Isomerization of C₃H₃NO isomers: ab initio study

Abstract

The structures and isomerization process of C₃H₃NO species have been explored at the MP2/6–311++G(d,p) level of theory of the ab initio method. Eleven minima and four interconversion transition states have been identified. The zero-point vibrational energy corrections were made to predict reliable energies. We predict a five-membered ring-like structure to be the lowest energy isomer, which is 177.73 kcal mol⁻¹ more stable than the least stable isomer X found on the potential energy surface. The transition states and minima isomers were verified by frequency calculation. Intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculations have been performed to confirm that each transition state is linked by the desired reactants and products. The isomer stabilities have been studied using the relative energies, chemical hardness and chemical potential. The MHP principle could not predict the order of stability for C₃H₃NO isomers as arrived at with the relative energies. The role of intramolecular hydrogen bonds on the equilibrium structure has been discussed. The energy barrier and reaction enthalpy have been calculated during isomerization.

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the DST (Department of Science and Technology), Government of India for the financial assistance to create the Central Computer Lab in the Department of Physics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641 046, under the DST-FIST programme.