Aromaticity in Group 14 homologues of the cyclopropenylium cation

The nature of the bonding and the aromaticity of the heavy Group 14 homologues of cyclopropenylium cations E₃H₃⁺ and E₂H₂E′H⁺ (E, E′=C–Pb) have been investigated systematically at the BP86/TZ2P DFT level by using several methods. Aromatic stabilization energies (ASE) were evaluated from the values obtained from energy decomposition analysis (EDA) of charged acyclic reference molecules. The EDA‐ASE results compare well with the extra cyclic resonance energy (ECRE) values given by the block localized wavefunction (BLW) method. Although all compounds investigated are Hückel 4n+2 π electron species, their ASEs indicate that the inclusion of Group 14 elements heavier than carbon reduces the aromaticity; the parent C₃H₃⁺ ion and Si₂H₂CH⁺ are the most aromatic, and Pb₃H₃⁺ is the least so. The higher energies for the cyclopropenium analogues reported in 1995 employed an isodesmic scheme, and are reinterpreted by using the BLW method. The decrease in the strength of both the π cyclic conjugation and the aromaticity in the order C?Si>Ge>Sn>Pb agrees reasonably well with the trends given by the refined nucleus‐independent chemical shift NICS(0)_πzz index.     

通过核独立化学位移(NICS)计算研究二价三、五、七元环C2H2M, C4H4M and C6H6M(M=C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb)的芳香族特性

The aromatic character of divalent three, five and seven-membered rings C₂H₂M, C₄H₄M and C₆H₆M(M=C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb) is investigated through magnetic and geometric criteria by Density Functional Theory (DFT)method using 6^-311++G(3df,2p) basis set of the GAUSSIAN 98 program. The result of Nucleus-independent Chemical Shifts (NICS)(0.5) calculations show an aromatic character for singlet state of C₂H₂M(M=C, Si, Ge, Sn and Sn) and nonaromatic character for triplet states of C₂H₂M(except M=Ge and Pb). NICS (0.5) calculations show nonaromatic character for the singlet state of C₄H₄C and antiaromatic character for C₄H₄M(M=Si, Ge, Sn and Pb). In contrast, NICS (0.5) calculations indicate antiaromatic character for the triplet state of C₄H₄C and nonaromatic character to C₄H₄M(M=Si, Ge, Sn and Pb). NICS (0.5) calculations show a slightly homoaromatic character for the singlet state of C₆H₆M and anti-aromatic character for triplet state of C₆H₆M.     

Quantum‐chemical analyses of aromaticity,UV spectra,and NMR chemical shifts in plumbacyclopentadienylidenes stabilized by Lewis bases

We carried out a series of zeroth‐order regular approximation (ZORA)‐density functional theory (DFT) and ZORA‐time‐dependent (TD)‐DFT calculations for molecular geometries, NMR chemical shifts, nucleus‐independent chemical shifts (NICS), and electronic transition energies of plumbacyclopentadienylidenes stabilized by several Lewis bases, (Ph)₂(^tBuMe₂Si)₂C₄PbL₁L₂ (L₁, L₂ = tetrahydrofuran, Pyridine, N‐heterocyclic carbene), and their model molecules. We mainly discussed the Lewis‐base effect on the aromaticity of these complexes. The NICS was used to examine the aromaticity. The NICS values showed that the aromaticity of these complexes increases when the donation from the Lewis bases to Pb becomes large. This trend seems to be reasonable when the 4n‐Huckel rule is applied to the fractional π‐electron number. The calculated ¹³C‐ and ²⁰⁷Pb‐NMR chemical shifts and the calculated UV transition energies reasonably reproduced the experimental trends. We found a specific relationship between the ¹³C‐NMR chemical shifts and the transition energies. As we expected, the relativistic effect was essential to reproduce a trend not only in the ²⁰⁷Pb‐NMR chemical shifts and J[Pb‐C] but also in the ¹³C‐NMR chemical shifts of carbons adjacent to the lead atom. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Aromaticity Effects on the Profiles of the Lowest Triplet‐State Potential‐Energy Surfaces for Rotation about the CC Bonds of Olefins with Five‐Membered Ring Substituents: An Example of the Impact of Baird’s Rule

