Two-Center Two-Electron Covalent Bonds with Deficient Bonding Densities

An atoms-in-molecules characterization of the nature of the OO bond in peroxides and nitroxide dimers

The quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules (QTAIM) method is used to examine the OO bond in peroxides (RO-OR) and nitroxide dimers (R₂ NO-ONR₂ ), including Fremy's salt. The electron density (ρ), electron kinetic energy density [K(ρ)], and Laplacian of the electron density (∇² ρ) at bond critical points characterize the nature of the OO bond. The data distinguish OO bonding of two kinds. Large values of ρ and positive ∇² ρ and K(ρ) suggest that simple peroxides have charge-shift bonds. Nitroxide dimers, with smaller ρ, positive ∇² ρ, and near-zero K(ρ), show a lack of shared electron density, suggesting there is no conventional OO bonding in these molecules. QTAIM analysis at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory gives results in agreement with valence-bond theory and X-ray diffraction characterizations of peroxide OO bonds as charge-shift bonds. In contrast, CCSD/cc-pVDZ calculations fail to agree with previous results because of an insufficient, single-determinant treatment of the charge-shift bond.

Synthesis of Imidized Cyclobutene Derivatives by Strain Release of [1.1.1]Propellane

Herein, we report the metal-free synthesis of imidized methylene cyclobutane derivatives via a strain-release driven addition reaction of [1.1.1]propellane. Using this strategy, the methylene cyclobutyl cation intermediate generated by protonation of [1.1.1]propellane was found to be trapped by nitriles to form a nitrilium ion intermediate, which subsequently reacted with carboxylic acids to produce imidized methylene cyclobutene derivatives via a Mumm-type rearrangement.

Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Alkenyl Nitriles via Cyanocarbene Addition of [1.1.1]Propellane

Herein, we report the metal-free synthesis of methylenecyclobutane containing tetrasubstituted alkenyl nitriles via a strain-release driven addition reaction of [1.1.1]propellane under mild conditions. Using this strategy, TMSN3 was shown to...

Highly Regioselective Addition of Allylic Zinc Halides and Various Zinc Enolates to [1.1.1]Propellane

We report a range of highly regioselective openings of [1.1.1]propellane with various allylic zinc halides, as well as zinc enolates of ketones, esters and nitriles. The resulting zincated bicyclopentanes (BCPs) were trapped with a range of electrophiles including acyl chlorides, sulfonothioates, hydroxylamino benzoates, tosyl cyanide as well as aryl and allyl halides, generating highly functionalized BCP-derivatives. The unusually high regioselectivity of these reactions has been rationalized using DFT calculations. A bioisostere of the synthetic opioid pethidine was prepared in 95 % yield in one step using this method.

Rationalizing the diverse reactivity of [1.1.1]propellane through σ-π-delocalization

[1.1.1]Propellane is the ubiquitous precursor to bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes (BCPs), motifs of high value in pharmaceutical and materials research. The classical Lewis representation of this molecule places an inter-bridgehead C-C bond along its central axis; 'strain relief'-driven cleavage of this bond is commonly thought to enable reactions with nucleophiles, radicals and electrophiles. We propose that this broad reactivity profile instead derives from σ-π-delocalization of electron density in [1.1.1]propellane. Using ab initio and DFT calculations, we show that its reactions with anions and radicals are facilitated by increased delocalization of electron density over the propellane cage during addition, while reactions with cations involve charge transfer that relieves repulsion inside the cage. These results provide a unified framework to rationalize experimental observations of propellane reactivity, opening up opportunities for the exploration of new chemistry of [1.1.1]propellane and related strained systems that are useful building blocks in organic synthesis.

Charge-Shift Bonding: A New and Unique Form of Bonding

Charge-shift bonds (CSBs) constitute a new class of bonds different than covalent/polar-covalent and ionic bonds. Bonding in CSBs does not arise from either the covalent or the ionic structures of the bond, but rather from the resonance interaction between the structures. This Essay describes the reasons why the CSB family was overlooked by valence-bond pioneers and then demonstrates that the unique status of CSBs is not theory-dependent. Thus, valence bond (VB), molecular orbital (MO), and energy decomposition analysis (EDA), as well as a variety of electron density theories all show the distinction of CSBs vis-à-vis covalent and ionic bonds. Furthermore, the covalent-ionic resonance energy can be quantified from experiment, and hence has the same essential status as resonance energies of organic molecules, e.g., benzene. The Essay ends by arguing that CSBs are a distinct family of bonding, with a potential to bring about a Renaissance in the mental map of the chemical bond, and to contribute to productive chemical diversity.

Theoretical calculations of π-type pnicogen bonds in the triad intermolecular complexes

The pnicogen bonding interactions of PCl3and π-electron systems (acetylene, ethylene, benzene) were calculated by using MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ method and the effect of hydrogen bond on pnicogen bond systems were investigated. It has been indicated that the hydrogen bonding and the pnicogen bonding interactions have influence on each other and the positively cooperative effect has been detected. The interaction energies of pnicogen bonded supramolecular system were also calculated by using DFT method (M06-2X) and some simple comparisons with those by using MP2 method were made. It has been disclosed from natural bond orbitals (NBO) analysis that more the amount of charge transfer of pnicogen bonding interaction, the greater the stability of the corresponding complex. Through AIM topological analysis, it has been revealed that the electron density of pnicogen bond BCP point is positively correlated with the stability of trimeric complex. Electron localization function (ELF) was also adopted to analyze the nature of pnicogen bonding interactions. Furthermore, density difference function (DDF) method was adopted to analyze the variation of electron density of pnicogen bond system because of hydrogen bond.

Theoretical tools to distinguish O-ylides from O-ylidic complexes in carbene–solvent interactions

Orbital interactions and bond indices are among the theoretical tools suitable to distinguishO-ylides fromO-ylidic carbene–solvent complexes.