CH2 Moiety Research Articles

Combined Reprocessability and Self-Healing in Fluorinated Acrylic-Based Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs)

Combining reprocessing and self-healing in one material provides an opportunity for the development of sustainable materials with enhanced mechanical properties. We developed fluorinated acrylic-based covalent adaptable networks (CANs) capable of self-healing and reprocessing by copolymerizing (2-acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate (AAEMA), 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA), and n-butyl acrylate (nBA), followed by cross-linking with tris(2-aminoethyl) amine (TREN). These materials exhibit the maximum stress at break of about 16 MPa and the storage modulus of ∼2.6 GPa in the −60 to 25 °C range. Capable of complete recovery of mechanical properties, these materials are reprocessable by compression molding at 120 °C. The recovery of physical and chemical properties involves the exchange reactions between vinylogous urethane linkages and primary amines. Upon multicycle reprocessing, junction densities and stored entropic energy are also recovered and preserved. These CANs self-heal under ambient conditions. Upon damage, initially C═O groups of vinylogous urethanes respond to perturbation by conformational changes, followed by the (E) → (Z) isomerization of C═C bonds accompanied by the conformational rearrangements of the CF3 and CH2 moieties. This reversible process leads to the recovery of dipolar interactions that facilitates self-healing under ambient conditions. The concept of equipping materials with dynamic cross-linking and self-healing attributes can be extended to other systems.

New quinoline-based triazole hybrid analogs as effective inhibitors of α-amylase and α-glucosidase: Preparation, in vitro evaluation, and molecular docking along with in silico studies.

The 7-quinolinyl-bearing triazole analogs were synthesized (1d–19d) and further assessed in vitro for their inhibitory profile against α-amylase andα-glucosidase. The entire analogs showed a diverse range of activities having IC50 values between 0.80 ± 0.05 µM to 40.20 ± 0.70 µM (α-amylase) and 1.20 ± 0.10 µM to 43.30 ± 0.80 µM (α-glucosidase) under the positive control of acarbose (IC50 = 10.30 ± 0.20 µM) (IC50 = 9.80 ± 0.20 µM) as the standard drug. Among the synthesized scaffolds, seven scaffolds 12d, 10d, 8d, 9d, 11d, 5d, and 14d showed excellent α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potentials with IC50 values of 4.30 ± 0.10, 2.10 ± 0.10, 1.80 ± 0.10, 1.50 ± 0.10, 0.80 ± 0.05, 5.30 ± 0.20, and 6.40 ± 0.30 µM (against α-amylase) and 3.30 ± 0.10, 2.40 ± 0.10, 1.20 ± 0.10, 1.90 ± 0.10, 8.80 ± 0.20, 7.30 ± 0.40, and 5.50 ± 0.10 µM (against α-glucosidase), respectively, while the remaining 12 scaffolds 19d, 8d, 17d, 16d, 15d, 7d, 4d, 3d, 1d, 2d, 13d and 6 d showed less α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory potentials than standard acarbose but still found to be active. Structure–activity connection studies also showed that scaffolds with electron-withdrawing groups like -Cl, -NO2, and -F linked to the phenyl ring had higher inhibitory potentials for -amylase and -glucosidase than scaffolds with -OCH3, -Br, and -CH3 moieties. In order to better understand their binding sites, the powerful scaffolds 11d and 9d were also subjected to molecular docking studies. The results showed that these powerful analogs provide a number of important interactions with the active sites of both of these targeted enzymes, including conventional hydrogen bonding, pi–pi stacking, pi–sulfur, pi–anion, pi–pi, pi–sigma, T-shaped, and halogen (fluorine). Furthermore, various techniques (spectroscopic), including 1H, 13C-NMR, and HREI-MS mass, were used to explore the correct structure of newly afforded hybrid scaffolds based on quinoline-bearing triazole ring.

Comparing the Excited State Dynamics of CH2OO, the Simplest Criegee Intermediate, Following Vertical versus Adiabatic Excitation.

