Structure of the Vinyldiazomethyl Anion and Energetic Comparison to the Cyclic Isomers

Comparative Quantum Chemistry Study on the Unimolecular Decomposition Channels of Pyrazole and Imidazole Energetic Materials

The difference in the initial decomposition step of pyrazoles and imidazoles was explored using the M062X method for optimization and G4-MP2 and approximated CCSD(T) methods for energies. Laplacian bond order analysis was used to study the effect of the nitro group on the bond strength and predict the bond dissociation energy (BDE) of the ring. Thermochemistry results show that the most possible decay channel of 1H-pyrazole and 3-nitropyrazole is the N₂ elimination, while the preferred initial step of 1H-imidazole is the CHN elimination. However, the nitro-nitrite isomerization dominates the decomposition of other nitro derivatives of 1H-pyrazole and 1H-imidazole. As for the formation of HO and HONO, the high energy barrier makes it difficult to take place. Based on the analysis of the lowest energy barrier and the BDE of NO₂ loss, it can be concluded that imidazoles are more stable than pyrazoles. This work contributes to revealing the difference in the initial step of energetic isomers and the understanding of the decomposition mechanism of energetic azoles.

Gas phase reactions of 1,3,5-triazine: proton transfer, hydride transfer, and anionic σ-adduct formation

The gas phase reactivity of 1,3,5-triazine with several oxyanions and carbanions, as well as amide, was evaluated using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube mass spectrometer. Isotopic labeling, H/D exchange, and collision induced dissociation experiments were conducted to facilitate the interpretation of structures and fragmentation processes. A multi-step (→ HCN + HC(2)N (2) (-) → CN(-) + 2 HCN) and/or single-step (→ CN(-) + 2 HCN) ring-opening collision-induced fragmentation process appears to exist for 1,3,5-triazinide. In addition to proton and hydride transfer reactions, the data indicate a competitive nucleophilic aromatic addition pathway (S(N)Ar) over a wide range of relative gas phase acidities to form strong anionic σ-adducts (Meisenheimer complexes). The significant hydride acceptor properties and stability of the anionic σ-adducts are rationalized by extremely electrophilic carbon centers and symmetric charge delocalization at the electron-withdrawing nitrogen positions. The types of anion-arene binding motifs and their influence on reaction pathways are discussed.