A density functional theory study on olefins with five‐membered monocyclic 4n and 4n+2 π‐electron substituents (C₄H₃X; X=CH⁺, SiH⁺, BH, AlH, CH₂, SiH₂, O, S, NH, and CH^?) was performed to assess the connection between the degree of substituent (anti)aromaticity and the profile of the lowest triplet‐state (T₁) potential‐energy surface (PES) for twisting about olefinic C?C bonds. It exploited both Hückel’s rule on aromaticity in the closed‐shell singlet ground state (S₀) and Baird’s rule on aromaticity in the lowest ππ* excited triplet state. The compounds CH₂?CH(C₄H₃X) were categorized as set A and set B olefins depending on which carbon atom (C2 or C3) of the C₄H₃X ring is bonded to the olefin. The degree of substituent (anti)aromaticity goes from strongly S₀‐antiaromatic/T₁‐aromatic (C₅H₄⁺) to strongly S₀‐aromatic/T₁‐ antiaromatic (C₅H₄^?). Our hypothesis is that the shapes of the T₁ PESs, as given by the energy differences between planar and perpendicularly twisted olefin structures in T₁ [ΔE(T₁)], smoothly follow the changes in substituent (anti)aromaticity. Indeed, correlations between ΔE(T₁) and the (anti)aromaticity changes of the C₄H₃X groups, as measured by the zz‐tensor component of the nucleus‐independent chemical shift ΔNICS(T₁;1)_zz, are found both for sets A and B separately (linear fits; r²=0.949 and 0.851, respectively) and for the two sets combined (linear fit; r²=0.851). For sets A and B combined, strong correlations are also found between ΔE(T₁) and the degree of S₀ (anti)aromaticity as determined by NICS(S₀,1)_zz (sigmoidal fit; r²=0.963), as well as between the T₁ energies of the planar olefins and NICS(S₀,1)_zz (linear fit; r²=0.939). Thus, careful tuning of substituent (anti)aromaticity allows for design of small olefins with T₁ PESs suitable for adiabatic Z/E photoisomerization.     

The Influence of Aromaticity in Gas Chromatography Retention: The Case of Polycyclic Aromatic Sulfur Heterocycles

Aromaticity has been used as a criterion to explain the gas chromatographic (GC) retention of cata-condensed polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASHs) C₁₂H₈S, C₁₆H₁₀S, C₂₀H₁₂S; and peri-condensed PASHs C₁₈H₁₀S, in a GC column with 50% phenyl/50% dimethyl silphenylene polymer. To establish the aromaticity, nucleus-independent chemical shifts at the level of the molecular plane, NICS(0), and at 1 Å above the surface of the molecular plane, NICS(1), have been used. It has been found that the GC retention of cata-condensed PASHs C₁₂H₈S, C₁₆H₁₀S, and C₂₀H₁₂S is satisfactorily defined by the aromaticity of the entire molecule, and the GC retention of peri-condensed PASHs C₁₈H₁₀S is satisfactorily defined by the local aromaticity in the sulfur pentagonal ring. In addition, the positive slope between GC retention and NICS(0) of the entire molecule for cata-condensed PASHs, C₁₂H₈S and C₁₆H₁₀S, and by NICS(1) in the pentagonal ring for peri-condensed PASHs, C₁₈H₁₀S, is explained by the interaction between the electrons of the heterocycle molecule and the positive pole of the silicon atom in the GC column, as suggested with PAHs. In contrast, the negative slope between GC retention and aromaticity for cata-condensed C₂₀H₁₂S is explained by the presence of bay, cove, or fjord regions in the vicinity of the sulfur atom that generates either higher GC retention and lower aromaticity or lower GC retention and higher aromaticity.     

