Conformers, infrared spectrum and UV-induced photochemistry of matrix-isolated furfuryl alcohol.

The infrared spectra of furfuryl alcohol (2-furanmethanol, FFA) were investigated for FFA monomers isolated in low-temperature argon matrices. The structural interpretation of the obtained experimental spectra was assisted by analysis of the molecule's conformational landscape. According to the DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(d,p) calculations, five different minimum energy structures were found on the potential energy surface of the molecule. They can be defined by the orientation of the OCCO and CCOH dihedral angles: GG', GG, TG, TT, GT (G = +gauche, G' = -gauche, T = trans) and have a symmetry equivalent configuration: GG' = G'G, GG = G'G', TG = TG', GT = G'T. When zero-point energies are taken into account, only three (GG', GG, and TT) out of the five unique minima correspond to stable structures. The most stable conformer GG' (OCCO, 72.7°; CCOH, -59.3°), which in gas phase at room temperature accounts for ∼65% of the total population, was the only form isolated in the argon matrices at 14 K. The other two relevant forms convert into conformer GG' during matrix deposition. The low temperature glassy and crystalline states of FFA were also obtained and their infrared spectra assigned, suggesting the sole existence of the GG' conformer also in these phases. The photochemical behavior of FFA induced in situ, by tunable UV-laser, was also studied. The longest wavelength resulting in photochemical changes in the structure of the irradiated sample was found to be λ = 229 nm. Such UV irradiation of the matrix-isolated FFA led to production of formaldehyde and different isomeric C(4)H(4)O species. Cycloprop-2-ene-1-carbaldehyde and buta-2,3-dienal (two conformers) are the main initial C(4)H(4)O photoproducts formed upon short-time excitation at λ = 229 nm. But-3-ynal (two conformers) was the principal photoproduct resulting from prolonged excitation at λ= 229 nm, being consumed upon irradiation at shorter wavelengths (λ < 227.5 nm). Vinyl ketene is produced from FFA in the trans conformation and undergoes isomerization to the cis form upon irradiation at λ < 227.5 nm. Cyclopropene, propyne, allene, and CO were also identified in the irradiated matrices (in particular at the later stages of irradiation), suggesting that the photoproduced aldehydes partially decarbonylate during the performed photochemical experiments.

Conformational behavior and tautomer selective photochemistry in low temperature matrices: the case of 5-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)-1,2,4-triazole.

The conformational properties and the photolysis behavior of one of the simplest N-C bonded bicyclic azoles, 5-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (T), were studied in argon and xenon matrices by infrared spectroscopy. Analysis of the experimental results was supported by extensive theoretical calculations carried out at the B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) level of approximation. Out of the eight T minima located on the potential energy surface, the three most stable species were detected in low temperature matrices, namely, 5-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (T1) and two conformers of 5-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)-2H-1,2,4-triazole (T2a and T2b). With increase of the substrate temperature either during deposition of the matrices or during annealing the T2b → T2a conversion took place, in agreement with the predicted low energy barrier for this transformation (5.38 kJ mol(-1)). Both broad band and narrow band laser UV irradiations of T isolated in Xe and Ar matrices induce unimolecular decomposition involving cleavage of the tetrazole ring of T1 and T2a (T2b) that leads to the production of 1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-yl carbodiimide (P1) and 1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl carbodiimide (P2), respectively. When the laser is used, in addition to the main P1 and P2 photoproducts, several minor products could be successfully identified in the matrices: N-cyanocarbodiimide HNCNCN (detected for the first time) associated with nitrilimine HNNCH and HCN. An interesting phenomenon of tautomer-selective photochemistry was observed for the matrix-isolated compound. It could be explained by the different LUMO-HOMO energy gaps estimated for T1, T2a, and T2b, connected with different threshold energies necessary to start the photolysis of T1 and T2a (T2b).

Matrix-isolated diglycolic anhydride: vibrational spectra and photochemical reactivity.

The structure of diglycolic anhydride (1,4-dioxane-2,6-dione; DGAn) isolated in a low-temperature argon matrix at 10 K was studied by means of FTIR spectroscopy. Interpretation of the experimental vibrational spectrum was assisted by theoretical calculations at the DFT(B3LYP)/aug-cc-pVTZ level. The optimized structure of the isolated DGAn molecule adopts an envelope conformation, which was found to resemble closely the structure of DGAn in a crystal. The UV-induced (lambda > 240 nm) photolysis of the matrix-isolated compound was also investigated. In order to identify the main species resulting from irradiation of the monomeric DGAn, a comparison between the DFT(B3LYP)/aug-cc-pVTZ calculated spectra of the putative products and the experimental data was carried out. The observed photoproducts can be explained by a model involving four channels: (a) 1,3-dioxolan-4-one + CO; (b) CO2 + CO + oxirane; (c) formaldehyde + ketene + CO2; (d) oxiran-2-one + oxiran-2-one. As a whole, the experiments indicated that the C-O-C bridge, connecting the two C=O groups, is the most reactive fragment in the molecule excited with UV light. This observation was confirmed by the natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis revealing that the most important NBO interactions are those between the carbonyl groups and the adjacent C-O and C-C bonds.

