Conformational Composition of Cyclopentadienylphosphine Investigated by Microwave Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Calculations

Microwave spectrum and conformational properties of 4-isocyano-1-butyne (HC≡CCH2CH2N≡C)

The microwave spectrum of 4-isocyano-1-butyne (HC≡CCH2CH2N≡C) has been investigated in the 12.4-77.6 GHz spectral region. The spectra of two rotamers denoted ap and sc were assigned. ap has an antiperiplanar arrangement for the C-C-C-N chain of atoms, whereas sc has synclinal conformation for this link. The ground state spectrum and three vibrationally excited state spectra of the lowest torsional vibration were assigned for ap, while the ground vibrational state spectrum was assigned for sc. The C-C-C-N dihedral angle was found to be 64.5(30)° in sc and exactly 180° in ap. ap was determined to be 2.9(6) kJ/mol lower in energy than sc from relative intensity measurements. The microwave study has been augmented with ab initio and DFT calculations employing the CCSD(T), MP2, and B3LYP methods with the cc-pVTZ basis set. A Natural Bond Order analysis has also been performed. Most, but not all, of the quantum chemical predictions agree satisfactorily with the experimental results.

Synthesis, microwave spectrum, and conformational properties of 2-fluoroethyl azide (FCH2CH2N3)

A novel synthesis producing neat 2-fluoroethyl azide (FCH2CH2N3) is described. A conformational analysis using microwave spectroscopy augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ, B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ, and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory has been performed for this compound. The spectra of the ground vibrational state and two vibrationally excited states of one rotameric form were assigned. A large number of transitions was assigned, and very accurate values were obtained for the rotational and quartic centrifugal distortion constants. The identified conformer has synclinal orientations for the F-C-C-N and C-C-N-N chains of atoms bringing the fluorine atom and the azido group into close proximity. It is concluded from consideration of absolute intensities that this conformer is indeed the preferred form of the molecule in accord with the theoretical calculations. The experimental and CCSD(T) rotational constants are in very good agreement, whereas much larger discrepancies were seen for the experimental and B3LYP quartic centrifugal distortion constants.

Microwave spectra and barriers to internal rotation of Z- and E-1-propenyl isocyanide

A synthetic procedure yielding a mixture of Z- and E-1-propenyl isocyanide (CH(3)CH═CHNC) is described. The microwave spectrum of this mixture has been recorded in the 12-100 GHz spectral range, and the spectra of the Z and E isomers have been assigned for the first time. Most transitions of the Z form were split into two components of equal intensity due to tunneling of the methyl group, which allowed the barrier to internal rotation of this group to be determined as 4.0124(12) kJ/mol by fitting 568 transitions with a maximum value of J = 46 using the computer program Xiam. This fit had a root-mean-square deviation as large as 4.325. The same transitions were therefore fitted anew using the more sophisticated program Erham. This fit has a rms deviation marginally better (4.136) than the Xiam fit. No split MW lines were found for E-1-propenyl isocyanide. The absence of splittings is ascribed to a barrier to internal rotation of the methyl group that is significantly higher than the barrier of the Z isomer. It is concluded that the barrier must be larger than 6 kJ/mol for the E form. The experimental work was augmented by quantum chemical calculations at CCSD/cc-pVTZ, B3LYP/cc-pVTZ, and MP2/cc-pVTZ levels of theory. The CCSD method predicts rotational constants of the Z and E forms well. The B3LYP barriers to internal rotation of a series of substituted propenes were calculated and found to be in good agreement with experiments. Calculations of the quartic centrifugal distortion constants of the two 1-propenyl isocyanides by the B3LYP and MP2 methods were less successful.

