Bond length and local energy density property connections for non-transition-metal oxide-bonded interactions

For a variety of molecules and earth materials, the theoretical local kinetic energy density, G(r(c)), increases and the local potential energy density, V(r(c)), decreases as the M-O bond lengths (M = first- and second-row metal atoms bonded to O) decrease and the electron density, rho(r(c)), accumulates at the bond critical points, r(c). Despite the claim that the local kinetic energy density per electronic charge, G(r(c))/rho(r(c)), classifies bonded interactions as shared interactions when less than unity and closed-shell when greater, the ratio was found to increase from 0.5 to 2.5 au as the local electronic energy density, H(r(c)) = G(r(c)) + V(r(c)), decreases and becomes progressively more negative. The ratio appears to be a measure of the character of a given M-O bonded interaction, the greater the ratio, the larger the value of rho(r(c)), the smaller the coordination number of the M atom and the more shared the bonded interaction. H(r(c))/rho(r(c)) versus G(r(c))/rho(r(c)) scatter diagrams categorize the M-O bonded interactions into domains with the local electronic energy density per electron charge, H(r(c))/rho(r(c)), tending to decrease as the electronegativity differences for the bonded pairs of atoms decrease. The values of G(r(c)) and V(r(c)), estimated with a gradient-corrected electron gas theory expression and the local virial theorem, are in good agreement with theoretical values, particularly for the bonded interactions involving second-row M atoms. The agreement is poorer for shared C-O and N-O bonded interactions.     

The structure and chemical bonding in the N(2)-CuX and N(2)...XCu (X = F, Cl, Br) systems studied by means of the molecular orbital and Quantum Chemical Topology methods

Ab initio studies carried out at the MP2(full)/6-311+G(2df) and MP2(full)/aug-cc-pVTZ-PP computational levels reveals that dinitrogen (N(2)) and cuprous halides (CuX, X = F, Cl, Br) form three types of systems with the side-on and end-on coordination of N(2): N[triple bond]N-CuX (C(infinity v)), N(2)-CuX (C(2v)) stabilized by the donor-acceptor bonds and weak van der Waals complexes N(2)...XCu (C(2v)) with dominant dispersive forces. An electron density transfer between the N(2) and CuX depends on type of the N(2) coordination and a comparison of the NPA charges yields the [N[triple bond]N](delta+)-[CuX](delta-) and [N(2)](delta-)-[CuX](delta+) formula. According to the NBO analysis, the Cu-N coordinate bonds are governed by predominant LP(N2)-->sigma*(Cu-X) "2e-delocalization" in the most stable N[triple bond]N-CuX systems, meanwhile back donation LP(Cu)-->pi*(N-N) prevails in less stable N(2)-CuX molecules. A topological analysis of the electron density (AIM) presents single BCP between the Cu and N nuclei in the N[triple bond]N-CuX, two BCPs corresponding to two donor-acceptor Cu-N bonds in the N(2)-CuX and single BCP between electron density maximum of the N[triple bond]N bond and halogen nucleus in the van der Waals complexes N(2)...XCu. In all systems values of the Laplacian nabla(2)rho(r)(r(BCP)) are positive and they decrease following a trend of the complex stability i.e. N[triple bond]N-CuX (C(infinity v)) > N(2)-CuX (C(2v)) > N(2)...XCu (C(2v)). A topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) reveals strongly ionic bond in isolated CuF and a contribution of covalent character in the Cu-Cl and Cu-Br bonds. The donor-acceptor bonds Cu-N are characterized by bonding disynaptic basins V(Cu,N) with attractors localized at positions corresponding to slightly distorted lone pairs V(N) in isolated N(2). In the N[triple bond]N-CuX systems, there were no creation of any new bonding attractors in regions where classically the donor-acceptor bonds are expected and there is no sign of typical covalent bond Cu-N with the bonding pair. Calculations carried out for the N[triple bond]N-CuX reveal small polarization of the electron density in the N[triple bond]N bond, which is reflected by the bond polarity index being in range of 0.14 (F) to 0.11 (Cl).     

