Assessment of Gaussian-3X theory for chlorinated organic molecules. Enthalpies of formation of chlorobenzenes and predictions for polychlorinated aromatic compounds

The enthalpies of formation of chlorinated methanes, ethanes, ethylenes, phenols, and benzenes have been calculated at the G3X level of theory using the atomization energy procedure and the method of isodesmic reactions. By comparing the most reliable experimental data on chlorinated hydrocarbons recommended by Manion Manion JA (2002) J Phys Chem Ref Data 31:123] with the G3X results, the accuracy of theoretical enthalpies of formation is estimated as ranging from ±4 to ±10 kJ/mol. Only for hexachloroethane, the difference between the experimental value and G3X result was outside this range and the experimental enthalpy of formation of hexachloroethane was called into question by theory. The G3X enthalpies of formation of all chlorobenzenes agree well with experimental data which were partly reanalyzed using recent experimental data on enthalpies of sublimation. Based on the G3X results, a set of self-consistent experimental data for chlorobenzenes is recommended. The enthalpies of formation of some polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins were estimated using improved enthalpies of formation for chlorobenzenes. The possible inaccuracy of previously estimated values for polychlorinated aromatic compounds is discussed.