Reactions of Mesityl Azide with Ferrocene-Based N-Heterocyclic Germylenes,Stannylenes and Plumbylenes,Including PPh2-Functionalised Congeners

The reactivity of ferrocene-based N-heterocyclic tetrylenes [{Fe(η⁵−C₅H₄−NSitBuMe₂)₂}E] (E=Ge, Sn, Pb) towards mesityl azide (MesN₃) is compared with that of PPh₂-functionalised congeners exhibiting two possible reaction sites, namely the E^II and P^III atom. For E=Ge and Sn the reaction occurs at the E^II atom, leading to the formation of N₂ and an E^IV=NMes unit. The germanimines are sufficiently stable for isolation. The stannanimines furnish follow-up products, either by [2+3] cycloaddition with MesN₃ or, in the PPh₂-substituted case, by NMes transfer from the Sn^IV to the P^III atom. Whereas [{Fe(η⁵−C₅H₄−NSitBuMe₂)₂}Pb] and other diaminoplumbylenes studied are inert even under forcing conditions, the PPh₂-substituted congener forms an addition product with MesN₃, thus showing a behaviour similar to that of frustrated Lewis pairs. The germylenes of this study afford copper(I) complexes with CuCl, including the first structurally characterised linear dicoordinate halogenido complex [CuX(L)] with a heavier tetrylene ligand L.     

Contrast of Bonding and Characters for C6, B3N3, C6H6 and B3N3H6 Molecules

Through integrative consideration of NICS, MO, MOC and NBO, we precisely investigated delocalization and bonding characters of C₆, C₆H₆, B₃N₃ and B₃N₃H₆ molecules. Firstly, we originally discovered and testified that C₆ cluster was sp² hybridization. Negative NICS values in 0 and 1 Å indicated that C₆ had δ and Π aromaticity. Secondly, B₃N₃ with sp² hybridization had obvious δ aromaticity. Finally, WBI values approved that there were delocalization in C₆, C₆H₆ and B₃N₃ molecules, but B₃N₃H₆ structure did not have delocalization with the WBI 1.0. Moreover, total WBI values of carbon, boron and nitrogen atoms were four, three and three, respectively. Namely, the electrons of B₃N₃H₆ and B₃N₃ were localized in nitrogen atoms and they did not form delocalized bonding. In a word, bonding characters of carbon, boron and nitrogen atoms were dissimilar although the molecules composed of carbon, boron and nitrogen were regarded as isoelectronic structures.     

Theoretical studies on the electronic structures and spectra of single silicon-doped SWCNTs

The equilibrium geometries and electronic structures of a series of SWCNTs doped with a silicon atom were studied by using density function theory (DFT). The most stable doping site of silicon predicted at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level was located near the boundary of the SWCNTs. The energy gaps of (3,3) C₄₈, (3,3) C₆₀ and (3,3) C₇₂ were respectively decreased by 0.43, 0.25 and 0.14 eV after doping. Based on the B3LYP/6-31G(d) optimized geometries, the electronic spectra of the doped SWCNTs were computed using the INDO/CIS method. The first UV absorption at 973.9 nm of (5,5)-Si(L) (C₅₉Si) compared with that at 937.5 nm of (5,5) (C₆₀) was red-shifted. The ¹³C NMR spectra and nuclear independent chemical shifts (NICS) of the doped SWCNTs were investigated at B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The chemical shift at 119.4 of the carbon atom bonded with the silicon atom in (3,3)-Si(L) (C₅₉Si) in comparison with that at 144.1 of the same carbon atom in (3,3) (C₆₀) moved upfield. The tendency of the aromaticity (NICS = −0.1) for (3,3)-Si(H) (C₄₇Si) with respect to that of the anti-aromaticity (NICS = 6.0) for (3,3) (C₄₈) was predicted.      

