Li Z, Song G, Li ZH. Theoretical investigation of borane compounds mimicking transition metals for N
2 fixation and activation.
Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023;
25:1331-1341. [PMID:
36533691 DOI:
10.1039/d2cp04560e]
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Abstract
N2 fixation is very difficult because of the nonpolarity and high stability of N2. Traditionally, it is achieved by transition metal (TM) systems utilizing the back donation from the d orbitals of the TM to the antibonding π* orbitals of N2 to activate N2. This back donation is rare for main group compounds due to the lack of high-lying valence d orbitals. In the present study, we show that borane compounds with weak B-X (X = H, Si, Ge, and Sb) bonds can mimic TM systems and be used to fix and activate N2. This is achieved by the back donation from the σ bonding orbitals of the B-X bonds to the antibonding π* and σ* orbitals of N2. There is even a linear relationship between the number of B-X bonds and the binding potential energy of N2 with BR1R2R3 (R1, R2, R3 = H, CH3, SiH3, GeH3, and SbH2). Based on these findings, we designed several stable silylborane compounds that are feasible for N2 fixation and activation under mild reaction conditions, i.e., room temperature and 1 atm. In some sandwich-like complexes formed between N2 and silylborane compounds, N2 is even activated from the triple bond to double bond.
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