Covalency in the f element-chalcogen bond. computational studies of M[N(EPR2)2]3 (M = La, Ce, Pr, Pm, Eu, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm; E = O, S, Se, Te; R = H, (i)Pr, Ph)

The geometric and electronic structures of the title complexes have been studied using scalar relativistic, gradient-corrected density functional theory. Extension of our previous work on six-coordinate M[N(EPH 2) 2] 3 (M = La, Ce, U, Pu; E = O, S, Se, Te), models for the experimentally characterized M[N(EP (i)Pr 2) 2] 3, yields converged geometries for all of the other 4f and 5f metals studied and for all four group 16 elements. By contrast, converged geometries for nine-coordinate M[N(EPPh 2) 2] 3 are obtained only for E = S and Se. Comparison of the electronic structures of six- and nine-coordinate M[N(EPH 2) 2] 3 suggests that coordination of the N atoms produces only minor changes in the metal-chalcogen interactions. Six-coordinate Eu[N(EPH 2) 2] 3 and Am[N(EPH 2) 2] 3 with the heavier group 16 donors display geometric and electronic properties rather different from those of the other members of the 4f and 5f series, in particular, longer than expected Eu-E and Am-E bond lengths, smaller reductions in charge difference between M and E down group 16, and larger f populations. The latter are interpreted not as evidence of f-based metal-ligand covalency but rather as being indicative of ionic metal centers closer to M (II) than M (III). The Cm complexes are found to be very ionic, with very metal-localized f orbitals and Cm (III) centers. The implications of the results for the separation of the minor actinides from nuclear wastes are discussed, as is the validity of using La (III)/U (III) comparisons as models for minor actinide/Eu systems.     

Bonding Trends Traversing the Tetravalent Actinide Series: Synthesis, Structural, and Computational Analysis of An(IV)((Ar)acnac)(4) Complexes (An = Th, U, Np, Pu; (Ar)acnac = ArNC(Ph)CHC(Ph)O; Ar = 3,5-(t)Bu(2)C(6)H(3))

A series of tetravalent An(IV) complexes with a bis-phenyl β-ketoiminate N,O donor ligand has been synthesized with the aim of identifying bonding trends and changes across the actinide series. The neutral molecules are homoleptic with the formula An((Ar)acnac)(4) (An = Th (1), U (2), Np (3), Pu (4); (Ar)acnac = ArNC(Ph)CHC(Ph)O; Ar = 3,5-(t)Bu(2)C(6)H(3)) and were synthesized through salt metathesis reactions with actinide chloride precursors. NMR and electronic absorption spectroscopy confirm the purity of all four new compounds and demonstrate stability in both solution and the solid state. The Th, U, and Pu complexes were structurally elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and shown to be isostructural in space group C2/c. Analysis of the bond lengths reveals shortening of the An-O and An-N distances arising from the actinide contraction upon moving from 1 to 2. The shortening is more pronounced upon moving from 2 to 4, and the steric constraints of the tetrakis complexes appear to prevent the enhanced U-O versus Pu-O orbital interactions previously observed in the comparison of UI(2)((Ar)acnac)(2) and PuI(2)((Ar)acnac)(2) bis-complexes. Computational analysis of models for 1, 2, and 4 (1a, 2a, and 4a, respectively) concludes that both the An-O and the An-N bonds are predominantly ionic for all three molecules, with the An-O bonds being slightly more covalent. Molecular orbital energy level diagrams indicate the largest 5f-ligand orbital mixing for 4a (Pu), but spatial overlap considerations do not lead to the conclusion that this implies significantly greater covalency in the Pu-ligand bonding. QTAIM bond critical point data suggest that both U-O/U-N and Pu-O/Pu-N are marginally more covalent than the Th analogues.     

