Theoretical studies on the structures and detonation properties of nitramine explosives containing benzene ring

The nitramine compounds containing benzene ring were optimized to obtain their molecular geometries and electronic structures at DFT-B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level. The theoretical molecular density (ρ), heat of formation (HOF), energy gap (ΔE(LUMO-HOMO)), charge on the nitro group (-Q(NO2)), detonation velocity (D) and detonation pressure (P), estimated using Kamlet-Jacobs equations, showed that the detonation properties of these compounds were excellent. It is found that there are good linear relationships between density, heat of formation, detonation velocity, detonation pressure and the number of nitro group. The simulation results reveal that molecule G performs similarly to famous explosive HMX, and molecule H outperforms HMX. According to the quantitative standard of energetics as an HEDC (high energy density compound), molecule H essentially satisfies this requirement. These results provide basic information for molecular design of novel high energetic density compounds.     

Comparative theoretical study of the UV/Vis absorption spectra of styrylpyridine compounds using TD-DFT calculations

This study examined absorption properties of 2-styrylpyridine, trans-2-(m-cyanostyryl)pyridine, trans-2-[3-methyl-(m-cyanostyryl)]pyridine, and trans-4-(m-cyanostyryl)pyridine compounds based on theoretical UV/Vis spectra, with comparisons between time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) using B3LYP, PBE0, and LC-ωPBE functionals. Basis sets 6–31G(d), 6–31G(d,p), 6–31+G(d,p), and 6–311+G(d,p) were tested to compare molecular orbital energy values, gap energies, and maxima absorption wavelengths. UV/Vis spectra were calculated from fully optimized geometry in B3LYP/6–311+G(d,p) in gas phase and using the IEFPCM model. B3LYP/6–311+G(d,p) provided the most stable form, a planar structure with parameters close to 2-styrylpyridine X-ray data. Isomeric structures were evaluated by full geometry optimization using the same theory level. Similar energetic values were found: ～4.5 kJ?mol^?1 for 2-styrylpyridine and ～1 kJ?mol^?1 for derivative compound isomers. The 2-styrylpyridine isomeric structure differed at the pyridine group N-atom position; structures considered for the other compounds had the cyano group attached to the phenyl ring m-position equivalent. The energy difference was almost negligible between m-cyano-substituted molecules, but high energy barriers existed for cyano-substituted phenyl ring torsion. TD-DFT appeared to be robust and accurate approach. The B3LYP functional with the 6–31G(d) basis set produced the most reliable λ_max values, with mean errors of 0.5 and 12 nm respect to experimental values, in gas and solution, respectively. The present data describes effects on the λ_max changes in the UV/Vis absorption spectra of the electron acceptor cyano substituent on the phenyl ring, the electron donor methyl substituent, and the N-atom position on the electron acceptor pyridine ring, causing slight changes respect to the 2-styrylpyridine title compound.     

Looking for high energy density compounds among polynitraminecubanes

Based on fully optimized geometric structures at DFT-B3LYP/6-311G** level, we calculated electronic structures, heats of formation, strain energies, bond dissociation energies and detonation performance (detonation velocity and detonation pressure) for a series of polynitraminecubanes. Our results have shown that energy gaps of cubane derivatives are much higher than that of triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB), which means that cubane derivatives may be more sensitive than TATB. Polynitraminecubanes have high and positive heats of formation, and a good linear relationship between heats of formation and nitramine group numbers was presented. As the number of nitramine groups in the molecule increases, the enthalpies of combustion values are increasingly negative, but the specific enthalpy of combustion values decreases. It is found that all cubane derivatives have high strain energies, which are affected by the number and position of nitramine group. The calculated bond dissociation energies of C-NHNO₂ and C-C bond show that the C-C bond should be the trigger bond in the pyrolysis process. It is found that detonation velocity (D), detonation pressure (P) and molecule density (ρ) have good linear relationship with substituented group numbers. Heptanitraminecubane and octanitraminecubane have good detonation performance over 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane (HMX), and they can be regarded as potential candidates of high energy density compounds (HEDCs). The results have not only shown that these compounds may be used as HEDCs, but also provide some useful information for further investigation.     

