PM3 semi-empirical study of stereoelectronic effects in the Baeyer-Villiger reaction

The Baeyer-Villiger reaction of polymethoxybenzaldehydes with peroxysuccinic acid (PSA) is studied theoretically. The semi-empirical SCF-MO/PM3 method has been used to study the reaction and to calculate the energy profiles. In addition, heat of formation computations and bond order analyses of the transition species along the reaction coordinates have been performed and are interpreted qualitatively in terms of electron flow through the system during aryl migration. Our results support the hypothesis that the second step is a concerted reaction. Our data support a definite effect of the substituent on the aryl migration. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with experimental results.     

Template-Reaktion von Bis(acetylacetonato)-dioxo-molybdän(VI) mit Benzoylhydrazin

Template Reaction of Bis(acetylacetonato)-dioxo-molybdenum(VI) with Benzoylhydrazone By reaction of bis(acetylacetonato)-dioxo-molybdenum(VI) with benzoylhydrazine benzoylhydrazido(2?)-acetylacetonebenzoylhydrazonato(2?)-oxo-molybdenum(VI) was formed beside another species. The compound was characterized by mass spectrometry and X-ray structural analysis. Crystallographic data see ?Inhaltsübersicht”?.     

An algorithm for determining dynamically defined reaction paths (DDRP)

Summary A numerically stable and well-parallelizable curve variational algorithm is described for determining tangent curves of vector fields between two given stationary points. In particular, the method is suitable for finding reaction paths and saddle points on potential energy hypersurfaces (PHS). The stability of the procedure is illustrated by an artificial mathematical function, showing phases of following the reaction on the PHS.Dedicated to Professor Zoltán G. Szabó, the great teacher and scientist in reaction kinetics and in many other fields of physical chemistry, on his 84th birthday.     

Formation of Tertiary 3-Nitro Allylic Alcohol by Condensation of 2-Chloroiso- butyrophenone with Nitromethanide Anion: Estimation of Gibbs Free Enthalpies of Reaction in Solution for the Reaction Mechanism [1]

Summary. The reaction of 2-chloroisobutyrophenones and nitromethanide anion gives stereoselectively (E)-3-nitro allylic alcohols. The Gibbs free enthalpies of reaction in DMSO for carbanion addition, epoxide formation, and rearrangement to 3-nitro allylic alcohol, as elementary steps for the reaction, were estimated from corresponding neutral gas reactions and using a thermodynamical approach to the transfer of gaseous compounds to DMSO. A criterion for assigning the sign of affinity of liquid compounds to DMSO was developed on the basis of the Gibbs enthalpies of liquefaction. The information obtained on reaction rate and thermodynamic viability of the steps indicates that carbanion addition is the rate-determining step.In memory of Prof. Dr. M. Ballester, deceased on April 6, 2005     

2，2＇－偶氮二异丁酸二甲酯的合成及其热分解反应的研究

本文研究了２，２＇－偶氮二异丁酸二甲酯的合成及其在甲苯、二甲苯中的热分解反应动力学，得到了其热分解反应速度常数与反应温度的关系式：Ｋ＿ｄ＝１．６３×１００￣（－１４）ｅｘｐ（－１２３．３ＫＪ／ＲＴ）２，２＇－偶氮二异丁酸二甲酯作为苯乙烯自由基聚合的引发剂，其单体转化率随引发剂用量的增加而增高，产物分子量则随之下降；引发剂用量在５％以上时，可得到分子量低于１０￣３的含有酯基端基的聚合物。     

Hydrogen–hydrogen bonding in biphenyl revisited

The evidence for the stabilizing nature of the H–H bonding in planar biphenyl is succinctly reviewed. The stabilizing nature of the H–H bonding is revealed through a comparison of the atomic energy of every atom in planar biphenyl with the same atom in the twisted equilibrium structure. It is shown that the barrier to rotation via the planar transition state is the net resultant of a stabilisation of the four ortho-hydrogen atoms (by 8 kcal/mol each), a stabilisation of the two para-carbon atoms (by 3 kcal/mol each) and by the dominant destabilisation of the two carbon atoms joining the two rings—the two junction carbon atoms—(by 22 kcal/mol each). The energetic stabilisation of the four ortho-hydrogen atoms is further shown to be in large proportion due to the formation of the hydrogen–hydrogen interatomic surface. Furthermore, neither the “bond order” between the two junction carbon atoms nor the total electron delocalisation between the two rings exhibit a significant change in going from the planar to the twisted equilibrium geometry. These findings are in contrast with the classical view of a balance between “steric non-bonded repulsion” and better electron delocalisation as a function of the twist dihedral angle. Similar conclusions have been recently reached by Pacios and Gómez through a study of the electrostatic potential at the position of the hydrogen nuclei. We dedicate this article to Professor TM Krygowski on the occasion of his 70th birthday wishing him a long and productive life.     

