Gas-Phase Structure of 3,7,9-tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-3,7,9-triazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane by GED and Theoretical Calculations.

The molecular structure and conformational and rotational composition of 3,7,9-tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-3,7,9-triazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane 1 have been investigated by synchronous gas-phase electron diffraction/mass spectrometry GED/MS and theoretical calculations (B3LYP and M06-2X with cc-pVTZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets) and compared to the X-ray structure. All 16 possible conformers and rotamers were calculated, differing by the conformations of the two piperazine rings, orientation of the CF3 groups relative to these rings, and non-equivalence of the two wings of the butterfly structure. The optimized geometry of the most stable 1-c-out-2-c-out conformer coincides with that in the crystal. In contrast to only one conformer determined by X-ray, the GED analysis revealed the presence of five conformers, 1-c-out-2-c-out (I), 1-c-in-2-c-out (II), 1-c-out-2-c-in (III), 1-b-out-2-c-out (IV), 1-c-out-2-b-out (V) in the ratio of I:(II + III):IV:V = 36(10):42(6):22(10):0(10). The experimental results are better reproduced by calculations performed for 428 K (the temperature of the GED experiment) than for 298 K (standard), and most satisfactorily at the M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory.

The hierarchy of ab initio and DFT methods for describing an intramolecular non-covalent SiN contact in the silicon compounds using electron diffraction geometries.

In the series of silatranes XSi(OCH2CH2)3N, 1 (X = Me, 1a; H, 1b; F, 1c) with the known gas electron diffraction (GED) structures, the problematic geometry of 1-methylsilatrane 1a has been revised. In particular, the new value of the SiN distance (dSiN) in 1a turned out to be ∼0.06 Å longer than the generally accepted one. This dSiN resolves the long-standing contradiction between the data of the structural and spectral experiments regarding the sensitivity of 1 to the medium effect. We also performed the ab initio and DFT study of the combined series of silatranes 1a-c, silylalkylamines H3Si(CH2)3NMe2 (2a) and F3SiCH2NMe2 (2b), silylhydrazines F3SiN(Me)NMe2 (2c) and F3SiN(SiMe3)NMe2 (2d), and silyloxyamines ClH2SiONMe2 (2e,f), (F3C)F2SiONMe2 (2g,h) and F3SiONMe2 (2i), in which the GED dSiN values are in a wide range of 2-3 Å. None of the involved quantum chemical methods has succeeded in reproducing all the experimental gas-phase dSiN values in 1a-c, 2a-i with an acceptable accuracy (0.01-0.03 Å). The problems of the used methods, primarily CCSD with the Pople basis sets, are caused by four molecules with the geminal SiNN and SiON fragments (2d,f-i) and dSiN < 2.3 Å. A reasonable hierarchy of computationally accessible theory levels for studying the physicochemical manifestation of the non-covalent intramolecular SiN interactions can be constructed only at dSiN > 2.3 Å: MP2 < PBE0 ∼ B3PW91 ∼ SCS-MP2 < CCSD < CCSD(T).

Molecular Structure of Nickel Octamethylporphyrin-Rare Experimental Evidence of a Ruffling Effect in Gas Phase.

The structure of a free nickel (II) octamethylporphyrin (NiOMP) molecule was determined for the first time through a combined gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) and mass spectrometry (MS) experiment, as well as through quantum chemical (QC) calculations. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations do not provide an unambiguous answer about the planarity or non-planar distortion of the NiOMP skeleton. The GED refinement in such cases is non-trivial. Several approaches to the inverse problem solution were used. The obtained results allow us to argue that the ruffling effect is manifested in the NiOMP molecule. The minimal critical distance between the central atom of the metal and nitrogen atoms of the coordination cavity that provokes ruffling distortion in metal porphyrins is about 1.96 Å.

Combined gas electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experimental setup at Bielefeld University.

