aromatic; however, HOMA values (a measure of bond delocalization) indicate that 3S and 4S are aromatic but that 1S is less so. NICS values for the ground state of 2 strongly indicate aromaticity; however, bond localization, symmetry, and HOMA values argue otherwise.     

Oxidative reactivity difference among the metal oxo and metal hydroxo moieties: pH dependent hydrogen abstraction by a manganese(IV) complex having two hydroxide ligands

Clarifying the difference in redox reactivity between the metal oxo and metal hydroxo moieties for the same redox active metal ion in identical structures and oxidation states, that is, M(n+)O and M(n+)-OH, contributes to the understanding of nature's choice between them (M(n+)O or M(n+)-OH) as key active intermediates in redox enzymes and electron transfer enzymes, and provides a basis for the design of synthetic oxidation catalysts. The newly synthesized manganese(IV) complex having two hydroxide ligands, [Mn(Me(2)EBC)(2)(OH)(2)](PF(6))(2), serves as the prototypic example to address this issue, by investigating the difference in the hydrogen abstracting abilities of the Mn(IV)O and Mn(IV)-OH functional groups. Independent thermodynamic evaluations of the O-H bond dissociation energies (BDE(OH)) for the corresponding reduction products, Mn(III)-OH and Mn(III)-OH(2), reveal very similar oxidizing power for Mn(IV)O and Mn(IV)-OH (83 vs 84.3 kcal/mol). Experimental tests showed that hydrogen abstraction proceeds at reasonable rates for substrates having BDE(CH) values less than 82 kcal/mol. That is, no detectable reaction occurred with diphenyl methane (BDE(CH) = 82 kcal/mol) for both manganese(IV) species. However, kinetic measurements for hydrogen abstraction showed that at pH 13.4, the dominant species Mn(Me(2)EBC)(2)(O)(2), having only Mn(IV)O groups, reacts more than 40 times faster than the Mn(IV)-OH unit in Mn(Me(2)EBC)(2)(OH)(2)(2+), the dominant reactant at pH 4.0. The activation parameters for hydrogen abstraction from 9,10-dihydroanthracene were determined for both manganese(IV) moieties: over the temperature range 288-318 K for Mn(IV)(OH)(2)(2+), DeltaH(double dagger) = 13.1 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol, and DeltaS(double dagger) = -35.0 +/- 2.2 cal K(-1) mol(-1); and the temperature range 288-308 K for for Mn(IV)(O)(2), DeltaH(double dagger) = 12.1 +/- 1.8 kcal/mol, and DeltaS(double dagger) = -30.3 +/- 5.9 cal K(-1) mol(-1).     

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of H atom transfer from HMo(CO)3(eta(5)-C5H5) to Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 and (PhCN)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3: direct insertion of benzonitrile into the Mo-H bond of HMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 forming (Ph(H)C=N)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3

