title: Ab initio molecular orbital and density functional studies on the solvolysis of sarin and O,S-dimethyl methylphosphonothiolate, a VX-like compound.
abstract: [reaction: see text] Potential energy surfaces for the alkaline hydrolysis of sarin and O,S-dimethyl methylphosphonothiolate, a VX model compound, and the perhydrolysis of the latter have been computed at the MP2/6-31+G(d)//mPW1K/MIDI! level of theory. The effect of aqueous solvation was accounted for via the integral equation formalism polarizable continuum model (IEF-PCM) at the HF/6-31+G(d) level. Excellent agreement with the experimental enthalpy of activation for alkaline hydrolysis of sarin was found. For the alkaline hydrolysis of O,S-dimethyl methylphosphonothiolate, it was found that the P-O and P-S bond cleavage processes are kinetically competitive but that the products of P-S bond cleavage are thermodynamically favored. For the perhydrolysis of O,S-dimethyl methylphosphonothiolate, it was found that P-O bond cleavage is not kinetically competitive with P-S bond cleavage. In both cases, the data support initial formation of trigonal bipyramidal intermediates and demonstrate kinetic selectivity for nucleophilic attack on the face opposite the more apicophilic methoxide ligand.
authors.affiliation: Truman State University, Division of Science, Kirksville, Missouri 63501-4221, USA.
authors.forename: Jolita
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seckute
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Menke
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Emnett
authors.forename: Eric V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Cramer
mesh_terms: D000468:Alkalies; D019295:Computational Biology; D006868:Hydrolysis; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012524:Sarin / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D006878:Hydroxides; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds; D012524:Sarin; C031356:hydroxide ion; C009680:VX-agent