Thermochemistry and structures of solvated SN2 complexes and transition states in the gas phase: experiment and theory

The standard enthalpy and entropy changes (ΔH° and ΔS°) for the formation of solvated SN2 complexes (S)X−(RY) (X, Y = Cl, Br; R = (CH3)2CH; S = CH3OH, CH3CN, (CH3)2CO, CH3CF2H) have been determined by pulsed-ionization high pressure mass spectrometry. Not surprisingly, solvent effects are evident even at this mono-salvation level. Structures of solvated SN2 complexes and transition states for the Cl−(S) + CH3Cl SN2 reaction (S = H2O, H2S, NH3, PH3, SO2) have also been determined at the MP2/6-31+G(d) level of theory. A large variety of solvent dependent structures have been obtained, showing solvent reorganization upon going from the complex to the transition state. Standard binding and activation enthalpies (ΔH298∘ and ΔH298‡) were determined at the MP2/6-311+G(3df,2p)//MP2/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory. For the Cl−(H2O) + CH3Br and Br−(H2O) + CH3Cl reactions, structures and enthalpies were calculated at the MP2/[6-31+G(d)/LanL2DZ(spd)] and MP2/[6-311+G(3df,2p)/LanL2DZ(spdf)]//MP2/[6-31+G(d)/LanL2DZ(spd)] level of theory. For the Cl− + CH3Br and Cl−(H2O) + CH3Br reactions potential energy surface scans were performed at the MP2/[6-31+G(d)/LanL2DZ(spd)] level of theory. Formation of the two possible sets of solvated products, Br−(H2O) + CH3Cl and Br− + (CH3Cl)(H2O) proceeds through two different surfaces. Water transfer to the leaving group can be facilitated by rotation of the Br−(CH3Cl) part in the exit channel Br−(CH3Cl)(H2O) complex. Finally, for the Cl− + CH3Cl reactions in the condensed phase, complexation and activation energies (ΔE(ɛ) and ΔE‡(ɛ)) were determined for a variety of solvents at the MP2/6-31+G(d) level of theory using the isodensity polarized continuum model. A linear correlation between −ΔE(ɛ) and ΔE‡(ɛ) was obtained, and a similar correlation exists for the mono-solvated gas phase SN2 reaction, indicating that mono-solvation already exhibits some features of the condensed phase reaction.