Ethyl Cation Research Articles

Reactivity of the Ethenium Cation (C2H5+) with Ethyne (C2H2): A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study.

The gas-phase reaction between the ethyl cation (C2H5+) and ethyne (C2H2) is re-investigated by measuring absolute reactive cross sections (CSs) and branching ratios (BRs) as a function of collision energy, in the thermal and hyperthermal energy range, via tandem-guided ion beam mass spectrometry under single collision conditions. Dissociative photoionization of C2H5Br using tuneable VUV radiation in the range 10.5-14.0 eV is employed to generate C2H5+, which has also allowed us to explore the impact of increasing (vibrational) excitation on the reactivity. Reactivity experiments are complemented by theoretical calculations, at the G4 level of theory, of the relative energies and structures of the most relevant stationary points on the reactive potential energy hypersurface (PES) and by mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrometry experiments to probe the metastable decomposition from the [C4H7]+ PES and elucidate the underlying reaction mechanisms. Two main product channels have been identified at a centre-of-mass collision energy of ∼0.1 eV: (a) C3H3++CH4, with BR = 0.76±0.05 and (b) C4H5++H2, with BR = 0.22±0.02. A third channel giving C2H3+ in association with C2H4 is shown to emerge at both high internal excitation of C2H5+ and high collision energies. From CS measurements, energy-dependent total rate constants in the range 4.3×10-11-5.2×10-10 cm3·molecule-1·s-1 have been obtained. Theoretical calculations indicate that both channels stem from a common covalently bound intermediate, CH3CH2CHCH+, from which barrierless and exothermic pathways exist for the production of both cyclic c-C3H3+ and linear H2CCCH+ isomers of the main product channel. For the minor C4H5+ product, two isomers are energetically accessible: the three-member cyclic isomer c-C3H2(CH3)+ and the higher energy linear structure CH2CHCCH2+, but their formation requires multiple isomerization steps and passages via transition states lying only 0.11 eV below the reagents' energy, thus explaining the smaller BR. Results have implications for the modeling of hydrocarbon chemistry in the interstellar medium and the atmospheres of planets and satellites as well as in laboratory plasmas (e.g., plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of carbon nanotubes and diamond-like carbon films).

Do-It-Yourself 5-Color 3D Printing of Molecular Orbitals and Electron Density Surfaces

This report outlines an approach for preparing 5-color 3D printed plastic models of molecular orbitals and electron density surfaces using a hobby-grade 3D printer. Instructions are provided for preparing 3D orbital and electron density surface (EDS) models using solid or mesh representations in ground state and transition state structures. We show that the information content of 3D orbital and surface models can be enhanced with text annotation, bisection, strut and dashed bond placement, and composite orbital-EDS model constructions. Example prints illustrate orbital concepts in organic and inorganic chemistry, such as the ethyl cation (σ–p hyperconjugation), methane (hybridization and C–H bonding), ethane (σ–σ* hyperconjugation in the staggered and eclipsed conformations), 2-hydroxytetrahydropyran (the anomeric effect/n−σ* hyperconjugation), the water dimer (hydrogen bonding/n−σ* overlap), ethylene, 1,3-butadiene, and benzene (π molecular orbitals), Re2Cl82–, and U2(COT)2 (metal–metal quadruple bonds). Transition state models illustrate orbital interactions in the SN2 reaction of cyanide with methyl, ethyl, and isopropyl chloride and in a hydroboration reaction of BH3 with propene. Composite EDS models of methyl and isopropyl chloride (for exploring their relative reactivities as SN2 electrophiles) and methylcyclohexane (visualizing 1,3-diaxial interactions) are described. Student perceptions of a multicolor 3D orbital print used in an introductory organic chemistry laboratory course are reported.