We have designed and constructed a combined experimental setup for synchronous measurements of electron diffraction patterns and mass-spectra of gas samples. Test measurements have been performed for acetic acid at two temperatures, 296 K and 457 K. Electron diffraction data have been analyzed taking into account mass spectra measured in the same experiments. From the diffraction intensities, molecular structures and mole fractions of the acetic acid monomer and dimer have been refined. The obtained results demonstrate the importance of measuring mass spectra in gas electron diffraction experiments. In particular, it is possible to detect the sample decomposition, which can be used for the optimization of experimental conditions and for the data interpretation. The length of the hydrogen bond in the acetic acid dimer determined in this work, re(O⋯H) = 1.657(9) Å, is in good agreement with modern theoretical predictions. We recommend measuring the diffraction patterns of acetic acid for the calibration of the sample pressure in the diffraction volume.

Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of 3-Methyl-3-silatetrahydropyran by GED, FTIR, NMR, and Theoretical Calculations: Comparative Analysis of 1-Hetero-3-methyl-3-silacyclohexanes.

3-Methyl-3-silatetrahydropyran 1 was synthesized and its molecular structure and conformational behavior was studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED), FTIR, low temperature (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, and by theoretical calculations (DFT, MP2). Two conformers, 1-ax and 1-eq, were located on the potential energy surface. In the gas phase, a slight predominance of the axial conformer was determined, with the ratio 1-ax:1-eq = 54(9):46(9) (from GED) or 53:47 or 61:39 (from IR). In solution, LT NMR spectroscopy at 103 K gives the ratio 1-ax:1-eq = 35:65 (-ΔG°103 = 0.13 kcal/mol). Simulation of solvent effects using the PCM continuum model or by calculation of the corresponding solvent-solute complexes allowed us to rationalize the experimentally observed opposite conformational predominance of the conformers of 3-methyl-3-silatetrahydropyran in the gas phase and in solution. Comparative analysis of the effect of heteroatom in 1-hetero-3-methyl-3-silacyclohexanes on the structure, stereoelectronic interactions, and relative energies of the conformers is done.

Structures and intriguing conformational behavior of 1- and 2-naphthalenesulfonamides as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction and computational methods.

The saturated vapors of 1- and 2-naphthalenesulfonamides (1-NaphSA and 2-NaphSA) were studied by the gas-phase electron diffraction/mass-spectrometric method at 413(9) and 431(9) K. According to quantum chemical calculations (DFT/B3LYP and MP2 with cc-pVDZ, aug-cc-pVDZ, cc-pVTZ, and aug-cc-pVTZ basis set) 1-NaphSA possesses four conformers with different orientations of the SO2NH2 fragment relative to the naphthalene frame and eclipsed or staggered orientation of the N-H and S═O bonds, whereas 2-NaphSA possesses only two conformers with different orientations of the N-H and S═O bonds. It was experimentally established that vapors over 1-NaphSA and 2-NaphSA exist predominantly (up to 75 mol %) of low-energy conformers of C1 symmetry in which the C-S-N planes deviate from perpendicular orientation relative to the naphthalene skeleton with near eclipsed orientation of the N-H and S═O bonds of the SO2NH2 fragment. The following geometrical parameters (Šand degrees) of the dominant conformers were derived: r(h1)(C-H) = 1.089(4), r(h1)(C-C)av = 1.411(3), r(h1)(C-S) = 1.761(10), r(h1)(S-O)av = 1.425(3), r(h1)(S-N) = 1.666(10), ∠C-C1-C = 119.8(2), ∠C1-S-N = 104.5(22), C9-C1-S-N = 69.5(30) for 1-NaphSA; r(h1)(C-H) = 1.083(5), r(h1)(C-C)av = 1.411(3), r(h1)(C-S) = 1.780(7), r(h1)(S-O)av = 1.427(4), r(h1)(S-N) = 1.668(6), ∠C-C2-C = 123.0(3), ∠C2-S-N = 103.6(19), C1-C2-S-N = 110(10) for 2-NaphSA. The connection between nonequivalence of the C-C bonds in the naphthalene frame and spatial orientation of the substituents SO2NH2 is discussed. Transition states between conformers and enantiomers were determined.

1,3-Dimethyl-3-silapiperidine: synthesis, molecular structure, and conformational analysis by gas-phase electron diffraction, low temperature NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations.