Synthetic studies are reported that show that the reaction of either H2SnR2 (R = Ph, n-Bu) or HMo(CO)3(Cp) (1-H, Cp = eta(5)-C5H5) with Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (2, Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2) produce HMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (2-H). The benzonitrile adduct (PhCN)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (2-NCPh) reacts rapidly with H2SnR2 or 1-H to produce the ketimide complex (Ph(H)C=N)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (2-NC(H)Ph). The X-ray crystal structures of both 2-H and 2-NC(H)Ph are reported. The enthalpy of reaction of 1-H and 2 in toluene solution has been measured by solution calorimetry (DeltaH = -13.1 +/- 0.7 kcal mol(-1)) and used to estimate the Mo-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) in 2-H as 62 kcal mol(-1). The enthalpy of reaction of 1-H and 2-NCPh in toluene solution was determined calorimetrically as DeltaH = -35.1 +/- 2.1 kcal mol(-1). This value combined with the enthalpy of hydrogenation of [Mo(CO)3(Cp)]2 (1(2)) gives an estimated value of 90 kcal mol(-1) for the BDE of the ketimide C-H of 2-NC(H)Ph. These data led to the prediction that formation of 2-NC(H)Ph via nitrile insertion into 2-H would be exothermic by approximately 36 kcal mol(-1), and this reaction was observed experimentally. Stopped flow kinetic studies of the rapid reaction of 1-H with 2-NCPh yielded DeltaH(double dagger) = 11.9 +/- 0.4 kcal mol(-1), DeltaS(double dagger) = -2.7 +/- 1.2 cal K(-1) mol(-1). Corresponding studies with DMo(CO)3(Cp) (1-D) showed a normal kinetic isotope effect with kH/kD approximately 1.6, DeltaH(double dagger) = 13.1 +/- 0.4 kcal mol(-1) and DeltaS(double dagger) = 1.1 +/- 1.6 cal K(-1) mol(-1). Spectroscopic studies of the much slower reaction of 1-H and 2 yielding 2-H and 1/2 1(2) showed generation of variable amounts of a complex proposed to be (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo-Mo(CO)3(Cp) (1-2). Complex 1-2 can also be formed in small equilibrium amounts by direct reaction of excess 2 and 1(2). The presence of 1-2 complicates the kinetic picture; however, in the presence of excess 2, the second-order rate constant for H atom transfer from 1-H has been measured: 0.09 +/- 0.01 M(-1) s(-1) at 1.3 degrees C and 0.26 +/- 0.04 M(-1) s(-1) at 17 degrees C. Study of the rate of reaction of 1-D yielded kH/kD = 1.00 +/- 0.05 consistent with an early transition state in which formation of the adduct (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo...HMo(CO)3(Cp) is rate limiting.     

Regenerable chain-breaking 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]selenophene-5-ol antioxidants

A series of 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b]selenophene-5-ol antioxidants was prepared by subjecting suitably substituted allyl 4-methoxyphenyl selenides to microwave-induced seleno-Claisen rearrangement/intramolecular Markovnikov hydroselenation followed by boron tribromide-induced O-demethylation. The novel antioxidants were assayed for their capacity to inhibit azo-initiated peroxidation of linoleic acid in a water/chlorobenzene two-phase system containing N-acetylcysteine as a thiol reducing agent in the aqueous phase. Antioxidant efficiency as determined by the inhibited rate of peroxidation, Rinh, increased with increasing methyl substitution (Rinh=46-26 microM/h), but none of the compounds could match alpha-tocopherol (Rinh=22 microM/h). Regenerability as determined by the inhibition time, Tinh, in the presence of the thiol regenerating agent decreased with increasing methyl substitution. Thus, under conditions where the unsubstituted compound 5a inhibited peroxidation for more than 320 min, alpha-tocopherol worked for 90 min and the trimethylated antioxidant 5g for 60 min only. Sampling of the aqueous phase at intervals during peroxidation using antioxidant 5a showed that N-acetylcysteine was continuously oxidized with time to the corresponding disulfide. In the absence of the regenerating agent, compounds 5 inhibited peroxidation for 50-60 min only. A (RO)B3LYP/LANL2DZdp//B3LYP/LANL2DZ model was used for the calculation of homolytic O-H bond dissociation enthalpies (BDE) and adiabatic ionization potentials (IP) of phenolic antioxidants 5. Both BDE (80.6-76.3 kcal/mol) and IP (163.2-156.0 kcal/mol) decrease with increasing methyl substitution. The phenoxyl radical corresponding to phenol 5g gave an intense ESR signal centered at g=2.0099. The H-O bond dissociation enthalpy of the phenol was determined by a radical equilibration method using BHA as an equilibration partner. The observed BDE (77.6+/-0.5 kcal/mol) is in reasonable agreement with calculations (76.3 kcal/mol). As judged by calculated log P values, the lipophilicity of compounds 5 increased slightly when methyl groups were introduced into the phenolic moiety (2.9>C log P<4.2). The capacity of compounds 5a (kinh=3.8x10(5) M-1 s-1) and 5g (kinh=1.5x10(6) M-1 s-1) to inhibit azo-initiated autoxidation of styrene in the homogeneous phase (chlorobenzene) was also studied. More efficient regeneration at the lipid-aqueous interphase is the most likely explanation why the intrinsically poorest antioxidant 5a can outperform its analogues as well as alpha-TOC in the two-phase system. Possible mechanisms of regeneration are discussed and evaluated.     