Isotope Effects on Ground and Excited States of Ethyl Cation, H+(C2H4)

The structure and spectra of ethyl cation, H+(C2H4), and its deuterated analogues are investigated using diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC). These calculations all show that the ground state wave function for H+(C2H4) is localized near the minimum energy configuration in which the excess proton is in a bridging configuration, although the amplitude of the vibrational motions of the bridging proton is large. Deuteration of the bridging proton reduces the amplitude of this motion, while deuteration of only the ethylenic hydrogen atoms in H+(C2D4) has little effect on the amplitude of the motion of the bridging proton. Excited states that are accessed by spectroscopically observed transitions in H+(C2H4) are calculated using fixed-node DMC. The calculated and measured frequencies for the states with one quantum of excitation in the ethylenic CH stretching vibrations show good agreement. We also explore the excited state with one quantum of excitation in the proton transfer vibration of the bridging proton and obtain a frequency of 616 cm-1 for H+(C2H4). This frequency increases to 629 cm-1 in H+(C2D4). Deuteration decreases this frequency to 491 and 495 cm-1 in D+(C2H4) and D+(C2D4), respectively. The effects of partial deuteration on the frequencies of the CH stretching vibrations, and the corresponding probability amplitudes are also explored. Finally, we report the vibrationally averaged rotational constants for the four isotopologues of ethyl cation considered in this study.

Alkylimidazolium Protic Ionic Liquids: Structural Features and Physicochemical Properties.

We focus on a series of protic ionic liquids (PILs) with imidazolium and alkylimidazolium (1R3HIm, R=methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl) cations. Using the literature data and our experimental results on the thermal and transport properties, we analyze the effects of the anion nature and the alkyl radical length in the cation structure on the above properties. DFT calculations in gas and solvent phase provide further microscopic insights into the structure and cation-anion binding in these PILs. We show that the higher thermodynamic stability of an ion pair raises the PIL decomposition temperature. The melting points of the salts with the same cation decrease as the hydrocarbon radical in the cation becomes longer, which correlates with the weaker ion-ion interaction inthe ion pairs. A comparative analysis of the protic ILs and corresponding ILs (1R3MeIm) with the same radical (R) in the cation structure and the same anion has been performed. The lower melting points of the ILs with 1R3MeIm cations are assumed to result from the weakening of both the ion-ion interaction and the hydrogen bond.

Modeling of CO2 Solubility in Selected Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids

This study explores the use of COSMO-RS model and Peng-Robinson (PR) equation of state (EoS) to predict the solubility of carbon dioxide (CO2) in specific ionic liquids (ILs). COSMO-RS was employed to estimate of CO2 solubility at atmospheric pressure in eight imidazolium-based ILs resulting from the combination of ethyl, butyl, hexyl, and octyl-imidazolium cations with two anions: bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf2N]) and Trifluoromethanesulfonate ([TFO]). The results indicated relatively acceptable qualitative consistency between the experimental and predicted values. The PR EoS was employed at high pressure by tuning the interaction parameters to fit the experimental data reported in the literature. The model demonstrated excellent accuracy in predicting the solubility of CO2 at pressure values less than the critical pressure of CO2; however, at higher pressures, the calculated solubility diverged from the experimental values. Furthermore, the type of anion and cation used in the IL affected the performance of the PR EoS.

Unravelling Mechanistic Aspects of the Gas‐Phase Ethanol Conversion: An Experimental and Computational Study on the Thermal Reactions of MO2+ (M=Mo, W) with Ethanol

The ion/molecule reactions of molybdenum and tungsten dioxide cations with ethanol have been studied by Fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Dehydration of ethanol has been found as the dominant reaction channel, while generation of the ethyl cation corresponds to a minor product. Cleary, the reactions are mainly governed by the Lewis acidity of the metal center. Computational results, together with isotopic labeling experiments, show that the dehydration of ethanol can proceed either through a conventional concerted [1,2]-elimination mechanism or a step-wise process; the latter occurs via a hydroxyethoxy intermediate. Formation of C2 H5 (+) takes place by transfer of OH(-) from ethanol to the metal center of MO2 (+) . The molybdenum and tungsten dioxide cations exhibit comparable reactivities toward ethanol, and this is reflected in similar reaction rate constants and branching ratios.

