The cis-effect using the topology of the electronic charge density

The Cis-Effect Explained Using Next-Generation QTAIM

We used next-generation QTAIM (NG-QTAIM) to explain the cis-effect for two families of molecules: C₂X₂ (X = H, F, Cl) and N₂X₂ (X = H, F, Cl). We explained why the cis-effect is the exception rather than the rule. This was undertaken by tracking the motion of the bond critical point (BCP) of the stress tensor trajectories T_σ(s) used to sample the U_σ-space cis- and trans-characteristics. The T_σ(s) were constructed by subjecting the C1-C2 BCP and N1-N2 BCP to torsions ± θ and summing all possible T_σ(s) from the bonding environment. During this process, care was taken to fully account for multi-reference effects. We associated bond-bending and bond-twisting components of the T_σ(s) with cis- and trans-characteristics, respectively, based on the relative ease of motion of the electronic charge density ρ(r_b). Qualitative agreement is found with existing experimental data and predictions are made where experimental data is not available.

Steric effects vs. electron delocalization: a new look into the stability of diastereomers, conformers and constitutional isomers

A quantum chemical investigation of the stability of compounds with identical formulas was carried out on 23 classes of compounds made of C, N, P, O and S atoms as core structures and halogens H, F, Cl, Br and I as substituents. All possible structures were generated and investigated by quantum mechanical methods. The prevalence of a formula in which its Z configuration, gauche conformation or meta isomer is the most stable form is calculated and discussed. Quantitative and qualitative models to explain the stability of the 23 classes of halogenated compounds were also proposed.

The prevalence of a chemical formula in which its Z configuration, gauche conformation or meta isomer is the most stable form is derived from over ten thousand chemical structures. The instance of steric prediction failure is surprisingly common.

Rate Constants for the Reactions of OH Radicals with the ( E)/( Z) Isomers of CFCl=CFCl and ( E)-CHF=CHF

The rate constants for the OH radical reactions with halogenated ethenes were investigated experimentally and computationally. The rate constants for the reactions of OH radicals with ( E)-CFCl=CFCl ( k1), ( Z)-CFCl=CFCl ( k2), and ( E)-CHF=CHF ( k3) were measured using flash and laser photolysis methods. The temporal profile of the OH radical was monitored by a laser-induced fluorescence technique. Kinetic measurements were carried out over the temperature range of 250-430 K. Arrhenius rate constants were determined to be k1 = (1.67 ± 0.06) × 10-12·exp[(140 ± 10) K/ T], k2 = (1.75 ± 0.04) × 10-12·exp[(140 ± 10) K/ T], and k3 = (3.99 ± 0.15) × 10-12·exp[(260 ± 10) K/ T] cm3 molecule-1 s-1. The quoted uncertainties are 95% confidence levels and do not include systematic errors. Infrared absorption spectra were measured at room temperature. The atmospheric lifetimes and the global warming potentials of ( E)-CFCl=CFCl, ( Z)-CFCl=CFCl, and ( E)-CHF=CHF were estimated to be 4.3, 4.2, and 1.2 days and 0.035, 0.036, and 0.0056, respectively. The ozone depletion potentials of ( E)-CFCl=CFCl and ( Z)-CFCl=CFCl were determined to be 0.00011 and 0.00010, respectively. The photochemical ozone creation potentials of the halogenated ethenes were less than 1/4 that of ethene. In addition, the ( E)/( Z) differences in the energy and IR spectra of the CFCl=CFCl and CHF=CHF molecules were computationally examined. The reactivities of these halogenated ethenes toward OH radicals were investigated through the combination of DFT and ab initio computations. The rate constants calculated for the OH radical reactions of these halogenated ethenes showed reasonable agreement with the experimentally determined values. Our computational results for the CFCl=CFCl and CHF=CHF ( E)/( Z) isomeric pairs indicated that the rate constants toward OH radicals are larger for the higher-energy geometrical isomers than for the lower-energy counterparts.

Non-nuclear attractors in small charged lithium clusters, Limq (m = 2-5, q = ±1), with QTAIM and the Ehrenfest force partitioning

In this investigation we explore the function and existence of the non-nuclear attractor (NNA) for a series of small charged lithium clusters Limq (m = 2-5, q = ±1) using QTAIM and the Ehrenfest force F(r) partitioning schemes. The NNAs were found to be present in all of the Limq (m = 2-5, q = ±1) clusters for QTAIM, in contrast none were found for F(r). We discovered that the anionic and cationic lithium dimers are limiting cases for minimal and maximal impact of the NNA related to the relative sparseness of total charge density ρ(r) distributions respectively. Evidence is found that the NNA in the anionic dimer is in the process of being annihilated by two neighboring BCPs. We provide a measure of the size of the NNA and find for Limq (m = 2-5, q = ±1) that larger NNAs correlate with increased Li-Li separations. The NNA was determined to be a persistent feature by varying the Li separations for the cationic and anionic dimers. Very large Li separations failed to induce an NNA in the F(r) anionic dimer and therefore we conclude that F(r) is unable to detect NNAs. The metallicity ξ(rb) was also used to measure the sparseness of the distribution of ρ(r) and significant metallic character, on the basis of ξ(rb) > 1, was present for QTAIM but not for F(r), providing further evidence that F(r) cannot detect NNAs. Advantages of the use of Ehrenfest force F(r) partitioning scheme are discussed that include the design of nano-devices through tuning of the Ehrenfest potential VF(b) by the application of external forces such as a constant electric or strain field.

Accurate Vibrational-Rotational Parameters and Infrared Intensities of 1-Bromo-1-fluoroethene: A Joint Experimental Analysis and Ab Initio Study

The medium-resolution gas-phase infrared (IR) spectra of 1-bromo-1-fluoroethene (BrFC═CH₂, 1,1-C₂H₂BrF) were investigated in the range 300-6500 cm^-1, and the vibrational analysis led to the assignment of all fundamentals as well as many overtone and combination bands up to three quanta, thus giving an accurate description of its vibrational structure. Integrated band intensity data were determined with high precision from the measurements of their corresponding absorption cross sections. The vibrational analysis was supported by high-level ab initio investigations. CCSD(T) computations accounting for extrapolation to the complete basis set and core correlation effects were employed to accurately determine the molecular structure and harmonic force field. The latter was then coupled to B2PLYP and MP2 computations in order to account for mechanical and electrical anharmonicities. Second-order perturbative vibrational theory was then applied to the thus obtained hybrid force fields to support the experimental assignment of the IR spectra.