Chemical Bonding in Silicon Carbonyl Complexes

Multiple ethylene activation by heteroleptic L(Cl)Ga-substituted germylenes

Ethylene insertion into the Ga-Ge bond of the L(Cl)Ga-substituted germylene LGa(μ-Cl)GeDMP 1 (L = HC(C(Me)NAr)2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3; DMP = 2,6-Mes2C6H3, Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) at ambient temperature is followed by dimerization of the as-formed germylene to give the digermene 3, which further reacted with ethylene in a [2 + 2] cycloaddition to give the 1,2-digermacyclobutane 4. In marked contrast, the amino-substituted germylene L(Cl)GaGeN(SiMe3)Ar 2 reacted directly to the 1,2-digermacyclobutane 5. Quantum chemical calculations confirmed the assumed reaction mechanism, hence demonstrating the crucial role of the substituent on the reaction mechanism.

Cage-size effects on the encapsulation of P2 by fullerenes

The classic pnictogen dichotomy stands for the great contrast between triply bonding very stable N₂ molecules and its heavier congeners, which appear as dimers or oligomers. A banner example involves phosphorus as it occurs in nature as P₄ instead of P₂ , given its weak π-bonds or strong σ-bonds. The P₂ synthetic value has brought Lewis bases and metal coordination stabilization strategies. Herein, we discuss the unrealized encapsulation alternative using the well-known fullerenes' capability to form endohedral and stabilize otherwise unstable molecules. We chose the most stable fullerene structures from C_n (n = 50, 60, 70, 80) and experimentally relevant from C_n (n = 90 and 100) to computationally study the thermodynamics and the geometrical consequences of encapsulating P₂ inside the fullerene cages. Given the size differences between P₂ and P₄ , we show that the fullerenes C₇₀ -C₁₀₀ are suitable cages to side exclude P₄ and host only one molecule of P₂ with an intact triple bond. The thermodynamic analysis indicates that the process is favorable, overcoming the dimerization energy. Additionally, we have evaluated the host-guest interaction to explain the origins of their stability using energy decomposition analysis.

Selective [2+1+1] Fragmentation of P4 by heteroleptic Metallasilylenes

Small-molecule activation by low-valent main-group element compounds is of general interest. We here report the synthesis and characterization (1 H, 13 C, 29 Si NMR, IR, sc-XRD) of heteroleptic metallasilylenes L1 (Cl)MSiL2 (M=Al 1, Ga 2, L1 =HC[C(Me)NDipp]2 , Dipp=2,6-i Pr2 C6 H3 ; L2 =PhC(Nt Bu)2 ). Their electronic nature was analyzed by quantum chemical computations, while their promising potential in small-molecule activation was demonstrated in reactions with P4 , which occurred with unprecedented [2+1+1] fragmentation of the P4 tetrahedron and formation of L1 (Cl)MPSi(L2 )PPSi(L2 )PM(Cl)L1 (M=Al 3, Ga 4).

Diarylpnictogenyldialkylalanes─Synthesis, Structures, Bonding Analysis, and CO2 Capture

Several new diphenylamino- and diphenylphosphanyldialkylalanes are reported, which were characterized in solution and in the solid state, assisted by in-depth bonding analysis within the DFT framework. In the case of bulky alkyl substituents on the aluminum atom, the species are stable in their monomeric form and were structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, expanding the relatively small field of monomeric pnictogenylalanes. In the case of oligomeric diphenylpnictogenyldimethylalanes, their reactivity toward different σ-donor ligands was studied, and several examples of monomeric adducts could be structurally characterized, including the first cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene complexes. The reactivity of these CAAC complexes, their oligomeric precursors, and an unstabilized monomeric aminoalane toward CO₂ was probed, leading to different insertion products that could be characterized. Additionally, the mechanism was elucidated by DFT calculations.

Matrix Infrared Spectra of 1-Ethynyl-1H-Silole Species from Reaction of Silicon Atoms with Benzene

The reaction of silicon atoms with benzene molecule in solid neon are studied by matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. Aided by carbon-13 and deuterium isotopic shifts as well as quantum-chemical predictions,...

Synthesis, electronic nature, and reactivity of selected silylene carbonyl complexes

Room-temperature stable main group element carbonyl complexes are rare. Here we report on the synthesis of two such complexes, namely gallium-substituted silylene-carbonyl complexes [L(X)Ga]2SiCO (X = I 2, Me 3;...

Unveiling the Electronic Structure of the Bi(+1)/Bi(+3) Redox Couple on NCN and NNN Pincer Complexes

Low-valent group 15 compounds stabilized by pincer ligands have gained particular interest, given their direct access to fine-tune their reactivity by the coordination pattern. Recently, bismuth has been employed in a variety of catalytic transformations by taking advantage of the (+1/+3) redox couple. In this work, we present a detailed quantum–chemical study on the electronic structure of bismuth pincer complexes from two different families, namely, bis(ketimine)phenyl (NCN) and triamide bismuthinidene (NNN). The use of the so-called effective oxidation state analysis allows the unambiguous assignation of the bismuth oxidation state. In contrast to previous studies, our calculations suggest a Bi(+1) assignation for NCN pincer ligands, while Bi(+3) character is found for NNN pincer complexes. Notably, regardless of its oxidation state, the central bismuth atom disposes of up to two lone pairs for coordinating Lewis acids, as indicated by very high first and second proton affinity values. Besides, the Bi–NNN systems can also accommodate two Lewis base ligands, indicating also ambiphilic behavior. The effective fragment orbital analysis of Bi and the ligand allows monitoring of the intricate electron flow of these processes, revealing the noninnocent nature of the NNN ligand, in contrast with the NCN one. By the dissection of the electron density into effective fragment orbitals, we are able to quantify and rationalize the Lewis base/acid character.

Effective oxidation state analysis sheds light on the electronic structure of chemical systems. The oxidation state of bismuthinidene pincer complexes can be assigned as Bi(+1) or Bi(+3) depending on the nature of the ligands. Despite this assignation, the reactivity pattern as Lewis base or acid is similar. The occupation of the effective fragment orbitals gives a straightforward method to quantify the reactivity.

Chemical Bonding in Silicon Carbonyl Complexes

Although silylene-carbonyl complexes are known for decades, only recently isolable examples have been accomplished. In this work, the bonding situation is re-evaluated to explain the origins of their remarkable stability within the Kohn-Sham molecular orbital theory framework. It is shown that the chemical bond can be understood as CO interaction with the silylene via a donor-acceptor interaction: a σ-donation from the σCO into the empty p-orbital of silicon, and a π-back donation from the sp2 lone pair of silicon into the π*CO antibonding orbitals. Notably, it was established that the driving force behind the surprisingly stable Si-CO compounds, however, is another π-back donation from a perpendicular bonding R-Si σ-orbital into the π*CO antibonding orbitals. Consequently, the pyramidalization of the central silicon atom cannot be associated with the strength of the π-back donation, in sharp contrast to the established chemical bonding model. Considering this additional bonding interaction not only shed light on the bonding situation, but is also an indispensable key for broadening the scope of silylene-carbonyl chemistry.