The covalence and infrared spectra of cationic hydrogen bonds and dihydrogen bonds

A theoretical study of hydrogen bonds and dihydrogen bonds formed by ethyl cation, hydrocarbons and magnesium hydride is presented with calculations performed at the BHandHLYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. The structural results and IR analyses demonstrated great insights, mainly the strengthening and weakness of the CC bond of the ethyl cation and π or pseudo-π bonds, respectively. The interaction strength was measured through the supermolecule as well as by means of additional approaches. The QTAIM calculations were applied to characterize not only the intermolecular interactions but specifically the covalent character in the H + ⋯ π, H + ⋯ pseudo-π and H + ⋯ H contacts. The NBO calculations were useful to interpret the polarization on the CC bond and whether this effect is related with the bond length reduction as well as increase of charge density and frequency shifts.

Quantum chemical studies of non-covalent interactions between the ethyl cation and rare gases

By taking into consideration the facts that rare gases (Ar, He, Kr, and Ne) are practically inert and that the structure of the ethyl cation (C 2 H 5 + ) is stabilized through the hyperconjugation effect, a theoretical study at the B3LYP/6-311 + +G(d,p) level of calculation was carried out here in order to investigate the formation of the C 2 H 5 + ···Ar, C 2 H 5 + ···He, C 2 H 5 + ···Kr, and C 2 H 5 + ···Ne complexes. The charge transfers among H and Ar, He, Kr or Ne prove that the loss of electronic density on the rare gases are clearly noticeable. Additionally, the synergism between the structural changes and the vibration shifts have been demonstrated and justified on the basis of the Bent rule and QTAIM calculations. In complement, the interaction strength in H + ···Ar, H + ···He, H + ···Kr, and H + ···Ne was examined, although the covalent character is completely null because these contacts are very weak.

Hyperconjugation in Carbocations, a BLW Study with DFT approximation.

The geometry of ethyl cation is discussed, and the hyperconjugation effect in carbocations is evaluated at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level. The Block Localized Wavefunction (BLW) method is used for all evaluations of the hyperconjugation, considered as the energy gained by the delocalization onto the C+ atom. This energy is defined as the energy difference between the delocalized (standard) calculation, where the electrons are freely delocalized, and a localized form where the positive charge sits on the carbon center. It is evaluated for 18 carbocations, including conjugated systems. In these cases we were particularly interested in the additional stabilization brought by hyperconjugative effects. Among other effects, the β-silicon effect is computed. Hyperconjugation amounts in several cases to an energy similar to conjugation effects.

A boron–boron coupling reaction between two ethyl cation analogues

The design of larger architectures from smaller molecular building blocks by element-element coupling reactions is one of the key concerns of synthetic chemistry, so a number of strategies were developed for this bottom-up approach. A general scheme is the coupling of two elements with opposing polarity or that of two radicals. Here, we show that a B-B coupling reaction is possible between two boron analogues of the ethyl cation, resulting in the formation of an unprecedented dicationic tetraborane. The bonding properties in the rhomboid B₄ core of the product can be described as two B-B units connected by three-centre, two-electron bonds, sharing the short diagonal. Our discovery might lead the way to the long sought-after boron chain polymers with a structure similar to the silicon chains in β-SiB₃. Moreover, the reaction is a prime textbook example of the influence of multiple-centre bonding on reactivity.

Theoretical Studies on Structures and Electronic State of Alkyl‐Substituted Ethyl Cations

This paper describes the gas phase structural details for a series of alkyl‐substituted ethyl cations 1–11 by mainly natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. For the simplest ethyl cation, two kinds of optimized structures (nonclassical 1 and classical 2) were found to have minima on the potential surface, and the nonclassical 1 was more stable than the corresponding classical 2 by 1.19 kcal/moL at Møller‐Plesset (MP) level calculations in the gas phase. The calculated values of Wiberg’s bond index revealed that the central ethylic C1–C2 bonds of the nonclassical cations 1, 6, 7, and 10 have 1.10–1.46 bond multiplicities. The compliance constant (Cii) values indicated that the cation center C1 of nonclassical 2‐butyl cation 6 (0.209 Å/mdyn) acquires stronger hyperconjugative stabilization from C2–R3 (C–H) bond than that of the nonclassical ethyl cation 1 (0.388 Å/mdyn). Moreover, the gas phase stabilities for the alkyl‐substituted ethyl cations 1–11 were also estimated by the hydride affinities based on isodesmic equations.

