Isolable Silicon-Based Polycations with Lewis Superacidity

Host-guest chemistry of tridentate Lewis acids based on tribenzotriquinacene

Flexible poly-Lewis acids (PLA) based on the tribenzotriquinacene (TBTQ) scaffold have been synthesised. Hydrosilylation of 4b,8b,12b-triallyltribenzotriquinacene and subsequent exchange of the chlorine substituents with weaker coordinating triflate groups afforded a novel triple silyl-functionalised PLA. By regioselective hydroboration of triallyl-TBTQ with various organoboranes, PLAs with different Lewis acidities were obtained. The synthesised PLAs were combined with neutral bases in host-guest experiments. DOSY NMR spectroscopy was performed to elucidate the complexation process in solution. These experiments revealed a highly dynamic interaction between the boron-functionalised PLA and triazine. However, the addition of one equivalent of tris(dimethylphosphino(methyl))phenylsilane led to the formation of a 1 : 1 adduct, which was confirmed by diffusion experiments.

Predicting Lewis Acidity: Machine Learning the Fluoride Ion Affinity of p-Block-Atom-Based Molecules

"How strong is this Lewis acid?" is a question researchers often approach by calculating its fluoride ion affinity (FIA) with quantum chemistry. Here, we present FIA49k, an extensive FIA dataset with 48,986 data points calculated at the RI-DSD-BLYP-D3(BJ)/def2-QZVPP//PBEh-3c level of theory, including 13 different p-block atoms as the fluoride accepting site. The FIA49k dataset was used to train FIA-GNN, two message-passing graph neural networks, which predict gas and solution phase FIA values of molecules excluded from training with a mean absolute error of 14 kJ mol-1 (r2=0.93) from the SMILES string of the Lewis acid as the only input. The level of accuracy is notable, given the wide energetic range of 750 kJ mol-1 spanned by FIA49k. The model's value was demonstrated with four case studies, including predictions for molecules extracted from the Cambridge Structural Database and by reproducing results from catalysis research available in the literature. Weaknesses of the model are evaluated and interpreted chemically. FIA-GNN and the FIA49k dataset can be reached via a free web app (www.grebgroup.de/fia-gnn).

The Field of Main Group Lewis Acids and Lewis Superacids: Important Basics and Recent Developments

New developments in the field of Lewis acidity are highlighted, with the focus of novel Lewis acids and Lewis superacids of group 2, 13, 14, and 15 elements. Several important basics, illustrated by modern examples (classification of Donor-Acceptor (DA) complexes, amphoteric nature of any compound in terms of DA interactions, reorganization energies of main group Lewis acids and the role of the energies of frontier orbitals) are presented and discussed. It is emphasized that the Lewis acidity phenomena are general and play vital role in different areas of chemistry: from weak "atomophilic" interactions to the complexes of Lewis superacids.

C-H, Si-H and C-F abstraction with an extremely electron poor I(III) reagent

The recently discovered I(III) reagent NO2-C6H4-I(OTf)2 is found to rapidly react with hydride sources, including HSiEt3 and relatively hydridic C-H precursors. These represent the first distinct reactions involving direct hydride abstraction by I(III) under ambient conditions. Direct C-F abstraction is also demonstrated, as well as oxidation of cyclic alkenes to aromatic rings, all representing new reactions for I(III) demonstrating the very high reactivity of NO2-C6H4-I(OTf)2.

Covalent triflates as synthons for silolyl- and germolyl cations

The synthesis of 1-silolyl and 1-germolyl triflates from the corresponding chlorides by salt metathesis reaction is reported. These covalent triflates are ideal starting materials for the preparation of ionic silolyl- and germolyl-imidazolium triflates by their reaction with N-heterocyclic carbenes. Similarily, ionic silolyl- and germolyl-oxophosphonium triflates are obtained by substitution of the triflate group by triethylphosphane oxide Et₃PO. The analysis of their ³¹P NMR chemical shifts according to the Gutmann-Beckett method reveal the high Lewis acidity of the underlying silolyl and germolyl cations. Further analysis of structural and NMR parameters of the silolyl- and germolyl-imidazolium and oxophosphonium triflates indicates that these compounds are covalently bonded silole and germole derivatives with insignificant contributions from silolyl- or germolyl cations. Silolyl and germolyl triflates are however synthetic equivalents of these cations and might serve as a source for electrophilic silolyl and germolyl units.

