Understanding the reaction mechanism of the regioselective piperidinolysis of aryl 1-(2,4-dinitronaphthyl) ethers in DMSO: Kinetic and DFT studies

Reactions of aryl 1-(2,4-dinitronaphthyl) ethers with piperidine in dimethyl sulfoxide at 25oC resulted in substitution of the aryloxy group at the ipso carbon atom. The reaction was measured spectrophotochemically and the kinetic studies suggested that the titled reaction is accurately third order. The mechanism is began by fast nucleophilic attack of piperidine on C1 to form zwitterion intermediate (I) followed by deprotonation of zwitterion intermediate (I) to the Meisenheimer ion (II) in a slow step, that is, SB catalysis. The regular variation of activation parameters suggested that the reaction proceeded through a common mechanism. The Hammett equation using reaction constant σo values and Brønsted coefficient value showed that the reaction is poorly dependent on aryloxy substituent and the reaction was significantly associative and Meisenheimer intermediate-like. The mechanism of piperidinolysis has been theoretically investigated using density functional theory method using B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) computational level. The combination between experimental and computational studies predicts what mechanism is followed either through uncatalyzed or catalyzed reaction pathways, that is, SB and SB-GA. The global parameters of the reactants, the proposed activated complexes, and the local Fukui function analysis explained that C1 carbon atom is the most electrophilic center of ether. Also, kinetics and theoretical calculation of activation energies indicated that the mechanism of the piperidinolysis passed through a two-step mechanism and the proton transfer process was the rate determining step.

Three-component reaction involving isoquinoline and dimethyl acethylenedicarboxylate in the presence of indole: Theoretical and experimental investigations of the reaction mechanism

The reaction kinetics among isoquinoline, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, and indole (as NH-acid) were investigated using ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometry. The reaction rate equation was obtained, the dependence of the reaction rate on different reactants was determined, and the overall rate constant ( kov) was calculated. By studying the effects of solvent, temperature, and concentration on the reaction rate, some useful information was obtained. A logical mechanism consistent with the experimental observations was proposed. Also, comprehensive theoretical studies were performed to evaluate the potential energy surfaces of all structures that participated in the reaction mechanism. Finally, the proposed mechanism was confirmed by the obtained results and the probable and logical reaction paths and also a correct product configuration were suggested based on the theoretical results.

Application of the global search algorithm to analyze the kinetic mechanism of the thermal decomposition of flexible polyurethane foam

Accurate thermal decomposition mechanism and kinetic parameters are helpful to analyze the combustion process of flexible polyurethane foam. The thermal decomposition process of flexible polyurethane foam products (amine derivatives) was ignored in the past. Three thermal decomposition mechanisms of flexible polyurethane foam were proposed according to the thermogravimetry experiment of flexible polyurethane foam in the nitrogen atmosphere, two of which included the thermal decomposition of amine derivatives. The global search algorithm was proposed to estimate the kinetic parameters of the thermal decomposition of solid material. The results show that the global search algorithm is efficient and accurate in estimating kinetic parameters. The results also show the thermal decomposition mechanism including the carbodiimide and polycarbondiimide can well describe the thermal decomposition process of flexible polyurethane foam and amine derivatives. The activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and reaction order of flexible polyurethane foam are 187.3 kJ mol−1, 1015.6 s−1, and 1.22, respectively.

A density functional theory study on the mechanism of the allylpalladium-catalyzed dehydrogenation of aldehydes and cyclic ketones

The results of density functional theory calculations at the APFD/SDD level are detailed herein in order to study the main steps in the α,β-dehydrogenation of aldehydes and cyclic ketones in the presence of an allylpalladium complex catalyst. The mechanism is believed to proceed via an allylpalladium enolate complex (A) in equilibrium with the carbon-bonded complex (B), followed by β-hydride elimination to yield the allylpalladium hydride coordinated to the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl (complex C). The optimized structures and detailed energy profiles of these intermediates and their corresponding transition states are presented herein. The results indicate that the intermediates and their transition states are more stable in THF solution than in the gas phase. In detail, the energy barriers for the two steps are found to be 25.22 and 11.13 kcal/mol, respectively, in THF, and 29.93 and 9.77 kcal/mol, respectively, in the gas phase.

A new Bi(III)-based coordination complex: Treatment and nursing application values on pediatric pneumonia

In the current work, through applying the mixed-ligand generation method, [Bi4Cl8(PDC)2 (2,2′-bpy)4]·2MeCN (1), a fresh bismuth (III)-organic compound synthesized with the solvothermal reactions between 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bpy); 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (H2PDC); and bismuth chloride. The structural characterization results show that complex 1 features a binuclear discrete structure which is further extended into a 1D chain–like supramolecular network via π–π interactions. Furthermore, the compound’s treatment and nursing application values on pediatric pneumonia was explored and the novel compound’s corresponding mechanism was also investigated. First of all, in our research, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection kit was employed for the determination of the inflammatory cytokines content released into alveolar lavage fluid. Subsequently, the adenosine 5‘-monophosphate (AMP)–activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway activation in alveolar epithelial cells was explored exploiting the real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Molecular docking demonstrated that although multiple pyridine rings are presented in the Bi complex, however, only the carboxylate groups have been observed to interact with the active residues.

