The unique role of the nitro group in intramolecular interactions: chloronitromethanes

Theoretical study on highly nitrated sensitive pyrazole isomers in the presence of external electric field

CONTEXT

This article mainly studies three isomers of C5H3N7O10, namely 5-methyl-3,4-dinitro-1- (trinitromethyl) -1H pyrazole (1), 4-methyl-3,5-dinitro-1- (trinitromethyl) -1H pyrazole (2), and 3,5-bis (dinitromethyl) -4-nitro-1H-pyrazole (3). These three substances are excellent candidates for energetic materials, but their properties under external electric fields (EEF) have not been studied. Therefore, this article studied the properties of three isomers under EEF using density functional theory (DFT), and conducted statistical analysis on the obtained data, including the molecular structure, frontier molecular orbitals, surface electrostatic potential, and nitrate charge of the three isomers. The results showed that applying EEF to the trigger bonds of 1 and 2 increased bond length, leading to a decrease in material stability. The change in bond length induced by 3 was relatively stable, and the results obtained from calculating the nitro charge were consistent with the bond length results. When an EEF is applied to three substances, the polarization degree of the molecules of the three substances increases. It is worth mentioning that the polarization degree of the molecules under the influence of a negative EEF is greater than that of a positive EEF.

METHODS

Using density functional theory, the B3LYP/6-311 + G (d, p) method was employed for structural optimization. After optimizing convergence, ensure that there are no imaginary frequencies to obtain a stable structure. Wave function analysis was performed using Multiwfn 3.8 and VMD 1.9.3. The EEF strength ranged from - 0.02 a.u. to 0.02 a.u., with a growth gradient of 0.005 a.u.

Theoretical study of a series of 1,2-diazete based trinitromethyl derivatives as potential energetic compounds

CONTEXT

Explosive properties of novel potential high energy density materials of a series of 1,2-diazete-based molecules with trinitromethyl functional group were investigated computationally. All the sixty seven molecules were optimised to obtain their molecular geometries and electronic structures. Electrostatic potential analysis was also carried out in the determination of different parameters. The calculations indicate that the majority of the compounds have high positive heat of formations, high density and good detonation performance greater than that of traditional energetic materials like RDX and HMX. They are also having comparable values of impact sensitivity. These features promise their potential to be used as energetic materials for future applications. Most of the designed molecules are having high positive oxygen balance values so that the study of these molecules can also be extended as potential candidates for oxidisers in solid propellants.

METHODS

Optimisation and vibrational frequency analysis of the studied molecules were done with density functional theory using B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ as the basis set to zero imaginary frequencies using Gaussian 09. Electrostatic potential analysis were carried using the Multiwfn program.

Probing intramolecular interactions using molecular electrostatic potentials: changing electron density contours to unveil both attractive and repulsive interactions

We focus on intramolecular interactions, using the electrostatic potential plotted on iso-density surfaces to lead the way. We show that plotting the electrostatic potential on varying iso-density envelopes much closer to the nuclei than the commonly used 0.001 a.u. contour can reveal the driving forces for such interactions, whether they be stabilizing or destabilizing. Our approach involves optimizing the structures of molecules exhibiting intramolecular interactions and then finding the contour of the electronic density which allows the interacting atoms to be separated; we call this the nearly-touching contour. The electrostatic potential allows then to identify the intramolecular interactions as either attractive or repulsive. The discussed 1,5- and 1,6-intramolecular interactions in o-bromophenol and o-nitrophenol are attractive, while the interactions between terminal methyl hydrogens in diethyl disulfides (as shown recently) and those between the closest hydrogens in planar biphenyl and phenanthrene are clearly repulsive in nature. For the attractive 1,4-interactions in trinitromethane and chlorotrinitromethane, and the 1,3-S⋯N and the 1,4-Si⋯N interactions in the ClH2Si(CH2)nNH2 series, the lack of (3,-1) bond critical points has often been cited as reason to not identify such interactions as attractive in nature. Here, by looking at the nearly-touching contours we see that bond critical points are neither necessary nor sufficient for attractive interactions, as others have pointed out, and in some instances also pointing to repulsive interactions, as the examples of planar biphenyl and phenanthrene discussed in this work show.

