Three-Dimensional Hückel Theory for closo-Carboranes

Single-cluster electronics

This article reviews the scope of inorganic cluster compounds interrogated in single-molecule break-junction measurements. This body of work lies at the intersection between the fields of inorganic cluster chemistry and single-molecule electronics, where discrete inorganic cluster molecules are used as the active components in molecular electronic circuitry. We explore the breadth of transition metal and main group cluster compounds that have been studied in single-cluster junctions, largely within the context of scanning tunnelling microscopy break-junction (STM-BJ) measurements. Our discussion centers on how the structure and bonding of inorganic cluster compounds give rise to desirable quantum transport effects such as room-temperature current blockade, sequential tunneling, voltage-gated conductance switching, destructive quantum interference, and high thermoelectric currents.

Pathway bifurcations in the cage rearrangement of metallacarboranes: experimental and computational evidence

Thirteen new metallacarborane complexes of rhodium and iridium with covalently bound cage carbon atoms were synthesized and their thermal stability was investigated. Two iridium complexes undergo a polyhedral rearrangement with the formation of more than one isomer. The structures of the new isomers were determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and ¹¹B{¹H}-¹¹B{¹H} COSY NMR. A full isomerization scheme of the less thermally stable complex was proposed based on DFT calculations. According to this mechanism sequential downhill and uphill bifurcations arise in the reaction pathway. Each bifurcation is responsible for a new product formation.

New global minima of 6-vertex dicarboranes: classical but unexpected

Dicarboranes generally adopt global minimum predicted by the well-known Wade-Mingos rules, although one classical non-closo structure in the benzvalene form has long been pursued and later synthesized. Here we predicted two new non-closo global minima for 6-vertex dicarboranes (C2B4R6), i.e., trigonal bipyramid (R = SH) and butterfly (R = Cl, NH2, OH, F). The long expected classical benzvalene-like structure, however, is not the global minimum for any of the nine substituents.

Thermal rearrangement mechanisms in icosahedral carboranes and metallocarboranes

Ab initio MD and potential energy surface sampling has been used to study the rearrangement processes in carboranes and their derivatives. A new mechanism is found, in addition to those previously proposed. The fact that theoretical activation energies are lower than those observed experimentally, and the differing activity of technetium and rhenium complexes, are rationalised by orbital symmetry constraints.

STRUCTURE AND STABILITY OF HYDROGEN POOR CLOSO-${\rm B}_{n}{\rm H}_{n-x}^{-/0/+}$ (n = 5 - 12)

Structures and stabilities of hydrogen poor closo-[Formula: see text], closo- B n H n-2, and closo-[Formula: see text] (n = 5 - 12) have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G** density functional level of theory. It is found that [Formula: see text], B 5 H 3, [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] have open instead of the expected closo structures, and the other isomers have the same structural pattern as closo-[Formula: see text]. Energetic analysis identifies closo-[Formula: see text] (n = 7, 9), closo- B n H n-2 (n = 7, 11), and closo-[Formula: see text] (n = 6, 8, 10) as the most stable clusters. The CO affinities of the most stable closo- B n H n-1 CO -, closo- B n H n-2( CO )2, and closo-[Formula: see text] (n = 5 - 12) have been computed.

Structures and aromaticity of Cationic closo-BnHn-3(CO)3+ (n = 5-12)

Structures and stabilities of tricarbonyl closo-boranes cation, BnHn-3(CO)3+ (n = 5-12), isolobal with cationic closo-carboranes C3Bn-3Hn+, have been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G** level of theory. The most stable positional isomers of individual cluster are in agreement with those of closo-C3Bn-3Hn+ clusters except for n = 8 and 10. Energetic analysis identifies closo-B6H3(CO)3+, closo-B10H7(CO)3+ and closo-B12H9(CO)3+ as the most stable cages. It is also found that closo-BnHn-3(CO)3+ is much less strained than closo-C3Bn-3Hn+. The negative nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS) at the cage center reveal three-dimensional aromaticity of the closo-BnHn-3(CO)3+ cages. The CO stretching frequencies have been computed in advance to aid experimental study.

Rearrangements in icosahedral boranes and carboranes revisited

The structure, stability, and intermolecular rearrangements between ortho-, meta-, and para-C2B10H12 and were investigated using the hybrid density functional B3LYP/6-31G(d) for vibrational frequencies, as well as B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) for single-point electronic energies. The general trends in free energies of rearrangement between ortho-C2B10H12 to meta-C2B10H12 and meta-C2B10H12 to para-C2B10H12 presented here are consistent with experimental reaction temperatures. In addition, the majority of the rearrangements can be viewed in terms of concerted diamond-square-diamond steps and triangular face rotations.