The first Si-H-containing azasilaheterocycle, 1,3-dimethyl-3-silapiperidine 1, was synthesized, and its molecular structure and conformational properties were studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED), low temperature NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. The compound exists as a mixture of two conformers possessing the chair conformation with the equatorial NMe group and differing by axial or equatorial position of the SiMe group. In the gas phase, the SiMe(ax) conformer predominates (GED: ax/eq = 65(7):35(7)%, ΔG = 0.36(18) kcal/mol; IR: ax/eq = 62(5):38(5)%, ΔG = 0.16(7) kcal/mol). In solution, at 143 K the SiMe(eq) conformer predominates in the frozen equilibrium (NMR: ax/eq = 31.5(1.5):68.5(1.5)%, ΔG = -0.22(2) kcal/mol). Thermodynamic parameters of the ring inversion are determined (ΔG(‡) = 8.9-9.0 kcal/mol, ΔH(‡) = 9.6 kcal/mol, ΔS(‡) = 2.1 eu). High-level quantum chemical calculations (MP2, G2, CCSD(T)) nicely reproduce the experimental geometry and the predominance of the axial conformer in the gas phase.

Molecular structure and bonding in octamethylporphyrin tin(II), SnN4C28H28.

Gas-phase electron diffraction was applied for the molecular structure determination of octamethylporphyrin tin(II), SnN(4)C(28)H(28), at the temperature of 706(10) K. The molecule was found to possess C(4v) symmetry with the Sn atom 1.025(30) Å above the plane of the N atoms and the following main internuclear distances (r(h1), Å): Sn-N = 2.301(9), C(α)-N = 1.360(8), C(α)-C(ß) = 1.453(4), C(α)-C(m) = 1.395(4), C(ß)-C(CH3) = 1.498(4). Quantum chemical calculations, DFT (B3LYP, BP86, PBE, PBE0) with cc-pVDZ, cc-pVTZ and cc-pVQZ basis sets reproduce the experimental bond distances with accuracy within 0.03 Å. According to NBO(B3LYP/cc-pVTZ) analysis, the direct donation gives a prevailing contribution to Sn-N bonding, decreasing the net charge on Sn from formal +2 to +1.28. The substitution effects at the pyrrole rings are discussed. The ability of different theoretical methods to predict the structure of this compound is analyzed.

Tautomeric and conformational properties of benzoylacetone, CH3-C(O)-CH2-C(O)-C6H5: gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemical study.

Tautomeric and structural properties of benzoylacetone, CH(3)-C(O)-CH(2)-C(O)-C(6)H(5), have been studied by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) and quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP and MP2 approximation with different basis sets up to aug-cc-pVTZ). Analysis of GED intensities resulted in the presence of 100% enol tautomer at 331(5) K. The existence of two possible enol conformers in about equal amounts is confirmed by both GED and quantum chemical results. In both conformers the enol ring possesses C(s) symmetry with a strongly asymmetric hydrogen bond. The experimental geometric parameters are reproduced very closely by the B3LYP/cc-pVTZ method.

The structures of tellurium(IV) halides in the gas phase and as solvated molecules.

The structures of molecular tellurium tetrafluoride and tellurium tetrachloride were determined by a combination of gas-phase electron diffraction, mass spectrometry and quantum chemical calculations. The combined GED/MS experiments showed no evidence of decomposition of TeF(4) and TeCl(4). No ions of oligomeric (dimeric, trimeric, etc.) or any other composition were found in the mass spectra. The monomeric molecules possess a pseudo trigonal bipyramidal structure (C(2v) symmetry) with the equatorial Te-X distances being shorter than the axial ones. The fluorine atoms are bent away from the lone pair resulting in X(eq)-Te-X(eq) and X(eq)-Te-X(ax) bond angles smaller than 120 and 90 degrees, respectively. The structure of solvates TeF(4) (THF)(2), TeF(4) (dioxane) TeF(4) (DME)(2), TeF(4)(Et(2)O) TeF(4)(toluene), TeCl(4)(CH(3)CN)(2), TeCl(4)(DME)(2) and TeCl(4)(dioxane) were determined by X-ray diffraction. The structures of tellurium tetrafluoride solvates are strongly influenced by the choice of the solvent molecules. Monomeric TeF(4) units were obtained with THF, DME and dioxane whereas fluoride bridged coordination polymers were formed using diethyl ether or toluene. All tellurium tetrachloride solvates studied contain monomeric TeCl(4) units with coordinated solvent molecules. Coordination numbers range from four in the gas phase to eight in the TeF(4) dimethoxyethane solvate. Geometric parameters of the TeX(4) molecules in the crystal, solvates and gas phase were compared. DFT, MP2, CCSD, CCSD(T) methods were applied for calculation of geometric and vibrational characteristics of free TeX(4) molecules (X = F, Cl). The pseudorotation barriers were estimated and an NBO analysis was performed. It was shown that both, GED and theoretical, quantitative results are in agreement with the qualitative results of the VSEPR model.