Ab initio molecular dynamics studies of CH2OO molecules following excitation to the minimum-energy geometry of the strongly absorbing S2 (1ππ*) state reveal a much richer range of behaviors than just the prompt O-O bond fission, with unity quantum yield and retention of overall planarity, identified in previous vertical excitation studies from the ground (S0) state. Trajectories propagated for 100 fs from the minimum-energy region of the S2 state show a high surface hopping (nonadiabatic coupling) probability between the near-degenerate S2 and S1 (1nπ*) states at geometries close to the S2 minimum, which enables population transfer to the optically dark S1 state. Greater than 80% of the excited population undergoes O-O bond fission on the S2 or S1 potential energy surfaces (PESs) within the analysis period, mostly from nonplanar geometries wherein the CH2 moiety is twisted relative to the COO plane. Trajectory analysis also reveals recurrences in the O-O stretch coordinate, consistent with the resonance structure observed at the red end of the parent S2-S0 absorption spectrum, and a small propensity for out-of-plane motion after nonadiabatic coupling to the S1 PES that enables access to a conical intersection between the S1 and S0 states and cyclization to dioxirane products.

Excess CO2 Reductions during CH3 COOH Formation from CH4 and CO2 under Periodic Operation: Downhill Side Reactions in an Uphill Target Reaction under Unsteady Conditions.

Acetic acid (CH3 COOH) formation from methane (CH4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) is an ideal reaction for chemical production, whereas this reaction possesses a severe thermodynamic limitation. To address this issue, it has been reported that periodic operation allowing a non-equilibrium condition can overcome the thermodynamic limitation. However, although an intrinsic issue of uphill reactions in non-equilibrium conditions generally is occurrence of unfavorable downhill reactions, this issue has seldom been discussed for the CH3 COOH formation under periodic operation. Herein, excess CO2 reductions were found to be the unfavorable downhill reactions possibly occurring in the reaction aiming at CH3 COOH formation under periodically operated CH4 and CO2 feeds. The reaction using an isotopic reactant (i. e., 13 CH4 ) unveiled that excess CO2 reductions to CO and even to CH3 moiety could occur, indicating importance of catalyst development. Furthermore, it was proposed that H2 O vapor introduction into the CO2 feed, which increased the CH3 COOH product, most likely facilitated the reverse reaction of the excess CO2 reductions and thereby is effective to hamper the unfavorable side reaction.

Infrared Characterization of Isotopic Analogues of Methanediol in Aqueous Solution.

Dissolved methanediol in aqueous solution has been treated as the precursor for the formation of atmospheric formic acid in multiphase environments. In this work, methanediol, CH2(OH)2, and its isotopic analogues, CH2(OD)2, CD2(OH)2, and CD2(OD)2, in aqueous solution were prepared by dissolving paraformaldehyde and deuterium-substituted paraformaldehyde powders in H2O and D2O under reflux. Their infrared absorption contours of formaldehyde solutions at concentrations of <1 wt % are not dependent on the concentration, mainly referring to the characteristics of the monomeric configuration, and can be categorized into two parts. At wavenumbers >2000 cm-1, broad bands of moderate strengths were ascribed to the stretching modes of two OH or OD groups, observed at 3000-3700 and 2050-2750 cm-1, respectively. At wavenumbers of 950-1200 cm-1, the isotopic analogues of methanediols composed of CH2 moieties are featured with a singlet strong band at ca. 1030 cm-1, mainly attributed to the O-C-O stretching modes; the isotopic methanediols containing CD2 moieties manifested two intense bands at ca. 1100 and 980 cm-1, majorly enveloping the CD2 deformation and O-C-O stretching modes. The aforementioned spectral features were assigned on the basis of density functional theory, ωB97XD, with the basis set aug-cc-pVTZ and the solvent effect using the conductor-like polarizable continuum model. In addition, the predicted energetics suggested that the trans-methanediol is more stable than the cis- conformer by ca. 0.62 kcal mol-1 and majorly contributes to the infrared features. At higher concentrations of CH2(OH)2, extra bands at 920 and 1104 cm-1 appeared and were attributed to the C-O-C stretching modes of the dimeric/polymeric methanediol; that is, HO(CH2O)nH, n ≥ 2. These infrared characterizations of the isotopic analogues of methanediols provided suitable detection windows in the relevant atmospheric and aerosol reactions in the laboratory studies.

Orientation Polarization Spectroscopy-Toward an Atomistic Understanding of Dielectric Relaxation Processes.

The theory of orientation polarization and dielectric relaxation was developed by P. Debye more than 100 years ago. It is based on approximating a molecule by a sphere having one or more dipole moments. By that the detailed intra- and intermolecular interactions are explicitly not taken into consideration. In this article, the principal limitations of the Debye approximation are discussed. Taking advantage of the molecular specificity of the infrared (IR) spectral range, measurements of the specific IR absorption of the stretching vibration υ(OH) (at 3370 cm−1) and the asymmetric υas(CH2) (at 2862.9 cm−1) are performed in dependence on the frequency and the strength of external electric fields and at varying temperature. The observed effects are interpreted as caused by orientation polarization of the OH and the adjacent CH2 moieties.

