Facile Access to an NHC‐Coordinated Silicon Ring Compound with a Si=N Group and a Two‐Coordinate Silicon Atom

Reaction of the bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasilatetraamide Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄ 1 (Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) with 5 equiv of the N‐heterocyclic carbene NHC^Me4 (1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) affords a bifunctional carbene‐coordinated four‐membered‐ring compound with a Si=N group and a two‐coordinate silicon atom Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂(NHC^Me4)₂(NDipp) 2 . When 2 reacts with 0.25 equiv sulfur (S₈), two sulfur atoms add to the divalent silicon atom in plane and perpendicular to the plane of the Si₄ ring, which confirms the silylone character of the two‐coordinate silicon atom in 2 .     

An Electrophilic Carbene‐Anchored Silylene–Phosphinidene

The cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene‐anchored silylene–phosphinidene was isolated as L−Si−P(:cAAC−Me) (L=benzamidinate) at room temperature, synthesized from the reduction of L−Si(Cl₂)−P(:cAAC−Me) ( 1 ) using two equivalents of KC₈. Compound 1 was prepared by the oxidative addition of a chlorophosphinidene to the benzamidinate substituted silylene center. This is the first molecular example of a silylene–phosphinidene characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis. Moreover, ¹H, ³¹P, and also ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopic data supported the formulation of the products. The theoretical calculations of compound 2 are in good agreement with the experimental results.     

A Triatomic Silicon(0) Cluster Stabilized by a Cyclic Alkyl(amino) Carbene

Reduction of the neutral carbene tetrachlorosilane adduct (cAAC)SiCl₄ (cAAC=cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene :C(CMe₂)₂(CH₂)N(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with potassium graphite produces stable (cAAC)₃Si₃, a carbene‐stabilized triatomic silicon(0) molecule. The Si?Si bond lengths in (cAAC)₃Si₃ are 2.399(8), 2.369(8) and 2.398(8) Å, which are in the range of Si?Si single bonds. Each trigonal pyramidal silicon atom of the triangular molecule (cAAC)₃Si₃ possesses a lone pair of electrons. Its bonding, stability, and electron density distributions were studied by quantum chemical calculations.     

A soluble molecular variant of the semiconducting silicondiselenide

Silicondiselenide is a semiconductor and exists as an insoluble polymer (SiSe₂)_n which is prepared by reacting elemental silicon with selenium powder in the temperature range of 400–850 °C. Herein, we report on the synthesis, isolation, and characterization of carbene stabilized molecular silicondiselenide in the form of (cAAC)₂Si₂Se₄ (3) [cAAC = cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene]. 3 is synthesized via reaction of diatomic silicon(0) compound (cAAC)₂Si₂ (2) with black selenium powder at –78 °C to room temperature. The intensely orange colored compound 3 is soluble in polar organic solvents and stable at room temperature for a month under an inert atmosphere. 3 decomposes above 245 °C. The molecular structure of 3 has been confirmed by X-ray single crystal diffraction. It is also characterized by UV-vis, IR, Raman spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The stability, bonding, and electron density distributions of 3 have been studied by theoretical calculations.     

Stabilization of a Two‐Coordinate Mononuclear Cobalt(0) Compound

Compound (Me₂‐cAAC:)₂Co⁰ ( 2 ; Me₂‐cAAC:=cyclic (alkyl) amino carbene; :C(CH₂)(CMe₂)₂N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) was synthesized by the reduction of the precursor (Me₂‐cAAC:)₂Co^ICl ( 1 ) with KC₈ in THF. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 exhibited one‐electron reduction, which suggests that synthesis of a bent 2‐metallaallene ( 2 ) from 1 should be possible. Compound 2 contains one cobalt atom in the formal oxidation state zero, which is stabilized by two Me₂‐cAAC: ligands. Bond lengths from X‐ray diffraction are 1.871(2) and 1.877(2) Å with a C‐Co‐C bond angle of 170.12(8)°. The EPR spectrum of 2 exhibited a broad resonance attributed to the unique quasi‐linear structure, which favors near degeneracy and gives rise to very rapid relaxation conditions. The cAAC?Co bond in 2 can be considered as a typical Dewar–Chatt–Duncanson type of bonding, which in turn retains 2.5 electron pairs on the Co atom as nonbonding electrons.     