Gas phase structures of chalcogen tetrahalides MX4 with M = S, Se, Te and X = F, Cl, Br, I.

Structural and conformational properties of the tetrahalides MX(4) with M = S, Se, Te and X = F, Cl, Br, I were studied with quantum chemical calculations (MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ and relativistic core potentials for heavy atoms). The pseudotrigonal bipyramidal geometries (C(2v) symmetry) of the three tetrafluorides and of TeCl(4), whose structures have been determined by gas electron diffraction, are very well reproduced with this computational method. No additional stable conformer with C(3v), C(S), C(4v) or T(d) symmetry is predicted for these four chalcogen tetrahalides. For all other MX(4) compounds, except SeI(4), the existence of two conformers with C(2v) and T(d) symmetry is predicted. The T(d) structure is favoured in the case of SI(4) and SeBr(4) and SeI(4) is predicted to exist only as T(d) conformer.

The molecular structure of selenium dibromide as determined by combined gas-phase electron diffraction-mass spectrometric experiments and quantum chemical calculations.

The vapour over solid SeBr(4) at 10 degrees C was investigated with a combined gas-phase electron diffraction/mass spectrometric (GED/MS) method. The composition of the vapour derived from the mass spectra (43% SeBr(2), 56.7% Br(2) and 0.3% Se(2)Br(2)) was in agreement with the composition obtained from the analysis of the simultaneously recorded GED intensities (41(3)% SeBr(2), 59(3)% Br(2)). The GED study results in the following geometric parameters (r(g), angle(g) values with total uncertainties): Se-Br = 2.306(5) A and Br-Se-Br = 101.6(6) degrees . Most quantum chemical approximations (B3LYP, MP2, CCSD and CCSD(T) with relativistic effective core potentials and cc-pVTZ as well as aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets for the outer shells) overestimate the Se-Br bond length by 0.01 to 0.03 A. All methods reproduce the bond angle correctly, except for the B3LYP method. Gas phase vibrational frequencies estimated from experimental vibrational amplitudes agree well with those measured by Raman spectroscopy in acetonitrile solutions. All computational methods overestimate vibrational frequencies, especially that for the symmetric stretch vibration, by about or 8 to 13%.

The structure of a thiadiazole-containing expanded heteroazaporphyrinoid determined by gas electron diffraction and density functional theory calculations.

The molecular structure of a macrocycle with a 24-membered ring, a thiadiazole-containing expanded heteroazaporphyrinoid, has been, for the first time, directly characterised by a synchronous gas electron diffraction and mass spectrometric experiment and DFT calculations; the molecule has the equilibrium structure of C(3h) symmetry with a planar macrocycle.

Tautomeric and conformational properties of malonamic acid methyl ester, NH2C(O)-CH2-C(O)OCH3: electron diffraction and quantum chemical study.

The tautomeric and conformational properties of malonamic acid methyl ester, NH2C(O)-CH2-C(O)OCH3, have been investigated by means of gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) and quantum chemical calculations (HF, B3LYP, and MP2 approximations with different basis sets up to 6-311++G(3df,pd)). Both quantum chemistry and GED at 360(8) K result in the existence of a single diketo conformer in the gas phase. According to GED refinement, this conformer possesses an (ac, sc) conformation with dihedral angles C-C-C(NH2)=O of 140.3(3.0) degrees and C-C-C(OCH3)=O of 31.1(7.2) degrees. The experimental geometric parameters are reproduced very closely by MP2 and B3LYP methods with large basis sets.

Tautomeric properties and gas-phase structure of 3-chloro-2,4-pentanedione.