Microwave spectrum and conformational composition of 3-fluoropropionitrile (FCH2CH2CN)

The microwave spectrum of 3-fluoropropionitrile, FCH(2)CH(2)C≡N, has been investigated in the whole 17-75 GHz spectral region. Selected portions of the spectrum in the 75-95 GHz have also been recorded. The microwave spectra of the ground state as well as of three vibrationally excited states of each of two conformers have been assigned. The spectra of the vibrationally excited states belong to the lowest torsional and bending vibrations. The F-C-C-C chain of atoms is exactly antiperiplanar in one of these rotamers and synclinal in the second conformer. The F-C-C-C dihedral angle is 65(2)° in the synclinal form. The energy difference between the two forms has been obtained from relative intensity measurements performed on microwave transitions. It was found that the antiperiplanar conformer is more stable than the synclinal form by 1.4(5) kJ/mol. It is argued that the gauche effect is a significant force in this compound. Quantum chemical calculations at the high CCSD(full)/cc-pVTZ, MP2(full)/cc-pVTZ, and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory have been performed. Most, but not all, of the theoretical predictions are in good agreement with experiment.

Microwave spectrum and conformational composition of 2-fluoroethylisocyanide

The microwave spectrum of 2-fluoroethylisocyanide, FCH(2)CH(2)N≡C, has been investigated in the whole 50-120 GHz spectral region. Selected portions of the spectrum in the range of 18-50 GHz have also been recorded. The microwave spectra of the ground state and vibrationally excited states of two conformers have been assigned. Accurate spectroscopic constants have been derived from a large number of microwave transitions. The F-C-C-N chain of atoms is antiperiplanar in one of these rotamers and synclinal in the second conformer. The energy difference between the two forms was obtained from relative intensity measurements. It was found that the synclinal conformer is favored over the antiperiplanar form by 0.7(5) kJ/mol. Quantum chemical calculations at the high CCSD/cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory were performed. Most, but not all, of the spectroscopic constants predicted in these calculations are in good agreement with the experimental counterparts. The theoretical calculations correctly indicate that the F-C-C-N dihedral angle in the synclinal form is about 67° but underestimate the magnitude of the gauche effect and erroneously predict the antiperiplanar rotamer to be 1.3-1.6 kJ/mol more stable than the synclinal conformer.

Synthesis, microwave spectrum, and dipole moment of allenylisocyanide (H2C═C═CHNC), a compound of potential astrochemical interest

An improved synthesis of a compound of potential astrochemical interest, allenylisocyanide (H(2)C═C═CHNC), is reported together with its microwave spectrum, which has been investigated in the 8-120 GHz spectral range to facilitate a potential identification in interstellar space. The spectra of the ground vibrational state and of five vibrationally excited states belonging to three different vibrational modes have been assigned for the parent species. A total of 658 transitions with a maximum value of J = 71 were assigned for the ground state and accurate values obtained for the rotational and quartic centrifugal distortion constants. The spectra of five heavy-atom ((13)C and (15)N) isotopologues were also assigned. The dipole moment was determined to be μ(a) = 11.93(16) × 10(-30) C m, μ(b) = 4.393(44) × 10(-30) C m, and μ(tot) = 12.71(16) × 10(-30) C m. The spectroscopic work has been augmented by theoretical calculations at the CCSD/cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory. The theoretical calculations are generally in good agreement with the experimental results.

Microwave spectrum and conformational composition of 1-vinylimidazole

The microwave spectrum of 1-vinylimidazole has been investigated in the 21-80 GHz spectral region. The spectra of two conformers have been assigned. One of these forms is planar, while the other is nonplanar with the imidazole ring and the vinyl group forming an angle of 15(4)° from coplanarity. The planar form is found to be 5.7(7) kJ/mol more stable than the nonplanar rotamer by relative intensity measurements. The spectra of 10 vibrationally excited states of the planar form and one excited-state spectrum of the nonplanar form were assigned. The vibrational frequencies of several of these states were determined by relative intensity measurements. The microwave work has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD/cc-pVTZ, MP2/cc-pVTZ, and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory. The B3LYP calculations predict erroneously that both forms of 1-vinylimidazole are planar, whereas the MP2 and CCSD calculations correctly predict the existence of a planar and a nonplanar conformer of this compound.

