Abstract: | Semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations were carried out for the compounds (C2H5)3As, (C2H5)3Ga and RAsH2 (R = C2H5, i-C3H7, i-C4H9, and t-C4H9) by using the CNDO/2-U program, and their capability of β-elimination reaction is compared on the basis of the torsion energy to the transition state, electrostatic interactions and orbital overlapping between the central atom and the β-hydrogen, and bond order of the metal-carbon, and carbon-hydrogen bond. In the comparison of (C2H5)3As with (C2H5)3Ga, we found that the β-elimination of (C2H5)3As could hardly be expected to take place in the thermal decomposition. The capability of β-elimination would be smaller in C2H5AsH2 than that in (C2H5)3As. Moreover when the ethyl group is replaced by a t-butyl group in RAsH2, the β-elimination reaction appears to become more difficult and a large possibility for a radical process is suggested. |