Atomic radical—molecule reactions F + CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>C≡CH: mechanistic study

The reaction of atomic radical F with propyne has been studied theoretically using ab initio quantum chemistry methods and transition state theory. The potential energy surface was calculated at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ (single-point) level using the UMP2/6-311++G(d,p) optimized structures. Two reaction mechanisms including the addition–isomerization–elimination reaction mechanism and the directed hydrogen abstraction reaction mechanism are considered. For the hydrogen abstraction reactions, i.e., the most probable evolution pathway in the title reaction, the HF formation occurs via direct abstraction mechanism dominantly and the H atom picked up by the atomic radical F should come mostly from the methyl group of normal propyne. On the other hand, for the addition–isomerization–elimination mechanism, the most feasible pathway should be the atomic radical F attacking on the C≡C triple bond in propyne (CH₃C≡CH) to form a weakly-bound adduct A1 with no barrier, followed by F addition to the C≡C triple bond to form the low-lying intermediate isomer 5. Subsequently, isomer 5 directly dissociates to P3 H₂CCCHF + H via transition state TS₅/P3. The other reaction pathways on the doublet PES are less competitive due to thermodynamical or kinetic factors. Furthermore, based on the analysis of the kinetics of all channels through which the addition and abstraction reaction proceed, we expect that the competitive power of reaction channels may vary with experimental conditions for the title reaction. The present work will provide useful information for understanding the processes of atomic radical F reaction with other unsaturated hydrocarbons. This material is available from author via E-mail.     

Ab initio and DFT calculations on the initial step in thiamin catalysis

The diphosphate ester (ThDP) of thiamin (vitamin B₁) is an important cofactor of enzymes within the carbohydrate metabolism. The initial reaction step shared by all ThDP-dependent enzymes is the deprotonation of the C2–H of the thiazolium ring. The replacement of the 4′-amino group by a hydroxyl one in the pyrimidine ring leads to the oxy-ThDP analogue which is known as an antagonist in thiamin catalysis.

Ab initio and DFT calculations on the MP2/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G* level were performed to study the proton relay function in thiamin and oxythiamin systems. Both MP2 and B3LYP calculations show significant differences of the reaction coordinate of the ylide formation in the systems. Tautomers, protonated and deprotonated species of both systems show different trends regarding their stability. The influence of correlation effects on the results is discussed by comparison with the HF-SCF/6-31G* data. Frequency calculations on the B3LYP/6-31G* level were performed to characterize the minima and transition state structures, respectively.     

Electrochemical behaviour of some polyoxo clusters

We describe the redox behaviour in non-aqueous solvents of some cyclopentadienyl(oxo)titanium derivatives. The derivative [Ti₄{η⁵-C₅H₄(SiMe₃)}₄(μ-O)₆] shows an electrochemically and chemically reversible le reduction process, followed by a multi-electron, chemically complicated reduction at a fairly cathodic potential. On the basis of the overall electrochemical features and the comparison with the redox behaviour of the quasi-planar compound [[Ti{η⁵-C₅H₄(SiMe₃)}Cl(μ-O)]₄] we propose an EECCEE mechanism for the first derivative, where the second electron-transfer induces a cascade of chemical reactions giving rise to irreversible cluster breakdown. The electrochemically induced fragmentation can be viewed as a retrosynthetic pathway. The heterometallic derivative [{Ti(η⁵-C₅H₄Me)₂(μ₂-MoO₄)₂}₂] shows two consecutive reduction processes; the first is chemically reversible, and the second quasi-reversible. The molybdate bridges apparently increase the stability of the electrogenerated anions. However none of these poly-oxo clusters can be considered as good models of electron ‘sinks’.     

Hetero-Diels-Alder reaction of some 1,3-diaza-1,3-butadienes with ketenes. Synthesis of functionalized pyrimido[1,2-b]-benzothiazoles and 1,3,4-thiadiazolo-[3,2-a]pyrimidines

Summary Reaction of 1,3-diaza-1,3-butadienes (1a–c) with various ketenes and chloroketenes results in the formation of substituted 4-oxo-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazoles (4a–d) and 1,3,4-thiadiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimido-4-ones (4e,f). Reaction of 1,3-diaza-1,3-butadienes1d,e with ketenes and chloroketenes leads to the 2-morpholine-substituted compounds7 and15, respectively. All reactions proceedvia formation of [4+2] cycloadducts that eliminate methylthiol, methylsulfenyl chloride, or morpholine.

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Hetero-Diels-Alder-Reaktion einiger 1,3-Diaza-1,3-butadiene mit Ketenen. Synthese funktionalisierter Pyrimido[1,2-b]benzothiazole und 1,3,4-Thiadiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidine

Zusammenfassung Die Reaktion der 1,3-Diaza-1,3-butadiene1a–c mit verschiedenen Ketenen und Chlorketenen führt zu substituierten 4-Oxo-pyrimido[2,1-b]benzothiazolen (4a–d) und 1,3,4-Thiadiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimido-4-onen(4e,f). Die 1,3-Diaza-1,3-butadiene1d,e ergeben mit Ketenen und Chlorketenen die 2-Morpholin-substituierten Verbindungen7 und15. Alle Reaktionen verlaufen über [4+2]-Cycloaddukte, die Methylthiol, Methylsulfenylchlorid oder Morpholin eliminieren.