Molecular structure and internal rotation in 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroanisole as studied by gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemical calculations

The geometric structure of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroanisole and the potential function for internal rotation around the C(sp2)-O bond were determined by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantum chemical calculations. Analysis of the GED intensities with a static model resulted in near-perpendicular orientation of the O-CH3 bond relative to the benzene plane with a torsional angle around the C(sp2)-O bond of tau(C-O) = 67(15) degrees. With a dynamic model, a wide single-minimum potential for internal rotation around the C(sp2)-O bond with perpendicular orientation of the methoxy group [tau(C-O) = 90 degrees] and a barrier of 2.7 +/- 1.6 kcal/mol at planar orientation [tau(C-O) = 0 degrees] was derived. Calculated potential functions depend strongly on the computational method (HF, MP2, or B3LYP) and converge adequately only if large basis sets are used. The electronic energy curves show internal structure, with local minima appearing because of the interplay between electron delocalization, changes in the hybridization around the oxygen atom, and the attraction between the positively polarized hydrogen atoms in the methyl group and the fluorine atom at the ortho position. The internal structure of the electronic energy curves mostly disappears if zero-point energies and thermal corrections are added. The calculated free energy barrier at 298 K is 2.0 +/- 1.0 kcal/mol, in good agreement with the experimental determination.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on the thermal decomposition of heterocyclic nitrosimines

A series of substituted 2-nitrosiminobenzothiazolines (2) were synthesized by the nitrosation of the corresponding 2-iminobenzothiazolines (6). Thermal decomposition of 2a--f and of the seleno analogue 7 in methanol and of 3-methyl-2-nitrosobenzothiazoline (2a) in acetonitrile, 1,4-dioxane, and cyclohexane followed first-order kinetics. The activation parameters for thermal deazetization of 2a were measured in cyclohexane (Delta H(++) = 25.3 +/- 0.5 kcal/mol, Delta S(++) = 1.3 +/- 1.5 eu) and in methanol (Delta H(++) = 22.5 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol, Delta S(++) = -12.9 +/- 2.1 eu). These results indicate a unimolecular decomposition and are consistent with a proposed stepwise mechanism involving cyclization of the nitrosimine followed by loss of N(2). The ground-state conformations of the parent nitrosiminothiazoline (9a) and transition states for rotation around the exocyclic C==N bond, electrocyclic ring closure, and loss of N(2) were calculated using ab initio molecular orbital theory at the MP2/6-31G* level. The calculated gas-phase barrier height for the loss of N(2) from 9a (25.2 kcal/mol, MP4(SDQ, FC)/6-31G*//MP2/6-31G* + ZPE) compares favorably with the experimental barrier for 2a of 25.3 kcal/mol in cyclohexane. The potential energy surface is unusual; the rotational transition state 9a-rot-ts connects directly to the orthogonal transition state for ring-closure 9aTS. The decoupling of rotational and pseudopericyclic bond-forming transition states is contrasted with the single pericyclic transition state (15TS) for the electrocyclic ring-opening of oxetene (15) to acrolein (16). For comparison, the calculated homolytic strength of the N--NO bond is 40.0 kcal/mol (MP4(SDQ, FC)/6-31G*//MP2/6-31G* + ZPE).     

MINDO-SCF-MO-berechnung der cis-trans-isomerisierung von N-methyl- und N-phenylazomethin

MINDO/2-SCF-MO calculations for the ground state properties of N-methyl- and N-phenyl-azomethin have been carried out. The calculated rotation barrier for the methyl group in N-methyl-azomethin was 0·8 kcal/mol, the eclipsed conformation being most stable. The calculated rotation barrier about the CN bond in the protonated methylazomethin was 27·9 kcal/mol. MINDO/1-SCF-MO treatment for the N-inversion barrier of the unprotonated species yielded 13·00 kcal/mol. Similar MINDO/2 calculations for N-phenylazomethin yielded 4·0 kcal/mol for the rotation barrier of the phenyl ring around the CN= bond, the perpendicular conformation of the ring to the CNC plane being most stable. For the corresponding N protonated derivative the value 27·3 kcal/mol was calculated for the rotation barrier around the CN bond. MINDO/1 treatment yielded an inversion barrier of 14·0 kcal/mol for N-phenylazomethin.     

