Theoretical investigation of the N → Sn coordination in (Me3SnCN)2

Tetrel Bonding in Anion Recognition: A First Principles Investigation

Twenty-five molecule-anion complex systems [I₄Tt···X^-] (Tt = C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb; X = F, Cl, Br, I and At) were examined using density functional theory (ωB97X-D) and ab initio (MP2 and CCSD) methods to demonstrate the ability of the tetrel atoms in molecular entities, I₄Tt, to recognize the halide anions when in close proximity. The tetrel bond strength for the [I₄C···X^-] series and [I₄Tt···X^-] (Tt = Si, Sn; X = I, At), was weak-to-moderate, whereas that in the remaining 16 complexes was dative tetrel bond type with very large interaction energies and short Tt···X close contact distances. The basis set superposition error corrected interaction energies calculated with the highest-level theory applied, [CCSD(T)/def2-TZVPPD], ranged from -3.0 to -112.2 kcal mol^-1. The significant variation in interaction energies was realized as a result of different levels of tetrel bonding environment between the interacting partners at the equilibrium geometries of the complex systems. Although the ωB97X-D computed intermolecular geometries and interaction energies of a majority of the [I₄Tt···X^-] complexes were close to those predicted by the highest level of theory, the MP2 results were shown to be misleading for some of these systems. To provide insight into the nature of the intermolecular chemical bonding environment in the 25 molecule-anion complexes investigated, we discussed the charge-density-based topological and isosurface features that emanated from the application of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and independent gradient model approaches, respectively.

Tuning the metal-ligand bond in the σ-complexes of stannylenes and azabenzenes

The metal-ligand bond in a set of 60 σ-complexes has been investigated by electronic structure computations. These σ-complexes originate from the unique combination of 12 stannylenes (SnX₂ ) with five azabenzene ligands (pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, and s-triazine), where the nitrogen center of the ligand acts as σ-donor and the tin(II) center as σ-acceptor in a 1:1 fashion. The Sn ← N bond and the total interaction between the stannylene and azabenzene moieties of the σ-complexes are characterized in depth to relate the Sn ← N strength to the substitution pattern at SnX₂ and to the number and the positioning of N atoms in the azabenzenes. Such X substituents as (iso)cyano and trifluoromethyl groups enhance the interaction strength, while the presence of alkyl, phenyl, and silyl substituents in SnX₂ diminishes the stability of σ-complexes. A gradual weakening of the total interaction is associated with the growing number of N atoms in the azabenzenes, while the N-atom positioning in pyridazine is particularly effective in strengthening the interaction with stannylenes. Variations in the Sn ← N bond strength usually follow those in the total interaction between the moieties but the interacting quantum atoms picture of Sn ← N reveals certain intriguing exceptions.

Highly Selective Halide Receptors Based on Chalcogen, Pnicogen, and Tetrel Bonds

The interactions of halides with a number of bipodal receptors were examined by quantum chemical methods. The receptors were based on a dithieno thiophene framework in which two S atoms can engage in a pair of chalcogen bonds with a halide. These two S atoms were replaced by P and As atoms to compare chalcogen with pnicogen bonding, and by Ge which engages in tetrel bonds with the receptor. Zero, one, and two O atoms were added to the thiophene S atom which is not directly involved in the interaction with the halides. Fluoride bound the most strongly, followed by Cl^- , Br^- , and I^- , respectively. Replacing S by the pnicogen bonds of P strengthened the binding, as did moving down to As in the third row of the periodic table. A further large increment is associated with the switch to the tetrel bonds of Ge. Even though the thiophene S atom is remote from the binding site, each additional O atom added to it raises the binding energy, which can be quite large, as much as 63 kcal mol^-1 for the Ge⋅⋅⋅F^- interaction. The receptors have a pronounced selectivity for F^- over the other halides, as high as 27 orders of magnitude. The data suggest that incorporation of tetrel atoms may lead to new and more powerful halide receptors.

Performance of Møller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory and density functional theory in predicting the interaction between stannylenes and aromatic molecules

The performances of Møller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2) and density functional theory (DFT) have been assessed for the purposes of investigating the interaction between stannylenes and aromatic molecules. The complexes between SnX2 (where X = H, F, Cl, Br, and I) and benzene or pyridine are considered. Structural and energetic properties of such complexes are calculated using six MP2-type and 14 DFT methods. The assessment of the above-mentioned methods is based on the comparison of the structures and interaction energies predicted by these methods with reference computational data. A very detailed analysis of the performances of the MP2-type and DFT methods is carried out for two complexes, namely SnH2-benzene and SnH2-pyridine. Of the MP2-type methods, the reference structure of SnH2-benzene is reproduced best by SOS-MP2, whereas SCS-MP2 is capable of mimicking the reference structure of SnH2-pyridine with the greatest accuracy. The latter method performs best in predicting the interaction energy between SnH2 and benzene or pyridine. Among the DFT methods, ωB97X provides the structures and interaction energies of the SnH2-benzene and SnH2-pyridine complexes with good accuracy. However, this density functional is not as effective in reproducing the reference data for the two complexes as the best performing MP2-type methods. Next, the DFT methods are evaluated using the full test set of SnX2-benzene and SnX2-pyridine complexes. It is found that the range-separated hybrid or dispersion-corrected density functionals should be used for describing the interaction in such complexes with reasonable accuracy.