A Stable Neutral Radical in the Coordination Sphere of Aluminum

The neutral radical (Me₂‐cAAC)₂AlCl₂ ( 2 ) is stabilized by cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (cAACs). Complex 2 was synthesized by reduction of the Me₂‐cAAC:→AlCl₃ ( 1 ) adduct with KC₈ in the presence of another equivalent of Me₂‐cAAC. The crystal structure of 2 shows that the Al−C bond lengths of the two carbenes bound to the Al center are considerably different, which is likely the result of intermolecular interactions. Quantum‐chemical calculations from the gas phase give an equilibrium structure with identical Al−C bond lengths. Compound 2 exhibits monoradical character, which was confirmed by EPR measurements. A bonding analysis indicates that the unpaired electron resides mainly at the carbene carbon atoms. Compound 2 is an example for an unusual neutral Al radical.     

Activation of Elemental Sulfur at a Two‐Coordinate Platinum(0) Center

Platinum dichalcogenides have been known to exhibit two‐dimensional layered structures. Herein, we describe the syntheses, isolation, and characterization of air‐stable crystalline cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC)‐supported monomeric platinum disulfide three‐membered ring complex [(cAAC)₂Pt(S₂)] ( 2 ). The highly reactive platinum(0) [(cAAC)₂Pt] complex ( 1 ) with two‐coordinate platinum activates elemental sulfur to give 2 . The brown crystals of bis‐carbene platinum(II)monosulfate [(cAAC)₂Pt(SO₄)_x(S₂)_1?x] ( 4 ) have been isolated when the reaction was performed in air. The dioxygen analogue of 2 was formed upon exposing the THF solution of 1 to aerial oxygen (O₂). The binding of oxygen at the Pt⁰ center was found to be reversible. Additionally, DFT study has been performed to elucidate the electronic structure and bonding scenario of 2 , 3 , and 4 . Quantum chemical calculations showed donor–acceptor‐type interaction for the Pt?S bonds in 2 and Pt?O bonds in 3 and 4 .     

Diradicaloid or Zwitterionic Character: The Non‐Tetrahedral Unsaturated Compound [Si4{N(SiMe3)Dipp}4] with a Butterfly‐type Si4 Substructure

The reduction of the tribromoamidosilane {N(SiMe₃)Dipp}SiBr₃ (Dipp=2,6‐i Pr₂C₆H₃) with potassium graphite or magnesium resulted in the formation of [Si₄{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄] ( 1 ), a bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasilatetraamide. The Si₄ motif in 1 does not adopt a tetrahedral substructure and exhibits two three‐coordinate and two four‐coordinate silicon atoms. The electronic situation on the three‐coordinate silicon atoms is rationalized with positive and negative polarization based on EPR analysis, magnetization measurements, and DFT calculations as well as ²⁹Si CP MAS NMR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy in solution. Reactivity studies with 1 and radical scavengers confirmed the partial charge separation. Compound 1 reacts with sulfur to give a novel type of silicon sulfur cage compound substituted with an amido ligand, [Si₄S₃{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₄] ( 2 ).     

Generation of Dicoordinate Boron(I) Units by Fragmentation of a Tetra‐Boron(I) Molecular Square

Reduction of carbene‐borane adduct [(cAAC)BBr₂(CN)] (cAAC=1‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐3,3,5,5‐tetramethylpyrrolidin‐2‐ylidene) cleanly yielded the tetra(cyanoborylene) species [(cAAC)B(CN)]₄ presenting a 12‐membered (BCN)₄ ring. The analysis of the Kohn–Sham molecular orbitals showed significant borylene character of the B^I atoms. [(cAAC)B(CN)]₄ was found to reduce two equivalents of AgCN per boron center to yield [(cAAC)B(CN)₃] and fragmented into two‐coordinate boron(I) units upon reaction with IMeMe (1,3,4,5‐tetramethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) to yield the corresponding tricoordinate mixed cAAC‐NHC cyanoborylene. The analogous cAAC‐phosphine cyanoborylene was obtained by reduction of [(cAAC)BBr₂(CN)] in the presence of excess phosphine.     

