Isolation of R6Si6 Dianion: A Bridged Tricyclic Isomer of Dianionic Hexasilabenzene

Geometrically Compelled Silicon(II)/Silicon(IV) Donor-Acceptor Interaction Enables the Enamination of Nitriles

Discovering new bonding scenarios and subsequently exploring the reactivity contribute substantially to advance the main group element chemistry. Herein, we report on the isolation and characterization of an intriguing class of the hydrido-benzosiloles 2-4. These compounds exhibit a side arm of the amidinatosilylenyl group, featuring unidirectional silicon(II)/silicon(IV) donor-acceptor interaction on account of the geometric constraint. Furthermore, the reactions involving 2-4 with nitriles yield the tricyclic compounds that edge-fused of the Si-heteroimidazolidine-CN2 Si2 , silole-C4 Si, and phenyl-C6 -rings (5-13). These compounds are manifesting a unique reaction that the silicon(II)/silicon(IV) interaction enables the enamination of the α-H-bearing nitriles. The reaction mechanism involved in H-shift under oxidative addition at silylene followed by hydrosilylation of a ketenimine intermediate was revealed by density function theory (DFT) calculations.

Synthesis and functionalization of the six-vertex anionic amido-substituted silicon cluster [Si6{N(SiMe3)Ph}5]. Dalton Trans 2023;52:14949-14955. [PMID: 37800884 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt03952d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

The reaction of the six-vertex amido-substituted silicon cluster Si6{N(SiMe3)Ph}6 1 with two equiv. of KC8 results in the abstraction of K{N(SiMe3)Ph} and leads to the contact ion pair 2 including an anionic silicon cluster with two unsubstituted pyramidal vertices. Facile functionalization of 2 was achieved with MeI, SiCl4 and SiBr4 and results in neutral two-fold functionalized silicon clusters.

π-Aromaticity Dominating in a Saturated Ring: Neutral Aromatic Silicon Analogues of Cyclobutane-1,3-diyls

The synthesis, structures, and reactivity of the first neutral 2π-aromatic Si4 rings [LSiSiAr(X)]2 (3: X = Br; 4: X = Cl; L = PhC(NtBu)2, Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) were described. Compounds 3 and 4 were obtained by 1,3-halogenation of tetrasilacyclobutadiene (LSiSiAr)2 (2), which was prepared by the reductive cross-coupling of trisilane (ArSiCl2)2SiHAr with two equiv of chlorosilylene LSiCl. The reaction of 3 with two equiv of PhLi yielded the corresponding substitution Si4 ring [LSiSiAr(Ph)]2 (5). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 3 disclosed that it adopts both puckered (3a) and planar (3b) structures in the solid state, whereas 4 and 5 exhibit only a puckered structure. DFT calculations suggested that the puckered 3a features almost the same electronic structure with fully delocalized 2π planar 3b. The dominant 2π-aromaticity of 3 in a σ-frame has been demonstrated by DFT calculations, providing the first example of aromatics featuring both planar and puckered structures.

Reversible Single Electron Redox Steps Convert Polycycles with a C3 P3 Core to a Planar Triphosphinine

Reaction of the imidazolium-stabilized diphosphete-diide IDP with trityl phosphaalkyne affords a mixture which contains the molecules 1 a and 1 b with a central C₃ P₃ core, which formally carries a two-fold negative charge. In order to avoid the formation of an antiaromatic 8π electron system within a conjugated dianionic six-membered [C₃ P₃ ]^2- ring, 1 a adopts a bicyclic [3.1.0] and 1 b a tricyclic [2.2.0.0] structure which are in a dynamic equilibrium. 1 a, b can be reversibly oxidized to a triphosphinine dication [5]²⁺ with a central flat aromatic six-membered C₃ P₃ ring. This two-electron redox reaction occurs in two single-electron transfer steps via the 7π-radical cation [4]⋅⁺ , which could also be isolated and fully characterized. The profound reversible structural change observed for the two-electron redox couple [5]²⁺ /1 a, b is in sharp contrast to the C₆ H₆ /[C₆ H₆ ]^2- couple, which undergoes only a modest structural deformation.

Metal ion-decorated hexasilaprismane and its derivative as a molecular container for the separation of CO2 from flue gas molecules: a computational study

The electronic structure of hexasilaprismane (HSP) was examined with different computational techniques to elucidate the bonding features and the electrostatic surface potential of HSP. The carbon dioxide adsorption and separation capacities of metal-ion-decorated hexasilaprismane (HSP) were examined with DFT and CBS-QB3. Furthermore, the 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexaphenylprismasilane (HPPS) molecule was examined for its binding with metal ions and gas adsorption capacity. The Mg²⁺ ion complexed HPPS molecule adsorbs 15CO₂ molecules with an average binding free energy of -0.98 eV per molecule. The calculated gravimetric densities of 45.1 and 48.4 wt% show that these systems can be employed for CO₂ capture. The substantial difference in the affinity of the designed systems for CO₂ gas molecules compared to N₂ and CH₄ molecules show the potential of the systems for CO₂ separation from N₂ and CH₄ gas molecules.