Rearrangements in icosahedral boranes and carboranes revisited

The structure, stability, and intermolecular rearrangements between ortho-, meta-, and para-C₂B₁₀H₁₂ and \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\text{B}}_{{12}} {\text{H}}^{{2 - }}_{{12}}$$\end{document} were investigated using the hybrid density functional B3LYP/6-31G(d) for vibrational frequencies, as well as B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) for single-point electronic energies. The general trends in free energies of rearrangement between ortho-C₂B₁₀H₁₂ to meta-C₂B₁₀H₁₂ and meta-C₂B₁₀H₁₂ to para-C₂B₁₀H₁₂ presented here are consistent with experimental reaction temperatures. In addition, the majority of the rearrangements can be viewed in terms of concerted diamond–square–diamond steps and triangular face rotations.

Figure

Synthesis, reactivity and structural studies of carboranyl thioethers and disulfides

The equimolar reaction of 1-SH-2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10(R=Me, H, Ph) with KOH in ethanol produces the thiolate species [1-S-2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10]-. These react with iodine to give the disulfide bridged dicluster (1-S-2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2(R=H, Me, Ph) compounds as analytically pure, white and air-stable solids in high yield. Synthesis of monothioether bridged species is synthetically more difficult. In fact three procedures have been tested to obtain the thioether bridged dicluster compounds (2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2S (R=Me, H, Ph) but only (2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2S was successfully synthesized and characterized. Attempts to produce mixed compounds (1-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)S(1-R'-1,2-closo-C2B10H10), R not=R', were unsuccessful. Deboronation reaction of this dicarboranylthioether lead, depending on the reaction conditions, to monoanionic [(2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)S(8-Me-7,8-nido-C2B9H10)]- or dianionic [(8-Me-7,8-nido-C2B9H10)2S]2- sulfur bridge anions. Deboronation of carboranyl disulfides gave the corresponding dianionic [(7-S-8-R-7,8-nido-C2B9H10)2]2-(R=H, Me, Ph) species. This reaction was very dependent, however, on the reaction conditions. With slight variation of the reaction conditions, splitting of the S-S bond leading to the thiolate species with retention of the closo cluster was also found. Carboranyl disulfides (1-S-2-R-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2(R=H, Me, Ph) do not lead to thiosulfinates R-S(O)-S-R' by oxidation with H2O2 or I2 as organic disulfides do. This behaviour is attributed to the presence of the sulfur atom directly bonded to the carbon cluster that produces electronic transfer from the filled orbitals on the sulfur atom into the cage LUMO (largely located on the cage Cc-Cc bond). This causes a depletion of electron density on the sulfur, thence impairing sulfur oxidation, and facilitating S-S breaking. Crystal structures of monothioethers (2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2S, [NMe4][(2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)S(8-Me-7,8-nido-C2B9H10)](the first example reported in the literature of a two cluster compound incorporating the closo C2B10 and the nido[C2B9]- moieties linked by a one member spacer) and disulfides (1-S-1,2-closo-C2B10H11)2, (1-S-2-Me-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2, (1-S-2-Ph-1,2-closo-C2B10H10)2 are reported which support the behaviour of these species.

Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of 1,6-dicarba-closo-hexaborane(6)

The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 1,6-dicarba-closo-hexaborane(6) are examined theoretically using the GAUSSIAN98 set of quantum chemistry codes. All normal modes were successfully assigned to one of six types of motion predicted by a group theoretical analysis (B-B stretch, B-C stretch, B-H stretch, C-H stretch, B-H bend, and C-H bend) utilizing the D(4h) symmetry of the molecule. The vibrational modes of the naturally isotopically substituted (1-(10)B, 2-(10)B 3-(10)B, and 4-(10)B) forms of 1,6-dicarba-closo-hexaborane(6) were also calculated and compared against experimental data. A complex pattern of frequency shifts and splittings is revealed.

Vibrational frequencies and structural determinations of 1,5-dicarba-closo-pentaborane(5)

The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 1,5-dicarba-closo-pentaborane(5) are examined theoretically using the GAUSSIAN 98 set of quantum chemistry codes. All normal modes were successfully assigned to one of six types of motion predicted by a group theoretical analysis (C-H stretch, B-H stretch, B-B stretch, B-C stretch, C-H wag, and B-H wag) utilizing the D(3h) symmetry of the molecule. By comparing the vibrational frequencies with IR and Raman spectra available in the literature, a set of scaling factors is derived. Theoretical IR and Raman intensities are reported.