Matrix isolation FTIR spectroscopic and theoretical study of 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropane (HCFC-243).

The molecular structure and infrared spectrum of the atmospheric pollutant 3,3-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropane (HCFC-243) were characterized experimentally and theoretically. The theoretical calculations show the existence of two conformers, with the gauche (G) and trans (T) orientation around the HCCC dihedral angle. Conformer G was calculated to be more stable than form T by more than 10 kJ mol (-1). In consonance with the large predicted relative energy of conformer T, only the G form was identified spectroscopically in cryogenic argon (10 K) and xenon (20 K) matrices prepared from room-temperature equilibrium vapor of the compound. The observed infrared spectra of the matrix-isolated HCFC-243 were interpreted with the aid of high-level density functional theory calculations and normal coordinate analysis. For experimental identification of the weakest IR absorption bands, the spectrum of HCFC-243 in the neat solid state at 145 K was obtained. This spectrum also confirmed the sole presence of the G conformer in the sample. Natural bond orbital and atomic charge analyses were carried out for the two conformers to shed light on the most important intramolecular interactions in the two conformers, in particular those responsible for their relative stability.

Photochemistry of 5-allyloxy-tetrazoles: steady-state and laser flash photolysis study.

The photochemistry of three 5-allyloxy-tetrazoles, in methanol, acetonitrile and cyclohexane was studied by product analysis and laser flash photolysis. The exclusive primary photochemical process identified was molecular nitrogen elimination, with formation of 1,3-oxazines. These compounds were isolated in reasonable yields by column chromatography on silica gel and were fully characterized. DFT(B3LYP)/6-31G(d,p) calculations predict that these 1,3-oxazines can adopt two tautomeric forms (i) with the NH group acting as a bridge connecting the oxazine and phenyl rings and (ii) with the -N=bridge and the proton shifted to the oxazine ring. Both tautomeric forms are relevant in the photolysis of oxazines in solution. Secondary reactions were observed, leading to the production of phenyl vinyl-hydrazines, enamines, aniline and phenyl-isocyanate. Transient absorption, detected by laser flash photolysis, is attributed to the formation of triplet 1,3-biradicals generated from the excited 5-allyloxy-tetrazoles. The 1,3-biradicals are converted to 1,6-biradicals by proton transfer, which, after intersystem crossing, decay to generate the products. Solvent effects on the photoproduct distribution and rate of decomposition are negligible.

UV-induced photochemistry of matrix-isolated 1-phenyl-4-allyl-tetrazolone.

The photochemistry and molecular structure of 1-phenyl-4-allyl-tetrazolone (PAT) was studied by FT-IR matrix isolation spectroscopy and DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(d,p) calculations. The spectrum of matrix-isolated PAT monomers agrees well with the sum spectrum of three conformers predicted theoretically. UV irradiation (lambda > 235 nm) of matrix-isolated PAT induces three types of photofragmentation: (1) production of phenylazide and allyl-isocyanate, with phenylazide then losing N(2) to yield 1-aza-1,2,4,6-cycloheptatetraene; (2) formation of phenyl-isocyanate and allylazide; (3) N(2) elimination leading to formation of 1-allyl-2-phenyldiaziridin-3-one; this compound partially reacts further to form 1-allyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2(3H)-one. The observed photochemistry of the matrix-isolated PAT is distinct from the preferred photochemical fragmentation in solution, where 3,4-dihydro-3-phenylpyrimidin-2(1H)-one is produced as the primary photoproduct.

Photochemistry and vibrational spectra of matrix-isolated 5-ethoxy-1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole.

A combined matrix isolation FT-IR and theoretical DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(d,p) study of the molecular structure and photochemistry of 5-ethoxy-1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole (5EPT) was performed. A new method of synthesis of the compound is described. Calculations show three minima, very close in energy and separated by low-energy barriers (less than 4 kJ mol-1), in the ground-state potential energy profile of the molecule. The method of matrix isolation enabled the reduction of the number of populated conformational states in the experiment at low temperature due to the effect known as conformational cooling. As a result, the spectrum of the as-deposited matrix of 5EPT closely matches that of the most stable conformer predicted theoretically, pointing to the existence of only this conformer in the low-temperature matrixes. In this structure, the dihedral angle between the two rings, phenyl and tetrazole, is ca. 30 degrees, whereas the ethyl group stays nearly in the plane of the tetrazole ring and is as far as possible from the phenyl group. In situ UV irradiation (lambda > 235 nm) of the matrix-isolated 5EPT induced unimolecular decomposition, which led mainly to production of ethylcyanate and phenylazide, this later compound further reacting to yield, as final product, 1-aza-1,2,4,6-cycloheptatetraene. Anti-aromatic 3-ethoxy-1-phenyl-1H-diazirene was also observed experimentally as minor photoproduct, resulting from direct extrusion of molecular nitrogen from 5EPT. This species has not been described before and is now characterized by infrared spectroscopy for the first time.

Matrix-isolated monomeric tryptophan: electrostatic interactions as nontrivial factors stabilizing conformers.