Steroids Bearing Heteroatom as Potential Drugs for Medicine

Heteroatom steroids, a diverse class of organic compounds, have attracted significant attention in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. The biological profiles of heteroatom steroids are of considerable interest to chemists, biologists, pharmacologists, and the pharmaceutical industry. These compounds have shown promise as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of various diseases, such as cancer, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. Moreover, the incorporation of heteroatoms has led to the development of targeted drug delivery systems, prodrugs, and other innovative pharmaceutical approaches. Heteroatom steroids represent a fascinating area of research, bridging the fields of organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology. The exploration of their chemical diversity and biological activities holds promise for the discovery of novel drug candidates and the development of more effective and targeted treatments.

Fluorine-Containing Functional Group-Based Energetic Materials

Molecules featuring fluorine-containing functional groups exhibit outstanding properties with high density, low sensitivity, excellent thermal stability, and good energetic performance due to the strong electron-withdrawing ability and high density of fluorine. Hence, they play a pivotal role in the field of energetic materials. In light of current theoretical and experimental reports, this review systematically focuses on three types of energetic materials possessing fluorine-containing functional groups F- and NF2 - substituted trinitromethyl groups (C(NO2 )2 F, C(NO2 )2 NF2 ), trifluoromethyl group (CF3 ), and difluoroamino and pentafluorosulfone groups (NF2 , SF5 ) and investigates the synthetic methods, physicochemical parameters, and energetic properties of each. The incorporation of fluorine-containing functional moieties is critical for the development of novel high energy density materials, and is rapidly being adopted in the design of energetic materials.

Computational Manifestation of Nitro-Substituted Tris(triazole): Understanding the Impact of Isomerism on Performance-Stability Parameters

Density functional theory (DFT) methods were used to design a series of energetic dinitro-tris(triazole) isomers by altering the triazole rings and -NO2 groups. The impact of three nitrogen atoms' position in the tris(triazole) scaffold on energy content, performance, and stability was discussed. Based on computed heats of formation and densities, the detonation properties were predicted using the thermochemical EXPLO5 (v6.06) code. Using the bond dissociation energy of the longest C-NO2 bond, the thermal stability was investigated. The mechanical sensitivities were estimated and correlated with RDX and HMX using maximum heats of detonation (Q), free void (ΔV) in the lattice of the crystalline compound, and total -NO2 group charge. Among the designed series, compounds O4, R1, R3, and R4 display high heats of formation (>450 kJ/mol), high densities (>1.92 g/cm3), good detonation performances (D > 8.76 km/s and P > 32.0 GPa), and low sensitivities. Our findings suggest that the isomeric tricyclic triazole backbone could be a promising platform for developing new high-performing and thermostable energy materials.

The π-hole revisited

It follows from the Schrödinger equation that the forces operating within molecules and molecular complexes are Coulombic, which necessarily entails both electrostatics and polarization. A common and important class of molecular complexes is due to π-holes. These are molecular regions of low electronic density that are perpendicular to planar portions of the molecular frameworks. π-Holes often have positive electrostatic potentials associated with them, which result in mutually polarizing attractive forces with negative sites such as lone pairs, π electrons or anions. In many molecules, π-holes correspond to a flattening of the electronic density surface but in benzene derivatives and in polyazines the π-holes are craters above and below the rings. The interaction energies of π-hole complexes can be expressed quite well in terms of regression relationships that account for both the electrostatics and the polarization. There is a marked gradation in the interaction energies, from quite weak (about -2 kcal mol-1) to relatively strong (about -40 kcal mol-1). Gradations are also evident in the ratios of the intermolecular separations to the sums of the respective van der Waals radii and in the gradual transition of the π-hole atoms from trigonal to quasi-tetrahedral configurations. These trends are consistent with the concept that chemical interactions form a continuum, from very weak to very strong.

Mechanism and Improved Dissolution of Glycyrrhetinic Acid Solid Dispersion by Alkalizers

The purpose of this study was to increase the dissolution of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) by preparing ternary solid dispersion (TSD) systems containing alkalizers, and to explore the modulating mechanism of alkalizers in solid dispersion systems. GA TSDs were prepared by hot melt extrusion (HME) with Kollidon^® VA64 as the carrier and L-arginine/meglumine as the alkalizers. The in vitro release of the TSD was investigated with a dissolution test, and the dissociation constant (pKa) was used to describe the ionization degree of the drug in different pH buffers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and a molecular model were used for solid-state characterizations and to study the dissolution mechanism of the TSDs. It was evident that the dissolution of GA significantly increased as a result of the TSD compared to the pure drug and binary solid dispersion. SEM, DSC, and XPRD data showed that GA transformed into an amorphous form in TSD. As illustrated by FTIR, Raman, XPS, and molecular docking, high binding energy ion-pair complexes formed between GA and the alkalizers during the process of HME. These can destroy the H-bond between GA molecules. Further, intermolecular H-bonds formed between the alkalizers and Kollidon^® VA64, which can increase the wettability of the drug. Our results will significantly improve the solubility and dissolution of GA. In addition, the lower pKa value of TSD indicates that higher ionization is beneficial to the dissolution of the drug. This study should facilitate further developments of TSDs containing alkalizers to improve the dissolution of weakly acidic drugs and gain a richer understanding of the mechanism of dissolution.

σ-holes and π-holes: Similarities and differences

σ-Holes and π-holes are regions of molecules with electronic densities lower than their surroundings. There are often positive electrostatic potentials associated with them. Through these potentials, the molecule can interact attractively with negative sites, such as lone pairs, π electrons, and anions. Such noncovalent interactions, "σ-hole bonding" and "π-hole bonding," are increasingly recognized as being important in a number of different areas. In this article, we discuss and compare the natures and characteristics of σ-holes and π-holes, and factors that influence the strengths and locations of the resulting electrostatic potentials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A theoretical study on the strength of the C-NO2 bond and ring strain upon the formation of the intermolecular H-bonding interaction between HF and nitro group in nitrocyclopropane, nitrocyclobutane, nitrocyclopentane or nitrocyclohexane

As a follow-up to our investigation into the influence of H-bond on the C-NO2 trigger bond, a comparison of the effect of the H-bond on the ring strain energy with the C-NO2 bond dissociation energy was carried out in the HF complex with nitrocyclopropane, nitrocyclobutane, nitrocyclopentane, and nitrocyclohexane by using the DFT-B3LYP and MP2 (full) methods with the 6-311++G(2df,2p) and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The C-NO2 bond length decreases with strengthening of trigger-bond while the ring perimeter increases companied by weakening of ring strain upon the complex formation. The H-bonding energy correlates well with the increment of ring perimeter and the change of ring bond angle. For nitrocyclopropane∙∙∙HF, the effect of H-bond on the ring strain energy is notable, while for the other complex, it is negligible. Therefore, for nitrocyclopropane∙∙∙HF, the origin of the change of explosive sensitivity might be due to the increment of the C-NO2 bond dissociation energy and decrease of the ring strain energy, while for the other complex, it might be only due to the strengthening of C-NO2 bond. The analysis of electron density shifts shows that the C-C bond in ring loses density while the C-NO2 bond gains density, leading to the weakened ring strain and strengthened C-NO2 bond, and thus the possibly reduced explosive sensitivity.

