Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are based on the in situ production of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in water upon irradiation of the sample by UV light, ultrasound, electromagnetic radiation, and/or the addition of ozone or a semiconductor. Diclofenac (DCF), one of the emerging organic contaminants (EOC), is of environmental concern due to its abundancy in water and is known to be subjected to AOPs. The current study uses density functional theory (DFT) to elucidate the mechanisms of the reactions between •OH and DCF leading to degradation by-products, P1-P9. The initial encounter of DCF with •OH is proposed to lead to either the abstraction of a hydrogen or the addition of the hydroxyl radical to the molecule. The results showed that OH addition radicals (R ) are both kinetically and thermodynamically favored over H abstraction radicals (R). The intermediate radicals give degradation by-products by subsequent reactions. The by-products P7 and P8 are easily formed in agreement with experimental findings. Finally, acute toxicities at three trophic levels are estimated with the Ecological Structure Activity Relationships program. DCF and most of the by-products were found to be harmful to aquatic organisms, P9 being the only by-product that is not harmful at all three trophic levels.
The reactions between low-valent Rh(I) and Ir(I) metal–carbonyl complexes and arylnitrile oxides possess the electronic and structural features of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on these reactions, involving both cyclopentadienyl and carboranyl ligands on the metal carbonyl, explain the ease of the chemical processes and the stabilities of the resulting metallaisoxazolin-5-ones. The metal–carbonyl bond has partial double bond character according to the Wiberg index calculated through NBO analysis, and so the reaction can be considered a normal 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition involving M═C bonds. The rates of formation of the metallacycloadducts are controlled by distortion energy, analogous to their organic counterparts. The superior ability of anionic Ir complexes to share their electron density and accommodate higher oxidation states explains their calculated higher reactivity toward cycloaddition, as compared to Rh analogues.
A DFT study is carried out in order to elucidate the racemization and cyclization mechanism as well as the atroposelectivity during the synthesis of 2-thiohydantoins. Computational data shows that the racemization occurs after cyclization with the assistance of triethyl amine.
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