Crystal Structure, Electrical Transport, and Magnetic Properties of Niobium Monophosphide

Large single crystals of NbP have been prepared. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study shows that it crystallizes in tetragonal symmetry with space group I4(1)md (No. 109) and lattice parameters a = 3.3324(2) ?, c = 11.3705(7) ?, and Z = 4. A full matrix least-squares refinement based on a unique data set of 285 reflections (I> 2sigma(I)) yielded R(F) = 0.017 and R(w)(F(2)) = 0.046 for nine variables. The unit cell consists of one unique Nb and one P, each in trigonal prismatic coordination with the other element. There are two short and four long bond distances of Nb-P. The Nb-Nb bond distances are significantly shorter than R(c) = 4.09 ?, the critical distance required for good Nb-Nb 4d orbital overlap for niobium metal-metal bonds. NbP shows metallic behavior with rho = 4.5 x 10(-)(5) Omega cm at room temperature. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on a collection of randomly oriented single crystals indicate very weak Pauli paramagnetism ( approximately 10(-)(5) emu/mol). A discussion of the structure as well as the physical properties of NbP compared with those of previous results are presented. The band structure of NbP based on the extended Hückel (tight-binding) calculations is presented along with an analysis that reveals that the valence band is built up from three center bonds localized within Nb(3) triangles.     

Use of oxidation-state differences and molecular orbitals to interpret bonding in the series ONXYZ (X, Y, Z=H, F, Cl), HNNX3, HNNX2Y, and HNNXY2 (X, Y=H, F) and OCX3-, OCX2Y-, and OCXY2- (X, Y=H, F)

Bonding in the series ONXYZ (X, Y, Z=H, F, Cl), HNNX3, HNNX2Y, HNNXY2 (X, Y=H, F), and OCX3-, OCX2Y-, OCXY2- (X, Y=H, F) shows evidence of a significant ionic contribution modifying the underlying covalent bonding. Increased ionic character can be correlated with oxidation-state differences between the bound atoms and is expressed in terms of shorter bond lengths. All members of the series, with the exception of ONH3, HNNH3, and OCH3-, possess a multiple O-N, N-N, or C-O bond modified by the ionic character of that bond. The O-N, N-N, and O-C single bonds in ONH3, HNNH3, and OCH3-, respectively, show some variation in length relative to "typical" single bonds of these types due to differences in ionic character. The two highest-occupied molecular orbitals in the ONXYZ or OCXYZ- (X, Y, Z=H, F) series which are piNO or piCO (when X=Y=Z=H) exhibit a distinct shift in their nodal plane as hydrogen is replaced by fluorine. The nodal plane moves from a location between the oxygen and the nitrogen or carbon to between the nitrogen or carbon and the fluorines impacting on the nature and length of the bonds joining these atoms. The pattern of N-F and C-F bond lengths in the series, ONH3-ONF3 and OCH3--OCF3-, respectively, lends support to the idea of resonance structures of the form ONXY+ F- or OCXY F- (where X, Y=H, F).     

Comparative study of the bonding in the first series of transition metal 1:1 complexes M-L (M = Sc, ..., Cu; L = CO, N(2), C(2)H(2), CN(-), NH(3), H(2)O, and F(-))

The nature of the chemical bonding in the 1:1 complexes formed by the fourth period transition metals (Sc, ..., Cu) with 14 electrons (N(2), CN(-), C(2)H(2)) and 10 electrons (NH(3), H(2)O, F(-)) ligands has been investigated at the ROB3LYP/6-311+G(2d) level by the ELF topological approach. The bonding is ruled by the nature of the ligand. The 10 electrons and anionic ligands are very poor electron acceptors and therefore the interaction with the metal is mostly electrostatic and for all metal except Cr the multiplicity is given by the [Ar]c(n)() configuration of the metallic core (n = Z - 20). The electron acceptor ligands which have at least a lone pair form linear or bent complexes involving a dative bond with the metal and the rules proposed previously for monocarbonyls hold. In the case of ethyne, it is not possible to form a linear complex and the cyclic C(2)(v)() structure imposed by symmetry possesses two covalent M-C bonds, therefore the multiplicity is given by the local core configuration [Ar]c(n)() for all metals except Mn and Ni.     

