title: Bond bundles and the origins of functionality.
abstract: We briefly review the method by which the electron charge density of atomic systems is decomposed into unique volumes called bond bundles, which are characterized by well-defined and additive properties. We then show that boundaries of bond bundles topologically constrain their chemical reactivity. To illustrate this fact, we model the response of the bond bundles of ethane and ethene to electrophilic attack and from the results of these models posit that functional group properties can be inferred from the shapes of their bond bundles. By relating functionality to bond bundle shape, it is possible to see subtle changes in chemical reactivity that are otherwise difficult to explain, as is illustrated by comparing bond bundles through a series of impact sensitive polynitroaromatic molecules.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Theory Group, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States. trjones@mines.edu
authors.forename: Travis E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Eberhart
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Imlay
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mackey