Comparison of σ-/π-Hole Tetrel Bonds between TH3F/F2TO and H2CX (X=O,S, Se)

Several σ-hole and π-hole tetrel-bonded complexes with a base H₂CX (X=O, S, Se) have been studied, in which TH₃F (T=C−Pb) and F₂TO (T=C and Si) act as the σ-hole and π-hole donors, respectively. Generally, these complexes are combined with a primary tetrel bond and a weak H-bond. Only one minimum tetrel-bonded structure is found for TH₃F, whereas two minima tetrel-bonded complexes for some F₂TO. H₂CX is favorable to engage in the π-hole complex with F₂TO relative to TH₃F in most cases, and this preference further expands for the Si complex. Particularly, the double π-hole complex between F₂SiO and H₂CX (X=S and Se) has an interaction energy exceeding 500 kJ/mol, corresponding to a covalent-bonded complex with the huge orbital interaction and polarization energy. Both the σ-hole interaction and the π-hole interaction are weaker for the heavier chalcogen atom, while the π-hole interaction involving F₂TO (T=Ge, Sn, and Pb) has an opposite change. Both types of interactions are electrostatic in nature although comparable contributions from dispersion and polarization are respectively important for the weaker and stronger interactions.     

Chalcogen Bond Involving Zinc(II)/Cadmium(II) Carbonate and Its Enhancement by Spodium Bond

Carbonate MCO₃ (M = Zn, Cd) can act as both Lewis acid and base to engage in a spodium bond with nitrogen-containing bases (HCN, NHCH₂, and NH₃) and a chalcogen bond with SeHX (X = F, Cl, OH, OCH₃, NH₂, and NHCH₃), respectively. There is also a weak hydrogen bond in the chalcogen-bonded dyads. Both chalcogen and hydrogen bonds become stronger in the order of F > Cl > OH > OCH₃ > NH₂ > NHCH₃. The chalcogen-bonded dyads are stabilized by a combination of electrostatic and charge transfer interactions. The interaction energy of chalcogen-bonded dyad is less than −10 kcal/mol at most cases. Furthermore, the chalcogen bond can be strengthened through coexistence with a spodium bond in N-base-MCO₃-SeHX. The enhancement of chalcogen bond is primarily attributed to the charge transfer interaction. Additionally, the spodium bond is also enhanced by the chalcogen bond although the corresponding enhancing effect is small.     

Insight into Spodium–π Bonding Characteristics of the MX2⋯π (M = Zn,Cd and Hg; X = Cl,Br and I) Complexes—A Theoretical Study

The spodium–π bonding between MX₂ (M = Zn, Cd, and Hg; X = Cl, Br, and I) acting as a Lewis acid, and C₂H₂/C₂H₄ acting as a Lewis base was studied by ab initio calculations. Two types of structures of cross (T) and parallel (P) forms are obtained. For the T form, the X–M–X axis adopts a cross configuration with the molecular axis of C≡C or C=C, but both of them are parallel in the P form. NCI, AIM, and electron density shifts analyses further, indicating that the spodium–π bonding exists in the binary complexes. Spodium–π bonding exhibits a partially covalent nature characterized with a negative energy density and large interaction energy. With the increase of electronegativity of the substituents on the Lewis acid or its decrease in the Lewis base, the interaction energies increase and vice versa. The spodium–π interaction is dominated by electrostatic interaction in most complexes, whereas dispersion and electrostatic energies are responsible for the stability of the MX₂⋯C₂F₂ complexes. The spodium–π bonding further complements the concept of the spodium bond and provides a wider range of research on the adjustment of the strength of spodium bond.     

Competition between Halogen Bonding and π‐Hole Interactions Involving Various Donors: The Role of Dispersion Effects

In this study several σ‐ and π‐hole complexes between IF and pnicogen ZO₂F (Z=P, As), chalcogen ChO₃ (Ch=S, Se) and tetrel TrOF₂ (Tr=Si, Ge) ‐bearing compounds were optimized at the RI‐MP2/def2‐TZVPD level of theory. All complexes were characterized as minima by frequency analysis calculations. In addition, a comparative CCSD(T) and DFT (with and without dispersion correction) study using the BP86, B3LYP and M06‐2X method was done in order to analyze the role of dispersion effects in the σ‐/π‐hole binding. Finally the Bader’s AIM analysis of several complexes was performed to further characterize the interactions discussed herein.     