Theoretical study of the interaction between HNZ (Z = O, S) and H(2)XNH(2) (X = B, Al). Conventional and dihydrogen bonds

Theoretical calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level are used to analyze the interaction between HNZ (Z = O, S) and H(2)XNH(2) (X = B, Al). In the most stable conformation, the complexes are cyclic, the molecules being held together by conventional NHZ hydrogen bonds and by XHHN dihydrogen bonds. Binding energies including ZPE- and BSSE-corrections lie in the range 6.2-6.9 kJ mol(-1) and there is little sensitivity to the nature of the X and Z atoms. In the XHHN dihydrogen bonds, the NH stretching vibrations are blue-shifted in the HNO complexes and red-shifted in the H(2)AlNH(2)-HNS complex. In the conventional NHZ hydrogen bonds, the NH stretching vibrations are red-shifted. The topological parameters at the bond critical point are in the usual range for hydrogen or dihydrogen bonds. A natural bond orbital analysis including the calculation of the atomic charges, hybridization, occupation of the antibonding orbitals and hyperconjugation energies shows that the shifts of the NH stretching vibrations in the conventional and dihydrogen bonds are mainly determined by the changes in occupation of the sigma*(NH) antibonding orbitals. The mechanism of intramolecular coupling is discussed and appears to be different for the HNO and HNS complexes. The analysis of all the theoretical data reveals that the NHZ bonds are stronger in the H(2)BNH(2) than in the H(2)AlNH(2) systems and that the XHHN dihydrogen bonds are stronger in the H(2)AlNH(2) than in the H(2)BNH(2) complexes.     

Saturated Heavier Group 14 Compounds as ‐Electron‐Acceptor (Z‐Type) Ligands

This review article describes the chemistry of transition‐metal complexes containing heavier group 14 elements (Si, Ge, and Sn) as the σ‐electron‐acceptor (Z‐type) ligands and discusses the characteristics of bonds between the transition metal and Z‐type ligand. Moreover, we review the iridium hydride mediated cleavage of E–X bonds (E=Si, Ge; X=F, Cl), where the key intermediates are pentacoordinate silicon or germanium compounds bearing a dative M→E bond.     

Syntheses and Structures of the Complexes cis-[M(C(6)F(5))(2)(N&arcraise;X)] (M = Pd, Pt; N&arcraise;X = 2-Iodoaniline, 2-Benzoylpyridine) Containing N&arcraise;X Acting as a Didentate Chelating Ligand and Displaying I-->M or O-->M Interactions

Complexes cis-[M(C(6)F(5))(2)(THF)(2)] (M = Pd, Pt) are weak Lewis acids and react with the halocarbon ligand 2-iodoaniline (R-I) yielding the corresponding cis-[M(C(6)F(5))(2)(R-I)] [M = Pd (1), Pt (2)]. In these complexes a (C-)I-M bond is present. The use of other 2-haloanilines (halogen = F, Cl, Br) does not yield the analogous complexes because of the lesser nucleophilic character of the halogen involved. The presence of the (C-)I-Pt bond in 2 has been confirmed by an X-ray structure determination, which also reveals an N-H.M hydrogen bond between two neutral molecules. Complex 2 crystallizes in the space group P&onemacr;: Z = 4; a = 11.797(4) ?; b = 13.735(4) ?; c = 14.107(4) ?; alpha = 97.24(2) degrees; beta = 90.91(2) degrees; gamma = 99.44(2) degrees; V = 2235(2) ?(3). Similarly, complexes cis-[M(C(6)X(5))(2)(THF)(2)] (M = Pd, Pt; X = F, Cl) react with the ligand 2-benzoylpyridine {R-C(O)Ph}, in which the oxygen atom of the ketonic group can behave as a nucleophilic center, yielding the complexes cis-[M(C(6)X(5))(2){R-C(O)Ph}] [M = Pd, X = F (3); M = Pt, X = F (4), Cl (5)]. Complex 3 crystallizes in the space group C2/c: Z = 16; a = 26.284(3) ?; b = 10.623(1) ?; c = 31.423(4) ?; beta = 93.15(1) degrees; V = 8760(2) ?(3). The I-M or O-M bonds in complexes 1-5 are weak and can be easily broken by the addition of neutral (CO, PPh(3), and CH(3)CN) or anionic (Br(-)) ligands.     

