Calculation of absolute molecular entropies and heat capacities made simple

We propose a fully-automated composite scheme for the accurate and numerically stable calculation of molecular entropies by efficiently combining density-functional theory (DFT), semi-empirical methods (SQM), and force-field (FF) approximations. The scheme is systematically expandable and can be integrated seamlessly with continuum-solvation models. Anharmonic effects are included through the modified rigid-rotor-harmonic-oscillator (msRRHO) approximation and the Gibbs–Shannon formula for extensive conformer ensembles (CEs), which are generated by a metadynamics search algorithm and are extrapolated to completeness. For the first time, variations of the ro-vibrational entropy over the CE are consistently accounted-for through a Boltzmann-population average. Extensive tests of the protocol with the two standard DFT approaches B97-3c and B3LYP-D3 reveal an unprecedented accuracy with mean deviations <1 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ (about <1–2%) for the total gas phase molecular entropy of medium-sized molecules. Even for the hardship case of extremely flexible linear alkanes (C₁₄H₃₀–C₁₆H₃₄), errors are only about 3 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Comprehensive tests indicate a relatively strong variation of the conformational entropy on the underlying level of theory for typical drug molecules, inferring the complex potential energy surfaces as the main source of error. Furthermore, we show some application examples for the calculation of free energy differences in typical chemical reactions.

A novel scheme for the automated calculation of the conformational entropy together with a modified thermostatistical treatment provides entropies with unprecedented accuracy even for large, complicated molecules.     

Orthoesters versus 2-O-acyl glycosides as glycosyl donors: theorectical and experimental studies

n-Pentenyl orthoesters (NPOEs) undergo routine acid catalyzed rearrangement into 2-O-acyl n-pentenyl glycosides (NPGs). The reactant and product can both function as glycosyl donors affording 1,2-trans linked glycosides predominantly. However, both donors differ in their rates of reactions, the yields they produce, and the nature of their byproducts, indicating that the NPOE/NPG pair may not be reacting through the same intermediates. We have therefore applied quantum chemical calculations using DFT methods and MP second order perturbation theory to learn more about orthoesters and their 2-O-acyl glycosidic counterparts. The calculations show that in the case of a manno NPG and NPOE pair, each donor goes initially to a different cationic intermediate. Thus, the former goes to a high-energy oxocarbenium ion before descending to a trioxolenium ion in which the charge is distributed over the pyrano ring oxygen, as well as the carbonyl and ether oxygen atoms of the putative C2 ester. On the other hand, ionization of the NPOE produces a dioxolenium ion lying slightly above the more stable trioxolenium counterpart. For the gluco pair, the NPG also goes to a very high-energy oxocarbenium ion, which also descends to a trioxolenium ion. However, unlike the manno analogue, the gluco NPOE does not give a dioxolenium ion; indeed, the dioxolenium is not energetically distinguishable from the trioxolenium counterpart. The theoretical observations have been tested experimentally. Thus, it was found that with manno derivatives, the orthoester is a more reactive donor than the corresponding NPG donor, whereas, for gluco derivatives, there is no advantage to using one over the other, unless one resorts to carefully selected promoters.     

Stereochemical Behavior of Pairs of P-stereogenic Phosphanyl Groups at the Dimethylxanthene Backbone

The P-stereogenic bis(phosphanes) 7 and 9 , featuring pairs of P(Mes)-ethynyl or vinyl substituents at the dimethyl xanthene backbone show rather low barriers of stereochemical inversion at phosphorus. π-Conjugative effects are probably causing these low inversion barriers. Compound 7 reacted with B(C₆F₅)₃ to form the nine-membered heterocyclic product 10 , featuring a [P]−C≡C−B(C₆F₅)₃ substituent. Compound 7 was converted to the bis[P(Mes)vinyl] xanthene derivative 9 , which gave the zwitterionic P(H)(Mes)−CH=CH−B(C₆F₅)₃ containing product 16 upon treatment with B(C₆F₅)₃. Thermally induced epimerization barriers at phosphorus of ca. 20 to 27 kcal mol⁻¹ were calculated by DFT for the alkenyl- and alkynyl-P derived systems 6 to 9 , 15 and 16 and experimentally determined for the examples 7 and 16 .     

Mechanistic Study of the Titanocene(III)‐Catalyzed Radical Arylation of Epoxides

An atom‐economical and catalytic arylation of epoxide‐derived radicals is described. The key step of the catalytic system is a sequential electron and proton transfer for the rearomatization of the radical σ‐complex and catalyst regeneration. Kinetic, computational, spectroscopic, and cyclovoltammetric investigations highlight the key issues of the reaction mechanism and catalyst stabilization by collidine hydrochloride. Studies employing radicophiles rule out the participation of cations as reactive intermediates.