Ga+-catalyzed hydrosilylation? About the surprising system Ga+/HSiR3/olefin, proof of oxidation with subvalent Ga+ and silylium catalysis with perfluoroalkoxyaluminate anions

Already 1 mol% of subvalent [Ga(PhF)2]+[pf]- ([pf]- = [Al(ORF)4]-, RF = C(CF3)3) initiates the hydrosilylation of olefinic double bonds under mild conditions. Reactions with HSiMe3 and HSiEt3 as substrates efficiently yield anti-Markovnikov and anti-addition products, while bulkier substrates such as HSiiPr3 are less reactive. Investigating the underlying mechanism by gas chromatography and STEM analysis, we unexpectedly found that H2 and metallic Ga0 formed. Without the addition of olefins, the formation of R3Si-F-Al(ORF)3 (R = alkyl), a typical degradation product of the [pf]- anion in the presence of a small silylium ion, was observed. Electrochemical analysis revealed a surprisingly high oxidation potential of univalent [Ga(PhF)2]+[pf]- in weakly coordinating, but polar ortho-difluorobenzene of E 1/2(Ga+/Ga0; oDFB) = +0.26-0.37 V vs. Fc+/Fc (depending on the scan rate). Apparently, subvalent Ga+, mainly known as a reductant, initially oxidizes the silane and generates a highly electrophilic, silane-supported, silylium ion representing the actual catalyst. Consequently, the [Ga(PhF)2]+[pf]-/HSiEt3 system also hydrodefluorinates C(sp3)-F bonds in 1-fluoroadamantane, 1-fluorobutane and PhCF3 at room temperature. In addition, both catalytic reactions may be initiated using only 0.2 mol% of [Ph3C]+[pf]- as a silylium ion-generating initiator. These results indicate that silylium ion catalysis is possible with the straightforward accessible weakly coordinating [pf]- anion. Apparently, the kinetics of hydrosilylation and hydrodefluorination are faster than that of anion degradation under ambient conditions. These findings open up new windows for main group catalysis.

Host guest chemistry of a bidentate silyl-triflate bis-Lewis-acid – complex complexation behaviour unravelled by diffusion NMR spectroscopy

The bidentate silicon-based Lewis acid, bis(dimethyl-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)silylethyl)dimethylsilane, Me2Si[(CH2)2SiMe2-OTf]2, was prepared by a two-step synthesis starting from dimethyldivinylsilane by hydrosilylation with dimethylchlorosilane and subsequent Lewis acidity enhancement of the terminal silicon atoms...

Molecular Main Group Metal Hydrides

This review serves to document advances in the synthesis, versatile bonding, and reactivity of molecular main group metal hydrides within Groups 1, 2, and 12-16. Particular attention will be given to the emerging use of said hydrides in the rapidly expanding field of Main Group element-mediated catalysis. While this review is comprehensive in nature, focus will be given to research appearing in the open literature since 2001.

Cationic Carbene Analogues: Donor-Free Phosphenium and Arsenium Ions

Carbenes and their analogues have constantly enthralled chemists with their intriguing reactivity of ambiphilic character stemming from their electronic structures. Phosphenium and arsenium ions are fiercely reactive cationic species, the stabilization of which has been so far achieved in the condensed phase by dispersing the positive charge through electromeric conjugation with at least one electron-rich substituent (frequently amido groups). Although observed in the gas phase, the isolation of dicoordinate phosphenium and arsenium ions lacking such stabilizing ligands has eluded chemists for decades. Herein we show that by judicious choice of aromatic substituents, dicoordinate, donor-free, Lewis-superacidic phosphenium and arsenium ions can be kinetically stabilized. They feature singlet electronic ground states possessing a vacant p-orbital and an electron lone pair with predominantly s-character.