Diboron Bonds Between BX3 (X=H,F, CH3) and BYZ2 (Y=H,F; Z=CO,N2, CNH)

The ability of B atoms on two different molecules to engage with one another in a noncovalent diboron bond is studied by ab initio calculations. Due to electron donation from its substituents, the trivalent B atom of BYZ₂ (Z=CO, N₂, and CNH; Y=H and F) has the ability to in turn donate charge to the B of a BX₃ molecule (X=H, F, and CH₃), thus forming a B⋅⋅⋅B diboron bond. These bonds are of two different strengths and character. BH(CO)₂ and BH(CNH)₂, and their fluorosubstituted analogues BF(CO)₂ and BF(CNH)₂, engage in a typical noncovalent bond with B(CH₃)₃ and BF₃, with interaction energies in the 3–8 kcal/mol range. Certain other combinations result in a much stronger diboron bond, in the 26–44 kcal/mol range, and with a high degree of covalent character. Bonds of this type occur when BH₃ is added to BH(CO)₂, BH(CNH)₂, BH(N₂)₂, and BF(CO)₂, or in the complexes of BH(N₂)₂ with B(CH₃)₃ and BF₃. The weaker noncovalent bonds are held together by roughly equal electrostatic and dispersion components, complemented by smaller polarization energy, while polarization is primarily responsible for the stronger ones.     

Transition-state variation in the nucleophilic substitution reactions of aryl bis(4-methoxyphenyl) phosphates with pyridines in acetonitrile

The kinetics and mechanism of the reactions of Z-aryl bis(4-methoxyphenyl) phosphates, (4-MeOC(6)H(4)O)(2)P(=O)OC(6)H(4)Z, with pyridines (XC(5)H(4)N) are investigated in acetonitrile at 55.0 degrees C. In the case of more basic phenolate leaving groups (Z = 4-Cl, 3-CN), the magnitudes of beta(X) (beta(nuc)) and beta(Z) (beta(lg)) indicate that mechanism changes from a concerted process (beta(X) = 0.22-0.36, beta(Z) = -0.42 to -0.56) for the weakly basic pyridines (X = 3-Cl, 4-CN) to a stepwise process with rate-limiting formation of a trigonal bipyramidal pentacoordinate (TBP-5C) intermediate (beta(X) = 0.09-0.14, beta(Z) = -0.08 to -0.28) for the more basic pyridines (X = 4-NH(2), 3-CH(3)). This proposal is supported by a large negative cross-interaction constant (rho(XZ) = -1.98) for the former and a positive rho(XZ) (+0.97) for the latter processes. In the case of less basic phenolate leaving groups (Z = 3-CN, 4-NO(2)), the unusually small magnitude of beta(Z) values is indicative of a direct backside attack TBP-5C TS in which the two apical sites are occupied by the nucleophile and leaving group, ap(NX)-ap(LZ). The instability of the putative TBP-5C intermediate leading to a concerted displacement is considered to result from relatively strong proximate charge transfer interactions between the pi-lone pairs on the directly bonded equatorial oxygen atoms and the apical bond (n(O)(eq) - sigma(ap)). These are supported by the results of natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses at the NBO-HF/6-311+G//B3LYP/6-311+G level of theory.     

Density functional study of the sigma and pi bond activation at the Pd=X (X = Sn, Si, C) bonds of the (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd=XH2 complexes. Is the bond cleavage homolytic or heterolytic?

