We show, computationally, that single-walled silicon nanotubes (SiNTs) can adopt a number of distorted tubular structures, representing respective local energy minima, depending on the theory used and the initial models adopted. In particular, "gearlike" structures containing alternating sp(3)-like and sp(2)-like silicon local configurations have been found to be the dominant structural form for SiNTs via density-functional tight-binding molecular dynamics simulations (followed by geometrical optimization using Hartree-Fock or density function theory) at moderate temperatures (below 100 K). The gearlike structures of SiNTs deviate considerably from, and are energetically more stable than, the smooth-walled tubes (the silicon analogues of single-walled carbon nanotubes). They are, however, energetically less favorable than the "string-bean-like" SiNT structures previously derived from semiempirical molecular orbital calculations. The energetics and the structures of gearlike SiNTs are shown to depend primarily on the diameter of the tube, irrespective of the type (zigzag, armchair, or chiral). In contrast, the energy gap is very sensitive to both the diameter and the type of the nanotube.

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The electrocyclic reactions of [16]annulene have been investigated by ab initio and DFT calculations. Among the six conformers of [16]annulene identified, 3, with Cs symmetry, is taken as the starting reactant for the cyclization reactions of [16]annulene, even though it is 31.4 kJ mol(-1) less stable than the most stable conformer, 1. The pathways of the electrocyclic reactions from reactant 3 to two tricyclic products, 5 and 6, have been found. All pathways identified are stepwise, i.e., the two ring closure processes occur one after the other. Among the pathways found, the ones with the lowest overall barrier for reactions 3 --> 5 and 3 --> 6 have the same rate-determining step and hence the same overall barrier, 131.0 kJ mol(-1). Thus, based on the barriers calculated, it is not possible to determine whether 5 or 6 is the dominant product in the cyclization reaction of 3.

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