On the structure of polyphosphazenes

Revisiting the Electronic Structure of Phosphazenes

Natural bond orbital (NBO) and topological electron density analyses have been used to investigate the electronic structure of phosphazenes [N3P3R6] (R = H, F, Cl, Br, CH3, CF3, N(C2H4); 2R = O2C6H4), [N4P4Cl8], and H[NPCl2]4H. Using the former, the two most likely phosphazene bonding alternatives, negative hyperconjugation and ionic bonding have been critically evaluated. Ionic bonding, as suggested by topological analysis, was found to be the dominant bonding feature, although contributions from negative hyperconjugation are necessary for a more complete bonding description. Substituent effects on the P-N bond have been assessed and cases of bond length alternation have been rationalized using this combined bonding model, which supersedes previous models involving d-orbital participation, leading to an explanation for the observed bond length alternation found in some linear polyphosphazenes. In addition, common aromaticity indicators, nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS) and para-delocalization indices (PDI), have been determined for the cyclophosphazenes.

Second-order nonlinear optical coefficient of polyphosphazene-based materials: A theoretical study

The second-order nonlinear optical coefficient of polyphosphazene oligomers of increasing size has been determined by using ab initio methods taking into account electron correlation and frequency dispersion effects. The calculated first hyperpolarizability per unit cell converges rapidly with respect to chain length. It attains an amplitude of about one-third of the one of classical push-pull systems. This amplitude can be strongly increased by replacing the nitrogen of the backbone by silicon. The effects of the side groups (H, CH3, F, Cl, Br, and OH) on the first hyperpolarizability have been investigated as well. The different results have been rationalized in terms of alternations of bond lengths and atomic charges.