Introducing NOB-NOBs: nitrogen-oxygen-boron cycles with potential high-energy properties

As a follow-up on a study of a family of boron-oxygen-nitrogen compounds composed of two datively bonded B-O-N backbones, we investigate a similar series of compounds that have similar fragments but are covalently bonded. B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) quantum mechanical calculations have been performed to determine the minimum-energy geometries, vibrational frequencies, and thermochemical properties of the parent compound and a series of nitro-substituted derivatives. Our results indicate that some of the derivatives have at least appropriate thermodynamics for possible high-energy materials, in some cases being favorable over similar dimeric compounds with coordinate covalent B-N bonds.     

Density functional computational studies on (E)-2-[(2-Hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-iminiomethyl]-4-nitrophenolate

Density functional calculations of the structure, atomic charges, molecular electrostatic potential and thermodynamic functions have been performed at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory for the title compound (E)-2-[(2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-iminiomethyl]-4-nitrophenolate. The results show that the phenolate oxygen atom and all of the nitro group oxygen atoms have bigger negative charges, and the coordination ability of these atoms differs in different solvents. The energetic behavior of the title compound in solvent media has been examined using B3LYP method with the 6-31G(d,p) basis set by applying the Onsager method and the isodensity polarized continuum model (IPCM). The results obtained with these methods reveal that the IPCM method yielded a more stable structure than Onsager’s method. In addition, natural bond orbital and frontier molecular orbital analysis of the title compound were performed using the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) method.     

Theoretical study on novel nitrogen-rich energetic compounds of bis(amino)-azobis(azoles) with tetrazene unit

Six stereoisomers of 5,5'-bis(amino)-1,1'-azobis(tetrazoles) and 30 other structures, including all possible bis(amino)-azobis(azoles) with an N-N=N-N unit, were designed. The molecular geometries were fully optimized at the DFT-B3LYP level with the 6-31++g (d, p) basis set. From the absence of any imaginary frequency in the infrared vibration frequency spectrum, it is predicted that all these studied structures may exist in stable forms. The results of the total energies of the stereoisomers of 5,5'-bis(amino)-1,1'-azobis(tetrazoles) indicate that the two symmetric trans-form structures are more likely to exist than the other four. The pyrolysis process, chemical stability and molecular electrostatic potential were studied via the investigation of their electronic structure. Heats of formation (HOFs) were calculated using the atomization energy method based on the results of the harmonic vibration frequencies, and a linear relationship was found between the HOF and nitrogen chain or nitrogen content. Densities of the title compounds were predicted with the Monte Carlo method. Finally, according to the results of the calculated HOFs and densities, the explosive parameters of these compounds were calculated using the Kamlet-Jacobs formula. 5,5'-Bis(amino)-1,1'-azobis(tetrazoles) and its isomer 5,5'-bis(amino)-2,2'-azobis(tetrazoles) may have potential for use as energetic compounds.     

Theoretical investigation on the heats of formation and detonation performance in polydinitroaminocubanes

A series of polydinitroaminocubanes have been designed computationally. We calculated the heats of formation, the detonation velocity (D) and detonation pressure (P) of the title compounds by density function theory (DFT) with 6-311?G** basis set. The relationship between the heats of formation and the molecular structures is discussed. The result shows that all cubane derivatives have high and positive heats of formation, which increase with increasing number of dinitroamino groups. The detonation performances of the title compound were estimated by Kamlet-Jacobs equation, and the result indicated that most cubane derivatives have good detonation performance over RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-trizine) and HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane). In addition, we also found that the heat of detonation (Q) is another very important impact in increasing detonation performance except density. The relative stabilities of the title compound are discussed in the terms of the calculated heats of formation, and the energy gaps between the frontier orbitals. The results have not only shown that these compounds may be used as high energy density compounds (HEDCs), but also provide some useful information for further investigation.     