Progress in Polyarsolyl Chemistry

The synthesis of heteroatom analogues of the cyclopentadienyl anion Cp^? is a fascinating and challenging field of research. The replacement of methine moieties by phosphorus is well investigated for the synthesis of mono‐, tri‐ and pentaphospholyl ligands. On the other hand, arsenic derivatives are rare and 1,2,4‐triarsolyl and tetraarsolyl salts are unknown. Herein, we report on the synthesis of Cs[E₃C₂(trip)₂] ( 1 a : E=P; 1 b : E=As; trip=2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl) and Cs[E₄C(trip)] ( 2 a : E=P; 2 b : E=As). Compound 1 b represents the first 1,2,4‐triarsolyl and 2 b the first tetraarsolyl anion. All salts are obtained in one‐pot syntheses using E(SiMe₃)₃, 2,4,6‐triisopropylbenzoyl chloride and CsF. The products 1 a ?2 C₄H₈O₂, 2 a ?Et₂O and 2 b ?3 C₄H₈O₂ were characterized by X‐ray structural analysis, which revealed planar heterocycles. Nucleus‐independent chemical shifts (NICS) confirmed the aromaticity of these anions. Notably, compound 2 a ?Et₂O is only the second tetraphospholyl ligand which is structurally characterized.     

Poly[(N,N‐dimethylformamide‐κO)(μ3‐4,4′‐ethylenedibenzoato‐κ5O,O′:O′:O′′,O′′′)(pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]phenanthroline‐κ2N8,N9)lead(II)]

In the title Pb^II coordination polymer, [Pb(C₁₆H₁₀O₄)(C₁₄H₈N₄)(C₃H₇NO)]_n, each Pb^II atom is eight‐coordinated by two chelating N atoms from one pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (L) ligand, one dimethylformamide (DMF) O atom and five carboxylate O atoms from three different 4,4′‐ethylenedibenzoate (eedb) ligands. The eedb dianions bridge neighbouring Pb^II centres through four typical Pb—O bonds and one longer Pb—O interaction to form a two‐dimensional structure. The C atoms from the L and eedb ligands form C—H...O hydrogen bonds with the O atoms of eedb and DMF ligands, which further stabilize the structure. The title compound is the first Pb^II coordination polymer incorporating the L ligand.     

Exploration on the structure,stability, and isomerization of planar CnB5 (n = 1−7) clusters

The structures, stabilities, nature of bonding, and potential energy surfaces of low‐energy isomers of planar C_nB₅ (n = 1?7) have been systematically explored at the CCSD(T)/6‐311+G(d)//B3LYP/6‐311+G(d) level. Incremental binding energy (IBE) and second order energy difference (Δ²E) analyses demonstrate that C_nB₅ clusters with even n have relatively higher stability. The nature of bonding in these clusters is discussed based on valence molecular orbital (VMO), and Mayer bond order (MBO). Hückel (4n + 2) rule and nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) values suggest that the ground states of C₃B₅, C₄B₅, and C₇B₅ have π aromaticity. VMO, electron localization function (ELF), adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP), and NICS analyses reveal the double aromaticity of C₃B₅ cation. CB₅ and C₃B₅ are stable both thermodynamically and kinetically based on isomerization analysis. In addition, the simulated IR spectra are expected to be helpful for future experimental studies of these clusters.     

Nucleus Independent Chemical Shift (NICS) at Small Distances from the Molecular Plane: The Effect of Electron Density

When close to the molecular plane, the behavior of nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) as a function of the distance from the molecular plane deviates from its behavior at larger distances. By using a dense grid of NICS-probes (BQs) it is shown that, when close to the molecular plane, maximal (absolute) NICS values are obtained above the atoms. These maxima move towards the center as the grid is elevated until the (absolute) maximum NICS is obtained at the center and stay there when the grid is further elevated. It is shown that this behavior is a result of the current density, which is influenced by the electron density, according to the Biot-Savart law, which, in turn, causes the induced magnetic field measured by the NICS. It is thus concluded that if magnetic aromaticity is studied, the NICS calculations should be carried out at a large enough distance so that only the π-ring current affects the NICS. At distances ≥2 Å, NICS(r)_π,zz=A+B*C^r. Using non-linear correlation for obtaining A, B and C and extrapolate to NICS(1)_π,zz and NICS(1.7)_π,zz is recommended as measures for aromaticity.     