A [1 + 2] cycloaddition instead of usual [2 + 3] cycloaddition between the B12N12 cluster and methyl azide: Potential energy surface calculations and Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations

We have examined here the possibility of functionalization of the B12N12 cluster by methyl azide by means of a [2 + 3] cycloaddition reaction in analogy with the spontaneous functionalization of C20 fullerene using the same reaction. To achieve more reliable data, all possible interactions at different positions and orientations were considered by reaction channel study and potential energy surface calculations. Also, Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations were used to find probable species which could emerge during the reactions.

Prediction of esterification rate constants for secondary alkan-2-ols based on one- and two-parameter Taft equations

Equilibrium constants and reaction rate constants for the esterification of secondary alkan-2-ols with acetic acid were measured at 60°C in 1,4-dioxane. Taft coefficients, as single parameter (without inductive effects), and two-parameter correlation (including inductive and steric effects), of the measurements were used for the prediction of esterification rate constants for secondary alkan-2-ols with monocarboxylic acids. For this prediction, previously observed results of linear correlation of rate constants for the esterification of propan-1-ol with monocarboxylic acids measured under identical experimental conditions were applied. Two parameter Taft equations for the correlation of secondary alkan-2-ols and for monocarboxylic acids were combined, resulting in an overall correlation equation usable for the prediction of reaction rates for secondary alkan-2-ols with any monocarboxylic acid. This equation was experimentally verified for the esterification of three randomly chosen alkan-2-ols with three randomly chosen monocarboxylic acids.

Theoretical study on the reaction between silacyclopropenylidene and three-membered heterocyclic compounds (azirane and oxirane): An alternative approach to the formation of heterocyclic silylene

The reaction mechanism between silacyclopropenylidene and three-membered heterocyclic compounds (azirane and oxirane) has been systematically investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory in order to better understand the reactivity of unsaturated cyclic silylene. Geometry optimizations and vibrational analyses have been conducted for the stationary points on the potential energy surface of the system. Calculations show that the Si-spiroheterocyclic intermediate and four-membered heterocyclic silylene compound could be produced through the insertion process and subsequent dissociation process between silacyclopropenylidene and three-membered heterocyclic compounds. For the insertion process, it is easier for silacyclopropenylidene to insert into C-N bond of azirane than into C-O bond of oxirane. This study is helpful to understand the reactivity of silacyclopropenylidene, the evolution of silicon-bearing molecules in space, and to offer an alternative approach to the formation of enlarged heterocyclic silylene compound.

Theoretical studies on the kinetics of the hydrogen-abstraction reactions from 1,3,5-trioxane and 1,4-dioxane by OH radicals

Theoretical investigations have been performed on the kinetics of bimolecular hydrogen-abstraction reactions of 1,3,5-trioxane and 1,4-dioxane cyclic ethers with OH radicals. Hydrogen abstraction from both axial and equatorial positions of 1,3,5-trioxane and 1,4-dioxane was considered. Optimization of the structures, and the calculation of energies, vibrational frequencies and moments of inertia for all the stationary points including reactants, hydrogen-bonded complexes, transition states and products were carried out using density functional theory at the M06-2X level together with the MG3S basis set. Single-point energy calculations on the optimized points were obtained at the CBS-QB3 level. The calculations show that the title reactions proceed through relatively strong hydrogen-bonded complexes due to the hydrogen bonding between the OH radicals and the oxygen atoms of the cyclic ethers. A two-transition state model (an inner tight transition state and an outer loose transition state) was employed to compute the hydrogen-abstraction rate coefficients. The rate coefficients were also computed using conventional transition state theory considering a tight transition state for the purpose of comparison. It was found that when the reactions proceed via inner transition states with relative energies higher than the reactants, the computed rate coefficients are underestimated by conventional transition state theory.

A highly efficient and stable Ni/SBA-15 catalyst for hydrogen production by ethanol steam reforming

The production of hydrogen by steam reforming of ethanol was carried out on SBA-15-supported nano NiO catalyst synthesized by the equivalent-volume impregnation method with two different Ni sources (nickel nitrate and nickel sulfamate). The catalyst was characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to examine the physical and chemical properties. The activity tests were performed with the steam, with water/ethanol molar ratio ranging from 2:1 to 15:1, the N2 flow rate from 20 to 120 mL min−1 to determine the space-time, and the temperature range from 623 to 923 K on the two different Ni source catalysts. A favorable operating condition was established at 823 K using water/ethanol = 6 molar ratio and carrier gas (N2) flow of more than 50 mL min−1 for nickel nitrate source, but for nickel sulfamate source, the optimum temperature changed to 773 K and other conditions were the same as for the nickel nitrate source. After eliminating the influence of internal and external diffusion factors, an empirical power-law kinetic rate equation was derived from the experimental data. The non-linear regression method was used to estimate the kinetic parameter. The activation energy of the catalyst was then calculated, and the supported nickel nitrate and nickel sulfamate catalysts were 25.345 and 41.449 kJ mol−1, respectively, which was in agreement with the experimental and model-predicted results.