An extensive analysis of the conformational space of tryptophan (Trp) was performed at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level and verified by comparison with the infrared spectra of the compound isolated in low-temperature argon and xenon matrixes. Different types of conformers have been unequivocally identified in the matrixes. Type I exhibits the trans arrangement of the carboxylic group and is stabilized by an O-H...N intramolecular H-bond. Types II and III have the carboxylic group in the cis conformation and feature N-H...O=C and N-H...O-C hydrogen bonds, respectively. Three individual conformers of type I were identified in the matrixes. Other conformational degrees of freedom are related with the Calpha-Cbeta-Cgamma=C and C1-Calpha-Cbeta-Cgamma angles (chi1 and chi2, respectively). In proteins, these two dihedral angles define the conformations of the amino acid residues. In monomeric Trp, chi1 adopts the "+" (ca. +90 degrees ) and "-" (ca. -90 degrees ) orientations, while average values of -67.4, 170.5, and 67.6 degrees ("a", "b", and "c", respectively) were found for chi2. Theoretical analysis revealed two important factors in stabilizing the structures of the Trp conformers: the H-bond type and electrostatic interactions. Classified by the H-bond type, the most stable are forms I, followed by II and III. Out of possible combinations of the chi1 and chi2 dihedral angles, "a+", "b+", and "c-" were theoretically found more stable than their "a-", "b-", and "c+" counterparts. Thus, the stabilizing effect of interactions involving the pyrrole ring (which are possible in Ia+, Ib+, and Ic- conformers) is considerably higher compared to those in which the phenyl ring is engaged (existing in the Ia-, Ib-, and Ic+ forms).

Importance of entropy in the conformational equilibrium of phenylalanine: a matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory study.

The conformational behavior and infrared spectrum of l-phenylalanine were studied by matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy and DFT [B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)] calculations. The fourteen most stable structures were predicted to differ in energy by less than 10 kJ mol(-1), eight of them with abundances higher than 5% at the temperature of evaporation of the compound (423 K). Experimental results suggest that six conformers contribute to the spectrum of the isolated compound, whereas two conformers (IIb(3) and IIIb(3)) relax in matrix to a more stable form (IIb(2)) due to low energy barriers for conformational isomerization (conformational cooling). The two lowest-energy conformers (Ib(1), Ia) differ only in the arrangement of the amino acid group relative to the phenyl ring; they exhibit a relatively strong stabilizing intramolecular hydrogen bond of the O-H...N type and the carboxylic group in the trans configuration (O=C-O-H dihedral angle ca. 180 degrees ). Type II conformers have a weaker H-bond of the N-H...O=C type, but they bear the more favorable cis arrangement of the carboxylic group. Being considerably more flexible, type II conformers are stabilized by entropy and the relative abundances of two conformers of this type (IIb(2) and IIc(1)) are shown to significantly increase with temperature due to entropic stabilization. At 423 K, these conformers are found to be the first and third most abundant species present in the conformational equilibrium, with relative populations of ca. 15% each, whereas their populations could be expected to be only ca. 5% if entropy effects were not taken into consideration. Indeed, phenylalanine can be considered a notable example of a molecule where entropy plays an essential role in determining the relative abundance of the possible low-energy conformational states and then, the thermodynamics of the compound, even at moderate temperatures. Upon UV irradiation (lambda > 235 nm) of the matrix-isolated compound, unimolecular photodecomposition of phenylalanine is observed with production of CO(2) and phenethylamine.

Molecular structure, vibrational spectra and photochemistry of 2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-amine in solid argon.

In this work, the molecular structure, infrared spectrum and UV photochemistry of 2-methyl-2H-tetrazol-5-amine (2MTA) isolated in solid argon (10 K) were investigated. The experimental studies were supported by extensive DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(d,p) calculations. The infrared spectrum of matrix-isolated 2MTA was fully assigned and correlated with structural properties. Taking into consideration the observed frequency of the NH2 wagging mode, it is suggested that, in the matrixes, the amine group becomes slightly more planar than in the gas phase, due to matrix-packing effects. In situ UV irradiation (lambda > 235 nm) of the matrix-isolated 2MTA monomer is shown to induce three main primary photochemical processes: (1) tautomerization to mesoionic 3-methyl-1H-tetrazol-3-ium-5-aminide; (2) nitrogen elimination, with production of 1-methyl-1H-diazirene-3-amine; (3) ring cleavage leading to production of methyl azide and cyanamide. Following the primary photoproducts, secondary reactions were observed, leading to spectroscopic observation of methylenimine and isocyanidric acid.

Studies of formation of bivalent copper complexes with native and denatured DNA.

The formation of Cu2+ complexes with native and denatured DNA is studied by the methods of differential UV spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy, and viscometry. On ion binding to the bases of native DNA the latter transforms into a new conformation. This transition is accompanied with a sharp increase in UV absorption and a decrease in the intrinsic viscosity though the high degree of helicity persists. Possible sites of Cu2+ ion binding on DNA of various conformations are found along with corresponding constants of complex formation.