Mechanistic insights into the C55-P targeting lipopeptide antibiotics revealed by structure–activity studies and high-resolution crystal structures

The continued rise of antibiotic resistance is a global concern that threatens to undermine many aspects of modern medical practice. Key to addressing this threat is the discovery and development of new antibiotics that operate by unexploited modes of action. The so-called calcium-dependent lipopeptide antibiotics (CDAs) are an important emerging class of natural products that provides a source of new antibiotic agents rich in structural and mechanistic diversity. Notable in this regard is the subset of CDAs comprising the laspartomycins and amphomycins/friulimicins that specifically target the bacterial cell wall precursor undecaprenyl phosphate (C₅₅-P). In this study we describe the design and synthesis of new C₅₅-P-targeting CDAs with structural features drawn from both the laspartomycin and amphomycin/friulimicin classes. Assessment of these lipopeptides revealed previously unknown and surprisingly subtle structural features that are required for antibacterial activity. High-resolution crystal structures further indicate that the amphomycin/friulimicin-like lipopeptides adopt a unique crystal packing that governs their interaction with C₅₅-P and provides an explanation for their antibacterial effect. In addition, live-cell microscopy studies provide further insights into the biological activity of the C₅₅-P targeting CDAs highlighting their unique mechanism of action relative to the clinically used CDA daptomycin.

Structural and mechanistic studies give new insights into calcium-dependent lipopeptide antibiotics that target C₅₅-P.     

New insights into the folding–unfolding mechanism and conformations of cytochrome C

Metalloproteins account for over one-third of all proteins in nature and play important roles in biological processes. The formation of the native structures of metalloproteins requires not only the correct folding of the polypeptide chains but also the proper incorporation of metal cofactors. Understanding the folding mechanism of metalloproteins has been challenging. Horse heart cytochrome C (cytc) is a classical model system for protein folding studies. Although a large number of ensemble studies have been carried out to characterize the folding mechanism of cytc, there is still a significant debate on the folding mechanism and the existence of the proposed “foldons”. Here, we used single-molecule optical tweezers to probe the mechanical folding–unfolding behaviors of cytc at the single-molecule level. By directly monitoring the folding and unfolding of holo-cytc, we revealed novel insights into the folding of cytc. Our results showed that the structural elements that are distant from the N- and C-termini can exist as a short-lived intermediate, a finding that contrasts with the general belief that the folding and packing of the N- and C-terminal helices are prerequisites for the folding of other structural elements in cytc. In addition, our results present strong evidence that apo-cytc, which has been long believed to be a random coil, is not a true random coil, and weak interactions within the unfolded polypeptide chain exist. Our results bring new insights into our understanding of the folding mechanisms of heme proteins as well as the role of heme in the folding process.

Optical trapping experiments offer new insights into the folding and unfolding of cytochrome C.     

Eight new crystal structures of 5‐(hydroxymethyl)uracil, 5‐carboxyuracil and 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil: insights into the hydrogen‐bonded networks and the predominant conformations of the C5‐bound residues

In order to examine the preferred hydrogen‐bonding pattern of various uracil derivatives, namely 5‐(hydroxymethyl)uracil, 5‐carboxyuracil and 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil, and for a conformational study, crystallization experiments yielded eight different structures: 5‐(hydroxymethyl)uracil, C₅H₆N₂O₃, (I), 5‐carboxyuracil–N,N‐dimethylformamide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₄·C₃H₇NO, (II), 5‐carboxyuracil–dimethyl sulfoxide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₄·C₂H₆OS, (III), 5‐carboxyuracil–N,N‐dimethylacetamide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₄·C₄H₉NO, (IV), 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil–N,N‐dimethylformamide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₃S·C₃H₇NO, (V), 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil–dimethyl sulfoxide (1/1), C₅H₄N₂O₃S·C₂H₆OS, (VI), 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil–1,4‐dioxane (2/3), 2C₅H₄N₂O₃S·3C₆H₁₂O₃, (VII), and 5‐carboxy‐2‐thiouracil, C₁₀H₈N₄O₆S₂, (VIII). While the six solvated structures, i.e. (II)–(VII), contain intramolecular S(6) O—H…O hydrogen‐bond motifs between the carboxy and carbonyl groups, the usually favoured R₂²(8) pattern between two carboxy groups is formed in the solvent‐free structure, i.e. (VIII). Further R₂²(8) hydrogen‐bond motifs involving either two N—H…O or two N—H…S hydrogen bonds were observed in three crystal structures, namely (I), (IV) and (VIII). In all eight structures, the residue at the ring 5‐position shows a coplanar arrangement with respect to the pyrimidine ring which is in agreement with a search of the Cambridge Structural Database for six‐membered cyclic compounds containing a carboxy group. The search confirmed that coplanarity between the carboxy group and the cyclic residue is strongly favoured.     