The mechanism for the activation of the sigma bonds, the O-H of H2O, C-H of CH4, and the H-H of H2, and the pi bonds, the C[triple bond]C of C2H2, C=C of C2H4, and the C=O of HCHO, at the Pd=X (X = Sn, Si, C) bonds of the model complexes (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd=XH2 5 has been theoretically investigated using a density functional method (B3LYP). The reaction is significantly affected by the electronic nature of the Pd=X bond, and the mechanism is changed depending on the atom X. The activation of the O-H bond with the lone pair electron is heterolytic at the Pd=X (X = Sn, Si) bonds, while it is homolytic at the Pd=C bond. The C-H and H-H bonds without the lone pair electron are also heterolytically activated at the Pd=X bonds independent of the atom X, where the hydrogen is extracted as a proton by the Pd atom in the case of X = Sn, Si and by the C atom in the case of X=C because the nucleophile is switched between the Pd and X atoms depending on the atom X. In contrast, the pi bond activation of C[triple bond]C and C=C at the Pd=Sn bond proceeds homolytically, and is accompanied by the rotation of the (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd group around the Pd-Sn axis to successfully complete the reaction by both the electron donation from the pi orbital to Sn p orbital and the back-donation from the Pd dpi orbital to the pi orbital. On the other hand, the activation of the C=O pi bond with the lone pair electron at the Pd=Sn bond has two reaction pathways: one is homolytic with the rotation of the (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd group and the other is heterolytic without the rotation. The role of the ligands controlling the activation mechanism, which is heterolytic or homolytic, is discussed.     

Halogen-hydride interaction between Z-X (Z = CN, NC; X = F, Cl, Br) and H-Mg-Y (Y = H, F, Cl, Br, CH3)

Halogen-hydride interactions between Z-X (Z = CN, NC and X = F, Cl, Br) as halogen donor and H-Mg-Y (Y = H, F, Cl, Br, CH(3)) as electron donor have been investigated through the use of Becke three-parameter hybrid exchange with Lee-Yang-Parr correlation (B3LYP), second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2), and coupled-cluster single and double excitation (with triple excitations) [CCSD(T)] approaches. Geometry changes during the halogen-hydride interaction are accompanied by a mutual polarization of both partners with some charge transfer occurring from the electron donor subunit. Interaction energies computed at MP2 level vary from -1.23 to -2.99 kJ/mol for Z-F···H-Mg-Y complexes, indicating that the fluorine interactions are relatively very weak but not negligible. Instead, for chlorine- and bromine-containing complexes the interaction energies span from -5.78 to a maximum of -26.42 kJ/mol, which intimate that the interactions are comparable to conventional hydrogen bonding. Moreover, the calculated interaction energy was found to increase in magnitude with increasing positive electrostatic potential on the extension of Z-X bond. Analysis of geometric, vibrational frequency shift and the interaction energies indicates that, depending on the halogen, CN-X···H interactions are about 1.3-2.0 times stronger than NC-X···H interactions in which the halogen bonds to carbon. We also identified a clear dependence of the halogen-hydride bond strength on the electron-donating or -withdrawing effect of the substituent in the H-Mg-Y subunits. Furthermore, the electronic and structural properties of the resulting complexes have been unveiled by means of the atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses. Finally, several correlative relationships between interaction energies and various properties such as binding distance, frequency shift, molecular electrostatic potential, and intermolecular density at bond critical point have been checked for all studied systems.     

Prediction and characterization of a new kind of alkali--superhalogen species with considerable stability: MBeX(3) (M = Li, Na; X = F, Cl, Br)

The geometries of the MBeX(3) (M = Li, Na; X = F, Cl, Br) series with all real frequencies are reported using the B3LYP and MP2 methods with the 6-311+G(d) basis set. The natural bond orbital (NBO) and atom in molecule (AIM) analyses indicate the ionic character of the M-X bonds connecting the alkali atom M and the superhalogen BeX(3). The introduction of a counterion M(+) only slightly affects the geometry of BeX(3)(-), but produces a more stable species. The bond energies (E(b)) and vertical ionization potentials (VIP) of the MBeX(3) species are obtained at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(3df) level. These alkali-superhalogen species exhibit large E(b) (130.4-222.3 kcal mol(-1)) and VIP values (9.46-14.05 eV) to show considerable stabilities. In addition, both E(b)s and VIPs of MBeX(3) are found to be closely related to the electronegativity of the X ligands and partial atomic charges.     