Synthesis of Phosphine-Functionalized Silicon Cubane and Its Oxidative Addition, Giving a Bis(silyl)copper Complex

A new strategy for the introduction of a second type of Si atom to silicon cubanes has been developed starting from the tricyclic hexasilane dianion [Ar₆Si₆]^2- (Ar = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂). Treatment of the dianion with Ar'SiCl₃, followed by KC₈, gave new types of octasilacubanes Ar₆Ar'₂Si₈ [Ar' = 2,4,6-iPr₂C₆H₂ (3a), 2-Ph₂PC₆H₄ (3b)] in high yields. Remarkably, treatment of cubane 3b bearing with two phosphine groups with 2 equiv of CuCl in CH₂Cl₂ yielded the bis(silyl)copper complex via the selective oxidative addition of the newly formed Si-Si bond to Cu ion. Single-crystal X-ray analysis indicated the unique square-planar, four-coordinate Cu cation paired with the [CuCl₂]^- counteranion.

Low-Valent Mx Al3 Cluster Salts with Tetrahedral [SiAl3 ]+ and Trigonal-Bipyramidal [M2 Al3 ]2+ Cores (M=Si/Ge)

Schnöckel's [(AlCp*)₄ ] and Jutzi's [SiCp*][B(C₆ F₅ )₄ ] (Cp*=C₅ Me₅ ) are landmarks in modern main-group chemistry with diverse applications in synthesis and catalysis. Despite the isoelectronic relationship between the AlCp* and the [SiCp*]⁺ fragments, their mutual reactivity is hitherto unknown. Here, we report on their reaction giving the complex salts [Cp*Si(AlCp*)₃ ][WCA] ([WCA]^- =[Al(OR^F )₄ ]^- and [F{Al(OR^F )₃ }₂ ]^- ; R^F =C(CF₃ )₃ ). The tetrahedral [SiAl₃ ]⁺ core not only represents a rare example of a low-valent silicon-doped aluminium-cluster, but also-due to its facile accessibility and high stability-provides a convenient preparative entry towards low-valent Si-Al clusters in general. For example, an elusive binuclear [Si₂ (AlCp*)₅ ]²⁺ with extremely short Al-Si bonds and a high negative partial charge at the Si atoms was structurally characterised and its bonding situation analysed by DFT. Crystals of the isostructural [Ge₂ (AlCp*)₅ ]²⁺ dication were also obtained and represent the first mixed Al-Ge cluster.

An Anionic Amido-Substituted Seven-Vertex Siliconoid Cluster

The silanide [Si4 {N(SiMe3 )Dipp}3 ]- (1) transforms into the anionic siliconoid cluster [Si7 {N(SiMe3 )Dipp}3 ]- (2) with four unsubstituted silicon atoms as a contact ion pair with [K([18]crown-6)] in C6 D6 at room temperature within five weeks. Anion 2 was investigated by natural population analysis and visualization of intrinsic atomic orbitals. Magnetically induced current-density calculations of 2 revealed two distinct strong diatropic vortices that sum up in one direction and create a strongly shielded apical silicon atom in 2.

GeClx[Co(CO)3PR3]4-x (x = 0-3; R = nPr, nBu): from cobalt substituted germanes to novel binary cluster compounds

The synthesis of a variety of cobalt substituted germanes of the composition GeCl_x[Co(CO)₃PR₃]_4-x (x = 0-3; R = ⁿPr, ⁿBu) is presented, which can be obtained in average to good yields from a reaction of GeCl₂·dioxane and Co₂(CO)₈ or KCo(CO)₄ in the presence of the respective phosphine. Reductive coupling reactions with potassium/benzophenone lead to ligand scrambling while the reductive coupling with Mg/MgBr₂ leads to the pseudo-cubic cluster compound Ge₇Co(CO)₃[Co(CO)₃PⁿBu₃]₇2, showing that the mixed substituted germanes are powerful precursors to this new class of cluster compounds. All compounds are structurally characterized and well observable via NMR and IR spectroscopy.

Molecular Silicon Clusters

The continuously decreasing size of device features in microelectronics draws growing attention to the structuring of silicon at the molecular level with powerful tools provided by synthetic chemistry. Silicon clusters are of particular importance in this regard not only as potential precursors for silicon deposition but also as well-defined model systems for bulk and surfaces of silicon at the nanoscale as well as possible starting points for future construction of molecularly precise device structures. This review aims to give a comprehensive overview about the state of the art in the synthesis of molecular silicon clusters, which are grouped into (1) electron-precise saturated clusters, (2) soluble polyhedral Zintl anions, and (3) unsaturated silicon clusters, the so-called siliconoids. Particular attention is paid to functionalization as it is generally considered a necessary prerequisite for the design and construction of more extended systems. The interrelations between the three different classes of molecular silicon clusters, e.g., arising from the introduction of negatively charged functional groups, are highlighted on grounds of NMR properties and computed electronic structures.