Experimental and computational insights into the mechanism of FLP mediated selective C–F bond activation

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) comprising of B(C₆F₅)₃ (BCF) and 2,4,6-triphenylpyridine (TPPy), P(o-Tol)₃ or tetrahydrothiophene (THT) have been shown to mediate selective C–F activation in both geminal and chemically equivalent distal C–F sites. In comparison to other reported attempts of C–F activation using BCF, these reactions appear surprisingly facile. We investigate this reaction through a combination of experimental and computational chemistry to understand the mechanism of the initial C–F activation event and the origin of the selectivity that prevents subsequent C–F activation in the monoactivated salts. We find that C–F activation likely occurs via a Lewis acid assisted S_N1 type pathway as opposed to a concerted FLP pathway (although the use of an FLP is important to elevate the ground state energy), where BCF is sufficiently Lewis acidic to overcome the kinetic barrier for C–F activation in benzotrifluorides. The resultant intermediate salts of the form [ArCF₂(LB)][BF(C₆F₅)₃] (LB = Lewis base) are relatively thermodynamically unstable, and an equilibrium operates between the fluorocarbon/FLP and their activation products. As such, the use of a fluoride sequestering reagent such as Me₃SiNTf₂ is key to the realisation of the forward C–F activation reaction in benzotrifluorides. Selectivity in this reaction can be attributed to both the installation of bulky Lewis bases geminal to residual C–F sites and from electronic re-ordering of kinetic barriers (of C–F sites in products and starting materials) arising from the electron withdrawing nature of the pyridinium, phosphonium and sulfonium groups.

A combined computational and experimental study reveals the mechanism for selective C–F activation by frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) comprising of B(C₆F₅)₃ (BCF) and 2,4,6-triphenylpyridine (TPPy), P(o-Tol)₃ or tetrahydrothiophene (THT).     

Mechanistic insights into the reaction of CF3CCl3 with SO3: Theory and experiment

Reaction mechanism of 1,1,1-trifluorotrichloroethane (CF₃CCl₃) and sulphur trioxide (SO₃) in the presence of mercury salts (Hg₂SO₄ and HgSO₄) was studied applying the density functional theory (DFT) at the UB3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level. It was found that this reaction occurs in the free radical chain path as follows: mercury(I) sulphate free radical is generated by heat, causing CF₃CCl₃ to produce the CF₃CCl₂ free radical which reacts with SO₃ leading to the formation of CF₃CCl₂OSO₂ decomposing into CF₃COCl and SO₂Cl. The SO₂Cl free radical triggers CF₃CCl₃ to regenerate CF₃CCl₂ which recycles the free radical growth reaction. This elementary reaction has the highest energy barrier and it is therefore the rate control step of the whole reaction path. Experiment data can confirm the existence of the mercury(I) salt free radical and the free radical initiation stage. So, mercury salts play the role of initiators not that of catalysts. The results agree well with our hypothesis.     

A Unified Strategy to 6–5–6–5–6‐Membered Epipolythiodiketopiperazines: Studies towards the Total Synthesis of Scabrosin Diacetate and Haematocin

The family of epipolythiodiketopiperazine (ETP) natural products consists of over 200 members possessing a wide diversity of structures and biological activity. Recently, the subgroup of 6–5–6–5–6‐membered ETPs has gained substantial attention, which has resulted in several total syntheses. Despite all the efforts that have been invested into accessing these complex structures, no synthesis of scabrosin diacetate ( 1 a ) and its related esters has been reported. Herein, our attempts towards scabrosin diacetate ( 1 a ) and haematocin ( 3 ) starting from diketopiperazine 12 a as a late‐stage intermediate are presented. Diketopiperazine 12 a can be conveniently accessed in multigram quantities from aldehyde 18 and diketopiperazine 21 and was envisioned to serve as a general platform for the synthesis of 6–5–6–5–6‐membered ETPs.     