Synthesis and structural comparison of a series of divalent Ln(Tp(R,R)')2 (Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb) and trivalent Sm(Tp(Me2))2X (X = F, Cl, I, BPh4) complexes

Reaction of LnI2 (Ln = Sm, Yb) with two equivalents of NaTp(Me2) or reduction of Eu(Tp(Me2))2OTf gives good yields of the highly insoluble homoleptic Ln(II) complexes, Ln(Tp(Me2))2 (Ln = Sm (1a), Yb (2a), Eu (3a)). Use of the additionally 4-ethyl substituted Tp(Me2,4Et) ligand produces the analogous, but soluble Ln(Tp(Me2,4Et))2 (1-3b) complexes. Soluble compounds are also obtained with the Tp(Ph) and Tp(Tn) ligands (Tn = thienyl), Ln(Tp(Ph))2 (Ln = Sm, 1c; Yb, 2c) and Ln(Tp(Tn))2 (Ln = Sm, 1d; Yb, 2d). To provide benchmark parameters for structural comparison the series of Sm(Tp(Me2))2X complexes (X = F, 1e; Cl, 1f; Br, 1g; I, 1h; BPh4, 1j) were prepared either via oxidation of the Sm(Tp(Me2))2 or salt metathesis from SmX3 (X = Cl, Br, I). The solid-state structures of 1-3a, 1b, 1-2c and 1e, 1f, 1h, and 1j were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The homoleptic bis-Tp complexes are all six-coordinate with trigonal antiprismatic geometries, planes of the kappa(3)-Tp ligands are parallel to one another. In the series of Sm(Tp(Me2))2X complexes the structure changes from seven-coordinate molecular compounds, with intact Sm-X bonds, for X = F, Cl, to six-coordinate ionic structures [Sm(Tp(Me2))2]X (X = I, BPh4), suitable crystals of the bromide compound could not be obtained. The dependence of the structures on the size of X is understandable in terms of the interplay between the size of the cleft that the [Sm(Tp(Me2))2](+) fragment can make available and the donor ability of the anionic group toward the hard Sm(III) center.     

Hydrogen bonding in phenol, water, and phenol-water clusters

Structure, stability, and hydrogen-bonding interaction in phenol, water, and phenol-water clusters have been investigated using ab initio and density functional theoretical (DFT) methods and using various topological features of electron density. Calculated interaction energies at MP2/6-31G level for clusters with similar hydrogen-bonding pattern reveal that intermolecular interaction in phenol clusters is slightly stronger than in water clusters. However, fusion of phenol and water clusters leads to stability that is akin to that of H(2)O clusters. The presence of hydrogen bond critical points (HBCP) and the values of rho(r(c)) and nabla(2)rho(r(c)) at the HBCPs provide an insight into the nature of closed shell interaction in hydrogen-bonded clusters. It is shown that the calculated values of total rho(r(c)) and nabla(2)rho(r(c)) of all the clusters vary linearly with the interaction energy.     

DFT study on the reed diethylaluminum cation-like system: structure and bonding in Et(2)Al(CB(11)H(6)X(6)) (X = Cl, Br)