Alkenes as hydrogen trappers to control the regio-selective ruthenium(ii) catalyzed ortho C–H silylation of amides and anilides

A convenient and practical pathway to versatile silylated amides and anilides is described via efficient and selective ruthenium(ii) catalyzed ortho C–H silylation with different alkenes as the hydrogen acceptors.

Isolation of a 1-Magnesium-2,3-disilacyclopropene and a Related Bis(disilenide)

Herein we report the first synthesis of a 1-magnesium-2,3-disilacyclopropene and a related bis(disilenide). Reduction of (boryl)tribromosilane (1, boryl = (HCArN)₂B, Ar = 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) with magnesium in THF afforded boryl-substituted magnesium complex [(boryl)Si]₂Mg(THF)₃ (2) in good yield, whereas reduction of (boryl)trichlorosilane (3) with KC₈ in THF led to the isolation of bridged alkoxy alkyl bis(disilenide) (THF)K(boryl)Si═Si(boryl)O(CH₂)₄(boryl)Si═Si(boryl)K(THF) (4) via ring opening of a THF molecule. X-ray diffraction analysis of 2 confirmed the presence of the novel Si₂Mg three-membered ring as well as the Si═Si double bond, which existed in a noticeably twisted B-Si-Si-B array. Complex 2 also represents the first reported example of a stable disilyne dianion.

On the reaction of GeCl2·dioxane with KFeCp(CO)2: isolation and characterization of novel bimetallic clusters

The reaction of GeCl2·dioxane with KFeCp(CO)2 gives the polyhedral cluster compounds Ge6[FeCp(CO)2]61, Ge6[FeCp(CO)2]6Cl23 and Ge6[FeCp(CO)2]4[Fe2Cp2(CO)3]25. Quantum chemical calculations indicate that the substitution of a halide substituent in GeCl2 by FeCp(CO)2 favours the formation of oligomers with Ge-Ge bonds, giving access to polyhedral cluster compounds from easily accessible starting materials.

Transformative Si8R8 Siliconoids

Molecular silicon clusters with unsubstituted silicon vertices (siliconoids) have received attention as unsaturated silicon clusters and potential intermediates in the gas-phase deposition of elemental silicon. Investigation of behaviors of the siliconoids could contribute to the greater understanding of the transformation of silicon clusters as found in the chemical vapor deposition of elemental silicon. Herein we reported drastic transformation of a Si8R8 siliconoid to three novel silicon clusters under mild thermal conditions. Molecular structures of the obtained new clusters were determined by XRD analyses. Two clusters are siliconoids that have unsaturated silicon vertices adopting unusual geometries, and another one is a bis(disilene) which has two silicon–silicon double bonds interacted to each other through the central polyhedral silicon skeleton. The observed drastic transformation of silicon frameworks suggests that unsaturated molecular silicon clusters have a great potential to provide various molecular silicon clusters bearing unprecedented structures and properties.

Designing the Backbone of Hexasilabenzene Derivatives with a High Unimolecular Kinetic Stability

It is an important subject to theoretically predict the kinetic stability of transient species. In this study, we have studied the kinetic stability of hexasilabenzene Si₆ H₆ and its derivatives, that is, decasilanaphthalene Si₁₀ H₈ and Li-substituted hexasilabenzene Si₆ Li₆ , theoretically by the artificial force induced reaction (AFIR) method combined with the rate constant matrix contraction (RCMC) method. Molecular design was further conducted to extend the unimolecular lifetime of hexasilabenzene derivatives. Although both Si₁₀ H₈ and Si₆ Li₆ were shown to possess shorter lifetimes than Si₆ H₆ , we found that the lifetimes of Si₆ Li₆ changed depending on arrangements of Li atoms around the monocyclic Si₆ backbone. Based on this knowledge, we found that a compound of an atomic composition Si₆ H₄ Li₂ with a planar, monocyclic Si₆ backbone has a relatively long unimolecular lifetime. Moreover, substitution of the two Li atoms by Na atoms further increased the lifetime.

Conjugate Addition of Perfluoroarenes to α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyls Enabled by an Alkoxide-Hydrosilane System: Implication of a Radical Pathway

Conjugate addition of organometallic reagents to α,β-unsaturated carbonyls is a key strategy for the construction of carbon-carbon bond in organic synthesis. Although direct C-H addition to unsaturated bonds via transition metal catalysis is explored in recent years, electron-deficient arenes that do not bear directing groups continue to be challenging. Herein we disclose the first example of a conjugate addition of perfluoroarenes to α,β-unsaturated carbonyls enabled by an alkoxide-hydrosilane system. The reaction is convenient to carry out at room temperature over a broad range of substrates and reactants to furnish synthetically versatile products in high to excellent yields. Mechanistic experiments in combination with computational studies suggest that a radical pathway is most likely operative in this transformation. The hypervalent silicate and silanide species, which are relevant to the proposed mechanism, were observed experimentally by NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.