Intermolecular Interactions in 3-Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-Methyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane: Insights from Computational Spectroscopy

Abstract

In this work, a computational spectroscopy approach was used to provide a complete assignment of the inelastic neutron scattering spectra of three title alkoxysilane derivatives—3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTS), N-methyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (MAPTS), and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The simulated spectra obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations exhibit a remarkable match with the experimental spectra. The description of the experimental band profiles improves as the number of molecules considered in the theoretical model increases, from monomers to trimers. This highlights the significance of incorporating non-covalent interactions, encompassing classical NH···N, N–H···O, as well as C–H···N and C–H···O hydrogen bond contacts, to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the system. A distinct scenario emerges when considering optical vibrational techniques, infrared and Raman spectroscopy. In these instances, the monomer model provides a reasonable description of the experimental spectra, and no substantial alterations are observed in the simulated spectra when employing dimer and trimer models. This observation underscores the distinctive ability of neutron spectroscopy in combination with DFT calculations in assessing the structure and dynamics of molecular materials.

Using Molecular Conformers in COSMO-RS to Predict Drug Solubility in Mixed Solvents

“…This "computational spectroscopy" approach has been successfully applied in recent studies by our group to diverse molecular systems, including eutectic mixtures, 51 biobased polymers, 52 and liquid alkoxysilane derivatives. 53 As such, the soundness of the present DFT calculations for VA is illustrated in Figure 3 by comparing the gas phase experimental infrared spectrum of VA, retrieved from the NIST database, 54 with the calculated spectra for the single VA molecule in protected and bare conformations. There is excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated spectra when considering the protected conformer (Figure 3, top and middle lines).…”

“…DFT calculations can be used to predict and interpret vibrational spectra, which in turn serve as a validation of the theoretical model. This “computational spectroscopy” approach has been successfully applied in recent studies by our group to diverse molecular systems, including eutectic mixtures, biobased polymers, and liquid alkoxysilane derivatives . As such, the soundness of the present DFT calculations for VA is illustrated in Figure by comparing the gas phase experimental infrared spectrum of VA, retrieved from the NIST database, with the calculated spectra for the single VA molecule in protected and bare conformations.…”