Electronic and molecular structure has been investigated in the diethylaluminum cation-like system Et(2)Al(CB(11)H(6)X(6)) (1, X = Cl; 2, X = Br) and neutral compounds AlX(3) (X = Cl, Br, Me, C(6)H(5)) with DFT B3LYP and BP86 levels of theory. The calculated geometries of Et(2)Al(CB(11)H(6)X(6)) (1, X = Cl; 2, X = Br) are in excellent agreement with those determined experimentally by X-ray crystallography. The Al-X bond distances 2.442, 2.445 A in 1 and 2.579, 2.589 A in 2 are longer than those expected for single bonds based on covalent radius predictions (Al-Cl = 2.15 A and Al-Br = 2.32 A) and those observed for bridged Al-X-Al bonds (2.21 A in Al(2)Cl(6), 2.33 A in Al(2)Br(6)) and are close to sum of ionic radii of Al(3+) and X(-) (Al-Cl = 2.35 A and Al-Br = 2.50 A). The optimized geometries of the neutral compounds AlX(3) (X = Cl, Br, Me(3), C(6)H(5)) at BP86/TZ2P show Al-Cl = 2.088 A in AlCl(3), Al-Br = 2.234 A in AlBr(3), Al-C = 1.973 A in AlMe(3), Al-C = 2.255 A in Al(C(6)F(5))(3). These bond distances are similar to those expected for single bonds based on covalent radius predictions. The calculated charge distribution indicates that the aluminum atom carries a significant positive charge while the ethyl and carborane groups are negatively charged. The Cl and Br atoms in compounds 1 and 2 are slightly positive while, in neutral compounds AlX(3) (X = Cl, Br, Me(3), C(6)H(5)), X is negatively charged. Energy decomposition analysis of Et(2)Al(delta)(+)(carborane)(delta)(-) shows that the bonding between the fragments is more than half electrostatic. The ionic character of the Al...Cl bonds in compound 1(59.8%) is greater than the Al.Br bonds in the compound 2 (57.9%). This quantifies and gives legitimacy to the designation of these types of compounds as "ion-like". The Al-X bonding in AlX(3) is mainly covalent with percentage ionic character 28.2% in AlCl(3), 31.5% in AlBr(3), 25.6% in AlMe(3), 18.4% in Al(C(6)F(5))(3).     

Preparation and Characterization of Halogen-Boron-Phosphorus Compounds. X-ray Crystal Structures of X(3)B.P(SiMe(3))(3) and [X(2)BP(SiMe(3))(2)](2) (X = Cl, Br)

The 1:1 mole ratio reactions of boron trihalides (BX(3)) with tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine [P(SiMe(3))(3)] produced 1:1 Lewis acid/base adducts [X(3)B.P(SiMe(3))(3), X = Cl (1), Br (2), I (5)]. Analogous 1:1 mole ratio reactions of these boron trihalides with lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphide [LiP(SiMe(3))(2)] produced dimeric boron-phosphorus ring compounds {[X(2)BP(SiMe(3))(2)](2), X = Br (3), Cl (4)}. X-ray crystallographic studies were successfully conducted on compounds 1-4. Compound 1 crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Pbca, with a = 13.420(3) ?, b = 17.044(5) ?, c = 21.731(7) ?, V = 4970.6(25) ?(3), and D(calc) = 1.229 g cm(-3) for Z = 8; the B-P bond length was 2.022(9) ?, Compound 2 crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Pbca, with a = 13.581(6) ?, b = 17.106(7) ?, c = 22.021(9) ?, V = 5116(4) ?(3), and D(calc) = 1.540 g cm(-3) for Z = 8; the B-P bond length was 2.00(2) ?. Compound 3 crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, with a = 9.063(5) ?, b = 16.391(8) ?, c = 9.331(4) ?, V = 1379.2(12) ?(3), and D(calc) = 1.676 g cm(-3) for Z = 2; the B-P bond length was 2.023(10) ?. Compound 4 crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, with a = 9.143(5) ?, b = 16.021(8) ?, c = 9.170(4) ?, V = 1342.2(11) ?(3), and D(calc) = 1.282 g cm(-3) for Z = 2; the B-P bond length was 2.025(3) ?. Thermal decomposition studies were performed on compounds 1-4, yielding colored powders with boron:phosphorus ratios greater than 1:1 and significant C and H contamination indicated by elemental analyses.     

