Search

Density functional theory method and B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory were used to determine the acidity of α‐carbon in the hydroxyl derivatives of beta diketones in the gas phase. An investigation of acidity strength in the gas phase indicates that α‐carbon of hydroxyl derivatives of beta diketones become stronger acids than the α‐carbon of beta diketone itself as their conjugate bases gain more stability via both enolate and hydrogen bond formation. Natural bond orbital and quantum theory of atoms in molecules analyses also confirm the role of hydrogen bond interactions on increasing the acidity of α‐carbon of hydroxyl derivatives of beta diketones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our previous report (J. Phys. Org. Chem., 2017), we discussed the dual behavior of gold nanocluster (Au3 NC), where it scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) while promoted their generation to a lesser extent. Continuing this quest, we investigate the effects of Au3 NC on common reactive nitrogen species (RNS: ON˙ and ON˙O) and their precursors (ONH and ONOH, respectively), at B3LYP/LACVP+* level of theory. We compare the results with those of prevalent ROS (HO˙ and HOO˙) and their precursors (HOH and HOOH, respectively). To this end, various parameters are probed such as binding energy (Eb), bond dissociation energy (BDE), bond lengths, Mullikan spin density (MSD), critical point (CP) eigenvalues (atoms in molecules [AIM] analysis), and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis including natural population analysis (NPA) and change of charge transfer energy (ΔECT). Our results show that in the presence of Au3 NC, BDEs of the NH and OH bonds increase in both ONHAu3 (1) and ONOHAu3 (2) compared with their free forms (ONH and ONOH, respectively). In other words, the tendency to dissociate these bonds and form their corresponding RNS (1′ and 2′) decreases in the presence of gold. This is exactly the opposite of what is observed for the OH bonds in HOHAu3 (3), HOOHAu3 (4), and their corresponding ROS (3′ and 4′). Therefore, we can conclude that gold shows a different behavior in the face of RNS compared with ROS where it is a better scavenger of ROS than RNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Anticancer character of gold cluster has been indicated through its free radical scavenging properties. This is in contrast to its free radical promoting ability suggested by other workers. Here, we address this controversy by probing the stabilizing effects of Au3 cluster on RO• vs its impacts on RO–H bond dissociation enthalpy, at B3LYP/ LACVP+* level (R═H, methyl, ethyl, n‐propyl, i‐propyl, n‐butyl, t‐butyl, and phenyl). In the presence of Au3 cluster, bond dissociation enthalpy of O–H bond and the spin density at the RO• oxygen are reduced dramatically. These are clear evidences for both the Au3 facilitation of the RO–H bond breakage and its scavenging of RO• radical. Since O–Au anchoring bond is responsible for the interaction of Au3 cluster and ROH (or RO•), its nature was interpreted by means of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and the natural bond orbital. The results indicate that O–Au bond is stronger and has more covalent character in RO•–Au3 than in ROH–Au3. The interaction of Au3 cluster with RO• is 1.5 to 3 times more than that with ROH. As a result, gold cluster scavenging property appears more prominent than its free radical initiation activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time, the mechanism of Fischer esterification between acetic acid and ethanol over silica-functionalized propylsulfonic acid (silica-propyl-SO 3 H) catalyst was explored by means of computational modeling techniques. For this purpose, 6-edge-atom cage-like cluster comprising Si–O–Si sequences has been selected to represent the surface of the catalyst. The results indicate that the reaction goes through concerted transition states. In all optimized structures no proton (H + ) transfer occurs from catalyst to the substrates and the role of the catalyst is via the activation of the substrates through the formation of strong hydrogen bonds (H-bonds). Furthermore, the energetic diagram demonstrates that the activation energies of forward (esterification) and reverse (ester hydrolysis) reactions only differ by 0.3 kcal/mol. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis was performed to investigate the nature of H-bonds. Another mechanism in which the catalyst has been acted as the Brønsted acid/base was also provided for this reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional theory (DFT) was used to investigate the acidity of the various silica alkyl sulfonic acids. In this regard, cluster models with various alkyl spacer lengths were selected to mimic the surface of silica gel. The effects of distance from the surface and the role of hydrogen bond (H–bond) on the ΔHacidityvalues of these catalysts were investigated. DFT calculations revealed that a notable gap of ΔHacidityvalues exists between the structures considering lateral hydrogen bonding with the surface of the silicaHB structureand the structures with omitted surface interactions (non-HB structures). Natural bonding orbital (NBO) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analyses were carried out to obtain detailed information about the nature of the H–bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica gelâ€confined ionic liquid (IL) is a class of heterogeneous catalysts with broad catalytic applications. Leaching of the IL from the surface of the support is the major drawback of these catalysts, which reduce the catalyst efficiency during the chemical reactions. To investigate the effect of the hydrogen bonding on the leaching phenomena, the interaction between the 1â€ethylâ€3â€methylimidazoliumâ€based IL with various anions (Clâˆ', Brâˆ', HSO4âˆ', NO3âˆ', BF4âˆ', and PF6âˆ') and the surface of the silica gel were studied using density functional theory. Hence, a hydroxylated cageâ€like cluster of silica gel, Si4O6(OH), was selected to mimic the surface. The values of Î'Einteraction show that ILs with halogen counter ions have stronger interactions than that of the IL with BF4âˆ' and PF6âˆ' counter ions. We also carried out stirringâ€'filtration method for some prepared samples of IL@silica to experimentally explore the leaching phenomena. The results show good agreement with computational achievements. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Good correlation exists between experimental and computed pK a values. [•] The average error was found to be less than 1.6pK a unit. [•] In the series of analogous structures, the PA values decrease as the number of phenyl groups increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]