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  • Proton relays in anomalous carbocations dictate spectroscopy, stability, and mechanisms: case studies on C 2 H 5 + and C 3 H 3 +
Title: Proton relays in anomalous carbocations dictate spectroscopy, stability, and mechanisms: case studies on C 2 H 5 + and C 3 H 3 +
We present a detailed analysis of the anomalous carbocations: C 2 H 5 + and C 3 H 3 + . This work involves (a) probing electronic structural properties, (b) ab initio dynamics simulations over a range of internal energies, (c) analysis of reduced dimensional potential surfaces directed along selected conformational transition pathways, (d) dynamically averaged vibrational spectra computed from ab initio dynamics trajectories, and (e) two-dimensional time–frequency analysis to probe conformational dynamics. Key findings are as follows: (i) as noted in our previous study on C 2 H 3 + , it appears that these non-classical carbocations are stabilized by delocalized nuclear frameworks and “proton shuttles”. We analyze this nuclear delocalization and find critical parallels between conformational changes in C 2 H 3 + , C 2 H 5 + , and C 3 H 3 + . (ii) The vibrational signatures of C 2 H 5 + are dominated by the “bridge-proton” conformation, but also show critical contributions from the “classical” configuration, which is a transition state at almost all levels of theory. This result is further substantiated through two-dimensional time–frequency analysis and is at odds with earlier explanations of the experimental spectra, where frequencies close to the classical region were thought to arise from an impurity. While this is still possible, our results here indicate an additional (perhaps more likely) explanation that involves the “classical” isomer. (iii) Finally, in the case of C 3 H 3 + our explanation of the experimental result includes the presence of multiple, namely, “cyclic”, “straight”, and propargyl, configurations. Proton shuttles and nuclear delocalization, reminiscent of those seen in the case of C 2 H 3 + , were seen all through and have a critical role in all our observations.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1665336
NSF-PAR ID:
10065845
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.
Volume:
19
Issue:
40
ISSN:
1463-9076
Page Range / eLocation ID:
27801 to 27816
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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