Theoretical prediction of the heats of formation of C2H5O* radicals derived from ethanol and of the kinetics of beta-C-C scission in the ethoxy radical

Thermochemical parameters of three C(2)H(5)O* radicals derived from ethanol were reevaluated using coupled-cluster theory CCSD(T) calculations, with the aug-cc-pVnZ (n = D, T, Q) basis sets, that allow the CC energies to be extrapolated at the CBS limit. Theoretical results obtained for methanol and two CH(3)O* radicals were found to agree within +/-0.5 kcal/mol with the experiment values. A set of consistent values was determined for ethanol and its radicals: (a) heats of formation (298 K) DeltaHf(C(2)H(5)OH) = -56.4 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol (exptl: -56.21 +/- 0.12 kcal/mol), DeltaHf(CH(3)C*HOH) = -13.1 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol, DeltaHf(C*H(2)CH(2)OH) = -6.2 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol, and DeltaHf(CH(3)CH(2)O*) = -2.7 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol; (b) bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of ethanol (0 K) BDE(CH(3)CHOH-H) = 93.9 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol, BDE(CH(2)CH(2)OH-H) = 100.6 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol, and BDE(CH(3)CH(2)O-H) = 104.5 +/- 0.8 kcal/mol. The present results support the experimental ionization energies and electron affinities of the radicals, and appearance energy of (CH(3)CHOH+) cation. Beta-C-C bond scission in the ethoxy radical, CH(3)CH2O*, leading to the formation of C*H3 and CH(2)=O, is characterized by a C-C bond energy of 9.6 kcal/mol at 0 K, a zero-point-corrected energy barrier of E0++ = 17.2 kcal/mol, an activation energy of Ea = 18.0 kcal/mol and a high-pressure thermal rate coefficient of k(infinity)(298 K) = 3.9 s(-1), including a tunneling correction. The latter value is in excellent agreement with the value of 5.2 s(-1) from the most recent experimental kinetic data. Using RRKM theory, we obtain a general rate expression of k(T,p) = 1.26 x 10(9)p(0.793) exp(-15.5/RT) s(-1) in the temperature range (T) from 198 to 1998 K and pressure range (p) from 0.1 to 8360.1 Torr with N2 as the collision partners, where k(298 K, 760 Torr) = 2.7 s(-1), without tunneling and k = 3.2 s(-1) with the tunneling correction. Evidence is provided that heavy atom tunneling can play a role in the rate constant for beta-C-C bond scission in alkoxy radicals.     

Synthesis and Chemistry of Bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-1,6-ene

Bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-1,6-ene has been generated by elimination of 1-chloro-2-(trimethysilyl)bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane in the gas phase over solid fluoride at 25 degrees C. The cyclopropene dimerizes by a rapid ene reaction forming two diastereomeric cyclopropenes. In tetrahydrofuran or chloroform the ene dimers couple to form a single crystalline triene tetramer, whereas a mixture of tricyclohexane tetramers is formed when the neat dimers are allowed to warm to room temperature. Oxidation by dimethyldioxirane or dioxygen gives carbonyl products. Quantum mechanical calculations yielded an increase in strain of approximately 17 kcal/mol over that for 1,2-dimethylcyclopropene. The potential enegy barrier to flexing (folding) along the fused double bond of bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-1,6-ene is only approximately 1 kcal/mol at the highest level of theory investigated.     

