Gas-phase structures and mass spectra of binary pentafluorides

Most known non-radioactive pentafluorides have been examined by molecular-beam mass spectrometry and by the deflection of molecular beams in inhomogeneous electric fields. Extensive association of the vapors occurs for all but the lighter pentafluorides and the interhalogens. The interhalogen pentafluorides are strongly polar, consistent with the accepted C_4v symmetry. The transition-metal and Group V pentafluorides are all non-polar, except VF₅ and CrF₅ for which temperature-dependent polarity is observed. However, uncertainty exists as to whether these observations are applicable to monomeric pentafluorides in all cases. Mass-spectral cracking patterns are presented for all species.     

7-azasteroid analogues—I

Although 7-methoxy- and 6,7-dimethoxy-2-methyl-4-vinyl-isocarbostyrils could not be isolated and characterised, they have been generated in situ and shown to undergo cyclo-addition reactions with typical dienophiles. The enol acetate of 2-methyl-4-acetylisocarbostyril has also been trapped as its adduct with maleic anhydride and with p-benzoquinone.     

The mechanism of the rearrangement of 1-benzyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines: some criticisms answered

The rearrangement of 2-methyl-1,2-dihydropapaverine (1a) to the corresponding 2-methyl-3-benzyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolinium ion (3a) has been shown to be a second order rate process with an unusually high entropy of activation. These data, together with an analysis of the orbital symmetry requirements, have been shown to be consistent with the previously proposed double exchange mechanism for this reaction.     

Ab initio calculations on SF2 and its low-lying cationic states: anharmonic Franck-Condon simulation of the UV photoelectron spectrum of SF2

Geometry optimization calculations were carried out on the (approximate)X(1)A(1) state of SF2 and the (approximate)X(2)B(1), (approximate)A(2)A(1), (approximate)B(2)B(2), (approximate)C(2)B(2), (approximate)D(2)A(1), and (approximate)E(2)A(2) states of SF2(+) employing the restricted-spin coupled-cluster single-double plus perturbative triple excitation [RCCSD(T)] method and basis sets of up to the augmented correlation-consistent polarized quintuple-zeta [aug-cc-pV(5+d)Z] quality. Effects of core electron (S 2s(2)2p(6) and F 1s(2) electrons) correlation and basis set extension to the complete basis set limit on the computed minimum-energy geometries and relative electronic energies (adiabatic and vertical ionization energies) were investigated. RCCSD(T) potential energy functions (PEFs) were calculated for the (approximate)X(1)A(1) state of SF2 and the low-lying states of SF2(+) listed above employing the aug-cc-pV(5+d)Z and aug-cc-pV5Z basis sets for S and F, respectively. Anharmonic vibrational wave functions of these neutral and cationic states of SF2, and Franck-Condon (FC) factors of the lowest four one-electron allowed neutral photoionizations were computed employing the RCCSD(T) PEFs. Calculated FC factors with allowance for Duschinsky rotation and anharmonicity were used to simulate the first four photoelectron bands of SF2. The agreement between the simulated and observed first bands in the He I photoelectron spectrum reported by de Leeuw et al. [Chem. Phys. 34, 287 (1978)] is excellent. Our calculations largely support assignments made by de Leeuw et al. on the higher ionization energy bands of SF2.     

Direct measurement of Criegee intermediate (CH2OO) reactions with acetone, acetaldehyde, and hexafluoroacetone

Criegee biradicals, i.e., carbonyl oxides, are critical intermediates in ozonolysis and have been implicated in autoignition chemistry and other hydrocarbon oxidation systems, but until recently the direct measurement of their gas-phase kinetics has not been feasible. Indirect determinations of Criegee intermediate kinetics often rely on the introduction of a scavenger molecule into an ozonolysis system and analysis of the effects of the scavenger on yields of products associated with Criegee intermediate reactions. Carbonyl species, in particular hexafluoroacetone (CF(3)COCF(3)), have often been used as scavengers. In this work, the reactions of the simplest Criegee intermediate, CH(2)OO (formaldehyde oxide), with three carbonyl species have been measured by laser photolysis/tunable synchrotron photoionization mass spectrometry. Diiodomethane photolysis produces CH(2)I radicals, which react with O(2) to yield CH(2)OO + I. The formaldehyde oxide is reacted with a large excess of a carbonyl reactant and both the disappearance of CH(2)OO and the formation of reaction products are monitored. The rate coefficient for CH(2)OO + hexafluoroacetone is k(1) = (3.0 ± 0.3) × 10(-11) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), supporting the use of hexafluoroacetone as a Criegee-intermediate scavenger. The reactions with acetaldehyde, k(2) = (9.5 ± 0.7) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), and with acetone, k(3) = (2.3 ± 0.3) × 10(-13) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1), are substantially slower. Secondary ozonides and products of ozonide isomerization are observed from the reactions of CH(2)OO with acetone and hexafluoroacetone. Their photoionization spectra are interpreted with the aid of quantum-chemical and Franck-Condon-factor calculations. No secondary ozonide was observable in the reaction of CH(2)OO with acetaldehyde, but acetic acid was identified as a product under the conditions used (4 Torr and 293 K).