Structure, energy, vibrational spectrum, and Bader's analysis of π⋯H hydrogen bonds and H−δ⋯H+δdihydrogen bonds

In this paper, the intermolecular structural study asserted by the vibrational analysis in the stretch frequencies of hydrogen bonds (π···H) and dihydrogen bonds (H(-δ)···H(+δ)) have definitively been revisited by means of calculations carried out by Density Functional Theory (DFT) and topological parameters derived from the classic treatise of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM). As a matter of fact the π···H hydrogen bond is formed between the hydrofluoric acid and the C≡C bond of the acetylene, but the QTAIM calculations revealed a distortion in this interaction due to the formation of the ternary complex C(2)H(2)···2(HF). Although the π bonds of ethylene (C(2)H(4)), propylene (C(2)H(3)(CH(3))), and t-butylene (C(2)H(2)(CH(3))(2)) are considered proton acceptors, two hydrogen-bond types--π···H and C···H--can be observed. Over and above the analysis of the π hydrogen bonds, theoretical arguments also were used to discuss the red-shifts in the stretch frequencies of the binary dihydrogen complexes formed by BeH(2)···HX with X = F, Cl, CN, and CCH. Although a vibrational blue-shift in the stretch frequency of the H-C bond of HCF(3) due to the formation of the BeH(2)···HCF(3) dihydrogen complex was obtained, unmistakable red-shifts were detected in LiH···HCF(3), MgH(2)···HCF(3), and NaH···HCF(3). Moreover, the alkali-halogen bonds were identified in relation to the formation of the trimolecular systems NaH···2(HCF(3)) and NaH···2(HCCl(3)). At last, theoretical calculations and QTAIM molecular integrations were used to study a novel class of dihydrogen-bonded complexes (mC(2)H(5)(+)···nMgH(2) with m = 1 or 2 and n = 1 or 2) based in the insight that MgH(2) can bind with the non-localized hydrogen H(+δ) of the ethyl cation (C(2)H(5)(+)). In an overview, QTAIM calculations were applied to evaluate the molecular topography, charge density, as well as to interpret the shifted frequencies either to red or blue caused by the formation of the hydrogen bonds and dihydrogen bonds.

The 1‐Phenyl‐1‐(trimethylsilyl)ethyl Cation: An NMR Spectroscopic and Computational Study of the α‐Silyl Effect in Benzyl Cations

AbstractThe 1‐phenyl‐1‐(trimethylsilyl)ethyl cation is generated as a persistent species in solution and characterized experimentally by 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. The α‐silyl effect is elucidated by comparison with other benzyl cations, such as cumyl and 1‐phenylethyl cations. Concomitant quantum chemical calculations of structures, relative thermodynamic stabilities, chemical shifts, and the harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) indices are congruent with the analysis of the experimental NMR spectroscopy results; therefore, we conclude that, in benzyl cations, the α‐silyl substituent is stabilizing with respect to H, but destabilizing relative to a methyl group.

Bonding in homoleptic iron carbonyl cluster cations: a combined infrared photodissociation spectroscopic and theoretical study

Infrared spectra of mass-selected homoleptic iron carbonyl cluster cations including mononuclear Fe(CO)5+ and Fe(CO)6+, dinuclear Fe2(CO)8+ and Fe2(CO)9+, and trinuclear Fe3(CO)12+ are measured via infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the carbonyl stretching frequency region. The structures are established by comparison of the experimental spectra with simulated spectra derived from density functional calculations. Only one IR band is observed for the Fe(CO)5+ cation, which is predicted to have a C4v structure. The Fe(CO)6+ cation is determined to be a weakly bound complex involving a Fe(CO)5+ core ion. In contrast to neutral clusters which have symmetric structures with two and three bridging carbonyl ligands, the dinuclear Fe2(CO)8+ and Fe2(CO)9+ cations are characterized to have unbridged asymmetric (OC)5Fe–Fe(CO)n+ (n = 3 and 4) structures. The trinuclear Fe3(CO)12+ cluster cation is determined to have an open chain like (OC)5Fe–Fe(CO)2–Fe(CO)5 structure instead of the triangular structure with two bridging CO groups for the Fe3(CO)12 neutral. The di- and trinuclear cluster cations all involve a square pyramid like Fe(CO)5 building block that satisfies the 18-electron configuration of this iron center. The Fe(CO)5 building block is isolobal to the CH3 fragment in hydrocarbon chemistry, the Fe2(CO)9+ and Fe3(CO)12+ cluster cations may be considered through isolobality to be metal carbonyl analogues of the ethyl and isopropyl cations.

