Sharif Digital Repository

The equilibrium acidity of styrene was measured (δH°acid(PhCHCH2)=390.6±0.5kcalmol-1) and its deprotonation site was revised from the ortho position on the aromatic ring to the α-hydrogen atom based upon deuterium-labeling studies and extensive computations. Somewhat surprisingly, the nature of the anionic base plays a critical role in properly determining the ionization site and avoiding misleading results due to extraordinary hydrogen-deuterium exchange. Bracketing the electron affinity of α-styryl radical (PhC CH2, 23.1±3.4kcalmol-1) enabled the α-CH bond dissociation energy (100.1±3.4kcalmol-1) of styrene and the effect of a phenyl substituent at an sp2-hybridized carbon to be... 

The equilibrium acidity of styrene was measured (ΔH°acid(PhCH[dbnd]CH2) = 390.6 ± 0.5 kcal mol−1) and its deprotonation site was revised from the ortho position on the aromatic ring to the α-hydrogen atom based upon deuterium-labeling studies and extensive computations. Somewhat surprisingly, the nature of the anionic base plays a critical role in properly determining the ionization site and avoiding misleading results due to extraordinary hydrogen–deuterium exchange. Bracketing the electron affinity of α-styryl radical (PhC[rad][dbnd]CH2, 23.1 ± 3.4 kcal mol−1) enabled the α-C[sbnd]H bond dissociation energy (100.1 ± 3.4 kcal mol−1) of styrene and the effect of a phenyl substituent at an... 

The α-C-H bond dissociation energy (BDE) of phenylcyclopropane (1) was experimentally determined using Hess' law. An equilibrium acidity determination of 1 afforded ΔH°acid = 389.1 ± 0.8 kcal mol-1, and isotopic labeling established that the α-position of the three-membered ring is the favored deprotonation site. Interestingly, the structure of the base proved to be a key factor in correctly determining the proper ionization site (i.e., secondary amide ions are needed, and primary ones and OH- lead to incorrect conclusions since they scramble the deuterium label). An experimental measurement of the electron affinity of 1-phenylcyclopropyl radical (EA = 17.5 ± 2.8 kcal mol-1) was combined... 

We provide a physically motivated definition for the binding energy (or bond dissociation) of a bipartite quantum system. We consider coherently applying an external field to cancel out the interaction between the subsystems, to break their bond and separate them as systems from which no work can be extracted coherently by any cyclic evolution. The minimum difference between the average energies of the initial and final states obtained this way is defined as the binding energy of the system. We show that the final optimal state is a passive state. We discuss how the required evolution can be realized through a sequence of control pulses. The utility of our definition is illustrated through... 

Bromophenols are known as antioxidant radical scavengers for some biomolecules such as those in marine red alga. Full understanding of the role played by bromophenols requires detailed knowledge of the radical scavenging activities in probable pathways, a focus of ongoing research. To gain detailed insight into two suggested pathways, H-atom transfer and electron transfer, theoretical studies employing first principle quantum mechanical calculations have been carried out on selected bromophenols. Detailed investigation of the aforementioned routes revealed that upon H-atom abstraction or the electron transfer process, bromophenols cause an increase in radical species in which the unpaired... 

Anticancer character of gold cluster has been indicated through its free radical scavenging properties. This is in contrast to its free radical promoting ability suggested by other workers. Here, we address this controversy by probing the stabilizing effects of Au3 cluster on RO• vs its impacts on RO-H bond dissociation enthalpy, at B3LYP/ LACVP+* level (RH, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, and phenyl). In the presence of Au3 cluster, bond dissociation enthalpy of O-H bond and the spin density at the RO• oxygen are reduced dramatically. These are clear evidences for both the Au3 facilitation of the RO-H bond breakage and its scavenging of RO• radical. Since O-Au anchoring... 

Anticancer character of gold cluster has been indicated through its free radical scavenging properties. This is in contrast to its free radical promoting ability suggested by other workers. Here, we address this controversy by probing the stabilizing effects of Au3 cluster on RO• vs its impacts on RO–H bond dissociation enthalpy, at B3LYP/ LACVP+* level (R═H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, and phenyl). In the presence of Au3 cluster, bond dissociation enthalpy of O–H bond and the spin density at the RO• oxygen are reduced dramatically. These are clear evidences for both the Au3 facilitation of the RO–H bond breakage and its scavenging of RO• radical. Since O–Au... 

In our previous report (J. Phys. Org. Chem., 2017), we discussed the dual behavior of gold nanocluster (Au3 NC), where it scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) while promoted their generation to a lesser extent. Continuing this quest, we investigate the effects of Au3 NC on common reactive nitrogen species (RNS: O=N˙ and O=N-O) and their precursors (O=N-H and O=N-O-H, respectively), at B3LYP/LACVP+* level of theory. We compare the results with those of prevalent ROS (H-O˙ and H-O-O˙) and their precursors (H-O-H and H-O-O-H, respectively). To this end, various parameters are probed such as binding energy (Eb), bond dissociation energy (BDE), bond lengths, Mullikan spin density (MSD),... 

In our previous report (J. Phys. Org. Chem., 2017), we discussed the dual behavior of gold nanocluster (Au3 NC), where it scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) while promoted their generation to a lesser extent. Continuing this quest, we investigate the effects of Au3 NC on common reactive nitrogen species (RNS: O=N˙ and O=N-O) and their precursors (O=N-H and O=N-O-H, respectively), at B3LYP/LACVP+* level of theory. We compare the results with those of prevalent ROS (H-O˙ and H-O-O˙) and their precursors (H-O-H and H-O-O-H, respectively). To this end, various parameters are probed such as binding energy (Eb), bond dissociation energy (BDE), bond lengths, Mullikan spin density (MSD),... 

The synthesis of modified versions of deoxyribonucleic acid is an area that is receiving much attention. The replacement of the nitrogen atom on the nucleobases with boron atom has provided insight into deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid stability, recognition, and replication at the atomic level. In the present research, we investigated a detailed density functional theory study of the structural, tautomeric, base-pairing ability, bond dissociation energy, and electronic properties of two boron analogues (i.e., boron substitutions at 4-position and 5-position of uracil) of uracil nucleobase. The effects of these modifications on theirs acid-base properties have been considered. Our... 

Bridgehead C-H bond dissociation enthalpies of 105.7 ± 2.0, 102.9 ± 1.7, and 102.4 ± 1.9 kcal mol -1 for bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, and adamantane, respectively, were determined in the gas phase by making use of a thermodynamic cycle (i.e., BDE(R-H) = ΔH° acid(H-X) - IE(H •) + EA(X •)). These results are in good accord with high-level G3 theory calculations, and the experimental values along with G3 predictions for bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane, bicyclo[2.1.1]hexane, bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane, and bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane were found to correlate with the flexibility of the ring system. Rare examples of alkyl anions in the gas phase are also provided  

Molecules acting as antioxidants capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) are of upmost importance in the living cell. Thymol derivatives exhibit various antioxidant activities and potential health benefits. Exploration of structure-radical scavenging activity (SAR) was approached with a wide range of thymol derivatives. To accomplish this task, the DPPH experimental assay along with quantum-chemical calculations were also employed for these compounds. By comparing the structural properties of the derivatives of interest, their antioxidant activity was explained by the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond and the presence of unsaturated double bond (–CHdouble bond; length...