Bonding analysis of metal-metal multiple bonds in R3M-M'R3 (M, M' = Cr, Mo, W; R = Cl, NMe2)

The bonding situation of homonuclear and heteronuclear metal-metal multiple bonds in R(3)M-M'R(3) (M, M' = Cr, Mo, W; R = Cl, NMe(2)) is investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, with the help of energy decomposition analysis (EDA). The M-M' bond strength increases as M and M' become heavier. The strongest bond is predicted for the 5d-5d tungsten complexes (NMe(2))(3)W-W(NMe(2))(3) (D(e) = 103.6 kcal/mol) and Cl(3)W-WCl(3) (D(e) = 99.8 kcal/mol). Although the heteronuclear molecules with polar M-M' bonds are not known experimentally, the predicted bond dissociation energies of up to 94.1 kcal/mol for (NMe(2))(3)Mo-W(NMe(2))(3) indicate that they are stable enough to be isolated in the condensed phase. The results of the EDA show that the stronger R(3)M-M'R(3) bonds for heavier metal atoms can be ascribed to the larger electrostatic interaction caused by effective attraction between the expanding valence orbitals in one metal atom and the more positively charged nucleus in the other metal atom. The orbital interaction reveal that the covalency of the homonuclear and heteronuclear R(3)M-M'R(3) bonds is due to genuine triple bonds with one σ- and one degenerate π-symmetric component. The metal-metal bonds may be classified as triple bonds where π-bonding is much stronger than σ-bonding; however, the largest attraction comes from the quasiclassical contribution to the metal-metal bonding. The heterodimetallic species show only moderate polarity and their properties and stabilities are intermediate between the corresponding homodimetallic species, a fact which should allow for the experimental isolation of heterodinuclear species. CASPT2 calculations of Cl(3)M-MCl(3) (M = Cr, Mo, W) support the assignment of the molecules as triply bonded systems.     

Cl(3)V(mu-S(CH(3))(2))(3)VCl(3)(2)(-): a first-row,face-shared bioctahedral complex with multiple metal-metal bonding

Density functional theory calculations have been used to investigate the structure and bonding of the d(3)d(3) bioctahedral complexes X(3)V(mu-S(CH(3))(2))(3)VX(3)(2)(-) (X = F(-), Cl(-), OH(-), SH(-), NH(2)(-)). According to geometry optimizations using the broken-symmetry approach and the VWN+B-LYP combination of density functionals, the halide-terminated complexes have a V-V bond order of approximately 2, while complexes featuring OH(-), SH(-), or NH(2)(-) as terminal ligands exhibit full triple bonding between the vanadium atoms. The tendency toward triple bonding in the latter complexes is consistent with an increased covalency of the vanadium-ligand bonds, and the influence of bond covalency is apparent also in the tendency for V-V bond elongation in the complexes with OH(-) and NH(2)(-) terminal ligands. Detailed examination of the composition of molecular orbitals in all of the thioether-bridged V(II) complexes substantiates the conclusion that the strong antiferromagnetic coupling which we have determined for these complexes (-J > 250 cm(-)(1)) is due to direct bonding between metal atoms rather than superexchange through the bridging ligands. As such, these V(II) complexes comprise the first apparent examples of multiple metal-metal bonding in first-transition-row, face-shared dinuclear complexes and are therefore of considerable structural and synthetic interest.     

The effects of light lanthanoid elements (La, Ce, Nd) on (Ar)CF-Ln coordination and C-F activation in N,N-dialkyl-N'-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylethane-1,2-diaminate complexes

A new class of homoleptic organoamido rare earth complexes [Ln(L(Me) or L(Et))(3)] (Ln = La, Ce, Nd; L(Me/Et) = p-HC(6)F(4)N(CH(2))(2)NMe(2)/Et(2)) exhibiting (Ar)CF-Ln interactions has been isolated from redox-transmetallation/protolysis (RTP) reactions between the free metals, Hg(C(6)F(5))(2) and L(Me/Et)H in tetrahydrofuran, together with low yields of [Ln(L(Me))(2)F](3) (Ln = La, Ce) or [Nd(L(Et))(2)F](2) species, resulting from C-F activation reactions. The structures of the homoleptic complexes have eight-coordinate Ln metals with two tridentate (N,N',F) amide ligands including (Ar)CF-Ln bonds and either a bidentate (N,F) ligand (Ln = La, Ce, Nd; L(Et)) or a bidentate (N,N') ligand (Ln = Nd; L(Me)), in an unusual case of linkage variation. All (Ar)CF-Ln bond lengths are shorter than or similar to the corresponding Ln-NMe(2)/Et(2) bond lengths. In [Ln(L(Me))(2)F](3) (Ln = La, Ce) complexes, there is a six-membered ring framework with alternating F and Ln atoms and the metal atoms are eight-coordinate with two tridentate (N,N',F) L(Me) ligands, whilst [Nd(L(Et))(2)F](2) is a fluoride-bridged dimer.     