Synthesis of Cyclic Alkyl(amino) Carbene Stabilized Silylenes with Small N-Donating Substituents

Lewis base cAACs stabilized monomeric silylenes with halogen or methyl substituents at the silicon center have not been reported due to the strong σ-donor and π-acceptor character of cAAC. To prepare these monomeric silylenes, we used the silicon(IV) precursors 5 and 6 with a nitrogen donor group L (L=o-C₆H₄NMe₂). The cAAC-stabilized (cAAC=C(CH₂)(CMe₂)₂N-Ar, Ar=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) silylenes LSiCl(cAAC) ( 7 ) and LSiMe(cAAC) ( 8 ) were synthesized by reduction of LSiCl₃ and LSiMeCl₂ with two equivalents of KC₈ in the presence of one equivalent of cAAC, respectively. Compounds 7 and 8 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Compounds 7 and 8 are stable in the solid state as well as in solution at room temperature for at least four months under inert conditions.     

Strain in nonclassical silicon hydrides: An insight into the “ultrastability” of sila‐bi[6]prismane (Si18H12) cluster with the endohedrally trapped silicon atom,Si19H12

The recently postulated concept of “ultrastability” and “electron‐deficient aromaticity” (Vach, Nano Lett 2011, 11, 5477; Vach, J Chem Theory Comput 2012, 8, 2088) in a sila‐bi[6]prismane having an additional entrapped silicon atom, Si₁₉H₁₂, has been disproved on the basis of a careful analysis of the energetic characteristics related to the formation of this and other silicon hydrides. The central silicon atom in Si₁₉H₁₂ is weaker bound to other silicon atoms than in conventional tetrahedral silanes; moreover, Si₁₉H₁₂ possesses a significant amount of strain. The role of strain in the formation of the title compounds has been further rationalized by calculating the relative energies for the transformation to a half‐planar conformation in methane and in silane and by calculating the respective strain energies. The strain energy value in Si₁₈H₁₂ is equal to 9.93 eV whereas the same property for Si₁₉H₁₂ lies in range of 6.42–8.85 eV. Two low‐energy isomers of Si₁₉H₁₂ which lie by 2.77 and 3.42 eV (!) lower in energy than the originally considered sila‐bi[6]prismane‐based structure have been proposed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

From Silylone to an Isolable Monomeric Silicon Disulfide Complex

The synthesis and characterization of the first bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene stabilized monomeric silicon disulfide (bis‐NHC)SiS₂ 2 (bis‐NHC=H₂C[{NC(H)C(H)N(Dipp)}C:]₂, Dipp=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) is reported. Compound 2 is prepared in 89 % yield from the reaction of the zero‐valent silicon complex (′silylone′) 1 [(bis‐NHC)Si] with elemental sulfur. Compound 2 can react with GaCl₃ in acetonitrile to give the corresponding (bis‐NHC)Si(S)S→GaCl₃ Lewis acid–base adduct 3 in 91 % yield. Compound 3 is also accessible through the reaction of the unprecedented silylone‐GaCl₃ adduct [(bis‐NHC)Si→GaCl₃] 4 with elemental sulfur. Compounds 2 , 3 , and 4 could be isolated and characterized by elemental analyses, HR‐MS, IR, ¹³C‐ and ²⁹Si‐NMR spectroscopy. The structures of 3 and 4 could be determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses. DFT‐derived bonding analyses of 2 and 3 exhibited highly polar Si S bonds with moderate p_π–p_π bonding character.     

Hypervalent Silicon Compounds by Coordination of Diphosphine–Silanes to Gold

Coordination of ambiphilic diphosphine–silane ligands [o‐(iPr₂P)C₆H₄]₂Si(R)F (R=F, Ph, Me) to AuCl affords pentacoordinate neutral silicon compounds in which the metal atom acts as a Lewis base. X‐ray diffraction analyses, NMR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations substantiate the presence of Au→Si interactions in these complexes, which result in trigonal‐bipyramidal geometries around silicon. The presence of a single electron‐withdrawing fluorine atom is sufficient to observe coordination of the silane as a σ‐acceptor ligand, provided it is positioned trans to gold. The nature of the second substituent at silicon (R=F, Ph, Me) has very little influence on the magnitude of the Au→Si interaction, in marked contrast to N→Si adducts. According to variable‐temperature and 2D EXSY NMR experiments, the apical/equatorial positions around silicon exchange in the slow regime of the NMR timescale. The two forms, with the fluorine atom in trans or cis position to gold, were characterized spectroscopically and the activation barrier for their interconversion was estimated. The bonding and relative stability of the two isomeric structures were assessed by DFT calculations.     