Microwave spectrum, conformational composition, and intramolecular hydrogen bonding of (2-chloroethyl)amine (ClCH2CH2NH2)

The microwave spectrum of (2-chloroethyl)amine, ClCH(2)CH(2)NH(2), has been investigated in the 22-120 GHz region. Five rotameric forms are possible for this compound. In two of these conformers, denoted I and II, the Cl-C-C-N chain of atoms is antiperiplanar, with different orientations of the amino group. The link of the said atoms is synclinal in the three remaining forms, III-V, which differ with respect to the orientation of the amino group. The microwave spectra of four of these conformers, I-IV, have been assigned. In two of these rotamers, III and IV, the amino group is oriented in such a manner that rare and weak five-membered N-H···Cl intramolecular hydrogen bonds are formed. The geometries of conformers I and II preclude a stabilization by this interaction. The energy differences between the conformers were obtained from relative intensity measurements of spectral lines. The hydrogen-bonded conformer IV represents the global energy minimum. This rotamer is 0.3(7) kJ/mol more stable than the other hydrogen-bonded conformer III, 4.1(11) kJ/mol more stable than II, and 5.5(15) kJ/mol more stable than I. The spectroscopic work has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD/cc-pVTZ and MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd) levels of theory. The CCSD rotational constants and energy differences are in good agreement with their experimental counterparts.

High resolution millimeter-wave spectroscopy of vinyltellurol

The millimeter-wave rotational spectrum of vinyltellurol has been recorded and assigned for the first time. To support the spectrum assignment, high level ab initio calculations have been carried out. Geometries, total electronic energies, and harmonic vibrational frequencies have been determined at the MP2 level. A small-core relativistic pseudopotential basis set (cc-pVTZ-PP) was employed to describe the tellurium atom. Two stable conformers, synperiplanar (sp) and anticlinal (ac), have been identified. The sp conformer is planar with a small negative inertia defect of -0.025 u Å(2). The ac conformer was found to be nonplanar with a C-C-Te-H dihedral angle of about 140° from sp. This conformer exhibits a large amplitude motion associated with the torsion about the C-Te bond. The barrier to internal rotation is about 1 kJ/mol, according to the theoretical calculations. For the ac conformation, a torsional potential function consisting of quartic and quadratic terms of the torsional angle has been partially determined from the observed rotational constants.

Microwave spectrum, and conformational composition of (chloromethyl)phosphine (ClCH2PH2)

(Chloromethyl)phosphine, (ClCH(2)PH(2)) has been studied by microwave spectroscopy at -30 °C in the 22-80 GHz spectral interval. The experimental study has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVQZ and B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. The spectra of the ground as well as of several vibrationally excited states of the (35)ClCH(2)PH(2) and (37)ClCH(2)PH(2) isotopologues of two rotameric forms, denoted I and II, have been assigned. These conformers have different orientations of the phosphino group. I has a symmetry plane, consisting of the Cl-C-P link of atoms, whereas the phosphino group is rotated out of this symmetry plane in II. Conformer I was found to be 4.3(5) kJ/mol more stable than II by relative intensity measurements. The rotational and quartic centrifugal distortion constants calculated using the MP2/aug-cc-pVQZ procedure are in very good agreement with their experimental counterparts. Less good agreement is found in the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations. Both computational procedures predict energy differences between I and II that are close to the experimental energy difference. It is suggested that I is the preferred form of this molecule because it is stabilized by weak intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the chlorine atom and the hydrogen atoms of the phosphino group. Repulsion between the lone electron pair of the phosphorus atom and the chlorine atom also stabilizes I relative to II.