Bonding Nature of "Ionic Carbenes" in [M3(μ3-CH2)]-Containing Compounds: The Covalent Interaction.

While a series of trinuclear rare-earth metal methylene (divalent >CH2) complexes with the so-called "ionic carbene" have been known for decades, the nature of metal-carbene interactions in this class of compounds remains elusive. Herein, a quantum chemical investigation has been performed to reveal the bonding nature in typical trimetallic "ionic carbene" species with the [M3(μ3-CH2)] (M = Sc, Y, La, and Ac) cluster core. Through various chemical bonding analyses, we have demonstrated that there exists a non-negligible covalent interaction between μ3-CH2 and M3 moieties, and the chemical bonding can be accounted for with two three-center two-electron (3c-2e) bonds. The chemical bonding analyses reveal that the metal d-electron configuration plays an important role in stabilizing various μ3-coordinated carbene complexes. The late transition metals do not favor such a μ3-coordination geometry, thus explaining why ionic carbene complexes are usually found for rare-earth and early transition metals. A series of ionic carbene complexes with early transition metals, lanthanides, and actinides are predicted to be stable as well. These reactive ionic carbene complexes may have characteristic properties for organic synthesis and catalysis.

Hydrogen abstraction reactions in formic and thioformic acid isomers by hydrogen and deuterium atoms

Context.The isomerism of molecules in the interstellar medium and the mechanisms behind it are essential questions in the chemistry of organic molecules in space. In the particular case of simple formic and thioformic acids, the low temperatures found in molecular clouds indicate that cis-trans isomerization in the gas-phase must be impeded. Reactions taking place on top of interstellar dust grains may explain the isomer interconversion at low temperatures.Aims.We studied the isomerization processes of formic and thioformic acid that are likely to take place on the surface of interstellar dust grains after being initiated by H abstraction reactions. Similarly, deuterium enrichment of the acids can occur by the same mechanism. Our objective is to shed light on both topics to expand our understanding of the key precursors of organic molecules in space.Methods.We determined the rate constants for the H abstraction reactions as well as the binding energies for the acids on water ice using ab initio calculations and the instanton method for calculating the rate constants, including quantum tunneling. In addition, we tested the viability of the deuteration of formic acid with tailored experiments and looked for it on the L1544 source.Results.For formic acid, there is a clear dependence of the H abstraction reactions on the isomer of the reactant, with rate constants at ~50 K that differ by five orders of magnitude. Correspondingly, we did not observe the trans-cis reaction in our experiments. In the case of thioformic acid, a very similar cis-trans reactivity is found for abstraction reactions at the thiol (-SH) group in contrast to a preferential reactivity that is found when abstractions take place at the -CH moiety. We found comparable binding energies for both isomers with average binding energies of around −6200 and −3100 K for formic and thioformic acid, respectively. Our binding energy calculations show that the reactions are precluded for specific orientations, affecting the overall isomerization rate. For H abstractions initiated by deuterium atoms, we found very similar trends, with kinetic isotope effects varying in most cases between 13 and 20.Conclusions.Our results support the cis-trans interconversion of cis-formic acid on dust grains, suggesting that such an acid should not withstand the conditions found on these objects. On the other hand, the trans isomer is very resilient. Both isomers of thioformic acid are much more reactive. A non-trivial chemistry is behind the apparent excess of its trans isomer that is found in cold molecular clouds and star-forming regions due to a subtle combination of preferential reactivity and binding with the surface. In light of our results, all the deuterated counterparts of thioformic acid are viable molecules to be present on the ISM. In contrast, only the trans isomer of deuterated formic acid is expected, for which we provide upper bounds of detection. Given the mechanisms presented in this paper, other mechanisms must be at play to explain the tiny fraction of cis-formic acid observed in interstellar cold environments, as well as the current trans-DCOOH and trans-HCOOD abundances in hot-corinos.