The Geometric Structure of Silver‐Doped Silicon Clusters

Cationic silver‐doped silicon clusters, Si_nAg⁺ (n=6–15), are studied using infrared multiple photon dissociation in combination with density functional theory computations. Candidate structures are identified using a basin‐hopping global optimizations method. Based on the comparison of experimental and calculated IR spectra for the identified low‐energy isomers, structures are assigned. It is found that all investigated clusters have exohedral structures, that is, the Ag atom is located at the surface. This is a surprising result because many transition‐metal dopant atoms have been shown to induce the formation of endohedral silicon clusters. The silicon framework of Si_nAg⁺ (n=7–9) has a pentagonal bipyramidal building block, whereas the larger Si_nAg⁺ (n=10–12, 14, 15) clusters have trigonal prism‐based structures. On comparing the structures of Si_nAg⁺ with those of Si_nCu⁺ (for n=6–11) it is found that both Cu and Ag adsorb on a surface site of bare Si_n⁺ clusters. However, the Ag dopant atom takes a lower coordinated site and is more weakly bound to the Si_n⁺ framework than the Cu dopant atom.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Singlet Delocalized 2,4‐Diimino‐1,3‐disilacyclobutanediyl and a Silylenylsilaimine

The synthesis and characterization of a singlet delocalized 2,4‐diimino‐1,3‐disilacyclobutanediyl, [LSi(μ‐CNAr)₂SiL] ( 2 , L: PhC(NtBu)₂, Ar: 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃), and a silylenylsilaimine, [LSi(?NAr)? SiL] ( 3 ), are described. The reaction of three equivalents of the disilylene [LSi? SiL] ( 1 ) with two equivalents of ArN?C?NAr in toluene at room temperature for 12 h afforded [LSi(μ‐CNAr)₂SiL] ( 2 ) and [LSi(?NAr)? SiL] ( 3 ) in a ratio of 1:2. Compounds 2 and 3 have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Compound 2 was also investigated by theoretical studies. The results show that compound 2 possesses singlet biradicaloid character with an extensive electronic delocalization throughout the Si₂C₂ four‐membered ring and exocyclic C?N bonds. Compound 3 is the first example of a silylenylsilaimine, which contains a low‐valent silicon center and a silaimine substituent. A mechanism for the formation of 2 and 3 is also proposed.     

Structures and electronic properties of the small rubidium‐doped silicon RbSin (n = 1–12) clusters

The geometries, relative stabilities, and electronic properties of small rubidium‐doped silicon clusters RbSi_n (n = 1–12) have been systematically investigated using the density functional theory at the B3LYP/GENECP level. The optimized structures show that lowest‐energy isomers of RbSi_n are similar with the ground state isomers of pure Si_n clusters and prefer the three‐dimensional for n = 3–12. The relative stabilities of RbSi_n clusters have been analyzed on the averaged binding energy, fragmentation energy, second‐order energy difference, and highest occupied molecular orbital‐lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy gap. The calculated results indicate that the doping of Rb atom enhances the chemical activity of Si_n frame and the magic number is RbSi₂. The Mulliken population analysis reveals that the charges in the corresponding RbSi_n clusters transfer from the Rb atom to Si atoms. The partial density of states and chemical hardness are also discussed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Unconventional Metal–Framework Interaction in MgSi5

The silicon‐rich cage compound MgSi₅ was obtained by high‐pressure high‐temperature synthesis. Initial crystal structure determination by electron diffraction tomography provided the basis for phase analyses in the process of synthesis optimization, finally facilitating the growth of single crystals suitable for X‐ray diffraction experiments. The crystal structure of MgSi₅ (space group Cmme, Pearson notation oS24, a=4.4868(2) Å, b=10.1066(5) Å, and c=9.0753(4) Å) constitutes a new type of framework of four‐bonded silicon atoms forming Si₁₅ cages enclosing the Mg atoms. Two types of smaller Si₈ cages remain empty. The atomic interactions are characterized by two‐center two‐electron bonds within the silicon framework. In addition, there is evidence for multi‐center Mg?Si bonding in the large cavities of the framework and for lone‐pair‐like interactions in the smaller empty voids.     