The tautomeric properties of alpha-chlorinated acetylacetone, 3-chloro-2,4-pentanedione CH3C(O)-CHCl-C(O)CH3, have been investigated by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP and MP2 approximations with different basis sets up to cc-pVTZ). Analysis of the GED intensities resulted in the presence of 100(2)% enol tautomer at 269(8) K. The following skeletal geometric parameters (rh1 values) of the molecule, which possesses Cs symmetry, were derived: r(C=C) = 1.378(3) A, r(C-C) = 1.450(3) A, r(C=O) = 1.243(3) A, r(C-O) = 1.319(3) A, r(O-H) = 1.001(4) A, r(C-Cl) = 1.752(4) A, angleC-C=C = 121.3(1.0) degrees , angleC=C-O = 119.9(1.2) degrees , angleC-C=O = 119.1(1.2) degrees . Due to very small contributions of the keto tautomer in alpha-chlorinated acetylacetone and its parent species, the effect of alpha-chlorination on tautomeric properties cannot be derived from experimental data. Quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP/6-31G**, B3LYP/cc-pVTZ, and MP2/cc-pVTZ) predict that alpha-chlorination of acetylacetone has no pronounced effect on the tautomeric properties. On the other hand, similar calculations for 1-chloro-1,3-butanedion, ClC(O)-CH2-C(O)CH3, demonstrate that chlorination in one beta position destabilizes the enol tautomer. In both chlorinated species the enol form is strongly preferred.

Tautomeric and conformational properties of malonamide, NH2C(O)-CH2-C(O)NH2: electron diffraction and quantum chemical study.

The geometric structure of malonamide, NH2C(O)-CH2-C(O)NH2, has been investigated by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP and MP2 approximations with 6-311++G(3df,pd) basis sets). Both GED and quantum chemistry result in the existence of a single diketo conformer in the gas phase. According to GED refinement this conformer possesses (sc,ac) conformation with one C=O bond in synclinal orientation (dihedral angle tau(O=C-C-C)=49.0(3.0) degrees) and the other C=O bond in anticlinal orientation (dihedral angle tau(O=C-C-C)=139.5(3.3) degrees). The experimental geometric parameters are reproduced very closely by the B3LYP method.

Gas-phase structure and conformational properties of 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-1,2,4,5-tetroxane.

The geometric structure and conformational properties of 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-1,2,4,5-tetroxane (diacetone diperoxide) have been studied by gas electron diffraction and quantum chemical calculations (MP2 and B3LYP methods with 6-31G(d,p) and 6-311+G(2df,p) basis sets). The molecule possesses a chair conformation with C2h symmetry and the following geometric parameters for the six-membered ring (rh1 values) have been determined: O-O = 1.463(5) A, C-O = 1.432 (4) A, O-C-O = 108.2(7) degrees, C-O-O = 107.7(4) degrees, phi(C-O-O-C) = 63.7(4) degrees, and phi(O-O-C-O) = -63.9(4) degrees. A small contribution of less than 3.5% of a twist conformer with C2 symmetry cannot be excluded. Quantum chemical calculations predict a contribution between 1 and 2%. Additional calculations for the parent compound 1,2,4,5-tetroxane (diformaldehyde diperoxide) demonstrate that methyl substitution at the carbon atoms has a minor effect on the ring geometry but a strong effect on the conformational properties. Methyl substitution reduces the energy difference between twist and chair conformers by more than 5 kcal/mol.

Tautomeric and conformational properties of acetoacetamide: electron diffraction and quantum chemical study.

The tautomeric properties of acetoacetamide, CH3C(O)CH2C(O)NH2, have been investigated by gas electron diffraction (GED) and quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP and MP2 approximations with 6-31G(d,p) and 6-311++G(3df,pd) basis sets). GED results in a mixture of 63(7)% enol tautomer and 37(7)% diketo form at 74(5) degrees C. Only one enol form with the O-H bond adjacent to the methyl group (CH3C(OH)=CHC(O)NH2) and only one diketo conformer (with dihedral angles tau(O=C(CH3)-C-C) = 31.7(7.5) degrees and tau(O=C(NH2)-C(H2)-C(O)) = 130.9(4.5) degrees ) are present. The calculated tautomeric composition varies in a wide range depending on the quantum chemical method and basis set. Only the B3LYP method with small basis sets reproduces the experimental composition correctly.