Selective complexation of uranium(III) over lanthanide(III) triflates by 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine. X-Ray crystal structures of [M(OTf)3(terpy)2] and [M(OTf)2(terpy)2(py)][OTf](M = Nd, Ce, U) and of polynuclear mu-oxo uranium(IV) complexes resulting from hydrolysis

Reactions of Ln(OTf)3(Ln = Ce, Nd) or [U(OTf)3(dme)2](OTf = OSO2CF3, dme = dimethoxyethane) with 2 mol equivalents of 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (terpy) in pyridine or acetonitrile led to the quantitative formation of the bis(terpy) complexes which crystallized as the discrete cation-anion pairs [M(OTf)2(terpy)2(py)][OTf] x 0.5py from pyridine or neutral derivatives [M(OTf)3(terpy)2] x nMeCN from acetonitrile (M = Ce, Nd, U). The crystal structures of these complexes show the differences in the M-O bond lengths to follow the variation of the ionic radii of the metals, while the U-N(terpy) and U-N(py) bonds are shorter than those expected from a purely ionic bonding model. The better affinity of terpy for U(III) over Ce(III) and Nd(III) was evidenced by the thermodynamic parameters (K, DeltaH, DeltaS) corresponding to the equilibrium between the bis- and tris(terpy) complexes in acetonitrile. Hydrolysis of the bis(terpy) compounds followed different courses; whereas the aquo compound [Ce(OTf)2(terpy)2(H2O)][OTf] crystallized readily from pyridine, the uranium complexes [UX2(terpy)2(py)]X (X = I, OTf) were oxidized into the tri- and tetranuclear mu-oxo U(IV) compounds [{UI(terpy)2(mu-O)}2{UI2(terpy)}]I4 x 2MeCN x H2O and [{U(OTf)(terpy)2(mu-O)(mu-OTf)U(terpy)}2(mu-OTf)2(mu-O)][OTf]4 x py x MeCN. The crystal structures of these first examples of uranium(IV) compounds with terpy ligands show the almost linear arrangement of the metal atoms.     

Synthesis and structure of (Ph4P)2MCl6 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, Th, U, Np, Pu)

High-purity syntheses are reported for a series of first, second, and third row transition metal and actinide hexahalide compounds with equivalent, noncoordinating countercations: (Ph(4)P)(2)TiF(6) (1) and (Ph(4)P)(2)MCl(6) (M = Ti, Zr, Hf, Th, U, Np, Pu; 2-8). While a reaction between MCl(4) (M = Zr, Hf, U) and 2 equiv of Ph(4)PCl provided 3, 4, and 6, syntheses for 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 required multistep procedures. For example, a cation exchange reaction with Ph(4)PCl and (NH(4))(2)TiF(6) produced 1, which was used in a subsequent anion exchange reaction with Me(3)SiCl to synthesize 2. For 5, 7, and 8, synthetic routes starting with aqueous actinide precursors were developed that circumvented any need for anhydrous Th, Np, or Pu starting materials. The solid-state geometries, bond distances and angles for isolated ThCl(6)(2-), NpCl(6)(2-), and PuCl(6)(2-) anions with noncoordinating counter cations were determined for the first time in the X-ray crystal structures of 5, 7, and 8. Solution phase and solid-state diffuse reflectance spectra were also used to characterize 7 and 8. Transition metal MCl(6)(2-) anions showed the anticipated increase in M-Cl bond distances when changing from M = Ti to Zr, and then a decrease from Zr to Hf. The M-Cl bond distances also decreased from M = Th to U, Np, and Pu. Ionic radii can be used to predict average M-Cl bond distances with reasonable accuracy, which supports a principally ionic model of bonding for each of the (Ph(4)P)(2)MCl(6) complexes.     

Covalent lanthanide chemistry near the limit of weak bonding: observation of (CpSiMe3)3Ce-ECp* and a comprehensive density functional theory analysis of Cp3Ln-ECp (E = Al, Ga)