Multicomponent syntheses of 5- and 6-membered aromatic heterocycles using group 4–8 transition metal catalysts

In this Perspective, we discuss recent syntheses of 5- and 6-membered aromatic heterocycles via multicomponent reactions (MCRs) that are catalyzed by group 4–8 transition metals. These MCRs can be categorized based on the substrate components used to generate the cyclized product, as well as on common mechanistic features between the catalyst systems. These particular groupings are intended to highlight mechanistic and strategic similarities between otherwise disparate transition metals and to encourage future work exploring related systems with otherwise-overlooked elements. Importantly, in many cases these early- to mid-transition metal catalysts have been shown to be as effective for heterocycle syntheses as the later (and more commonly implemented) group 9–11 metals.

In this Perspective, we discuss recent syntheses of 5- and 6-membered aromatic heterocycles via multicomponent reactions (MCRs) catalyzed by group 4–8 transition metals, with a focus on common mechanisms and synthetic strategies across the series.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of (−)‐Oseltamivir and Mechanistic Insights into the Organocatalyzed Michael Reaction

The one‐pot sequential synthesis of (?)‐oseltamivir has been achieved without evaporation or solvent exchange in 36 % yield over seven reactions. The key step was the asymmetric Michael reaction of pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with (Z)‐N‐2‐nitroethenylacetamide, catalyzed by a diphenylprolinol silyl ether. The use of a bulky O‐silyl‐substituted diphenylprolinol catalyst, chlorobenzene as a solvent, and HCO₂H as an acid additive, were key to produce the first Michael adduct in both excellent yield and excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity. Investigation into the effect of acid demonstrated that an acid additive accelerates not only the E–Z isomerization of the enamines derived from pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with diphenylprolinol silyl ether, but also ring opening of the cyclobutane intermediate and the addition reaction of the enamine to (Z)‐N‐2‐nitroethenylacetamide. The transition‐state model for the Michael reaction of pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with (Z)‐N‐2‐nitroethenylacetamide was proposed by consideration of the absolute configuration of the major and minor isomers of the Michael product with the results of the Michael reaction of pentan‐3‐yloxyacetaldehyde with phenylmaleimide and naphthoquinone.     

Structural insights into methyl‐ or methoxy‐substituted 1‐(α‐aminobenzyl)‐2‐naphthol structures: the role of C—H…π interactions

Aminobenzylnaphthols are a class of compounds containing a large aromatic molecular surface which makes them suitable candidates to study the role of C—H…π interactions. We have investigated the effect of methyl or methoxy substituents on the assembling of aromatic units by preparing and determining the crystal structures of (S,S)‐1‐{(4‐methylphenyl)[(1‐phenylethyl)amino]methyl}naphthalen‐2‐ol, C₂₆H₂₅NO, and (S,S)‐1‐{(4‐methoxyphenyl)[(1‐phenylethyl)amino]methyl}naphthalen‐2‐ol, C₂₆H₂₅NO₂. The methyl group influenced the overall crystal packing even if the H atoms of the methyl group did not participate directly either in hydrogen bonding or C—H…π interactions. The introduction of the methoxy moiety caused the formation of new hydrogen bonds, in which the O atom of the methoxy group was directly involved. Moreover, the methoxy group promoted the formation of an interesting C—H…π interaction which altered the orientation of an aromatic unit.     

Experimental and density functional theory insights into the effect of withdrawing ligands on the fluorescence yield of Ru(II)‐based complexes

The quality of emission spectra of metal complexes gives good insights into their performance in many optoelectronic applications. Herein, the effect of the number and position of various ligand structures on the emission spectra of Ru bipyridine complexes was studied. Specifically, the use of a different number of withdrawing groups (COOH) was investigated in detail. The complexes were first investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT calculations and then confirmed experimentally. The bandgap energy, reactivity, emission spectra and Stokes shift were found to depend on the number and position of the withdrawing groups attached to the Ru(bpy)₂²⁺ complexes. Upon increasing the number of withdrawing groups, the electrons were found to be withdrawn from the carbon orbitals and resonated to reach the metal, and accumulated around it, thus enhancing the metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer mechanism instead of the ligand‐to‐ligand charge transfer mechanism. The complexes with more withdrawing groups showed spectra with more intense emission peaks with shorter lifetime, indicating the enhancement in the photoactivity of the complexes. Ligands with ring nitrogens with two COOH groups showed the greatest effect on the enhancement of the emission spectra with a lifetime of 0.5359 ns. The resulting collective emission spectra covered a wide wavelength range, making the investigated complexes a good choice for many optoelectronic applications.     