NMR-monitoring of H/D exchange reaction of ketones in solutions of imidazolium ionic liquids

NMR spectroscopy was used to study hydrogen–deuterium exchange in CH3, CH2 and CH moieties of ketones dissolved in mixtures of solvents containing exchangeable deuteriums and imidazolium ionic liquids (IL) acting as catalysts. Factors affecting the efficiency of the exchange, as well as the role of the deuterated solvent, temperature and concentration, were investigated. Depending on the sample composition and temperature, the degree of deuteration can reach different values at equilibrium state, and the exchange rate can vary from several minutes to several months. ILs with OAc anions and with ethyl chain cations exhibit significant catalytic properties and high degrees of deuteration (up to 98%), which can be achieved by consecutive deuteration cycles. A convenient practical protocol for monitoring the exchange process by NMR spectroscopy and calculating the degree of deuteration was developed and can be used for various molecular systems.

Methylamine Lithium Borohydride as Electrolyte for All-Solid-State Batteries.

Fast Li‐ion conductivity at room temperature is a major challenge for utilization of all‐solid‐state Li batteries. Metal borohydrides with neutral ligands are a new emerging class of solid‐state ionic conductors, and here we report the discovery of a new mono‐methylamine lithium borohydride with very fast Li+ conductivity at room temperature. LiBH4⋅CH3NH2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, forming a two‐dimensional unique layered structure. The layers are separated by hydrophobic −CH3 moieties, and contain large voids, allowing for fast Li‐ionic conduction in the interlayers, σ(Li+)=1.24×10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature. The electronic conductivity is negligible, and the electrochemical stability is ≈2.1 V vs Li. The first all‐solid‐state battery using a lithium borohydride with a neutral ligand as the electrolyte, Li‐metal as the anode and TiS2 as the cathode is demonstrated.

Methylamine Lithium Borohydride as Electrolyte for All‐Solid‐State Batteries

AbstractFast Li‐ion conductivity at room temperature is a major challenge for utilization of all‐solid‐state Li batteries. Metal borohydrides with neutral ligands are a new emerging class of solid‐state ionic conductors, and here we report the discovery of a new mono‐methylamine lithium borohydride with very fast Li+ conductivity at room temperature. LiBH4⋅CH3NH2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, forming a two‐dimensional unique layered structure. The layers are separated by hydrophobic −CH3 moieties, and contain large voids, allowing for fast Li‐ionic conduction in the interlayers, σ(Li+)=1.24×10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature. The electronic conductivity is negligible, and the electrochemical stability is ≈2.1 V vs Li. The first all‐solid‐state battery using a lithium borohydride with a neutral ligand as the electrolyte, Li‐metal as the anode and TiS2 as the cathode is demonstrated.

Cyclization Reactions of Non-Conjugate Ynones with Propargyl Amine in the Presence of a Catalyst

In this study, acetate derivatives were obtained from the reaction of acetophenones using diethyl carbonate. The acidic proton of CH2 moiety was abstracted using a suitable base and α-propargyl-β-ketoester (non-conjugated ynone) derivatives 3a-c were obtained from the reaction of the acetate derivatives with propargyl bromide. By removing the ester group of α propargyl-β-ketoester derivatives under suitable conditions, α-propargyl acetophenones (non-conjugated ynone) 4a-c were obtained. In this study, 6 different unconjugated ynone derivatives were synthesized as starting material with yield in a range of 60-95%. Cyclization reactions with propargyl amine in the presence of three different unconjugated ynone derivatives, metal catalysts were investigated. The synthesis of propargyl pyrroles 7a-c having substituents on C-2 and C-5 was completed.

Effect of curvature on the mono-methylation of carbon belt surfaces using density functional theory

The surface functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by direct radical addition has received considerable attention. The introduction of substituents is useful for tuning the π-character, enhancing the substrate anchoring, and improving the solubility. In this study, we investigated the binding energies of mono-methylated carbon belts (short SWCNTs) using density functional theory to elucidate the effect of curvature. The binding energy decreased as the curvature κ decreased and was approximately 25 kcal mol−1 less for κ = 0.166 Å−1 than for κ = 0.364 Å−1. This is because a change in curvature significantly impacts the interaction energy between the CH3 moiety and the carbon belt portion but not the deformation energy of the system. These results suggest that curvature can control the grafting onto the SWCNT surface.

Nucleophilic ability of 5-aminopyrazoles in the multicomponent synthesis of pyrazolodihydropyridines and pyrazolodihydropyrimidines

The nucleophilic ability of substituted 5-aminopyrazoles and the type of dicarbonyl component were investigated to synthesise various pyrazolodihydropyridines and pyrazolodihydropyrimidines. In this multicomponent reaction, two possible reaction mechanisms are proposed to elucidate the importance of the nucleophilic positions in the 5-aminopyrazole molecule leading to the different cyclocondensation products. The extent of the nucleophilicity of the C4-position (β-position of the enamine moiety), the lone pairs of the N1-atom and the NH2 group in the pyrazole molecule affect the reaction time and type of product formed. The acidity of the CH2 moiety of the β-dicarbonyl compound may affect the type of product formed. 1H and 13C NMR data and the X-ray crystal structure analysis support the experimental work and the formed product type.