Revisiting Aromaticity and Chemical Bonding of Fluorinated Benzene Derivatives

The electron delocalization of benzene (C₆H₆) and hexafluorobenzene (C₆F₆) was analyzed in terms of the induced magnetic field, nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS), and ring current strength (RCS). The computed out-of-plane component of the induced magnetic field at a distance (r) greater than or equal to 1.0 Å above the ring center correlates well (R²>0.99) with the RCS value. According to these criteria, fluorination has two effects on the C₆ skeleton; concomitantly, the resonant effects diminish the π electron delocalization and the inductive effects decrease the charge density at the ring center and therefore reduce the magnitude of the paratropic current generated in this region. The equilibrium between both effects decreases aromaticity in the fluorinated benzene derivatives. These results can be extrapolated to determine the aromaticity of any derivative within the series of fluorinated benzene derivatives (C₆H_(6−n)F_n, where n=1–5).     

A Benzodiphosphaborolediide

The first example of a diphosphaborolediide, the benzo-fused [C₆H₄P₂BPh]²⁻ ( 1²⁻ ), is prepared from ortho-bis(phosphino)benzene (C₆H₄{PH₂}) and dichlorophenylborane, via a sequential lithiation approach. The dilithio-salt can be obtained as an oligomeric THF solvate or discrete TMEDA adduct, both of which are fully characterized, including by X-ray diffraction. Alongside NICS calculations, data strongly suggest some aromaticity within 1²⁻ , which is further supported by preliminary coordination studies that demonstrate η⁵-coordination to a zerovalent molybdenum center, as observed crystallographically for the oligomeric [{Mo(CO)₃(η⁵- 1 )}{μ-η¹-Mo(CO)₃(TMEDA)}₂] ⋅ [μ-Li(THF)][μ-Li(TMEDA)].     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of a linear tetranuclear CoII cluster

Polynuclear complexes are an important class of inorganic functional materials and are of interest particularly for their applications in molecular magnets. Multidentate chelating ligands play an important role in the design and syntheses of polynuclear metal clusters. A novel linear tetranuclear Co^II cluster, namely bis{μ₃‐(E)‐2‐[(2‐oxidobenzylidene)amino]phenolato}bis{μ₂‐(E)‐2‐[(2‐oxidobenzylidene)amino]phenolato}bis(1,10‐phenanthroline)tetracobalt(II), [Co₄(C₁₄H₁₁NO₂)₄(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂], was prepared under solvothermal conditions through a mixed‐ligand synthetic strategy. The structure was determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction and bulk purity was confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction. The complex molecule has a centrosymmetric tetranuclear chain‐like structure and the four Co^II ions are located in two different coordination environments. The Co^II ions at the ends of the chain are in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, while the two inner Co^II ions are in five‐coordinate distorted trigonal bipyramidal environments. A magnetic study reveals ferromagnetic Co^II…Co^II exchange interactions for the complex.     

Dimeric copper(II) trimethylsilyl­acetate adducts with pyridine, 2‐­methylpyridine, 3‐methylpyridine and quinoline,and a polymeric copper(II) trimethylsilylacetate

In the crystals of bis(pyridine‐N)tetrakis(μ‐trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II), [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄(C₅H₅N)₂], (I), the dinuclear Cu^II complexes have cage structures with Cu?Cu distances of 2.632 (1) and 2.635 (1) Å. In the crystals of bis(2‐­methylpyridine‐N)tetrakis(μ‐trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II), [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄(C₆H₇N)₂], (II), bis­(3‐methylpyridine‐N)tetrakis(μ‐trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II), [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄(C₆H₇N)₂], (III), and bis(quinoline‐N)­tetrakis(μ‐­trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II), [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄(C₉H₇N)₂], (IV), the centrosymmetric dinuclear Cu^II complexes have a cage structure with Cu?Cu distances of 2.664 (1), 2.638 (3) and 2.665 (1) Å, respectively. In the crystals of catena‐poly­[tetrakis(μ‐trimethylsilylacetato‐O:O′)dicopper(II)], [Cu₂(C₅H₁₁O₂Si)₄]_n, (V), the dinuclear Cu^II units of a cage structure are linked by the cyclic Cu—O bonds at the apical positions to form a linear chain by use of a glide translation.     