Stability and three-dimensional aromaticity of closo-NB(n-1)H n azaboranes, n = 5-12

Computations on all the possible positional isomers of the closo-azaboranes NB(n)()(-)(1)H(n)() (n = 5-12) reveal substantial differences in the relative energies. Data at the B3LYP/6-311+G level of density functional theory (DFT) agree well with expectations based on the topological charge stabilization, with the qualitative connectivity preferences of Williams, and with the Jemmis-Schleyer six interstitial electron rules. The energetic relationship involving each of the most stable positional isomers, 1-NB(4)H(5), NB(5)H(6), 2-NB(6)H(7), 1-NB(7)H(8), 4-NB(8)H(9), 1-NB(9)H(10), 2-NB(10)H(11), NB(11)H(12), was based on the energies (DeltaH) of the model reaction: NBH(2) + (n-1)BH(increment) --> NB(n)()H(n)()(+1) (n = 4-11). This evaluation shows that the stabilities of closo-azaboranes NB(n)()(-)(1)H(n)() (n = 5-12) increase with increasing cluster size from 5 to 12 vertexes. The "three-dimensional aromaticity" of these closo-azaboranes NB(n)()(-)(1)H(n)() (n = 5-12) is demonstrated by their the nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) and their magnetic susceptibilities (chi), which match one another well. However, there is no direct relationship between these magnetic properties and the relative stabilities of the positional isomers of each cluster. As expected, other energy contributions such as topological charge stabilization and connectivity can be equally important.

Are halocarboranes suitable for substitution reactions? The case for 3-I-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(11): molecular orbital calculations, aryldehalogenation reactions, (11)B NMR interpretation of closo-carboranes, and molecular structures of 1-Ph-3-Br-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(10) and 3-Ph-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(11)

In this paper, the chemistry of 3-X-1,2-closo-C(2)B(10)H(11) (X = halogen) derivatives is extended. Molecular orbital and (11)B and (13)C NMR calculations on these species are presented. A qualitative interpretation of the (11)B NMR spectra of closo o-carborane derivatives is also provided. The synthesis of 3-X-1-R-o-carborane (X = I, Br and R = Me, Ph) derivatives is reported, and aryldehalogenation at the B3 position is reported for the first time. The molecular and crystal structures of 1-phenyl-3-bromo-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane and 3-phenyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane are described.

Stability and Three-Dimensional Aromaticity of closo-Monocarbaborane Anions, CB(n)()(-)(1)H(n)(-), and closo-Dicarboranes, C(2)B(n)()(-)(2)H(n)()

Comprehensive ab initio calculations RMP2(fc)/6-31G on the closo-monocarbaboranes, CB(n)()(-)(1)H(n)()(-) (n = 5-12), and the closo-dicarboranes, C(2)B(n)()(-)(2)H(n)() (n = 5-12), show that the relative energies of all the positional isomers agree with the qualitative connectivity considerations of Williams and with the topological charge stabilization rule of Gimarc. The reaction energies (DeltaH) of the most stable positional isomers, 1-CB(4)H(5)(-), CB(5)H(6)(-), 2-CB(6)H(7)(-), 1-CB(7)H(8)(-), 5-CB(8)H(9)(-), 1-CB(9)H(10)(-), 2-CB(10)H(11)(-), CB(11)H(12)(-), as well as 1,5-C(2)B(3)H(5), 1,6-C(2)B(4)H(6), 2,4-C(2)B(5)H(7), 1,7-C(2)B(6)H(8), 4,5-C(2)B(7)H(9), 1,10-C(2)B(8)H(10), 2,3-C(2)B(9)H(11), and 1,12-C(2)B(10)H(12) (computed using the equations, CBH(2)(-) + (n - 1)BH(increment) --> CB(n)()H(n)()(+1)(-) (n = 4-11) and C(2)H(2) + nBH(increment) --> C(2)B(n)()H(n)()(+2) (n = 3-10)), show that the stabilities of closo-CB(n)()(-)(1)H(n)()(-) and of closo-C(2)B(n)()(-)(2)H(n)() generally increase with increasing cluster size from 5 to 12 vertexes. This is a characteristic of three-dimensional aromaticity. There are variations in stabilities of individual closo-CB(n)()(-)(1)H(n)()(-) and closo-C(2)B(n)()(-)(2)H(n)() species, but these show quite similar trends. Moreover, there is rough additivity for each carbon replacement. The rather large nucleus independent chemical shifts (NICS) and the magnetic susceptibilities (chi), which correspond well with one another, also show all closo-CB(n)()(-)(1)H(n)()(-) and closo-C(2)B(n)()(-)(2)H(n)() species to exhibit "three-dimensional aromaticity". However, the aromaticity ordering based on these magnetic properties does not always agree with the relative stabilities of positional isomers of the same cluster, when other effects such as connectivity and charge considerations are important.