Theoretical studies on the thermodynamic properties, densities, detonation properties, and pyrolysis mechanisms of trinitromethyl-substituted aminotetrazole compounds

Trinitromethyl-substituted aminotetrazoles with –NH₂, –NO₂, –N₃, and –NHC(NO₂)₃ groups were investigated at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of density functional theory. Their sublimation enthalpies, thermodynamic properties, and heats of formation were calculated. The thermodynamic properties of these compounds increase with temperature as well as with the number of nitro groups attached to the tetrazole ring. In addition, the detonation velocities and detonation pressures of these compounds were successfully predicted using the Kamlet–Jacobs equations. It was found that these compounds exhibit good detonation properties, and that compound G (D = 9.2 km/s, P = 38.8 GPa) has the most powerful detonation properties, which are similar to those of the well-known explosive HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine). Finally, the electronic structures and bond dissociation energies of these compounds were calculated. The BDEs of their C–NO₂ bonds were found to range from 101.9 to 125.8 kJ/mol^-1. All of these results should provide useful fundamental information for the design of novel HEDMs.     

Dinitroamino benzene derivatives: a class new potential high energy density compounds

Dinitroamino benzene derivatives are designed and studied in detail with quantum chemistry method. The molecular theory density, heats of formation, bond dissociation energies, impact sensitive and detonation performance are investigated at DFT-B3LYP/6-311G** level. The results of detonation performance indicated most of the compounds have better detonation velocity and pressure than RDX and HMX. The N-N bond can be regard as the trigger bond in explosive reaction, and the bond dissociation energies of trigger bond are almost not affected by the position and number of substituent group. The impact sensitive are calculated by two different theory methods. It is found that the compounds, which can become candidates of high energy materials, have smaller H₅₀ values than RDX and HMX. It is hoped that this work can provide some basis information for further theory and experiment studies of benzene derivatives.     

Experimental and DFT computational studies on 5-benzyl-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazol-3(4H)-one

The triazole compound, 5-benzyl-4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazol-3(4H)-one, has been synthesized and characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR, and X-ray single-crystal determination. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁ with a?=?11.8844(3) Å, b?=?17.5087(4) Å, c?=?17.3648(6) Å, β?=?99.990(2)? and Z?=?8. In addition to the molecular geometry from X-ray experiment, the molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR chemical shift values of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated using the density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The calculated results show that the optimized geometries can well reproduce the crystal structure and the theoretical vibrational frequencies and chemical shift values show good agreement with experimental ones. Besides, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), natural bond orbital (NBO), and frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis of the title compound were performed by the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) method.     

Theoretical insight into the solvent effect of H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O and formamide on the cooperativity effect in HMX complex

The cooperativity effects of the H-bonding interactions in HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane)???HMX???FA (formamide), HMX???HMX???H₂O and HMX???HMX???HMX complexes involving the chair and chair–chair HMX are investigated by using the ONIOM2 (CAM-B3LYP/6–31++G(d,p):PM3) and ONIOM2 (M06-2X/6–31++G(d,p):PM3) methods. The solvent effect of FA or H₂O on the cooperativity effect in HMX???HMX???HMX are evaluated by the integral equation formalism polarized continuum model. The results show that the cooperativity and anti-cooperativity effects are not notable in all the systems. Although the effect of solvation on the binding energy of ternary system HMX???HMX???HMX is not large, that on the cooperativity of H-bonds is notable, which leads to the mutually strengthened H-bonding interaction in solution. This is perhaps the reason for the formation of different conformation of HMX in different solvent. Surface electrostatic potential and reduced density gradient are used to reveal the nature of the solvent effect on cooperativity effect in HMX???HMX???HMX.

