Experimental and computational thermochemistry of three nitrogen-containing heterocycles: 2-benzimidazolinone, 2-benzoxazolinone and 3-indazolinone.

The standard molar enthalpies of combustion, sublimation, and formation of three nitrogen-containing heterocycles, namely, 2-benzimidazolinone, 2-benzoxazolinone and 3-indazolinone were determined calorimetrically. The standard ( p °?=?0.1?MPa) molar enthalpies of formation in the gas phase were derived from the standard molar enthalpies of combustion, in oxygen, at T ?=?298.15?K, measured by static bomb combustion calorimetry and from the standard molar enthalpies of sublimation at T ?=?298.15?K, measured by Calvet microcalorimetry. Møller–Plesset calculations at the MP2 level and density functional calculations with the B3LYP functional and extended basis sets were also performed to determine the energetically preferred tautomeric form of the molecules. The results were qualitatively independent of the calculational level, where in general the DFT calculations were in better agreement with experiment than those from MP2. The gas and solid phase enthalpic differences between imines and amides, wherein –CH=N- is contrasted with –CONH-, have been studied and roughly constant values have been found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]