Affinity capillary electrophoresis and density functional theory study of noncovalent interactions of cyclic peptide [Gly6]‐antamanide with small cations

ACE and density functional theory were employed to study the noncovalent interactions of cyclic decapeptide glycine‐6‐antamanide ([Gly⁶]AA), synthetic derivative of native antamanide (AA) peptide from the deadly poisonous fungus Amanita phalloides , with small cations (Li⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, NH₄⁺, and Ca²⁺) in methanol. The strength of these interactions was quantified by the apparent stability constants of the appropriate complexes determined by ACE. The stability constants were calculated using the nonlinear regression analysis of the dependence of the effective electrophoretic mobility of [Gly⁶]AA on the concentration of the above ions in the BGE (methanolic solution of 20 mM chloroacetic acid, 10 mM Tris, pH_MeOH 7.8, containing 0–70 mM concentrations of the above ions added in the form of chlorides). Prior to stability constant calculation, the effective mobilities measured at actual temperature inside the capillary and at variable ionic strength of the BGEs were corrected to the values corresponding to the reference temperature of 25°C and to the constant ionic strength of 10 mM. From the above ions, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ cations interacted weakly with [Gly⁶]AA but no interactions of [Gly⁶]AA with univalent Li⁺ and NH₄⁺ ions and divalent Ca²⁺ ion were observed. The apparent stability constants of [Gly⁶]AA‐Rb⁺ and [Gly⁶]AA‐Cs⁺ complexes were found to be equal to 13 ± 4 and 22 ± 3 L/mol, respectively. The structural characteristics of these complexes, such as position of the Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ ions in the cavity of the [Gly⁶]AA molecule and the interatomic distances within these complexes, were obtained by the density functional theory calculations.     

A Novel Method for the Introduction of a 5β‐Methyl Group into 4,5α‐Epoxymorphinan‐6‐ones via the Enol Ether

The introduction of a 5β‐methyl group into 14‐alkoxy substituted naltrexone derivatives was accomplished via the enol ethers 2a and 2b by means of the `LICKOR' (t‐BuLi/t‐BuOK) base system. According to this new method, the highly selective δ‐opioid antagonist HS 378 ( 7b ) and its 14‐methoxy analog 7a , both originally prepared in nine steps from thebaine, are now available in only four steps.     

Copper(II) Complexes of 5–Fluoro–Salicylaldehyde: Synthesis,Characterization, Antioxidant Properties,Interaction with DNA and Serum Albumins

The synthesis, characterization and biological profile (antioxidant capacity, interaction with calf-thymus DNA and serum albumins) of five neutral copper(II) complexes of 5–fluoro–salicylaldehyde in the absence or presence of the N,N’–donor co–ligands 2,2′–bipyridylamine, 2,9–dimethyl–1,10–phenanthroline, 1,10–phenanthroline and 2,2′–bipyridine are presented herein. The compounds were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The crystal structures of four complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The ability of the complexes to scavenge 1,1–diphenyl–picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′–azinobis(3–ethylbenzothiazoline–6–sulfonic acid) radicals and to reduce H₂O₂ was investigated in order to evaluate their antioxidant activity. The interaction of the compounds with calf-thymus DNA possibly takes place via intercalation as suggested by UV–vis spectroscopy and DNA–viscosity titration studies and via competitive studies with ethidium bromide. The affinity of the complexes with bovine and human serum albumins was examined by fluorescence emission spectroscopy revealing the tight and reversible binding of the complexes with the albumins.     