Frustrated Lewis Pairs Based on Carbon⋅⋅⋅Carbon+ Tetrel Bonds: A DFT Study.

The ability of Triangulenium (TA+ ) compounds to form Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs) with N-HeteroCycle Carbenes (NHCs) is analysed in this manuscript at the PBE0-D3/def2-TZVP level of theory. We have used six TA+ -based moieties, three presenting similar bridging groups (O (trioxo), -CH2 (triaryl) and -NH (triaza)) and another three mixing, O, -CH2 and NH moieties. In addition, several aryl-substituted NHCs have been used as electron donor moieties to undergo carbon⋅⋅⋅carbon+ tetrel bonds with the TA+ derivatives. More precisely, -Me,-iPr, -tBu and -Ph groups were used. Finally, we have used Bader's quantum theory of "atoms in molecules" (QTAIM) and Natural Bonding Analysis (NBO) to characterize the carbon⋅⋅⋅carbon+ tetrel bonds described herein. We expect the results gathered herein will be useful for further exploitation of carbon⋅⋅⋅carbon+ bonds in the formation of FLPs as well as to expand the current knowledge of tetrel bonds to the fields of synthetic chemistry and catalysis.

New mechanistic understanding for atmospheric oxidation of isoprene initiated by atomic chlorine

Isoprene is the most abundant non-methane VOC and a significant SOA contributor. The atmospheric oxidation initiated by atomic chlorine is an important sink for isoprene, especially in certain regions with high Cl concentration, while its detailed oxidation mechanism remains unclear. In this work, we comprehensively investigated the reaction mechanism of isoprene with Cl using quantum chemistry calculation, and first elaborated the specific reaction mechanisms of chloroalkenyl peroxy radicals with HO2/NO and the formation of 2-methylbut-3-enal, highlighting their important roles in the SOA formation. For the initial reactions, Cl additions to terminal carbons and H abstraction from CH3 moiety of isoprene are the predominant reactions, which is consistent with previous research. Following the initial reactions, their subsequent reactions with O2 and HO2 (or NO) under different atmospheric conditions could lead to the formation of 17 highly oxidized molecules (HOMs), of which P10, P12, P16, P17, P19 and P33 generated by the subsequent reactions of the major first-generation products (MVK, CMBO, CMBA and MBO) have been detected in the reaction process of isoprene with Cl in the chamber experiment. In addition to auto-oxidation process, the reaction of chloroalkenyl peroxy radicals with HO2/NO and their subsequent reactions are all easy to occur under atmospheric conditions, which could be crucial contributors to the formation of HOMs and SOA arising from the Cl initiated oxidation of isoprene. This study would be conducive to clarifying the atmospheric oxidation process of isoprene initiated by Cl and providing a new understanding of its SOA formation.

A spectroscopic approach to measuring meibum lipid composition and conformation in donors with Sjӧgren's syndrome

Patients with Sjӧgren's syndrome (SS) have dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). The meibum from donors with dry eye due to MGD but without SS (MMGD) presents with lower levels of cholesteryl ester, less straight chains, and more ordered hydrocarbon chains compared with meibum from donors without MGD (Mn). The aim of the current study was to compare the composition and hydrocarbon chain conformation of meibum from donors with Sjögren's syndrome (Mss) to Mn and MMGD. Meibum was expressed from patients with SS using an ILUX instrument (Alcon Inc., Fort Worth TX). All of the nine meibum donors with SS were female. Meibum composition was characterized using 1H-NMR and meibum hydrocarbon chain conformation was measured using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Meibum from every donor with SS measured contained a significantly (P < 0.01) higher cholesteryl ester/wax ester ratio and more straight chains compared with donors without SS or dry eye. None of the nine phase transitional parameters were significantly different, P > 0.05, for Mss compared with Mn. Nor was the CH3/CH2 band height ratio used to estimate the number of hydrocarbon CH3 and CH2 moieties different, P = 0.22, for Mss compared with Mn.In conclusion, the compositional differences between Mss compared with Mn did not result in differences in any of the nine meibum lipid phase transitional parameters measured. The compositional differences observed between Mss and Mn could be markers for or contribute to SS as the differences could lead to tear film lipid packing differences other than conformational differences.