Competition between chalcogen bond and halogen bond interactions in YOX<Subscript>4</Subscript>:NH<Subscript>3</Subscript> (Y = S,Se; X = F,Cl, Br) complexes: An ab initio investigation

Using ab initio calculations, the geometries, interaction energies and bonding properties of chalcogen bond and halogen bond interactions between YOX₄ (Y = S, Se; X = F, Cl, Br) and NH₃ molecules are studied. These binary complexes are formed through the interaction of a positive electrostatic potential region (σ-hole) on the YOX₄ with the negative region in the NH₃. The ab initio calculations are carried out at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level, through analysis of molecular electrostatic potentials, quantum theory of atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital methods. Our results indicate that even though the chalcogen and halogen bonds are mainly dominated by electrostatic effects, but the polarization and dispersion effects also make important contributions to the total interaction energy of these complexes. The examination of interaction energies suggests that the chalcogen bond is always favored over the halogen bond for all of the binary YOX₄:NH₃ complexes.     

A Quantitative Molecular Orbital Perspective of the Chalcogen Bond

We have quantum chemically analyzed the structure and stability of archetypal chalcogen-bonded model complexes D₂Ch⋅⋅⋅A⁻ (Ch = O, S, Se, Te; D, A = F, Cl, Br) using relativistic density functional theory at ZORA-M06/QZ4P. Our purpose is twofold: (i) to compute accurate trends in chalcogen-bond strength based on a set of consistent data; and (ii) to rationalize these trends in terms of detailed analyses of the bonding mechanism based on quantitative Kohn-Sham molecular orbital (KS-MO) theory in combination with a canonical energy decomposition analysis (EDA). At odds with the commonly accepted view of chalcogen bonding as a predominantly electrostatic phenomenon, we find that chalcogen bonds, just as hydrogen and halogen bonds, have a significant covalent character stemming from strong HOMO−LUMO interactions. Besides providing significantly to the bond strength, these orbital interactions are also manifested by the structural distortions they induce as well as the associated charge transfer from A⁻ to D₂Ch.     

二元和三元复合物中阳离子硫键与磷键的理论研究

采用MP2/cc-pVDZ和cc-pVTZ基组分别对复合物XH₂S⁺…NCH₂P和NCH₂P…PyX(X=NH₂, CH₃, H, CN, F, Cl, Br)中的硫键和磷键进行了研究, 讨论了键长、 键临界点的电荷密度(ρ)、 拉普拉斯密度(▽²ρ)、 范德华表面穿透距离、 二阶稳定化能和电荷转移量对硫键和磷键相互作用能的影响. 结果表明, 当取代基X为吸电子基团时, 形成的硫键较强. 当X为给电子基团时, 形成的磷键较强. 利用能量分解方法分析了取代基—CN导致硫键稳定性反常的可能原因. 还进一步讨论了三元复合物H₃S⁺…NCH₂P…PyX(X=NH₂, CH₃, H, CN, F, Cl, Br)中硫键和磷键的协同相互作用以及取代基对复合物稳定性的影响. 并通过对比相同的2种单体在三元复合物和二元复合物中的二阶稳定化能和相互作用能的差值, 说明了硫键与磷键起到相互促进的正协同作用, 增强了三元复合物的稳定性.     

A Combined Experimental/Quantum-Chemical Study of Tetrel,Pnictogen, and Chalcogen Bonds of Linear Triatomic Molecules

Linear triatomic molecules (CO₂, N₂O, and OCS) are scrutinized for their propensity to form perpendicular tetrel (CO₂ and OCS) or pnictogen (N₂O) bonds with Lewis bases (dimethyl ether and trimethyl amine) as compared with their tendency to form end-on chalcogen bonds. Comparison of the IR spectra of the complexes with the corresponding monomers in cryogenic solutions in liquid argon enables to determine the stoichiometry and the nature of the complexes. In the present cases, perpendicular tetrel and pnictogen 1:1 complexes are identified mainly on the basis of the lifting of the degenerate ν 2 bending mode with the appearance of both a blue and a red shift. Van ′t Hoff plots of equilibrium constants as a function of temperature lead to complexation enthalpies that, when converted to complexation energies, form the first series of experimental complexation energies on sp¹ tetrel bonds in the literature, directly comparable to quantum-chemically obtained values. Their order of magnitude corresponds with what can be expected on the basis of experimental work on halogen and chalcogen bonds and previous computational work on tetrel bonds. