Spectroscopic [FT-IR and FT-Raman] and theoretical [UV-Visible and NMR] analysis on α-Methylstyrene by DFT calculations

DFT studies of solvent effect in hydrogen abstraction reactions from different allyl-type monomers with benzoyl radical

Inert allyl-type monomers have been widely documented due to reduce degradation chain transfer. Recently, we and others discovered that the [3 + 2] cyclization reaction process by a photo-driven radical reaction, which can accelerate the polymerization. It was discovered that allyl ether monomers had much higher reactivity than other allyl monomers in the suspension photopolymerization initiated by Type I photoinitiator. Since the hydrogen abstraction reaction (HAR) is the initial step of cyclization, and in order to clarify the influence of solvents effect, three allyl-type monomers were employed, containing "O", "N" and "S" atom as hydrogen donors. The benzoyl radical obtained from cleavage of photoinitiator was chosen as hydrogen acceptors. We explored the hydrogen abstraction reaction in different solvents (methanol, water and DMSO) by quantum chemistry for geometry and energy. An investigation was undertaken regarding the structural orbital by electrostatic potential (ESP) and topological analysis (ELF and LOL). The findings were also combined with the distortion model and transition state theory. We obtained the molecular interactions used independent gradient method in the Hirshfeld molecular density partition (IGMH). The Eckart's correction allowed to examine the driving factors of the hydrogen abstraction reaction tunnels and these reactions constant rates are determined in the range of 500-2500 K depending on the modified Arrhenius form in different solvents effect. Our results can provide an answer for the different reactivities.

On the spectroscopic analyses of 3-Hydroxy-1-Phenyl-Pyridazin-6(2H)one (HPHP): A comparative experimental and computational study

We have systematically calculated various physical characteristics such as optimized molecular structural parameters, vibrational frequencies, HOMO-LUMO energy gap, total dipole moment and thermochemical parameters: nuclear repulsion energy, ionization energy, electron affinity, global hardness, electronic chemical potential, global electrophilicity index and finally softness (ζ) using DFT/B3LYP utilizing 6-311G(d,p) basis set for 3-Hydroxy-1-Phenyl-Pyridazin-6(2H)one (HPHP). Also, HPHP nonlinear optical (NLO) properties have been checked by DFT/B3LYP utilizing 6-311G(d,p) basis set. In addition, we have investigated the influence of exposure to UV radiation on HPHP physical properties at the same level of theory. Our results show that HPHP possesses a dipole moment (2.68Debye) and HOMO-LUMO energy gap of 3.99eV that emphasize its high applicability for manufacturing photovoltaic devices such as solar cells. After exposure to UV radiation, the HPHP dipole moment has been lowered from 2.68 to 2.3Debye due to UV radiation. Moreover, a double spin in HPHP has been observed, as electrons are aligned according to their spin state. Electrons (spin ↑) and (spin ↓) are aligned in alpha and beta levels with energy gaps 3.82 and 3.17eV, respectively. This anomalous behavior may be justified by considering that HPHP undergoes anomalous Zeeman-like effect. The presence of this phenomenon in HPHP introduces it as a modern organic semiconductor which has high applicability to be used in modern spintronics.

Depolymerization of Free-Radical Polymers with Spin Migrations

The mechanism of depolymerization is one of the most essential issues in chemical engineering and materials science. In this work, we investigate the depolymerization reactions of three typical free-radical poly(alpha-methylstyrene) tetramers by using first-principles density functional theory. The calculated results show that these reactions all need to overcome the energy barriers in the range of 0.58 to 0.77 eV, and that breaking the C-C bond at the chain end leads to the dissociation of alpha-methylstyrene monomers from the polymers. Electronic-structure analysis indicates that the reactions occur easily at the CR3 unsaturated end, and that the frontier molecular orbitals that participate in the reactions are mainly localized at the unsaturated ends. Meanwhile, spin population analysis presents the unique net spin-transfer process in free-radical depolymerization reactions. We hope the current findings can contribute to understanding the free-radical depolymerization mechanism and help guide future experiments.