Microwave and quantum chemical study of allyldifluorosilane (H(2)C=CHCH(2)SiF(2)H)

The microwave spectrum of allyldifluorosilane (H(2)C=CHCH(2)SiF(2)H) has been investigated for the first time in the 28-80 GHz spectral interval at a temperature of -30 degrees C. The spectrum of the ground vibrational state of one conformer characterized by an anticlinal orientation for the C=C-C-Si chain of atoms and a synclinal conformation for the C-C-Si-H link has been assigned. This rotamer was found to be at least 2 kJ/mol more stable than further rotameric forms. The spectroscopic investigation has been augmented with quantum chemical calculations employing the MP2 and B3LYP methods using the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis set. The theoretical predictions are generally in good agreement with the experimental results.

Microwave spectrum of 2-aminooxazole, a compound of potential prebiotic and astrochemical interest

The microwave spectrum in the 26.6-80 GHz spectral range of 2-aminooxazole, which may have played a potential role in the prebiotic generation of pyrimidine ribonucleotides, is reported. A large number of transitions have been assigned, and accurate values of the rotational and quartic centrifugal distortion constants have been obtained for the four lowest vibrational states. The frequencies of the vibrationally excited states have been determined by relative intensity measurements. The microwave spectra should be useful for the identification of this compound in planetary atmospheres or in interstellar space. 2-Aminooxazole is nonplanar with the amino group bent 35(5) degrees out of the oxazole plane. Inversion of the amino group manifests itself in a characteristic doubling of the microwave transitions and the absence of c-type transitions. The microwave work has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd) levels of theory. The spectroscopic constants obtained by these two methods are in good agreement with one another, as well as with their experimental counterparts. The B3LYP method predicts a more accurate value for the angle between the oxazole ring and the plane formed by the amino group than the MP2 procedure.

Microwave and quantum chemical study of propargyl thiocyanate (HC[triple bond]CCH2SC[triple bond]N)

The MW spectrum of propargyl thiocyanate (HC[triple bond]CCH(2)SC[triple bond]N) has been investigated for the first time in the 25-80 GHz spectral region at room temperature or at 0 degrees C. The spectra of the ground vibrational state and of the first excited state of the C-S torsional vibration have been assigned for one conformer. This rotamer, denoted ap, has a symmetry plane (C(s) symmetry) and an antiperiplanar arrangement for the C-C-S-C link of atoms. It has previously been claimed that a conformer that has a synclinal conformation for this chain of atoms is present in the gas in approximately the same concentration as ap (approximately 50% of the gas), but this is not supported by the present experiments, where it is shown that the synclinal rotamer, denoted sc, cannot be present in a concentration exceeding 1/3 of the total. It is therefore concluded that ap must be at least 3.0 kJ/mol more stable than sc. The spectroscopic work has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at advanced B3LYP/aug-cc-pVQZ, B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd), and MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. These theoretical calculations underestimate the energy difference between ap and sc and predict values for the conformationally important C-C-S-C dihedral angle of the hypothetical synclinal form that deviates by approximately 10 degrees.

Synthesis, microwave spectrum, and conformational equilibrium of propa-1,2-dienethiol (H(2)=C=CHSH)

The first synthesis of the kinetically unstable compound propa-1,2-dienethiol (allenethiol; H(2)CCCHSH) is reported. Its microwave spectrum has been studied in the 41.5-80 GHz spectral range. The spectra of two rotameric forms have been assigned. The C-C-S-H chain of atoms is synperiplanar (0 degrees ) in one of the conformers. This dihedral angle is anticlinal in the second rotamer forming an angle of 140(5) degrees in the second form. The synperiplanar conformer is found to be 1.0(6) kJ/mol more stable than the anticlinal rotamer. The microwave study has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/6-311++G** levels of theory. The predictions of these two theoretical methods are in excellent agreement with the experimental findings.