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Graphical abstract RDG isosurface and electrostatic potential surface of HMX???HMX???HMX

     

An experimental and theoretical approach to the molecular structure of 2-{4-[3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-3-methylcyclobutyl]thiazol-2-yl}isoindoline-1,3-dione

The title compound, 2-{4-[3-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-3-methylcyclobutyl]thiazol-2-yl}isoindoline-1,3-dione (C₂₄H₂₂N₂O₂S), was synthesized and characterized by IR-NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a?=?19.7799(13) Å, b?=?6.7473(4) Å, c?=?15.7259(9) Å and β?=?103.416(5)°. In addition, the molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) ¹H and ¹³C chemical shift values of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated by using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (DFT/B3LYP) with 6–31G(d), 6–31 + G(d,p) and LANL2DZ basis sets, and compared with the experimental data. To determine conformational flexibility, molecular energy profile of the title compound was obtained by semi-empirical (AM1) calculations with respect to two selected degrees of torsional freedom, which were varied from ?180° to +180° in steps of 5°. Besides, molecular electrostatic potential, frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis and thermodynamic properties of the title compound were investigated by theoretical calculations.     

Theoretical modeling and experimental studies on N-n-Decyl-2-oxo-5-nitro-1-benzylidene-methylamine

The Schiff base compound, N-n-Decyl-2-oxo-5-nitro-1-benzylidene-methylamine, has been -synthesized and characterized by IR, electronic spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal determination. Molecular geometry from X-ray experiment of the title compound in the ground state have been compared using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6-31G(d) basis set. Calculated results show that density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level can well reproduce the structure of the title compound. To investigate the solvent effect for the atomic charge distributions of the title compound, self-consistent reaction field theory with Onsager reaction field model was used. In addition, DFT calculations of the title compound, molecular electrostatic potential and thermodynamic properties were performed at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory.     

Experimental and quantum chemical calculational studies on 2-[(4-Fluorophenylimino)methyl]-3,5-dimethoxyphenol

The Schiff base compound, 2-[(4-Fluorophenylimino)methyl]-3,5-dimethoxyphenol, has been synthesized and characterized by IR, electronic spectroscopy, and X-ray single-crystal determination. Molecular geometry from X-ray experiment of the title compound in the ground state have been compared using the Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6–31G(d) basis set. Calculated results show that density functional theory (DFT) and HF can well reproduce the structure of the title compound. The energetic behavior of the title compound in solvent media has been examined using B3LYP method with the 6–31G(d) basis set by applying the polarizable continuum model (PCM). The total energy of the title compound decrease with the increasing polarity of the solvent. By using TD-DFT and TD-HF methods, electronic absorption spectra of the title compound have been predicted and a good agreement with the TD-DFT method and the experimental ones is determined. In addition, DFT calculations of the title compound, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), natural bond orbital (NBO), and thermodynamic properties were performed at B3LYP/6–31G(d) level of theory.     

Structure and vibrational frequencies of 6-chloro-8-thia-1,4-epoxybicyclo[4.3.0]non-2-ene: density functional theory study

The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum of 6-chloro-8-thia-1,4-epoxybicyclo[4.3.0]non-2-ene has been recorded in the region 4000–525 cm^? 1. The optimised geometry, frequency and intensity of the vibrational bands of the title compound have been calculated using the ab initio Hartree–Fock and the density functional theory method with 6-31G(d,p) and 6-311G(d,p) basis set levels. The harmonic vibrational frequencies were calculated and the scaled values have been compared with experimental FT-IR spectrum. The observed and the calculated frequencies are found to be in good agreement. The theoretical vibrational spectrum of the title compound were interpreted by means of potential energy distributions using VEDA 4 program.     