Experimental evidence for the existence of two new lanthanide-metalloligand adducts (CpSiMe(3))(3)Ce-ECp* (E = Al, Ga) is presented. Paramagnetic (1)H NMR titration experiments were employed to derive thermodynamic parameters for Ce-Ga dative bond formation, and competition experiments with the U analogue were performed. Density functional theory calculations were undertaken using model complexes Cp(3)Ln-ECp where Ln = La-Lu and E = Al, Ga. The Ln-E bond distances were predicted to decrease more sharply across the Ln series than those involving hard Lewis bases; however, local increases were observed at Eu and Yb. Electronic analyses were performed in the natural bond orbital-natural localized molecular orbital (NBO/NLMO) formalism, indicating that the E→Ln acceptor orbital is primarily of d character in all cases. The Cp(-) ligands donate significant electron density to the Ln d manifold and thus in its bonding interactions with a dative ligand the Ln center may be considered to be Ln(2+) in the f((n-3))d(1) electronic configuration (n = 3 for La, etc.). Molecular dipole moments, NLMO and natural population analyses, bond order indices, measures of E→Ln charge transfer, and calculated Ln-E heterolytic bond disruption enthalpies were found to follow saw-tooth trends, which correlate to varying degrees with the ionization potentials of the Ln(+) ions (corrected for their ground state-to-f((n-3))d(2) excitations). It is proposed that a steric-strain component which increases with the lanthanide contraction in this case balances the Ln-E bond stabilizing effect of core-orbital contraction. All data indicate that the Ln-E bonding interactions are predominantly of covalent or nonpolar donor-acceptor character. However, the formation of a strong covalent bond is not observed because of resistance to reduction of an effectively divalent Ln center.     

IB 族金属-乙烯配合物[N{(Me)C(Ph)N}2]M-C2H4 (M=Cu,Ag, Au)的电子结构

采用从头算Hartree-Fock(HF),M??ller-Plesset微扰(MP2),二级近似耦合簇(CC2)和密度泛函理论(DFT)方法,对IB族金属-乙烯配合物LM-C2H4(L=[N{(Me)C(Ph)N}2];M=Cu,Ag,Au)的几何结构、电子结构以及LM与C2H4之间的结合能进行了理论研究.MP2、CC2和密度泛函方法对C2H4配位前后C=C键长的变化情况都给出了正确的描述.电子结构分析显示LM与C2H4之间主要以C2H4→LM"σ-给予"和LM→C2H4"π-反馈"方式协同成键,这种成键方式使C2H4配体π轨道上的电子密度下降,π*轨道上的电子密度增加,并使得C=C键长增加、键能下降,从而达到活化C=C键的目的.自然电荷布居和能量分解分析显示LM-C2H4中的"σ-给予"作用弱于"π-反馈"作用,若使用"σ-给予"作用强于"π-反馈"作用的M+-C2H4体系作为LM-C2H4的简化模型进行理论研究是不合适的.LM-C2H4中金属原子M的改变对C=C键长、C2H4电荷布居以及LM与C2H4之间的结合能等性质影响显著.LAu与LCu、LAg相比其接受和反馈电子的能力最强,使C2H4配体π轨道电子密度减少的程度和π*轨道电子密度增加的程度也最大,因此LAu对C2H4中C=C键的活化效果最好.螯合配体取代基供、吸电能力的改变对上述性质的影响则非常有限.     

Structure and bonding in coinage metal halide clusters M(n)X(n), M = Cu, Ag, Au; X = Br, I; n = 1-6

Ab initio calculations in the framework of density functional theory (DFT) were performed to study the lowest-energy isomers of noble metal halide clusters M(n)Br(n) and M(n)I(n), for M = Cu, Ag, or Au and n = 1-6. For all species, the most stable structures were found to be cyclic arrangements. Calculated bond lengths and infrared frequencies were compared with the available experimental data. The nature of the ionocovalent bonding was characterized. The stability and fragmentation were also investigated. The present work confirms previous observations on the particular stability of the trimer.     

Bonding in Cationic MCH2+ (M=K–La,Hf–Rn): A Theoretical Study on Periodic Trends

DFT and CCSD(T) calculations have been performed to investigate the bonding situation of 54 cationic methylene complexes, MCH₂⁺ (M=K–La, Hf–Rn). A comparison of the computed results with experimentally and CBS‐QB3‐derived data demonstrates the reliability of B3LYP/def2‐QZVP with regard to the bond dissociation energies. Further, the bonding character of the MCH₂⁺ complexes is revealed by geometrical and molecular‐orbital (MO) analysis. The comparison of the periodic trends within the s‐, p‐, and d‐block MCH₂⁺ carbenes shows a pattern different for main‐group versus transition‐metal complexes. By combining this work with the recently reported trends for the f‐block lanthanide carbenes MCH₂⁺, a systematic and comprehensive overview can be obtained.     