Bipyridinium and Phenanthrolinium Dications for Metal-Free Hydrodefluorination: Distinctive Carbon-Based Reactivity

The development of novel Lewis acids derived from bipyridinium and phenanthrolinium dications is reported. Calculations of Hydride Ion Affinity (HIA) values indicate high carbon-based Lewis acidity at the ortho and para positions. This arises in part from extensive LUMO delocalization across the aromatic backbones. Species [C₁₀ H₆ R₂ N₂ CH₂ CH₂ ]²⁺ (R=H [1 a]²⁺ , Me [1 f]²⁺ , tBu [1 g]²⁺ ), and [C₁₂ H₄ R₄ N₂ CH₂ CH₂ ]²⁺ (R=H [2 a]²⁺ , Me [2 b]²⁺ ) were prepared and evaluated for use in the initiation of hydrodefluorination (HDF) catalysis. Compound [2 a]²⁺ proved highly effective towards generating catalytically active silylium cations via Lewis acid-mediated hydride abstraction from silane. This enabled the HDF of a range of aryl- and alkyl- substituted sp³ (C-F) bonds under mild conditions. The protocol was also adapted to effect the deuterodefluorination of cis-2,4,6-(CF₃ )₃ C₆ H₉ . The dications are shown to act as hydride acceptors with the isolation of neutral species C₁₆ H₁₄ N₂ (3 a) and C₁₆ H₁₀ Me₄ N₂ (3 b) and monocationic species [C₁₄ H₁₃ N₂ ]⁺ ([4 a]⁺ ) and [C₁₈ H₂₁ N₂ ]+ ([4 b]⁺ ). Experimental and computational data provide further support that the dications are initiators in the generation of silylium cations.

Silicon Tetrakis(trifluoromethanesulfonate): A Simple Neutral Silane Acting as a Soft and Hard Lewis Superacid

A facile synthesis and isolation of pristine silicon tetrakis(trifluoromethanesulfonate), Si(OTf)₄, is reported, acting as the first neutral silicon‐based Lewis superacid suitable towards soft and hard Lewis bases. Its OTf groups have a dual function: they are excellent leaving groups and modulate the degree of reactivity towards soft and hard Lewis bases. Exposed to soft Lewis donors, Si(OTf)₄ leads to [L₂Si(OTf)₄] complexes (L=isocyanide, thioether and carbonyl compounds) with retention of all Si−OTf bonds. In contrast, it can cleave C−X bonds (X=F, Cl) of hard organic Lewis bases with a high tendency to form SiX₄ (X=F, Cl) after halide/triflate exchange. Most notable, Si(OTf)₄ allows a gentle oxydefluorination of mono‐ and bis(trifluoromethyl)benzenes, resulting in the formation of the corresponding benzoylium species, which are stabilized by the weakly coordinating [Si(OTf)₆] dianion.

Isolable Silicon-Based Polycations with Lewis Superacidity

Molecular silicon polycations of the types R2 Si2+ and RSi3+ (R=H, organic groups) are elusive Lewis superacids and currently unknown in the condensed phase. Here, we report the synthesis of a series of isolable terpyridine-stabilized R2 Si2+ and RSi3+ complexes, [R2 Si(terpy)]2+ (R=Ph 12+ ; R2 =C12 H8 22+ , (CH2 )3 32+ ) and [RSi(terpy)]3+ (R=Ph 43+ , cyclohexyl 53+ , m-xylyl 63+ ), in form of their triflate salts. The stabilization of the latter is achieved through higher coordination and to the expense of reduced fluoride-ion affinities, but a significant level of Lewis superacidity is nonetheless retained as verified by theory and experiment. The complexes activate C(sp3 )-F bonds, as showcased by stoichiometric fluoride abstraction from 1-fluoroadamantane (AdF) and the catalytic hydrodefluorination of AdF. The formation of the crystalline adducts [2(F)]+ and [5(H)]2+ documents in particular the high reactivity towards fluoride and hydride donors.