Theoretical studies on vibrational spectra, thermodynamic properties, detonation properties and pyrolysis mechanism for 1,2-bis(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazine

The thermal stability and pyrolysis mechanism of 1,2-bis(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazine were investigated based on fully optimized molecular geometric structures. The results demonstrate the existence of intramolecular hydrogen bond interactions 1,2-bis(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazine. The assigned infrared spectrum was also obtained; the results reveal four main characteristic regions in the calculated IR spectra of the title compound. Detonation velocities (D) and pressures (P) were also evaluated by using Kamlet-Jacobs equations based on the calculated density and heat of formation. Thermal stability and the pyrolysis mechanism of 1,2-bis(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazine were investigated by calculating the bond dissociation energies at the B3LYP/6-31 G* level.     

Excited state intramolecular proton transfer in 3-hydroxychromone: a DFT-based computational study

Potential energy (PE) curves for intramolecular proton transfer in the ground (GSIPT) and intramolecular proton transfer in the excited (ESIPT) states of 3-hydroxychromone (3HC) have been studied using DFT-B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) and TD-DFT/6-31G(d,p) level of theory, respectively. Our calculations suggest the non-viability of GSIPT in 3HC. Excited states PE calculations show the existence of ESIPT process in 3HC. ESIPT in 3HC has also been explained in terms of HOMO and LUMO electron densities of the enol and keto tautomers of 3HC.     

Is 1-nitro-1-triazene a high energy density material?

An azo bridge (–N?=?N–) can not only desensitize explosives but also dramatically increase their heats of formation and explosive properties. Amino and nitro are two important high energy density functional groups. Here, we present calculations on 1-nitro-1-triazene (NH₂–N?=?N–NO₂). Thermal stability and detonation parameters were predicted theoretically at CCSD(T)/6-311G* level, based on the geometries optimized at MP2/6-311G* level. It was found that the p?→?π conjugation interaction and the intramolecular hydrogen bonding that exist in the system together increase the thermal stability of the molecule. Moreover, the detonation parameters were evaluated to be better than those of the famous HMX and RDX. Finally, the compound was demonstrated to be a high energy density material.     

Methyl 2-methoxy-7-(4-methylbenzoyl)-4-oxo-6-p-tolyl-4H-furo[3,2-c]pyran-3-carboxylate:A combined experimental and theoretical investigation

The title compound, methyl 2-methoxy-7-(4-methylbenzoyl)-4-oxo-6-p-tolyl-4H-furo[3,2-c]pyran-3-carboxylate (C₂₅H₂₀O₇), was prepared and characterized by IR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P ?1 with a?=?8.9554(9) Å, b?=?10.0018(10) Å, c?=?12.7454(13) Å, α?=?67.678(7)°, β?=?89.359(8)° and γ?=?88.961(8)°. In addition to the molecular geometry from X-ray experiment, the molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated using semiempirical AM1 and PM3 methods, as well as Hartree-Fock (HF) and density functional (B3LYP) levels of theory with 6–31G(d) basis set. To determine conformational flexibility, molecular energy profile of the title compound was obtained by semi-empirical (AM1) calculations with respect to two selected degrees of torsional freedom, which were varied from ?180° to +180° in steps of 10°. Besides, frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis and thermodynamic properties of the title compound were performed by the B3LYP/6–31G(d) method.     

Molecular structure,vibrational spectra and HOMO,LUMO analysis of 4-piperidone by density functional theory and ab initio Hartree–Fock calculations

Vibrational frequencies and geometrical parameters of 4-piperidone (4-PID) in the ground state have been calculated by using the Hartree–Fock (HF) and density functional methods (B3LYP) with 6-311++G(d,p) and 6-311+G(3df,2p) basis sets. These methods are proposed as a tool to be applied in the structural characterisation of 4-PID (C₅H₉NO). The title molecule has C _s point group symmetry, thus providing useful support in the interpretation of experimental IR and Raman data. The DFT-B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) calculations have been found more reliable than the ab initio HF/6-311++G(d,p) calculations for the vibrational study of 4-PID. The calculated highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energies show that charge transfer occurs within the molecule. The theoretical spectrograms for FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of the title molecule have been constructed.