IR Spectra of C2H5+-N2 Isomers: Evidence for Dative Chemical Bonding in the Isolated Ethanediazonium Ion

The potential energy surface (PES) of C(2)H(5)(+)-N(2) is characterized in detail by infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy of mass-selected ions in a quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer and ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311G(2df,2pd) level. The PES features three nonequivalent minima. Two local minima, 1-N(2)(H) and 1-N(2)(C), are adduct complexes with binding energies of D(0) = 18 and 12 kJ/mol, in which the N(2) ligand is weakly bonded by electrostatic forces to either the acidic proton or the electrophilic carbon atom of the nonclassical C(2)H(5)(+) ion (1), respectively. The global minimum 3 is the ethanediazonium ion, featuring a weak dative bond of D(0) = 38 kJ/mol. This interaction strength is sufficient to switch the C(2)H(5)(+) structure from nonclassical to classical. The 1-N(2)(C) isomer corresponds to the entrance channel complex for addition of N(2) to 1 yielding the product 3. This reaction involves a small barrier of 7 kJ/mol as a result of the rearrangement of the C(2)H(5)(+) ion. The partly rotationally resolved IRPD spectrum of C(2)H(5)(+)-N(2) recorded in the C-H stretch range is dominated by four bands assigned to 3 and one weak transition attributed to 1-N(2)(H). The abundance ratio of 1-N(2)(H) and 3 estimated from the IRPD spectrum as ∼1% is consistent with the calculated free energy difference of 12 kJ/mol. As the ethanediazonium ion escaped previous mass spectrometric detection, the currently accepted value for the ethyl cation affinity of N(2) is revised from -ΔH(0) = 15.5 ± 1.5 to ∼42 kJ/mol. The first experimental identification and characterization of 3 provides a sensitive probe of the electrophilic character and fluxionality of the ethyl cation. Comparison of 3 with related alkanediazonium ions reveals the drastic effect of the size of the alkyl chain on their chemical reactivity, which is relevant in the context of hydrocarbon plasma chemistry of planetary atmospheres and the interstellar medium, as well as alkylation reactions of (bio)organic molecules (e.g., carcinogenesis and mutagenesis of DNA material).

Effect of protic ionic liquids (PILs) on the formation of non-ionic dodecyl poly(ethylene oxide) surfactant self-assembly structures and the effect of these surfactants on the nanostructure of PILs

The ability of a series of non-ionic dodecyl poly(ethylene oxide) surfactants to form micelles in a variety of protic ionic liquids (PILs) was investigated using small and wide angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS). The C(12)E(n) surfactants with n = 3-8 were examined in PILs which contained either an ethyl, diethyl, triethyl, butyl, pentyl, ethanol or pentanol-ammonium cation in conjunction with either a nitrate or formate anion. The ability of the PILs to support micelles of these surfactants was highly dependent on their liquid nanostructure. The PILs containing hydroxyl groups on the cations were not nanostructured and had very low surfactant solubility (<1 wt%). The highly nanostructured PILs with butylammonium or pentylammonium cations contain large non-polar domains, and had excellent surfactant solubility, but due to the greater hydrocarbon solubility they had insufficient drive from the "solvophobic effect" to enable micelle formation. The PILs of ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), propylammonium nitrate (PAN), diethylammonium formate (DEAF) and triethylammonium formate (TEAF) had smaller non-polar domains, and all supported micelle formation below 20 wt% surfactant. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of surfactants in EAN were two orders of magnitude greater than in water. The minimum molecular areas of the poly(ethylene oxide) head groups at the air/ionic liquid interface, A(min), were significantly larger in EAN than in water. The SAXS patterns from the micelles present in EAN fitted well to ellipsoids, whereas the micelles present in PAN fitted well to spheres. The nanostructure of select PILs was also influenced by the presence of surfactants.