Molecular structures of (5454) macrotetracyclic chelates of 3d M(II) ions with 4,5,9,10-tetramethyl-1,3,6,8-tetraaza-5,8-cyclodecadiene-2,7-diimine according to DFT quantum-chemical calculations

The molecular structures of (5454)macrotetracyclic M(II) complexes with the tetradentate ligand with the (NNNN)-coordination of donor sites formed by the template reactions in the ternary systems M(II)-aminomethanamidine (H₂N-C(=NH)-NH₂)-3-hydroxy-2-butanone H₃C-C(=O)-C(OH)-CH₃), where M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, have been calculated by the OPBE/TZVP density functional theory (DFT) method. The bond lengths and bond and torsion angles in the complexes, as well as the standard enthalpies, entropies, and Gibbs energies of formation of these compounds, are reported.     

Transition‐Metal Complexes [(PMe3)2Cl2M(E)] and [(PMe3)2(CO)2M(E)] with Naked Group 14 Atoms (E=C–Sn) as Ligands; Part 1: Parent Compounds

The equilibrium geometries and bond dissociation energies of 16‐valence‐electron(VE) complexes [(PMe₃)₂Cl₂M(E)] and 18‐VE complexes [(PMe₃)₂(CO)₂M(E)] with M=Fe, Ru, Os and E=C, Si, Ge, Sn were calculated by using density functional theory at the BP86/TZ2P level. The nature of the M? E bond was analyzed with the NBO charge decomposition analysis and the EDA energy‐decomposition analysis. The theoretical results predict that the heavier Group 14 complexes [(PMe₃)₂Cl₂M(E)] and [(PMe₃)₂(CO)₂M(E)] with E=Si, Ge, Sn have C_2v equilibrium geometries in which the PMe₃ ligands are in the axial positions. The complexes have strong M? E bonds which are slightly stronger in the 16‐VE species 1ME than in the 18‐VE complexes 2ME . The calculated bond dissociation energies show that the M? E bonds become weaker in both series in the order C>Si>Ge>Sn; the bond strength increases in the order Fe<Ru<Os for 1ME , whereas a U‐shaped trend Ru<Os<Fe is found for 2ME . The M? E bonding analysis suggests that the 16‐VE complexes 1ME have two electron‐sharing bonds with σ and π symmetry and one donor–acceptor π bond like the carbon complex. Thus, the bonding situation is intermediate between a typical Fischer complex and a Schrock complex. In contrast, the 18‐VE complexes 2ME have donor–acceptor bonds, as suggested by the Dewar–Chatt–Duncanson model, with one M←E σ donor bond and two M→E π‐acceptor bonds, which are not degenerate. The shape of the frontier orbitals reveals that the HOMO?2 σ MO and the LUMO and LUMO+1 π* MOs of 1ME are very similar to the frontier orbitals of CO.     

M(bpy)2+3(M=Fe,Ru,Os)电子结构与相关性质

报导了对配合物Ｍ（ｂｐｙ）＾２＋３（Ｍ＝Ｆｅ,Ｒｕ,Ｏｓ）的量子化学密度泛函法研究的结果。Ｂ３ＬＹＰ／ＬａｎＬ２ＤＺ方法与基组的水平上进行计算,探讨Ｍ（ｂｐｙ）＾２＋３电子结构特征及相关性质,特别是中心原子对配合物的配位键长、光谱性质,电荷布局及化学稳定性等的影响规律,为该类配合物的合成,为分析光、电、催化作用机理提供理论参考。     

配合物[M(CO)3(PPh2py)2](M=Fe,Ru)异构体的理论研究

对PPh2py配合物[M(CO)3(PPh2py)2](M=Fe, Ru)的三种构型的异构体1-6进行了研究. 其中PPh2py以两个P原子与M配位形成HH构型1(Fe)和4(Ru), 以一个P和一个N原子与M配位形成HT构型2(Fe)和5(Ru), 以两个N原子与M配位形成HH’构型3(Fe)和6(Ru). 结果表明, (1) PPh2py中P原子对HOMO轨道的贡献最大, PPh2py作为电子给体时易以P原子与金属原子结合. (2)从分子能量和相互作用能数据表明, 配合物中HH构型最稳定, HH'构型最不稳定, 这与合成产物为HH构型的结果一致. (3) 键长和Wiberg键级均表明P—M键比N—M键结合力强. P、M原子间存在σ键, 而N、Fe原子间仅存在nN→n*M或nN→σ*M-P的电荷转移作用. (4) HH构型中M对HOMO的贡献最大, PPh2py向M的电荷转移最强, 使M的负电荷最大, 故HH构型最易作为电子给体以M原子与第二个金属配位形成双核配合物.     

