The hybrid calculations with ONIOM（B3LYP/6-31G＊：AM1） method were carried out on the tautomerization reaction of formamide to formamidic acid in the microcontainer-encapsulated state. The free-state tautomerization process was also investigated with B3LYP/6-31G＊＊//B3LYP/6-31G＊ method for the purpose of comparison. Bare tautomerization, H20-assisted（single-H20 or multiple-HaO） and self-assisted mechanisms were all taken into consideration for the encapsulated state. The results show that only bare tautomerization and single-H2O catalysis mechanisms are possible to the encapsulated formamide tautomerization owing to the container＇s size confinement effect. Geometrical changes in the complexed container and guest molecules are discussed to deeply understand the complex＇s structural properties. The bare tautomerization barrier in the encapsulated state increases by 23.826 kJ/mol, accounting for 12% of the corresponding total energy barrier in the free state, and the increased values for the single-H2O catalysis process are 12.958 kJ/mol, accounting for 16% of the corresponding total energy barrier, respectively. This finding suggests that the encapsulation can make the tautomerization process slightly difficult.
WANG Xiu-li YANG Zuo-yin WANG Ju ZHANG Jing-chang CAO Wei-liang
The nature and strength of the cation-π interactions between NH4^＋ and toluene, p-cresol, or Me-indole were studied in terms of the topological properties of molecular charge density and binding energy decomposition. The results display that the diversity in the distribution pattern of bond and cage critical points reflects the profound influence of the number and nature of substituent on the electron density of the aromatic rings. On the other hand, the energy decomposition shows that dispersion and repulsive exchange forces play an important role in the organic cation （NH4^＋）-π interaction, although the electrostatic and induction forces dominate the interaction. In addition, it is intriguing that there is an excellent correlation between the electrostatic energy and ellipticity at the bond critical point of the aromatic π systems, which would be helpful to further understand the electrostatic interaction in the cation-π complexes.
The conversion process from bicyclo[4.1.0]heptatriene （BCT） to 1,2,4,6-cycloheptatetraene （CHTE） within a molecular container was studied with AM1 method, and single point energies for all stationary points were evaluated by B3LYP and HF methods. The conversion potential barrier for the encapsulation complex became smooth when compared with that for the rearrangement in free state. The influences of the inner phase of the molecular container on the conversion process were discussed.
Zuo Yin YANG Xiu Li WANG Ju WANG Jing Chang ZHANG Wei Liang CAO
The mechanism for the conformational conversion of 1,3-dioxane guest encapsulated inside a capsular host was theoretically investigated using semiempirical PM3 method and DFT methods. The free-state process of the conformational conversion of 1,3-dioxane was also investigated to make a comparison between the two different states using the same theory. The influences of the inner phase of the capsule on the conformational conversion of guest molecule were discussed via analyzing the comparative results. It was found that the capsular host could accommodate 1,3-dioxane within its cavity by the weak attractive interactions between host and guest, and it responds to the conformational conversion of guest by the deformation of hydrogen-bonding seam at the middle of the capsule. When entrapped in the capsule, the guest molecule undergoes the conformational conversion from chair form to twist-boat form slower than that under the free condition. The deformation of the capsule is favorable to maximize the attractive interactions between host and guest.
WANG Ju YANG Zuo-yin WANG Xiu-li ZHANG Jing-chang CAO Wei-liang
