Acidic aqueous decomposition of thiocyanogen

The aqueous reaction of acidic Cl2 with excess SCN- rapidly generates a UV-absorbing intermediate identified as an equilibrium mixture of thiocyanogen, (SCN)2, and trithiocyanate, (SCN)3(-). The decomposition of this mixture can be described as 3(SCN)2 + 4H2O --> 5HSCN + H2SO4 + HCN. Under our conditions the decomposition is sufficiently slow that its kinetics can be studied using standard stopped-flow methodology. Over the pH range 0-2 the decomposition rate law is -d[(SCN)2]/dt = (3/2)[k(disp)K(hyd)2[(SCN)2]2/([SCN-]2[H+]2 + K(SCN)3-[SCN-]3[H+]2 + K(hyd)[SCN-][H+])] with K(SCN)3(-) = 0.43 +/- 0.29 M(-1), K(hyd) = (5.66 +/- 0.77) x 10(-4) M2, and k(disp) = (6.86 +/- 0.95) x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C and micro = 1 M. The K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) terms are significant enhancements relative to one of the rate laws conventionally cited. In the proposed mechanism, K(SCN)3(-) refers to the formation of (SCN)3(-) by association of SCN- with (SCN)2, K(hyd) refers to the hydrolysis of (SCN)2 to form HOSCN, and k(disp) is the rate constant for the bimolecular irreversible disproportionation of HOSCN, which leads ultimately to SO4(2-) and HCN. Ab initio calculations support the values of K(SCN)3(-) and K(hyd) reported herein. The high value for k(disp) indicates that HOSCN is a short-lived transient, while the magnitude of K(hyd) provides information on its thermodynamic stability. These results bear on the physiological role of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of SCN- such as salivary peroxidase and myeloperoxidase.     

Ab initio study of rearrangements on the (CH)2(BR)2, R=H, and NH2 potential energy surfaces

A comprehensive survey of the (CH)2(BH)2 potential energy surface was carried out at the [MP4/6-311 + G(d,p)]//MP2/6-31G(d) level. Many of the classical and nonclassical isomers of the carborane surface are separated by high activation barriers, which explains why derivatives of most isomers could be prepared as stable compounds at room temperature. The transition states are grouped into two types, hydrogen migration (terminal-to-bridge and bridge-to-terminal) and group migration (BH, CH, and CH2). The rearrangement of 1,3-diamino-1,3-diboretene (1-NH2) to 1,2-diamino-1,2-diboretene (2-NH2) was computed and compared to the rearrangement in the parent (1-->2). The effect of the amino group is to substantially increase the barrier height and stabilize the product, 2-NH2.