Singlet-triplet energy separation in divalent seven-membered cyclic conjugated compounds C6H6C, C6H6Si, C6H6Ge, C6H6Sn, and C6H6Pb

The electronic and thermal energy differences, ΔE(t-s); enthalpy differences, ΔH(t-s); and free energy differences between the singlet and triplet states, ΔG(t-s), were calculated for C₆H₆C, C₆H₆Si, C₆H₆Ge, C₆H₆Sn, and C₆H₆Pb at the B3LYP/6-311++G (3df, 2p) level. The singlet-triplet splitting, G _s-t, of C₆H₆C, C₆H₆Si, C₆H₆Ge, C₆H₆Sn, and C₆H₆Pb generally increased from C₆H₆C toward C₆H₆Pb. The most stable tautomers and conformers were suggested for the singlet and triplet states of C₆H₆M (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb). The geometrical parameters were calculated and discussed. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Substituent effect on the aromaticity of the silolide anion

The effect of the substituents on the planarity and aromaticity of the silolide anion was studied computationally. It was revealed that π-electron acceptor groups (e.g., silyl or trimethylsilyl) at the α position of the ring reduce substantially the inversion barrier about the central silicon increasing the aromaticity according to isomeric stabilization energy (ISE) and NICS values. In the planar and highly aromatic silolide anions, the mesomeric structures with the largest weight exhibit a Si=C double bond and a negative charge which is located at the α or β carbons based on NRT calculations. 2,5-disilylsilacyclopentadienides coordinated by naked Li⁺ have planar minima, however, further coordination by THF molecules (as in a solution) reduces somewhat the flattening of the silicon pyramid. NMR calculations were carried out to understand the connection between the ²⁹Si chemical shift and the aromaticity of the ring. It was revealed that the commonly accepted charge transfer–chemical shift relationship is strongly influenced by the substituents and the counter cation. THF complexation of the Li counter cation has a small influence on the NMR shift.     

Stabilization Studies on Divalent Five‐Membered Rings C4H4C,C4H4Si,C4H4Ge,C4H4Sn,and C4H4Pb

Energy differences, ΔX_S‐t (X = E, H and G) (ΔX_S‐t = X_(singlet)‐X_(triplet)) between singlet (s) and triplet (t) states are calculated at B3LYP/6‐311++G (3df,2p). The DFT calculations show that the triplet state of C₄H₄C is a ground state with planar conformer respect to its corresponding nonplanar singlet state. Both singlet and triplet states of C₄H₄M (M = Si, Ge, Sn and Pb) have a planar conformer with the singlet ground state. Four isodesmic reactions are presented for determining the stability energies, SE. NICS calculations are carried out for C₄H₄M to determine the aromatic character.     

A Stable Homoleptic Divinyl Tetrelene Series

The synthesis of the new bulky vinyllithium reagent (^MeIPr=CH)Li, (^MeIPr=[(MeCNDipp)₂C]; Dipp=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) is reported. This vinyllithium precursor was found to act as a general source of the anionic 2σ, 2π-electron donor ligand [^MeIPr=CH]⁻. Furthermore, a high-yielding route to the degradation-resistant Si^II precursor ^MeIPr⋅SiBr₂ is presented. The efficacy of (^MeIPr=CH)Li in synthesis was demonstrated by the generation of a complete inorganic divinyltetrelene series (^MeIPrCH)₂E: (E=Si to Pb). (^MeIPrCH)₂Si: represents the first two-coordinate acyclic silylene not bound by heteroatom donors, with dual electrophilic and nucleophilic character at the Si^II center noted. Cyclic voltammetry shows this electron-rich silylene to be a potent reducing agent, rivalling the reducing power of the 19-electron complex cobaltocene (Cp₂Co).