Microwave and quantum chemical study of propargyl selenocyanate (HC[triple bond]CCH2SeC[triple bond]N)

The microwave spectrum of propargyl selenocyanate (HC[triple bond]CCH(2)SeC[triple bond]N) has been investigated in the 40-80 GHz spectral region at 0 degrees C. The spectra of the ground vibrational state of the (80)Se and (78)Se isotopologues of one conformer were assigned. The first vibrationally excited state of the torsion about the CC-Se bond was also assigned for the (80)Se isotopologue. The identified rotamer has a C-C-Se-C antiperiplanar conformation (C(s) symmetry). The microwave work has been augmented by ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311++(3df,3pd) level and density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G++(3df,3pd) level of theory. Both the ab initio and the B3LYP calculations predict that the identified rotamer is the global minimum and indicate the existence of an additional high-energy anticlinal form. The two theoretical methods predict rather different values for the H(2)C-Se bond length as well as for the C-C-Se-C dihedral angle of the high-energy anticlinal form.

A microwave and quantum chemical study of cyclopropaneselenol

The microwave spectrum of cyclopropaneselenol, C 3H 5SeH, has been investigated in the 21.9-80 GHz frequency range. The microwave spectra of the ground vibrational state of five isotopologues of cyclopropaneselenol (C 3H 5 (82)SeH, C 3H 5 (80)SeH, C 3H 5 (78)SeH, C 3H 5 (77)SeH, and C 3H 5 (76)SeH) of one conformer, as well as the spectra of two vibrationally excited states of each of the C 3H 5 (80)SeH and C 3H 5 (78)SeH isotopologues of this rotamer, have been assigned. The H-C-Se-H chain of atoms is synclinal in this conformer, and there is no indication of further rotameric forms in the microwave spectrum. The b-type transitions of the ground vibrational state of the more abundant species C 3H 5 (80)SeH and C 3H 5 (78)SeH were split into two components, which is assumed to arise from tunneling of the proton of the selenol group between two equivalent synclinal potential wells. The tunneling frequencies were 0.693(55) MHz for C 3H 5 (80)SeH and 0.608(71) MHz for C 3H 5 (78)SeH. The microwave study has been augmented by high-level density functional and ab initio quantum chemical calculations, which indicate that the H-C-Se-H dihedral angle is approximately 75 degrees from synperiplanar (0 degrees).

A microwave spectroscopic and quantum chemical study of propa-1,2-dienyl selenocyanate (H(2)==C==CHSeC[triple bond]N) and cyclopropyl selenocyanate (C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N)

The microwave spectra of propa-1,2-dienyl selenocyanate, H(2)C==C==CHSeC[triple bond]N, and cyclopropyl selenocyanate, C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N, are reported. The spectra of the ground and two vibrationally excited states of the (80)Se isotopologue and the spectrum of the ground state of the (78)Se isotopologue were assigned for one rotameric form of H(2)C==C[double bond, length as m-dash]CHSeC[triple bond]N. This conformer is characterized by a C-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 129(5) degrees from synperiplanar (0 degrees ) and is shown to be the global minimum of H(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]CHSeC[triple bond]N. The spectra of the ground and of three vibrationally excited states of the (80)Se isotopologue, as well as of the ground state of the (78)Se isotopologue of one rotamer of C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N were assigned. This conformer has a H-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 80(4) degrees from synperiplanar and is at least 3 kJ mol(-1) more stable than any other form of the molecule. The microwave study has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+ +G(3df,3pd) and MP2/6-311+ +G(3df,3pd) levels of theory.

A microwave and quantum chemical study of cyclopropanethiol

The microwave spectra of cyclopropanethiol, C(3)H(5)SH, and one deuterated species C(3)H(5)SD, have been investigated in the 20 - 80 GHz frequency range. The spectra of the ground vibrational state and of three vibrationally excited states of the parent species of a conformer which has a synclinal ("gauche") arrangement for the H-C-S-H chain of atoms, was assigned. The H-C-S-H dihedral angle is 76(5)° from synperiplanar (0°). The b-type transitions of the ground and of the vibrationally excited states of the parent species were split into two components, which is assumed to arise from tunneling of the proton of the thiol group between two equivalent synclinal potential wells. No splitting was resolved in the spectrum of C(3)H(5)SD. The tunneling frequency of the ground vibrational state of C(3)H(5)SH is 1.664(22) MHz. The tunneling frequency of the first excited-state of the C-S torsion is 52.330(44) MHz, whereas this frequency is 26.43(13) and 3.286(61) MHz, respectively, for the first excited states of the two lowest bending vibrations. The dipole moment of the ground vibrational state of the parent species is μ(a) = 4.09(5), μ(b) = 2.83(11), μ(c) = 0.89(32), and μ(tot) = 5.06(16) × 10(-30) C m. The microwave study has been augmented by high-level density functional and ab initio quantum chemical calculations.