Structural Insights into the Host–Guest Complexation between β-Cyclodextrin and Bio-Conjugatable Adamantane Derivatives

Understanding the host–guest chemistry of α-/β-/γ- cyclodextrins (CDs) and a wide range of organic species are fundamentally attractive, and are finding broad contemporary applications toward developing efficient drug delivery systems. With the widely used β-CD as the host, we herein demonstrate that its inclusion behaviors toward an array of six simple and bio-conjugatable adamantane derivatives, namely, 1-adamantanol (adm-1-OH), 2-adamantanol (adm-2-OH), adamantan-1-amine (adm-1-NH₂), 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid (adm-1-COOH), 1,3-adamantanedicarboxylic acid (adm-1,3-diCOOH), and 2-[3-(carboxymethyl)-1-adamantyl]acetic acid (adm-1,3-diCH₂COOH), offer inclusion adducts with diverse adamantane-to-CD ratios and spatial guest locations. In all six cases, β-CD crystallizes as a pair supported by face-to-face hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups on C2 and C3 and their adjacent equivalents, giving rise to a truncated-cone-shaped cavity to accommodate one, two, or three adamantane derivatives. These inclusion complexes can be terminated as (adm-1-OH)₂⊂CD₂ (1, 2:2), (adm-2-OH)₃⊂CD₂ (2, 3:2), (adm-1-NH₂)₃⊂CD₂ (3, 3:2), (adm-1-COOH)₂⊂CD₂ (4, 2:2), (adm-1,3-diCOOH)⊂CD₂ (5, 1:2), and (adm-1,3-diCH₂COOH)⊂CD₂ (6, 1:2). This work may shed light on the design of nanomedicine with hierarchical structures, mediated by delicate cyclodextrin-based hosts and adamantane-appended drugs as the guests.     

Theoretical insights into the excited‐state process of 4‐tert‐butyl‐2‐(5‐(5‐tert‐butyl‐2‐methoxyphenyl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐phenol

In this paper, we theoretically explore the motivation and behaviors of the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction for a novel white organic light‐emitting diode (WOLED) material 4‐tert‐butyl‐2‐(5‐(5‐tert‐butyl‐2‐methoxyphenyl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazol‐2‐yl)‐phenol (t‐MTTH). The “atoms in molecules” (AIM) method is adopted to verify the formation and existence of the hydrogen bond O? H···N. By analyzing the excited‐state hydrogen bonding behaviors via changes in the chemical bonding and infrared (IR) vibrational spectra, we confirm that the intramolecular hydrogen bond O? H···N should be getting strengthened in the first excited state in four kinds of solvents, thus revealing the tendency of ESIPT reaction. Further, the role of charge‐transfer interaction is addressed under the frontier molecular orbitals (MOs), which depicts the nature of the electronic excited state and supports the ESIPT reaction. Also, the electron distribution confirms the ESIPT tendency once again. The scanned and optimized potential energy curves according to variational O? H coordinate in the solvents demonstrate that the proton transfer reaction should occur in the S₁ state, and the potential energy barriers along with ESIPT direction support this reaction. Based on the excited‐state behaviors reported in this work, the experimental spectral phenomenon has been reasonably explained.     

Similarities and differences in the structures of 5‐bromo‐6‐hydroxy‐7,8‐dimethylchroman‐2‐one and 6‐hydroxy‐7,8‐dimethyl‐5‐nitrochroman‐2‐one

The title compounds, C₁₁H₁₁BrO₃, (I), and C₁₁H₁₁NO₅, (II), respectively, are derivatives of 6‐hydroxy‐5,7,8‐trimethylchroman‐2‐one substituted at the 5‐position by a Br atom in (I) and by a nitro group in (II). The pyranone rings in both molecules adopt half‐chair conformations, and intramolecular O—H...Br [in (I)] and O—H...O_nitro [in (II)] hydrogen bonds affect the dispositions of the hydroxy groups. Classical intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds are found in both molecules but play quite dissimilar roles in the crystal structures. In (I), O—H...O hydrogen bonds form zigzag C(9) chains of molecules along the a axis. Because of the tetragonal symmetry, similar chains also form along b. In (II), however, similar contacts involving an O atom of the nitro group form inversion dimers and generate R₂²(12) rings. These also result in a close intermolecular O...O contact of 2.686 (4) Å. For (I), four additional C—H...O hydrogen bonds combine with π–π stacking interactions between the benzene rings to build an extensive three‐dimensional network with molecules stacked along the c axis. The packing in (II) is much simpler and centres on the inversion dimers formed through O—H...O contacts. These dimers are stacked through additional C—H...O hydrogen bonds, and further weak C—H...O interactions generate a three‐dimensional network of dimer stacks.     