When detection of dairy food fraud fails: An alternative approach through proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

This paper investigated the limits of the current approach for the determination of the fatty acids profile of milk fats from proton nuclear magnetic resonance data based on the hypothesis that the signal at 0.96 ppm, currently assigned in the literature as a marker for the "short chain fatty acids," is generated only by the butyric moiety (not by all of the short-chain fatty acids, which also include C6:0-caproic acid). The hypothesis was tested and experimentally confirmed. Moreover, the triplet at 0.96 ppm can also be due to n-3 fatty acids such as linolenic acid (C18:3); therefore, a previously reported methodology for the fatty acids profiling of dairy products-considered as general in the literature-cannot be used in fraud-detection approaches because it allows linolenic acid to be mistaken for butyric acid, consequently leading to misclassification of adulterated samples as nonadulterated. To support our opinion, we have applied the current literature approach for the determination of the fatty acids composition of 3 synthetic nondairy fat blends and have obtained fatty acid compositions similar to milk fats, allowing for their misclassification as genuine milk fats. However, in reality, the blends had very different compositions, as confirmed by gas chromatography. Consequently, we have highlighted the weaknesses of the existing methodology for the detection of dairy food adulteration. In return, new proton nuclear magnetic resonance descriptors based on various integral ratios of signals associated with CH2 moiety versus signals associated with butyric and n-3 fatty acids were proposed to detect adulterations.

Laboratory IR spectroscopy of protonated hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene and dicoronylene

The mid-infrared emission spectra of a large variety of astronomical objects are dominated by the aromatic infrared bands (AIBs), which are now widely accepted to originate from gaseous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It is believed that the astrophysically most relevant molecules are at least 40–50 carbon atoms in size. Still, the large majority of laboratory experiments have been performed on smaller PAHs, mainly for reasons of experimental limitations and availability. Here, we show that combination of atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) with a direct insertion probe (DIP) inlet gives efficient access to larger, ionic PAHs for action spectroscopy studies. We present the gaseous IR spectra of two astrophysically relevant large PAHs, hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene (C42H19+) and dicoronylene (C48H21+) in their protonated form. Compared to their radical cation analogs, the protonated species have a lower dissociation threshold as they can expel a neutral hydrogen radical leaving behind the resonance-stabilized radical cation; provided that the mass spectrometer can resolve precursor and product ions at one amu difference, this generates good quality spectra under multiple-photon dissociation conditions. Quantum-chemical computations at the density functional level are used to support experiments. Despite the apparent similarity of different protonation isomers, their IR spectra are predicted to be remarkably distinct. This facilitates a straightforward identification of the isomers formed experimentally. For both species studied, protonation occurs on the peripheral CH moiety in the ’bay region’ of the molecules. We compare the spectra of the protonated species with those of their radical cation analogs reported previously and briefly discuss the astrophysical relevance.

Highly Strained Pn(CH)3 (Pn = N, P, As, Sb, Bi) Tetrahedranes: Theoretical Characterization.

Recent experimental research by Cummins and co-workers has established the existence of a tetrahedrane molecule with one CH moiety replaced by phosphorus. We present here the first theoretical studies of the entire Pn(CH)3 (Pn = N, P, As, Sb, Bi) class of molecules. Geometries are obtained at the highly reliable CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pwCVTZ(-PP) level of theory. Harmonic vibrational frequencies are determined and analyzed to confirm the nature of each stationary point and provide helpful findings that may aid in the detection of each species. Most notable is the result that the geometric parameters associated with the (CH)3 moiety in the tetrahedranes exhibit little change under pnictogen substitution, while the Pn-C bonds and C-Pn-C bond angles greatly increase and decrease, respectively. Strain energies are predicted and range from 122.3 kcal mol-1 (N(CH)3) to 99.4 kcal mol-1 (Bi(CH)3) at the DF-CCSD(T)//B3LYP-D3/aug-cc-pV(T+d)Z(-PP) level of theory. The obtained geometries are further analyzed with Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) methods to understand the bonding and electronic structure of each species. We also provide insight into how different substituents can help make the tetrahedrane structure more energetically favorable due to electron delocalization into substituent antibonding orbitals. The effect of additional delocalization also weakens the Pn-C bonds, especially for the heavier pnictogens. This work concludes with a list of considerations that summarize our key findings and motivate future work aimed at producing novel pnictogen-substituted tetrahedrane molecules.