A microwave and quantum chemical study of the conformational properties of etheneselenocyanate (H(2)C=CHSeC[triple bond]N)

The structural and conformational properties of etheneselenocyanate (H2C=CHSeC[triple bond]N) have been explored by microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations performed at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. The spectra of two rotameric forms were assigned. The more stable form has a synperiplanar conformation, whereas the less stable form has an anticlinal conformation characterized by a C-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 163(3) degrees from the synperiplanar position (0 degrees). The synperiplanar form was found to be 4.5(4) kJ/mol more stable than the anticlinal form by relative intensity measurements performed on microwave transitions. The spectra of several isotopologues and two vibrationally excited states were assigned for the synperiplanar conformer. The anticlinal rotamer displays a complicated pattern of low-frequency vibrational states, which is assumed to reflect the existence of a small potential hump at the antiperiplanar (180 degrees) conformation. The predictions made in the MP2 and B3LYP calculations are in reasonably good agreement with the experimental results in some cases, whereas rather large differences are seen for other molecular properties.

Microwave and quantum chemical study of propa-1,2-dienyl thiocyanate (H2C=C=CHSC triple bond N)

The microwave spectrum of propa-1,2-dienyl thiocyanate (H2C=C=CHSC triple bond N) has been investigated in the 24-40 and 50-80 GHz spectral regions. The spectrum of one conformer was assigned. This rotamer, which has a C-C-S-C dihedral angle of about 134 degrees from synperiplanar, is at least 2 kJ/mol more stable than any other form. Two vibrationally excited states assumed to belong to the first excited state of the C-S torsional vibration and to a low bending mode were assigned. Their frequencies were determined to be 62(20) and 155(30) cm-1, respectively. The microwave work has been augmented by ab initio calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ and density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. The B3LYP calculations are generally in better agreement with the observations than the MP2 calculations.

A microwave and quantum chemical study of (trifluoromethyl)thiolacetic acid, CF3COSH, a compound with an unusual double-minimum potential

The microwave spectra of CF3COSH and one deuterated species, CF3COSD, have been investigated by Stark spectroscopy in the 40-80 GHz spectral range at -78 degrees C and by quantum chemical calculations using the HF, MP2, and B3LYP procedures with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. The microwave spectrum of one conformer was assigned. The conformations of the COSH and CF3 groups determine the overall conformation of this rotamer. It was not possible experimentally to find precise values for the associated dihedral angles, but it appears that the COSH group is distorted somewhat from an exact synperiplanar arrangement, while the CF3 group is rotated several degrees from a position where one of the C-F bonds eclipses the C-S bond. This rotamer tunnels through a transition state that has an exact Cs symmetry, where one C-F bond eclipses the C-S bond and the COSH group is synperiplanar. Relative intensity measurements yielded 28(15) cm-1 for the tunneling frequency. Two additional vibrationally excited states were assigned and their frequencies determined to be 94(30) and 184(40) cm-1, respectively. The theoretical calculations predict conflicting conformational properties for the identified rotamer. The B3LYP calculations find an exact synperiplanar arrangement for the COSH group, whereas the MP2 and HF calculations predict that this group is distorted slightly form this conformation. One of the C-F bonds is found to eclipse the C-S bond in the B3LYP calculations, while the MP2 calculations predict a slight deviation and the HF calculations a large deviation from the eclipsed position, as the corresponding F-C-C-S dihedral angle is calculated to be 0.9 degrees (MP2) and 27.6 degrees (HF). All three methods of calculations predict that a second rotamer coexists with the identified form but is several kJ/mol less stable. The spectrum of this form, which has overall Cs symmetry and is predicted to have an antiperiplanar conformation for the COSH group with one of the C-F bonds eclipsing the C=O bond, was not identified.