Pentafluoro(aryl)‐λ6‐tellanes and Tetrafluoro(aryl)(trifluoromethyl)‐λ6‐tellanes: From SF5 to the TeF5 and TeF4CF3 Groups

The TeF₅ group is significantly underexplored as a highly fluorinated substituent on an organic framework, despite it being a larger congener of the acclaimed SF₅ group. In fact, only one aryl‐TeF₅ compound (phenyl‐TeF₅) has been reported to date, synthesized using XeF₂. Our recently developed mild TCICA/KF approach to oxidative fluorination provides an affordable and scalable alternative to XeF₂. Using this method, we report a scope of extensively characterized aryl‐TeF₅ compounds, along with the first SC‐XRD data on this compound class. The methodology was also extended to the synthesis and structural study of heretofore unknown aryl‐TeF₄CF₃ compounds. Additionally, preliminary reactivity studies unveiled some inconsistencies with previous literature regarding phenyl‐TeF₅. Although our studies conclude that the arene‐based TeF₅ (and TeF₄CF₃) group is not quite as robust as the SF₅ group, we find that the TeF₅ group is more stable than previously thought, thus opening a door to explore new applications of this motif.     

Properties of the Magnesium(II) and Calcium(II) Complexes of 5‐ and 6‐Uracilmethylphosphonate (5 Umpa2– and 6 Umpa2–) in Aqueous Solution

The stability constants of the 1 : 1 complexes formed between Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺ and 5 Umpa^2– or 6 Umpa^2– were determined by potentiometric pH titrations in aqueous solution (25 °C; I = 0.1 M, NaNO₃). Based on previously established log K^M_M(R‐PO3) versus pK^H_H(R‐PO3) straight‐line plots (M²⁺ = Mg²⁺ or Ca²⁺; R‐PO₃^2– = simple phosphate monoester or phosphonate ligands where R is a non‐interacting residue), it is shown that the Mg(5 Umpa), Ca(5 Umpa), Mg(6 Umpa) and Ca(6 Umpa) complexes have the stability expected on the basis of the basicity of the phosphonate group in 5 Umpa^2– and 6 Umpa^2–. This means, these ligands may be considered as simple analogues of nucleotides, e. g. of uridine 5′‐monophosphate. In the higher pH range deprotonation of the uracil residue in the M(5 Umpa) and M(6 Umpa) complexes occurs and this leads to the negatively charged M(5 Umpa–H)^– and M(6 Umpa–H)^– species. Based on the comparison of various acidity constants it is shown that the M(5 Umpa) complexes are especially acidic; or to say it differently, the M(5 Umpa–H)^– species are especially stable. This increased stability is attributed to the formation of a seven‐membered chelate involving next to the phosphonate group also the carbonyl oxygen atom at C4 (after deprotonation of the (N3)H site). The formation degree of this chelated isomer reaches about 45% for the Mg(5 Umpa–H)^– and Ca(5 Umpa–H)^– species. No indication for chelate formation was observed for the M(6 Umpa–H)^– complexes.     

Theoretical Investigation of Geometries and Bonding of Indium Hydrides in the In2Hx and In3Hy (x = 0–4,6; y = 0–5) Series

Boron hydrides have been an object of intensive theoretical and experimental investigation for many decades due to their unusual and somewhat unique bonding patterns. Despite boron being a neighboring element to carbon, boron hydrides almost always form non-classical structures with multi-center bonds. However, we expect indium to form its interesting molecules with non-classical patterns, though such molecules still need to be extensively studied theoretically. In this work, we investigated indium hydrides of In₂H_x (x = 0–4,6) and In₃H_y (y = 0–5) series via DFT and ab initio quantum chemistry methods, performing a global minimum search, chemical bonding analysis, and studies of their thermodynamical stability. We found that the bonding pattern of indium hydrides differs from the classical structures composed of 1c-2e lone pairs and 2c-2e bonds and the bonding pattern of earlier investigated boron hydrides of the B_nH_n+2 series. The studied stoichiometries are characterized by multi-center bonds, aromaticity, and the tendency for indium to preserve the 1c-2e lone pair.