Effect of the amine group on relative bond strengths in cubane and azacubanes

We have carried out an ab initio self-consistent-field molecular orbital study of the structures and relative bond strengths of some monoamine derivatives of cubane, azacubane, and 1,3-diazacubane. Our focus has been on the effect of the NH₂ group on the strengths of the endocyclic strained bonds in these molecules, and, in particular, on the conformation dependence of this effect. Our results show a consistent bond-weakening observed in one [and only one] C-C or C-N bond adjacent to the site of NH₂ substitution. We find that the particular bond that is weakened is in all cases essentially coplanar with the C-NH₂ bond and the position of the most negative electrostatic potential of the amine nitrogen. This direction-specific bond-weakening is viewed as an example of the anomeric effect.     

C?H Bond dissociation of acetylene: Local density functional calculations

The C? H bond dissociation energy of acetylene was computed by both ab initio approaches and density functional theory in a local density approximation (DFT–LDA ). Structures and energies for acetylene and its dissociation products (the ethynyl and hydrogen radicals) are presented and compared. Using directly computed HCCH and HCC· energies and the exact H· value, the DFT–LDA calculations are found to yield C? H dissociation energies ranging from 129 to 131 kcal/mol, in good agreement with recent experimental and the highest level theoretical results. The DFT–LDA results show little dependence upon the computational procedure used to obtain geometries.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Energetic Solids

A continuing objective in the area of energetic materials is to reduce sensitivity toward impact and shock. One approach is to develop a better understanding of how factors related to the crystal lattice, e.g., defects, influence the initiation and propagation of detonation. Molecular dynamics is a useful tool for this purpose. This paper presents an overview of molecular dynamics treatments of energetic solids. Some of these have simulated initiation and propagation in idealized systems; others have focused on developing a satisfactory procedure for describing molecular crystals of practical significance. Our emphasis in this discussion is on the progress that has been made along the second lines.     

Atom promotion and bond properties in the hydrogen and the lithium molecules

In the process of forming the hydrogen molecule, the interacting atoms apparently undergo significant promotion, in the course of which there occurs contraction of each atom's electronic density distribution. Although this step in itself is energetically unfavourable, it appears to be a key factor in building up the charge density in the internuclear region. In forming the lithium molecule, the atoms apparently do not undergo promotion to any significant extent. It is suggested that the difference in the degrees of atom promotion in the formation of these two molecules is an important reason for the great disparity in the strengths of their bonds.

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Zusammenfassung Beim Prozeß der Wasserstoffmolekülbildung unterliegen die wechselwirkenden Atome offensichtlich einer deutlichen Promovierung, bei deren Verlauf eine Kontraktion der Elektronendichteverteilung von jedem der beiden Atome stattfindet. Obwohl dieser Schritt selbst energetisch ungünstig ist, scheint er ein Hauptfaktor beim Aufbau der Ladungsdichte im Gebiet zwischen den Kernen zu sein. Bei der Bildung des Lithiummoleküls unterliegen die Atome offenbar keiner irgendwie wesentlichen Promovierung. Man vermutet, daß die Verschiedenheit des Grades der Atompromovierung bei der Formation in diesen beiden Molekülen ein wichtiger Grund für die große Diskrepanz ihrer Bindungskräfte ist.

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Résumé Dans le processus de formation de la molécule d'hydrogène, les atomes qui interagissent subissent apparemment une promotion significative, au cours de laquelle il se produit une contraction de la densité électronique sur chaque atome. Quoique cette étape soit en elle même énergétiquement défavorable, elle apparaît comme un facteur clé dans la construction de la densité de charge de la région internucléaire. Lors de la formation de la molécule de lithium, les atomes ne semblent pas subir de promotion significative. On suggère que la différence dans les degrés de promotion atomique pour ces deux molécules est une des raisons importantes de la grande différence dans les énergies de liaison.

     

Antiaromaticity in relation to 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene structures

An isodesmic energy analysis has been carried out at the MP 2/6–31G *//HF /3–21G level for the nonplanar ground state ( 1 ) of 1,3,5,7-cyclooctateraene and for two planar forms, one having complete π delocalization ( 2 ) and the other having alternating single and double bonds ( 3 ). 1 is found to have a considerable degree of stabilization, which is attributed to limited π delocalization. The polyene 3 is the more stable of the two planar forms; it is a transition state in the inversion between two possible nonplanar structures. 2 is found to be a triplet at the Hartree–Fock level and is a critical point on an alternate pathway between the two possible arrangements of alternating single and double bonds in 3 . Both 2 and 3 have negative isodesmic energies, indicating the presence of stabilizing factors. Our results for 3 show that an “antiaromatic” system need not necessarily show a net destabilization. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Calculated structures and relative stabilities of furoxan,some 1,2-dinitrosoethylenes and other isomers

The structures and relative stabilities of furoxan and some of its isomers, e.g., the 1,2-dinitrosoethylenes, have been determined by means of ab initio Hartee–Fock and Møller–Plesset calculations. Geometries were optimized at the HF/3-21G, HF/6-31G* and MP2/6-31G* levels, and subsequently used for computing MP2/6-31G*, MP3/6-31G*, and MP4/6-31G* energies. The results are markedly affected by the inclusion of electronic correlation, which renders three of the isomers unstable. It also emphasizes the importance of a zwitterionic contribution to the structure of furoxan, which promotes ring-opening through a cis 1,2-dinitrosoethylene intermediate/transition state that has an MP4/6-31G*//MP2/6-31G* energy that is 31.6 kcal/mol above furoxan.     

A look at bonds and bonding

Structural Chemistry - Even after roughly a century of quantum theory, there is still debate, sometimes rather contentious, as to the nature of the chemical bond—or is it bonds, or is it...     

Halogen Bonding: An Interim Discussion

Halogen bonding is a noncovalent interaction that is receiving rapidly increasing attention because of its significance in biological systems and its importance in the design of new materials in a variety of areas, for example, electronics, nonlinear optical activity, and pharmaceuticals. The interactions can be understood in terms of electrostatics/polarization and dispersion; they involve a region of positive electrostatic potential on a covalently bonded halogen and a negative site, such as the lone pair of a Lewis base. The positive potential, labeled a σ hole, is on the extension of the covalent bond to the halogen, which accounts for the characteristic near‐linearity of halogen bonding. In many instances, the lateral sides of the halogen have negative electrostatic potentials, allowing it to also interact favorably with positive sites. In this discussion, after looking at some of the experimental observations of halogen bonding, we address the origins of σ holes, the factors that govern the magnitudes of their electrostatic potentials, and the properties of the resulting complexes with negative sites. The relationship of halogen and hydrogen bonding is examined. We also point out that σ‐hole interactions are not limited to halogens, but can also involve covalently bonded atoms of Groups IV–VI. Examples of applications in biological/medicinal chemistry and in crystal engineering are mentioned, taking note that halogen bonding can be “tuned” to fit various requirements, that is, strength of interaction, steric factors, and so forth.