Photoelectron spectroscopy of the monofluorovinylidene and difluorovinylidene anions: the monofluorovinylidene-fluoroacetylene rearrangement

Double 1,2-Carbon Migration at Mixed Heavier Sn=Ge Vinylidenes

1,2-migration is one recurring isomerization reaction in organic chemistry. In contrast, double 1,2-migration remains rare and limited to transition-metal complexes. Herein, we describe the synthesis, characterization and reactivity of mixed heavier Sn=Ge vinylidenes. Double 1,2-carbon migration enables the isomerization of the stannagermenylidene (3) to the germastannenylidene (4). X-ray diffraction analysis and DFT calculations revealed that 3 and 4 feature a Sn=Ge double bond. The reaction of 3 with IMe4 (1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazoline-2-ylidene) results in the electron redistribution in the Sn=Ge core to give the germylone-stannylene adduct (5). Moreover, treatment of 3 with 0.25 equiv. of (AlCp*)4 produces the heteronuclear aluminyl stannagermyne (6).

Characterization of a Triplet Vinylidene

Singlet vinylidenes (R₂C=C:) are proposed as intermediates in a series of organic reactions, and very few have been studied by matrix isolation or gas-phase spectroscopy. Triplet vinylidenes, however, featuring two unpaired electrons at a monosubstituted carbon atom are thus far only predicted as electronically excited-state species and represent an unexplored class of carbon-centered diradicals. We report the photochemical generation and low-temperature EPR/ENDOR characterization of the first ground-state high-spin (triplet) vinylidene. The zero-field splitting parameters (D = 0.377 cm^–1 and |E|/D = 0.028) were determined, and the ¹³C hyperfine coupling tensor was obtained by ¹³C-ENDOR measurements. Most strikingly, the isotropic ¹³C hyperfine coupling constant (50 MHz) is far smaller than the characteristic values of triplet carbenes, demonstrating a unique electronic structure which is supported by quantum chemical calculations.

SINGLET METHYLENE AND HALOCARBENES INSERTIONS INTO POLAR N–H BONDS OF AMINES

The insertion of singlet 1CH2 , 1CHF , and 1CF2 into polar N–H bonds of RNH2 ( R = –CH3, –C2H5, –C3H7 or –CH(CH3)2 ) has been investigated at HF, MP2, and DFT levels using 6-31g (d, p) basis set. The insertions proceed via a two-step mechanism. The potential energy surface exploration identifies an ylide formation followed by the 1,2-proton shift concertedly giving the secondary amine. The barrier height varies with the type of carbene and amine. HOMO of amines and LUMO of carbenes control the initial interactions and it is confirmed by NBO charge analysis.

Photodissociation dynamics of vinyl fluoride (CH2CHF) at 157 and 193nm: Distributions of kinetic energy and branching ratios

Using photofragment translational spectroscopy and tunable vacuum-ultraviolet ionization, we measured the time-of-flight spectra of fragments upon photodissociation of vinyl fluoride (CH2CHF) at 157 and 193 nm. Four primary dissociation pathways--elimination of atomic F, atomic H, molecular HF, and molecular H2--are identified at 157 nm. Dissociation to C2H3 + F is first observed in the present work. Decomposition of internally hot C2H3 and C2H2F occurs spontaneously. The barrier heights of CH2CH --> CHCH + H and cis-CHCHF --> CHCH + F are evaluated to be 40+/-2 and 44+/-2 kcal mol(-1), respectively. The photoionization yield spectra indicate that the C2H3 and C2H2F radicals have ionization energies of 8.4+/-0.1 and 8.8+/-0.1 eV, respectively. Universal detection of photoproducts allowed us to determine the total branching ratios, distributions of kinetic energy, average kinetic energies, and fractions of translational energy release for all dissociation pathways of vinyl fluoride. In contrast, on optical excitation at 193 nm the C2H2 + HF channel dominates whereas the C2H3 + F channel is inactive. This reaction C2H3F --> C2H2 + HF occurs on the ground surface of potential energy after excitation at both wavelengths of 193 and 157 nm, indicating that internal conversion from the photoexcited state to the electronic ground state of vinyl fluoride is efficient. We computed the electronic energies of products and the ionization energies of fluorovinyl radicals.

Solvent dependence of the 2-naphthyl(carbomethoxy)carbene singlet-triplet energy gap

The solvent dependence of the 2-naphthyl(carbomethoxy)carbene (2) singlet-triplet energy gap has been examined by time-resolved infrared (TRIR) and computational methods. The ground state of 2 changes from the triplet state in hexane to the singlet state in acetonitrile. Preferential stabilization of the singlet carbene is the result of its increased dipole moment in polar solvents. Variable-temperature TRIR experiments provide measurements of the enthalpic and entropic differences between (1)2 and (3)2 and suggest that solvent and geometry effects on the entropy of singlet and triplet carbenes can offset differences arising from spin multiplicity. B3LYP calculations using the polarizable continuum solvation model (PCM) reproduce the general trends in enthalpic differences seen experimentally.

Equilibrium Structure and Spectroscopic Constants of Difluorovinylidene: An ab Initio Study

Highly correlated ab initio calculations with large basis sets are reported for difluorovinylidene, F(2)CC. Based on CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ results and taking core correlation effects properly into account, a reliable theoretical equilibrium geometry is derived: r(e)(CC) = 134.74(10) pm, r(e)(CF) = 131.00(10) pm, and angle(e)(FCC) = 123.23(10) degrees. The error bars are estimated from analogous comparative calculations on the equilibrium structures of the CF(2), C(2), and C(3) species. Correlated harmonic [CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ] and anharmonic [CCSD(T)/TZ2Pf] force fields provide theoretical values for the fundamental vibrational wavenumbers which are in excellent agreement with those measured previously in an argon matrix. Many spectroscopic constants of F(2)CC are predicted. In addition, the energy of F(2)CC relative to difluoroethyne (FCCF) and the barrier to isomerization from F(2)CC to FCCF have been reinvestigated by means of the present high-level ab initio calculations. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.