Gas phase RDX decomposition pathways using coupled cluster theory.

Electronic and free energy barriers for a series of gas-phase RDX decomposition mechanisms have been obtain using coupled cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples with complete basis set (CCSD(T)/CBS) electronic energies for MBPT(2)/cc-pVTZ structures. Importantly, we have located a well-defined transition state for NN homolysis, in the initial RDX decomposition step, thereby obtaining a true barrier for this reaction. These calculations support the view that HONO elimination is preferred at STP over other proposed mechanisms, including NN homolysis, "triple whammy" and NONO isomerization. Indeed, our calculated values of Arrhenius parameters are in agreement with experimental findings for gas phase RDX decomposition. We also investigate a number of new pathways leading to breakdown of the intermediate formed by the initial HONO elimination, and find that NN homolysis in this intermediate has an activation energy barrier comparable with that computed for HONO elimination.

The benzene radical anion: A computationally demanding prototype for aromatic anions.

The benzene radical anion is studied with ab initio coupled-cluster theory in large basis sets. Unlike the usual assumption, we find that, at the level of theory investigated, the minimum energy geometry is non-planar with tetrahedral distortion at two opposite carbon atoms. The anion is well known for its instability to auto-ionization which poses computational challenges to determine its properties. Despite the importance of the benzene radical anion, the considerable attention it has received in the literature so far has failed to address the details of its structure and shape-resonance character at a high level of theory. Here, we examine the dynamic Jahn-Teller effect and its impact on the anion potential energy surface. We find that a minimum energy geometry of C2 symmetry is located below one D2h stationary point on a C2h pseudo-rotation surface. The applicability of standard wave function methods to an unbound anion is assessed with the stabilization method. The isotropic hyperfine splitting constants (Aiso) are computed and compared to data obtained from experimental electron spin resonance experiments. Satisfactory agreement with experiment is obtained with coupled-cluster theory and large basis sets such as cc-pCVQZ.

The great diversity of HMX conformers: probing the potential energy surface using CCSD(T).

The octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazocine (HMX) molecule is a very commonly studied system, in all 3 phases, because of its importance as an explosive; however, no one has ever attempted a systematic study of what all the major gas-phase conformers are. This is critical to a mechanistic study of the kinetics involved, as well as the viability of various crystalline polymorphs based on the gas-phase conformers. We have used existing knowledge of basic cyclooctane chemistry to survey all possible HMX conformers based on its fundamental ring structure. After studying what geometries are possible after second-order many-body perturbation theory (MBPT(2)) geometry optimization, we calculated the energetics using coupled cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples (CCSD(T))/cc-pVTZ. These highly accurate energies allow us to better calculate starting points for future mechanistic studies. Additionally, the plethora of structures are compared to existing experimental data of crystals. It is found that the crystal field effect is sometimes large and sometimes small for HMX.

Conformers of CL-20 explosive and ab initio refinement using perturbation theory: implications to detonation mechanisms.

We have identified the major conformers of CL-20 explosive, otherwise known as 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, more formally known as 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitrohexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.0]-dodecane, via Monte Carlo search in conformational space through molecular mechanics and subsequent quantum mechanical refinement using perturbation theory. Our search produced enough conformers to account for all of the various forms of CL-20 found in crystals. This suggests that our methodology will be useful in studying the conformational landscape of other nitramines. The energy levels of the conformers found are all within 0.25 eV of one another based on MBPT(2)/6-311G(d,p); consequently, without further refinement from a method such as coupled cluster theory, all conformers may reasonably be populated at STP in the gas phase. We also report the harmonic vibrational frequencies of conformers, including the implications on the mechanism of detonation. In particular, we establish that the weakest N-N nitramine of CL-20 is the cyclohexane equatorial nitramine. This preliminary mapping of the conformers of CL-20 makes it possible to study the mechanism of detonation of this explosive rigorously in future work.