Isolation of Elusive Phosphinidene-Chlorotetrylenes: The Heavier Cyanogen Chloride Analogues

The elusive phosphinidene-chlorotetrylenes, [PGeCl] and [PSiCl] have been stabilized by the hetero-bileptic cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene (cAAC), N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, and isolated in the solid state at room temperature as the first neutral monomeric species of this class with the general formulae (L)P-ECl(L′) (E=Ge, 3 a – 3 c ; E=Si, 6 ; L=cAAC; L′=NHC). Compounds 3 a – 3 c have been synthesized by the reaction of cAAC-supported potassium phosphinidenides [cAAC=PK(THF)_x]_n ( 1 a – 1 c ) with the adduct NHC:→GeCl₂ ( 2 ). Similarly, compound 6 has been synthesized via reaction of 1 a with NHC:→SiCl₂ adduct ( 4 ). Compounds 3 a – 3 c , and 6 have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometric analysis. DFT calculations revealed that the heteroatom P in 3 bears two lone pairs; the non-bonding pair with 67.8 % of s- and 32 % of p character, whereas the other lone pair is involved in π backdonation to the C_cAAC-N π* of cAAC. The Ge atom in 3 contains a lone pair with 80 % of s character, and slightly involved in the π backdonation to C_NHC. EDA-NOCV analyses showed that two charged doublet fragments {(cAAC)(NHC)}⁺, and {PGeCl}⁻ prefer to form one covalent electron-sharing σ bond, one dative σ bond, one dative π bond, and a charge polarized weak π bond. The covalent electron-sharing σ bond contributes to the major stabilization energy to the total orbital interaction energy of 3 , enabling the first successful isolations of this class of compounds ( 3 , 6 ) in the laboratory.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of a pyridine-stabilized germanone

The first isolable pyridine‐stabilized germanone has been prepared and its reactivity toward trimethylaluminum has been investigated. The germanone adduct results from a stepwise conversion that starts from 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and the ylide‐like N‐heterocyclic germylene LGe: (L=CH{(C?CH₂)(CMe)[N(aryl)]₂}, aryl=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) ( 1 ) at room temperature, and gives the corresponding germylene–pyridine adduct L(DMAP)Ge: ( 2 ) in 91 % yield. The latter reacts with N₂O at room temperature to form the desired germanone complex L(DMAP)Ge?O ( 3 ) in 73 % yield. The Ge? O distance of 1.646(2) Å in 3 is the shortest hitherto reported for a Ge?O species. The reaction of 3 with trimethylaluminum leads solely to the addition product LGe(Me)O[Al(DMAP)Me₂] ( 4 ). The latter results from insertion of the Ge?O subunit into an Al? Me bond of AlMe₃ and concomitant migration of the DMAP ligand from germanium to the aluminum atom. Compounds 2 – 4 have been fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. Their molecular structures have been established by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

Three 2,5‐dialkoxy‐1,4‐diethynylbenzene derivatives

2,5‐Diethoxy‐1,4‐bis[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]benzene, C₂₀H₃₀O₂Si₂, (I), constitutes one of the first structurally characterized examples of a family of compounds, viz. the 2,5‐dialkoxy‐1,4‐bis[(trimethylsilyl)ethynyl]benzene derivatives, used in the preparation of oligo(phenyleneethynylene)s via Pd/Cu‐catalysed cross‐coupling. 2,5‐Diethoxy‐1,4‐diethynylbenzene, C₁₄H₁₄O₂, (II), results from protodesilylation of (I). 1,4‐Diethynyl‐2,5‐bis(heptyloxy)benzene, C₂₄H₃₄O₂, (III), is a long alkyloxy chain analogue of (II). The molecules of compounds (I)–(III) are located on sites with crystallographic inversion symmetry. The large substituents either in the alkynyl group or in the benzene ring have a marked effect on the packing and intermolecular interactions of adjacent molecules. All the compounds exhibit weak intermolecular interactions that are only slightly shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii of the interacting atoms. Compound (I) displays C—H...π interactions between the methylene H atoms and the acetylenic C atom. Compound (II) shows π–π interactions between the acetylenic C atoms, complemented by C—H...π interactions between the methyl H atoms and the acetylenic C atoms. Unlike (I) or (II), compound (III) has weak nonclassical hydrogen‐bond‐type interactions between the acetylenic H atoms and the ether O atoms.