Periodic trends in bond dissociation energies. A theoretical study

Bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of all possible A-X single bonds involving the first- and second-row atoms, from Li to Cl, where the free valences are saturated by hydrogens, have been estimated through the use of the G3-theory and at the B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2pd)//B3LYP/6-31G(2df,p) DFT level of theory. BDEs exhibit a periodical behavior. The A-X (A = Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, and Si) BDEs show a steady increase along the first and the second row of the periodic table as a function of the atomic number Z(X). For A-X bonds involving electronegative atoms (A = C, N, O, F, P, S, and Cl) the bond energies achieve a maximum around Z(X) = 5. The same behavior is observed when BDEs are plotted against the electronegativity chi(X) of the atom X. Thus, for A-X bonds (A = Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, Si), the BDEs for a fixed A increases, grosso modo, as the electronegativity differences between X and A increase, with some exceptions, which reflect the differences in the relaxation energies of the radicals produced upon the bond cleavage. A similar trend, albeit less pronounced, is found for single A-X bonds, where A = C, N, O, F, P, S, and Cl. However, there is an additional feature embodied in the enhancement of the strength of the A-boron bonds due to the ability of boron to act as a strong electron acceptor. The trends in bond lengths and charge densities at the bond critical points are in line with the aforementioned behavior.     

Effects of molecular structure on the stability of a thermotropic liquid crystal. Gas electron diffraction study of the molecular structure of phenyl benzoate.

As a model of the core of molecules forming liquid crystals, the molecular structure of phenyl benzoate (Ph-C(=O)-O-Ph) at 409 K was determined by gas electron diffraction, and the relationship between the gas-phase structures of model compounds and the nematic-to-liquid transition temperatures was studied. Structural constraints were obtained from RHF/6-31G ab initio calculations. Vibrational mean amplitudes and shrinkage corrections were calculated from the harmonic force constants given by normal coordinate analysis. Thermal vibrations were treated as small-amplitude motions, except for the phenyl torsion, which was treated as a large-amplitude motion. The potential function for torsion was assumed to be V(phi(1),phi(2)) = V(12)(1 - cos 2phi(1))/2 + V(14)(1 - cos 4phi(1))/2 + V(22)(1 - cos 2phi(2))/2, where phi(1) and phi(2) denote the torsional angles around the C-Ph and O-Ph bonds, respectively. The potential constants (V(ij)()/kcal mol(-)(1)) and the principal structure parameters (r(g)/A, angle(alpha)/deg) with the estimated limits of error (3sigma) are as follows: V(12) = -1.3 (assumed); V(14) = -0.5(9); V(22) = 3.5(15); r(C=O) = 1.208(4); r(C(=O)-O) = 1.362(6); r(C(=O)-O) - r(O-C) = -0.044 (assumed); r(C(=O)-C) = 1.478(10); = 1.396(1); angleOCO = 124.2(13); angleO=CC = 127.3(12); angleCOC = 121.4(22); ( angleOCC(cis) - angleOCC(trans))/2 = 3.0(15); ( angleC(=O)CC(cis) - angleC(=O)CC(trans))/2 = 4.8(17), where < > means an average value and C-C(cis) and C-C(trans) bonds are cis and trans to the C(=O)-O bond, respectively. The torsional angle around the O-Ph bond was determined to be 64(+26,-12) degrees. An apparent correlation was found between the contributions of the cores to the clearing point of liquid crystals and the gas-phase structures of model compounds of the cores of mesogens, i.e., phenyl benzoate, trans-azobenzene (t-AB), N-benzylideneaniline, N-benzylideneaniline N-oxide (NBANO), trans-azoxybenzene (t-AXB), and trans-stilbene. The structures of t-AB, NBANO, and t-AXB have been obtained by our research group.     

Photoelectron imaging and theoretical studies of group 11 cyanides MCN (M = Cu, Ag, Au)

Photodetachment of group 11 cyanide anions MCN(-) (M = Cu, Ag, Au) has been investigated using photoelectron velocity-map imaging. The electron affinities (EAs) of CuCN (1.468(26)) and AgCN (1.602(22)) are larger, while that of AuCN (2.066(8)) is smaller than those of the free atoms. This intriguing observation was confirmed by theoretical studies and was assigned to the transition between ionic and covalent bond properties. The harmonic frequencies of the extended vibrational progressions in the M-C stretching mode are 460(50), 385(27), and 502(10) cm(-1), respectively, which suggests a stronger bond for Au-CN than for Ag-CN. Electronic structure analysis and model calculations suggest that all M-C bonds in group 11 cyanides are best described as single bonds. A model has been proposed to explain how the relativistic effects influence the Au-C bond strength in AuCN.