Synthesis and Characterization of (E)- and (Z)-3-Mercapto-2-propenenitrile. Microwave Spectrum of the Z-Isomer

The kinetically unstable compound 3-mercapto-2-propenenitrile (HS-CH=CH-C[triple bond]N) has been prepared for the first time by flash vacuum pyrolysis at 800 degrees C of 3-(tert-butylthio)-2-propenenitrile with a yield of 77% and a Z:E ratio of 8:1. Several deuterium and 15N isotopologues were also prepared using isotopically enriched compounds. Quantum chemical calculations of the structural and conformational properties of the Z- and E-isomers were undertaken at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd), MP2/6-311++G(3df,2pd), MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ, and G3 levels of theory. These methods all predict that the Z- and the E-forms each have two "stable" planar rotameric forms with the H-S-C=C link of atoms in either a synperiplanar or an antiperiplanar conformation, with the synperiplanar form of the Z-isomer as the global minimum. The Z-isomer has been investigated by means of Stark-modulation microwave spectroscopy. Spectra attributable to the parent and three deuterium-substituted isotopologues of a single conformer were recorded and assigned. Additionally, the spectrum belonging to the first excited state of the lowest bending vibration was assigned. The ground-state rotational constants obtained by the least-squares analysis of these transitions were found to be in excellent agreement with the corresponding approximate equilibrium values generated by the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations. The preferred conformer of this molecule was found to have a synperiplanar arrangement of the H-S-C=C chain of atoms and a planar or nearly planar geometry, with a stabilizing intramolecular hydrogen bond formed between the H atom of the thiol group and pi-electron density associated with the C[triple bond]N triple bond. The possible astrochemical/astrobiological significance of this compound is discussed.

Microwave Spectrum, Structure, and Quantum Chemical Studies of a Compound of Potential Astrochemical and Astrobiological Interest: Z-3-Amino-2-propenenitrile

Z-3-Amino-2-propenenitrile, H2NCH=CHCN, a compound of astrochemical and astrobiological interest, has been studied by Stark and Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy along with eight of its isotopologues; the synthesis of five of these are reported. The spectra of the ground vibrational state and of three vibrationally excited states belonging to the two lowest normal modes were assigned for the parent species, whereas the ground states were assigned for the isotopologues. The frequency of the lowest in-plane bending fundamental vibration was determined to be 152(20) cm(-1) and the frequency of the lowest out-of-plane fundamental mode was found to be 176(20) cm(-1) by relative intensity measurements. A delicate problem is whether this compound is planar or slightly nonplanar. It was found that the rotational constants of the nine species cannot be used to conclude definitely whether the molecule is planar or not. The experimental dipole moment is mu(a) = 16.45(12), mu(b) = 2.86(6), mu(c) = 0 (assumed), and mu(tot.) = 16.70(12) x 10(-30) C m [5.01(4) D]. The quadrupole coupling constants of the two nitrogen nuclei are chi(aa) = -1.4917(21) and chi(cc) = 1.5644(24) MHz for the nitrogen atom of the cyano group and chi(aa) = 1.7262(18) and chi(cc) = -4.0591(17) MHz for the nitrogen atom of the amino group. Extensive quantum-chemical calculations have been performed, and the results obtained from these calculations have been compared with the experimental values. The equilibrium structures of vinylamine, vinyl cyanide, and Z-3-amino-2-propenenitrile have been calculated. These calculations have established that the equilibrium structure of the title compound is definitely nonplanar. However, the MP2/VQZ energy difference between the planar and nonplanar forms is small, only -423 J/mol. Z-Amino-2-propenenitrile and E-3-amino-2-propenenitrile are formed simply by mixing ammonia and cyanoacetylene at room temperature. A plausible reaction path has been modeled. G3 calculations indicate that the enthalpy (298.15 K, 1 atm) of the transition state is about 130 kJ/mol higher than the sum of the enthalpies of the reactants ammonia and cyanoacetylene. This energy difference is comparatively high, which indicates that both E- and Z-3-aminopropenenitrile are not likely to be formed in the gas phase in cold interstellar clouds via a collision between ammonia and cyanoacetylene. An alternative reaction between protonated cyanoacetylene (H-C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]NH+) and ammonia is predicted to have a much lower activation energy than the reaction between the neutral molecules. Although protonated E- and Z-3-aminopropenenitrile in principle may be formed this way, it is more likely that a collision between NH3 and H-C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]NH+ leads to NH4+ and H-C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]N.