Self-enhanced catalytic activities of functionalized graphene sheets in the combustion of nitromethane: molecular dynamic simulations by molecular reactive force field

Functionalized graphene sheet (FGS) is a promising additive that enhances fuel/propellant combustion, and the determination of its mechanism has attracted much interest. In the present study, a series of molecular dynamic simulations based on a reactive force field (ReaxFF) are performed to explore the catalytic activity (CA) of FGS in the thermal decay of nitromethane (NM, CH3NO2). FGSs and pristine graphene sheets (GSs) are oxidized in hot NM liquid to increase their functionalities and subsequently show self-enhanced CAs during the decay. The CAs result from the interatomic exchanges between the functional groups on the sheets and the NM liquid, i.e., mainly between H and O atoms. CA is dependent on the density of NM, functionalities of sheets, and temperature. The GSs and FGSs that originally exhibit different functionalities tend to possess similar functionalities and consequently similar CAs as temperature increases. Other carbon materials and their oxides can accelerate combustion of other fuels/propellants similar to NM, provided that they can be dispersed and their key reaction steps in combustion are similar to NM.

A B3LYP AND MP2(FULL) THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE C–NO2 BOND STRENGTH UPON THE FORMATION OF HF OR Na+ COMPLEX INVOLVING THE NITRO GROUP OF NITRO-1,2,4-TRIAZOLE

The change of bond dissociation energy (ΔBDE) in the C–NO2 bond upon the formation of the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding or molecule-cation interaction between the nitro group of seven kinds of nitro-1,2,4-triazoles and HF or Na+ was investigated using the B3LYP and MP2(full) methods with the 6-311++G**, 6-311++G(2df, 2p) and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The C–NO2 bond strength was enhanced and the charge of nitro group turned more negative in complex in comparison with those in isolated nitro-1,2,4-triazole molecule. The increment of the C–NO2 BDEs correlated well with the H-bonding interaction energy or molecule-cation interaction energy. The analysis of AIM, NBO and electron density shifts showed that the electron density shifted toward the C–NO2 bond upon complex formation, leading to the strengthened C–NO2 bond and the possibly reduced explosive sensitivity. The ΔBDE of the C–NO2 bond in the Na+ complex is far larger greater than that in the corresponding HF system. Thus, introducing cation into the structure of the nitrotriazole might be more efficacious to reduce explosive sensitivity than the formation of the intermolecular hydrogen-bonded complex.

A comparative theoretical investigation into the strength of the trigger-bond in the Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and HF complexes involving the nitro group of R-NO₂ (R = -CH₃, -NH₂ and -OCH₃) or the C = C bond of (E)-O₂N-CH = CH-NO₂

A comparative theoretical investigation into the change in strength of the trigger-bond upon formation of the Na(+), Mg(2+) and HF complexes involving the nitro group of RNO₂ (R = -CH₃, -NH₂, -OCH₃) or the C = C bond of (E)-O₂N-CH = CH-NO₂ was carried out using the B3LYP and MP2(full) methods with the 6-311++G**, 6-311++G(2df,2p) and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. Except for the Mg(2+)⋯π system with (E)-O2N-CH = CH-NO₂ (i.e., C₂H₂N₂O₄⋯Mg(2+)), the strength of the trigger-bond X-NO₂ (X = C, N or O) was enhanced upon complex formation. Furthermore, the increment of bond dissociation energy of the X-NO₂ bond in the Na(+) complex was far greater than that in the corresponding HF system. Thus, the explosive sensitivity in the former might be lower than that in the latter. For C₂H₂N₂O₄⋯Mg(2+), the explosive sensitivity might also be reduced. Therefore, it is possible that introducing cations into the structure of explosives might be more efficacious at reducing explosive sensitivity than the formation of an intermolecular hydrogen-bonded complex. AIM, NBO and electron density shifts analyses showed that the electron density shifted toward the X-NO₂ bond upon complex formation, leading to a strengthened X-NO₂ bond and possibly reduced explosive sensitivity.