Optimizing small molecule activation and cleavage in three-coordinate M[N(R)Ar]3 complexes

The sterically hindered, three-coordinate metal systems M[N(R)Ar]3 (R = tBu, iPr; Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2) are known to bind and activate a number of fundamental diatomic molecules via a [Ar(R)N]3M-L-L-M[N(R)Ar]3 dimer intermediate. To predict which metals are most suitable for activating and cleaving small molecules such as N(2), NO, CO, and CN(-), the M-L bond energies in the L-M(NH2)3 (L = O, N, C) model complexes were calculated for a wide range of metals, oxidation states, and dn (n = 2-6) configurations. The strongest M-O, M-N, and M-C bonds occurred for the d2, d3, and d4 metals, respectively, and for these d(n) configurations, the M-C and M-O bonds were calculated to be stronger than the M-N bonds. For isoelectronic metals, the bond strengths were found to increase both down a group and to the left of a period. Both the calculated N-N bond lengths and activation barriers for N2 bond cleavage in the (H2N)3M-N-N-M(NH2)3 intermediate dimers were shown to follow the trends in the M-N bond energies. The three-coordinate complexes of Ta(II), W(III), and Nb(II) are predicted to deliver more favorable N2 cleavage reactions than the experimentally known Mo(III) system and the Re(III)Ta(III) dimer, [Ar(R)N]3Re-CO-Ta[N(R)Ar]3, is thermodynamically best suited for cleaving CO.     

Crown ether inclusion complexes of the early actinide elements, [AnO2(18-crown-6)]n+, An = U, Np, Pu and n = 1, 2: a relativistic density functional study

The title compounds, [AnO2(18-crown-6)]n+, An = U, Np, and Pu and n = 1 and 2, as well as the related (experimentally observed) complex [UO2(dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6)]2+ are studied using relativistic density functional theory (DFT). Different relativistic methods (large-core and small-core effective core potentials, all-electron scalar four-component) and two flavors of approximate DFT (B3LYP and PBE) are used. Calculated bond lengths agree well with the available experimental data for the NpV complex, while larger differences for the UVI complexes appear to be related to the large uncertainties in the experimental data. The axial AnO bonds are found to be weaker and longer than in the corresponding penta-aquo complexes, though still of partial triple-bond character. The AnO bond lengths and strengths decrease along the actinide series, consistent with the actinide contraction. Gas-phase binding energies calculated for the penta-aquo complexes and crown-ether complexes of the actinides studied, as well as ligand-exchange energies, show that there is no intrinsic preference, or "better fit", for actinyl(V) cations as compared to actinyl(VI) ones. Rather, the ability of NpO2+ (NpV) to form in-cavity 18-crown-6 complexes in water, which is impossible for UO22+, is traced to solvation effects in polar solvents. Thus, the experimentally observed stabilization of the pentavalent oxidation state as compared to the hexavalent one is due to the effective screening of the charge provided by the macrocycle, and this leads to destabilization of the AnVI crown complexes relative to their AnV counterparts.     

U(SMes*)n, (n = 3, 4) and Ln(SMes*)3 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd): lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation in agostic interactions and an unprecedented eta3 ligation mode of the arylthiolate ligand, from X-ray diffraction and DFT analysis

