Theoretical studies on the role of π‐electron delocalization in determining the conformation of N‐benzylideneaniline with three types of LMO basis sets

Abstract

To understand the role of pi-electron delocalization in determining the conformation of the NBA (Ph-N==CH-Ph) molecule, the following three LMO (localized molecular orbital) basis sets are constructed: a LFMO (highly localized fragment molecular orbital), an NBO (natural bond orbital), and a special NBO (NBO-II) basis sets, and their localization degrees are evaluated with our suggesting index D(L). Afterward, the vertical resonance energy DeltaE(V) is obtained from the Morokuma's energy partition over each of three LMO basis sets. DeltaE(V) = DeltaE(H) (one electron energy) + DeltaE(two) (two electron energy), and DeltaE(two) = DeltaE(Cou) (Coulomb) + DeltaE(ex) (exchange) + DeltaE(ec) (or SigmaDeltaE(n)) (electron correction). DeltaE(H) is always stabilizing, and DeltaE(Cou) is destabilizing for all time. In the case of the LFMO basis set, DeltaE(Cou) is so great that DeltaE(two) > |DeltaE(H)|. Therefore, DeltaE(V) is always destabilizing, and is least destabilizing at about the theta = 90 degrees geometry. Of the three calculation methods such as HF, DFT, and MPn (n = 2, 3, and 4), the MPn method provides DeltaE(V) with the greatest value. In the case of the NBO basis set, on the contrary, DeltaE(V) is stabilizing due to DeltaE(Cou) being less destabilizing, and it is most stabilizing at a planar geometry. The LFMO basis set has the highest localization degree, and it is most appropriate for the energy partition. In the NBA molecule, pi-electron delocalization is destabilization, and it has a tendency to distort the NBA molecular away from its planar geometry as far as possible.