Conformational preferences and internal rotation in alkyl- and phenyl-substituted thiourea derivatives

Potential energy surfaces (PES) for rotation about the N-C(sp(3)) or N-C(aryl) bond and energies of stationary points on PES for rotation about the C(sp(2))-N bond are reported for methylthiourea, ethylthiourea, isopropylthiourea, tert-butylthiourea, and phenylurea, using the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ method. Analysis of alkylthioureas shows that conformations, with alkyl groups cis to the sulfur atom, are more stable (by 0.4-1.5 kcal/mol) than the trans forms. All minima adopt anti configurations with respect to nitrogen pyramidalization, whereas syn configurations are not stationary points on the MP2 potential surface. In contrast, analysis of phenylthiourea reveals that a trans isomer in a syn geometry is the global minimum, whereas a cis isomer in an anti geometry is a local minimum with a relative energy of 2.7 kcal/mol. Rotation about the C(sp(2))-N bond in alkyl and phenyl thioureas is slightly more hindered (9.1-10.2 kcal/mol) than the analogous motion in the unsubstituted molecule (8.6 kcal/mol). The maximum barriers to rotation for the methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, and phenyl substituents are predicted to be 1.2, 8.9, 8.6, 5.3, and 0.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Corresponding PESs are consistent with the experimental dihedral angle distribution observed in crystal structures. The results of the electronic structure calculations are used to benchmark the performance of the MMFF94 force field. Systematic discrepancies between MMFF94 and MP2 results were improved by modification of selected torsion parameters and one of the van der Waals parameters for sulfur.     

Theoretical study of the [1,3]-prototropic rearrangements of oximes and their ethers

In the framework of the MP2/6-311++G**//RHF/6-31G* ab initio approach we investigated the structure and relative stability of the imine (-CHR-CH=N-) and enamine (-CR=CH-NH-) forms of the simplest imines, oximes, and their ethers. Although the enamine form is unstable, double bond migration R₂CH-CH=N-→ R₂C=CH-NH-is often regarded as one of the stages of a series of reactions that take place in superbasic media, in particular, synthesis of pyrroles from ketoximes and acetylene. For isomerization of E-ethaneimine CH₃-CH=NH to vinylamine CH₂=CH-NH₂, calculations predict an increase of 4.3 kcal/mol in energy. A close value (4.8 kcal/mol) was obtained for the energy of isomerization of ketimine (CH₃)₂C=NH to 2-aminopropene. The methyl group in CH₃-CH=CH-NH₂ stabilizes the neighboring double bond, and the transformation of E-propane-1-imine into E-and Z-aminoprop-1-ene is accompanied by an increase of 2.8 kcal/mol in energy. After the transition from imines to oximes, the enamine form is drastically destabilized. The highly endothermal character of the CH₃-CH=NOH → CH₂=CH-NHOH rearrangement (16.4 kcal/mol) is retained from acetaldoxime to its methyl ether and decreases by only 1.0 kcal/mol for the isomerization reaction of the vinyl ether of acetaldoxime to N,O-divinylhydroxylamine. These rearrangements are thermodynamically unfavorable probably because of the increased negative charge on the nitrogen atom and, as a consequence, destabilization of the N-O bond.     

10]Annulene: bond shifting and conformational mechanisms for automerization

We report density-functional and coupled-cluster calculations on conformation change and degenerate bond shifting in [10]annulene isomers 1-5. At the CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//CCSD/6-31G level, conversion of the twist (1) to the heart (2) has a barrier of 10.1 kcal/mol, compared to Ea = 16.2 kcal/mol for degenerate "two-twist" bond shifting in 1. Pseudorotation in the all-cis boat isomer (3) proceeds with a negligible barrier. The naphthalene-like isomer 4 has a 3.9 kcal/mol barrier to degenerate bond shifting. The azulene-like isomer 5 is the only species for which the nature of the bond-equalized form (5-eq) depends on the method. At the CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//CCSD/6-31G level, 5-eq is 1.2 kcal/mol more stable than the bond-alternating form 5-alt. Conversion of 5-eq to 4 has a barrier of 12.6 kcal/mol. Despite being significantly nonplanar, both 5-eq and the transition state for bond shifting in 4 are highly aromatic based on magnetic susceptibility exaltations. On the basis of a detailed consideration of these mechanisms and barriers, we can now, with greater confidence, rule out 4 and 5 as candidates to explain the NMR spectra observed by Masamune. Our results support Masamune's original assignments for both isolated isomers.