Does CH prefer a C2v rather than a Cs structure?

The closely related C_s ( 1 ) and C_2v ( 3 ) structures of CH have been reinvestigated at many ab initio levels using MP2/6-31G** and MP2/6-311 + + G(2df, 2pd) geometries. The largest basis sets employed were 6-311G(3df, 2p), 6-311 + + G(3df, 3pd), and the Dunning “correlation consistent” polarized triple-split valence basis set (cc-pVTZ). Electron correlation was probed at the MP4 level, but the QCISD method was also used with the largest basis sets. While electron correlation favors 3 over 1 by about 2 kcal/mol, the correlated relative energies with all basis sets employed range from 0.36–1.03 kcal/mol in favor of 1 . The best estimate of this difference, 0.86 kcal/mol, is essentially identical with the (scaled) zero-point energy difference, 0.84 kcal/mol, favoring 3 over 1 . These results indicate that 1 and 3 have almost exactly the same energy at 0 K. Our best value for the dissociation energy of CH is 42.0 kcal/mol [QCISD(T)/6-311 + + G(3df, 3pd)//MP2(fu)/6-311 + + G(2df, 2pd), corrected to 298 K], which agrees very well with the experimental value. © 1992 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Photoionization of Naphthalene and Anthracene in Acetonitrile

Naphthalene and anthracene undergo a monophotonic ionization process in MeCN to produce the radical cations in low quantum yields (around 0.06 for anthracene). This reaction originates from the relaxed singlet excited state S₁, and it is not due to traces of H₂O in the solvent.     

Calculation of enthalpies of hydrogenation of hydrocarbons

Sets of hydrogen molecule equivalents have been developed which permit the calculation of hydrogenation of different types of carbon-carbon bonds from ab initio total energies (3-21G and 6-31G* basis sets, and, to a more limited extent, for MP2/6-31G* data) of reactants and products. The calculated enthalpies of hydrogenation are in good agreement with experiment for unstrained molecules, with average errors on the order of 2 kcal/mol. The 6-31G* equivalents allow the enthalpies for strained molecules to be calculated accurately, but the 3-21G equivalents do not. The equivalents for both basis sets have been tested by calculating the enthalpies of hydrogenation of carbon-carbon bonds in nitrogen- and oxygen-containing organic molecules, free radicals, and classical carbocations. The results are in good agreement with experiment in most cases.     

A Torquospecific 1,5-Electrocyclization

Saponification of homodiazepine 1a and 1b , in the absence of any proton donors, led to the formation of the 6π electron anionic species A which, by virtue of a 1,5-electrocyclization, is in equilibrium with the allylic anion B . This latter tricyclic species is thermodynamically less favoured than its bicyclic isomer A . Nevertheless, B could be trapped by acylation and led tupe- 2 compounds which are the major reaction products. This is due to the fact that B is more nucleophilic and, therefore, much more reactive than A . The transoid topology of the tricyclic products 2 was demonstrated by ¹H-NMR and by an X-ray diagram of 2d . The transoid geometry of 2 is a consequence of a torquospecific 1,5-electrocyclization (of A ), which is due to a steric, and possibly even to an electronic factor.     

Spatially Directed Pyrolysis via Thermally Morphing Surface Adducts

Combustion is often difficult to spatially direct or tune associated kinetics—hence a run-away reaction. Coupling pyrolytic chemical transformation to mass transport and reaction rates (Damköhler number), however, we spatially directed ignition with concomitant switch from combustion to pyrolysis (low oxidant). A ‘surface-then-core’ order in ignition, with concomitant change in burning rate,is therefore established. Herein, alkysilanes grafted onto cellulose fibers are pyrolyzed into non-flammable SiO₂ terminating surface ignition propagation, hence stalling flame propagating. Sustaining high temperatures, however, triggers ignition in the bulk of the fibers but under restricted gas flow (oxidant and/or waste) hence significantly low rate of ignition propagation and pyrolysis compared to open flame (Liñán's equation). This leads to inside-out thermal degradation and, with felicitous choice of conditions, formation of graphitic tubes. Given the temperature dependence, imbibing fibers with an exothermically oxidizing synthon (MnCl₂) or a heat sink (KCl) abets or inhibits pyrolysis leading to tuneable wall thickness. We apply this approach to create magnetic, paramagnetic, or oxide containing carbon fibers. Given the surface sensitivity, we illustrate fabrication of nm- and μm-diameter tubes from appropriately sized fibers.     

Not So Innocent After All: Interfacial Chemistry Determines Charge-Transport Efficiency in Single-Molecule Junctions

Most studies in molecular electronics focus on altering the molecular wire backbone to tune the electrical properties of the whole junction. However, it is often overlooked that the chemical structure of the groups anchoring the molecule to the metallic electrodes influences the electronic structure of the whole system and, therefore, its conductance. We synthesised electron-accepting dithienophosphole oxide derivatives and fabricated their single-molecule junctions. We found that the anchor group has a dramatic effect on charge-transport efficiency: in our case, electron-deficient 4-pyridyl contacts suppress conductance, while electron-rich 4-thioanisole termini promote efficient transport. Our calculations show that this is due to minute changes in charge distribution, probed at the electrode interface. Our findings provide a framework for efficient molecular junction design, especially valuable for compounds with strong electron withdrawing/donating backbones.     

Copper Complexes with Diazoolefin Ligands and their Photochemical Conversion into Alkenylidene Complexes

Homometallic copper complexes with alkenylidene ligands are discussed as intermediates in catalysis but the isolation of such complexes has remained elusive. Herein, we report the structural characterization of copper complexes with bridging and terminal alkenylidene ligands. The compounds were obtained by irradiation of Cu^I complexes with N-heterocyclic diazoolefin ligands. The complex with a terminal alkenylidene ligand required isolation in a crystalline matrix, and its structural characterization was enabled by in crystallo photolysis at low temperature.     

Co-Catalyzed Metal-Ligand Cooperative Approach for N-alkylation of Amines and Synthesis of Quinolines via Dehydrogenative Alcohol Functionalization

Herein we report a cobalt-catalyzed sustainable approach for C−N cross-coupling reaction between amines and alcohols. Using a well-defined Co-catalyst 1 a bearing 2-(phenyldiazenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline ligand, various N-alkylated amines were synthesized in good yields. 1 a efficiently alkylates diamines producing N, N′-dialkylated amines in good yields and showed excellent chemoselectivity when oleyl alcohol and β-citronellol, containing internal carbon-carbon double bond were used as alkylating agents. 1 a is equally compatible with synthesizing N-heterocycles via dehydrogenative coupling of amines and alcohols. 1H-Indole was synthesized via an intramolecular dehydrogenative N-alkylation reaction, and various substituted quinolines were synthesized by coupling of 2-aminobenzyl alcohol and secondary alcohols. A few control reactions and spectroscopic experiments were conducted to illuminate the plausible reaction mechanism, indicating that the 1 a -catalyzed N-alkylation proceeds through the borrowing hydrogen pathway. The coordinated arylazo ligand participates actively throughout the reaction; the hydrogen eliminated during dehydrogenation of alcohols was set aside in the ligand backbone and subsequently gets transferred in the reductive amination step to imine intermediates yielding N-alkylated amines. On the other hand, 1 a -catalyzed quinoline synthesis proceeds through dehydrogenation followed by successive C−C and C−N coupling steps forming H₂O₂ as a by-product under air.