Mechanistic and energetic study of the atmospheric reaction of hydrosulfinyl and mercapto radicals

Theoretical study of the reactions of the hydroselenyl radical (HSe●) with the selenenic radical (HSeO●)

The formation of selenium species in some biological processes involves the generation of ionic and radical intermediates such as RSe^●, RSe^-, RSeO^●, and RSeO^-, among others. We performed a theoretical study of the possible mechanisms for the reaction of the two simplest Se radicals-the hydroselenyl (HSe^●) and selenenic (HSeO^●) radicals, in which the possible products, intermediates, and transition-state structures were investigated. Density functional theory (DFT) was applied at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd) level and the Ahlrichs Coulomb fitting basis sets were employed with an effective core potential (ECP) for both Se atoms. The same procedure was used to calculate the electronic density. All calculations were also performed using the M06-2X functional, which describes weaker bonds better than B3LYP does. In the reaction of interest, the so-called CR complex (HSe····SeOH) is formed initially. After passing through the transition state TS1, cis-HSeSeOH is obtained as a product. If a low barrier is then overcome (passing through the transition state TS32), the trans-HSeSeOH species is obtained. The CR complex can also rearrange into the intermediate INT after overcoming the barrier presented by the transition state TS2. Additionally, the decomposition of INT to H₂O and ¹Se₂ is possible through another transition state. This reaction is not included in this study. We also observed a second possible route for the conversion of INT to one of the HSeSeOH species; this route occurs through two pathways (with transition states TS31 and TS32). A comparison of some of the results with those obtained for sulfur analogs along the same pathways is also presented in this work. Graphical abstract Electronic envelopes for HSeO^● and HSe^● radicals.