Theoretical studies Intrinsic Reactivity

Hemiacetal formation from formaldehyde and methanol has been studied by intrinsic reactivity analysis at the B3LYP/6-311-l-l-G(d,p) level and the beneficial combined assistance of watermolecules and Brpnsted acids has been quantified. Theoretical study of hemiacetal formation from methanol with derivatives of CH3CHO (X = H, F, Cl, Br, and I) has shown that the energy barrier can be reduced by a catalytic molecule (MeOH or hemiacetal product)." ... 

One of the key issues of supported model catalysts is to prepare collection of metal particles having a well-defined morphology. Indeed, if a catalytic reaction is structure-sensitive [54], it will depend on the nature of the facets present on the particles. Moreover, the presence of edges, the proportion of which is increasing rapidly below about 5 nm, can affect the reactivity by their intrinsic low coordination and also by their role as boundary between the different facets. In this section I first discuss the theoretical predictions of the shape of small particles and clusters, then I briefly describe the available experimental techniques to study the morphology, and finally I discuss from selected examples how it is possible to understand and control the morphology of supported model catalysts. 

A radical solution to all of the above-mentioned difficulties is to eliminate the solvent medium entirely and to measure structural effects on heteroaromatic reactivity in the gas phase. During the last decade, a revolution has occurred in the experimental and theoretical approaches to understanding gas-phase ion chemistry. This has occurred as the result of the simultaneous development of several experimental methods for studying organic ion-molecule kinetics and equilibria in the gas phase with precision and range of effects equivalent to or even better than that normally obtained in solution and by very sophisticated molecular orbital calculations. The importance of reactivity studies in the gas phase is twofold. Direct comparison of rates and equilibria in gaseous and condensed media reveals previously inaccessible effects of ion solvation. In addition, reactivity data in the gas phase provide a direct evaluation of the fundamental, intrinsic properties of molecules and represent a unique yardstick against which the validity of theoretical estimates of such properties can be adequately assayed. 

The differences in relative activity of these compounds may be related to effects various constituents have on the ability to form highly reactive free radicals. A study which could help elucidate the actual mechanism of action of these compounds would be to examine (theoretically or experimentally) their ability to form radicals. If they express their herbicidal activity via this mechanism, then the energy and reactivity of free radical formation should show a positive correlation with the relative activity differences found in an intrinsic bioassay. For this purpose, the midpoint redox potential of the one-electron transfer couple DPE-NO2 DPE-N02 needs to be determined. This could be accomplished using such techniques as polarography or cyclic voltometry. It may also be feasible to study these reactions in darkness through the use of artificial electron... 

Nucleophilic attack at other atoms. The chemistry of phosphine-borane adducts has continued to generate interest. Simple borane adducts of primary vinyl-, ethynyl- and allenyl-phosphines have been prepared and studied by a range of spectroscopic and theoretical techniques. The same group has also shown that attachment of the BH3 unit to a variety of primary phosphines results in a substantial increase in the intrinsic acidity of the system in the gas-phase. Group III halide adducts of the type Bu 2PH EX3 (E = B, Al, Ga or In X = Cl or Br) are accessible from the reactions of the secondary phosphine with the trihalides at room temperature. The solid state structure and reactivity of these adducts was also reported. Treatment of l,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene with the borane-dimethylsulfide complex in ether solvents affords a simple monoborane adduct of the diphosphine irrespective of the molar ratio of the... 

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