Structural and conformational properties and intramolecular hydrogen bonding of (methylenecyclopropyl)methanol, as studied by microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

The microwave spectra of (methylenecyclopropyl)methanol (H(2)C=C(3)H(3)CH(2)OH) and one deuterated species (H(2)C=C(3)H(3)CH(2)OD) have been investigated in the 20-80 GHz spectral range. Accurate spectral measurements have been performed in the 40-80 GHz spectral interval. The spectra of two rotameric forms, denoted conformer I and conformer IX, have been assigned. Both these rotamers are stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonds formed between the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group and the pseudo-pi electrons on the outside of the cyclopropyl ring, the so-called "banana bonds". The carbon-carbon bond lengths in the ring are rather different. The bonds adjacent to the methylene group (H(2)C=) are approximately 7 pm shorter that the carbon-carbon bond opposite to this group. It is found from relative intensity measurements of microwave transitions that conformer IX, in which the hydrogen bond is formed with the banana bonds of the long carbon-carbon bond, is 0.4(3) kJ/mol more stable than conformer I, where the hydrogen bond is formed with the pseudo-pi electrons belonging to the shortest carbon-carbon bond of the ring. The microwave study has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/6-311++G, G3 and B3LYP/6-311++G levels of theory.

Conformation and Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding of 2-Chloroacetamide as Studied by Microwave Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Calculations

The microwave spectrum of 2-chloroacetamide (ClCH2CONH2) has been investigated at room temperature in the 19-80 spectral range. Spectra of the 35ClCH2CONH2 and 37ClCH2CONH2 isotopomers of one conformer, which has a symmetry plane (Cs symmetry), were assigned. The amide group is planar, and an intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed between the chlorine atom and the nearest hydrogen atom of the amide group. The ground vibrational state, six vibrationally excited states of the torsional vibration about the CC bond, as well as the first excited state of the lowest bending mode were assigned for the 35ClCH2CONH2 isotopomer, whereas the ground vibrational state of 37ClCH2CONH2 was assigned. The CC torsional fundamental vibration has a frequency of 62(10) cm(-1), and the bending vibration has a frequency of 204(30) cm(-1). The rotational constants of the ground and of the six excited states of the CC torsion were fitted to the potential function Vz = 16.1(<z4> + 2.3<z2>) cm(-1), where z is a dimensionless parameter. This function indicates that the equilibrium conformation has Cs symmetry. Rough values of the chlorine nuclear quadrupole coupling constants were derived as chi(aa) = -47.62(52) and chi(bb) = 8.22(66) MHz for the 35Cl nucleus and chi(aa) = -34.6(10) and chi(bb) = 6.2(11) MHz for the 37Cl nucleus. Ab initio and density functional theory quantum chemical calculations have been performed at several levels of theory to evaluate the equilibrium geometry of this compound. The density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2pd) and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory as well as ab initio calculations at the MP2(F)/cc-pVTZ level predict correct lowest-energy conformation for the molecule, whereas the ab initio calculations at the QCISD(FC)/6-311G(d) and MP2(F)/6-311++G(d,p) levels predict an incorrect equilibrium conformation.