Methyl cation affinity (MCA) values for phosphanes

AbstractMethyl cation affinity (MCA) values have been calculated for a variety of phosphanes at the MP2(FC)/6‐31+G(2d,p)//B98/6‐31G(d) level of theory. The analysis of MCA values for tri‐alkyl phosphanes reveals that substituent effects are additive for unbranched and cyclic alkyl substituents, and (with some modification) also for most of the branched alkyl substituents. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Steric effects on alkyl cation affinities of maingroup‐element hydrides

We have carried out an extensive exploration of gas-phase alkyl cation affinities (ACA) of archetypal anionic and neutral bases across the periodic system using zeroth order regular approximation-relativistic density functional theory at BP86/QZ4P//BP86/TZ2P. ACA values were computed for the methyl, ethyl, i-propyl and t-butyl cations and compared with the corresponding proton affinities (PA). One purpose of this work is to provide an intrinsically consistent set of values of the 298 K ACA of all anionic (XH (n-1)(-)) and neutral bases (XH(n)) constituted by maingroup-element hydrides of groups 14-17 and the noble gases (group 18) along the periods 1-6. Another purpose is to determine and rationalize the trend in affinity for a cation as the latter varies from proton to t-butyl cation. This undertaking is supported by quantitative bond energy decomposition analyses. Correlations are established between PA and ACA values.

Double CH Activation of Ethane by Metal‐Free SO2.+ Radical Cations

The room-temperature C-H activation of ethane by metal-free SO(2)(*+) radical cations has been investigated under different pressure regimes by mass spectrometric techniques. The major reaction channel is the conversion of ethane to ethylene accompanied by the formation of H(2)SO(2)(*+), the radical cation of sulfoxylic acid. The mechanism of the double C-H activation, in the absence of the single activation product HSO(2)(+), is elucidated by kinetic studies and quantum chemical calculations. Under near single-collision conditions the reaction occurs with rate constant k=1.0 x 10(-9) (+/-30%) cm(3) s(-1) molecule(-1), efficiency=90%, kinetic isotope effect k(H)/k(D)=1.1, and partial H/D scrambling. The theoretical analysis shows that the interaction of SO(2)(*+) with ethane through an oxygen atom directly leads to the C-H activation intermediate. The interaction through sulfur leads to an encounter complex that rapidly converts to the same intermediate. The double C-H activation occurs by a reaction path that lies below the reactants and involves intermediates separated by very low energy barriers, which include a complex of the ethyl cation suitable to undergo H/D scrambling. Key issues in the observed reactivity are electron-transfer processes, in which a crucial role is played by geometrical constraints. The work shows how mechanistic details disclosed by the reactions of metal-free electrophiles may contribute to the current understanding of the C-H activation of ethane.

Site-Selective Bimodal Absorption and Emission of Distonic Radical Cation

An acyclic 1,4-distonic dimer radical cation (DAE(2)(*+)) was generated from the dimerization of 1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethylene radical cation (DAE(*+)) with the neutral molecule (DAE) in solution. The absorption spectrum of DAE(2)(*+) shows bimodal absorption bands with peaks at 350 and 500 nm corresponding to the 1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl radical (An(2)C(*)CH(3)) and 1,1-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl cation (An(2)C(+)CH(3)), respectively. Therefore, DAE(2)(*+) in the ground state has the spin and positive charge localized on the 1- and 4-positions, respectively. The bimodal characteristic emissions by the site-selective excitation of radical and cation sites of DAE(2)(*+) were observed at 77 K, showing that the excitation energy is localized on the radical or cation site of DAE(2)(*+) in the excited state. The interaction between radical and cation sites of DAE(2)(*+) in the ground and excited states are discussed on the basis of the steady-state spectroscopic and transient absorption measurements, as well as theoretical calculations.