Reaction of U(NEt(2))(4) with HS-2,4,6-(t)Bu(3)C(6)H(2) (HSMes) gave U(SMes)(3)(NEt(2))(py) (1), whereas similar treatment of U[N(SiMe(3))SiMe(2)CH(2)][N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) afforded U(SMes)[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) (2) and U(SMes)(3)[N(SiMe(3))(2)]. The first neutral homoleptic uranium(IV) thiolate to have been crystallographically characterized, U(SMes)(4) (4), was isolated from the reaction of U(BH(4))(4) and KSMes. The first homoleptic thiolate complex of uranium(III), U(SMes)(3) (5), was synthesized by protonolysis of U[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) with HSMes in cyclohexane. The crystal structure of 5 exhibits the novel eta(3) ligation mode for the arylthiolate ligand. Comparison of the crystal structure of 5 with those of the isomorphous lanthanide congeners Ln(SMes)(3) (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, and Nd) indicates that the U-S, U-C(ipso)(), and U-C(ortho)() bond lengths are shorter than the corresponding ones in the 4f-element analogues, when taking into account the variation in the ionic radii of the metals. The distance between the uranium and the carbon atoms involved in the U...H-C epsilon agostic interaction of each thiolate ligand is shorter, by approximately 0.05 A, than that expected from a purely ionic bonding model. The lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation was analyzed by density functional theory (DFT). The nature of the M-S bond is shown to be ionic strongly polarized at the sulfur for M = U and iono-covalent (i.e. strongly ionic with low orbital interaction), for M = Ln. The strength of the U...H-C epsilon agostic interaction is proposed to be controlled by the maximization of the interaction between U(+) and S(-) under steric constraints. The eta(3) ligation mode of the arylthiolate ligand is also obtained from DFT.     

Accurate Structure and Bonding Description of the Transition Metal‐Disulfur Monoxide Complexes [(PMe3)2M(S2O)] (M = Ni,Pd, Pt): Grimme Dispersion Corrected DFT Study

Geometry and bonding energy analysis of M–S₂O bonds in the metal‐disulfur monoxide complexes [(PMe₃)₂M(S₂O)] of nickel, palladium, and platinum were investigated at DFT, DFT‐D3, and DFT‐D3(BJ) methods using three different functionals (BP86, PBE, and TPSS). The TPSS/DFT‐D3(BJ) yields better geometry, while the BP86 geometry is least accurate for studied complexes. The geometry of platinum complex optimized at TPSS/DFT‐D3(BJ) level is in excellent agreement with the available experimental values. The M–S bonds are shorter than the M–S(O) bonds. The Mayer bond orders suggest the presence of M–S and M–S(O) single bonds. Both the M–S and M–S(O) bond lengths vary with the density functionals as TPSS‐D3(BJ) < TPSS < PBE < BP86. The Hirshfeld charge distribution indicates that the overall charge flows from metal fragment to [S₂O]. The Ni–S₂O bond has greater degree of covalent character than the ionic. The contribution of dispersion interactions is large in computing accurate bond dissociation energies between the interacting fragments. The BDEs are largest for the functional TPSS and smallest for the functional BP86. The DFT‐D3 dispersion corrections to the BDEs between the metal fragments [(PMe₃)₂M] and ligand fragment [(S₂O)] for the TPSS functional are in the range 7.1–7.3 kcal · mol^–1, which are smaller than the corresponding DFT‐D3(BJ) dispersion corrections (9.4–10.6 kcal · mol^–1).     

Metal-metal bonding in molecular actinide compounds: electronic structure of [M2X8](2-) (M = U, Np, Pu; X = Cl, Br, I) complexes and comparison with d-block analogues

Density functional and multiconfigurational (ab initio) calculations have been performed on [M(2)X(8)](2-) (X = Cl, Br, I) complexes of 4d (Mo, Tc, Ru), 5d (W, Re, Os), and 5f (U, Np, Pu) metals in order to investigate general trends, similarities and differences in the electronic structure and metal-metal bonding between f-block and d-block elements. Multiple metal-metal bonds consisting of a combination of sigma and pi interactions have been found in all species investigated, with delta-like interactions also occurring in the complexes of Tc, Re, Np, Ru, Os, and Pu. The molecular orbital analysis indicates that these metal-metal interactions possess predominantly d(z2) (sigma), d(xz) and d(yz) (pi), or d(xy) and d(x2-y2) (delta) character in the d-block species, and f(z3) (sigma), f(z2x) and f(z2y) (pi), or f(xyz) and f(z) (delta) character in the actinide systems. In the latter, all three (sigma, pi, delta) types of interaction exhibit bonding character, irrespective of whether the molecular symmetry is D(4h) or D(4d). By contrast, although the nature and properties of the sigma and pi bonds are largely similar for the D(4h) and D(4d) forms of the d-block complexes, the two most relevant metal-metal delta-like orbitals occur as a bonding and antibonding combination in D(4h) symmetry but as a nonbonding level in D(4d) symmetry. Multiconfigurational calculations have been performed on a subset of the actinide complexes, and show that a single electronic configuration plays a dominant role and corresponds to the lowest-energy configuration obtained using density functional theory.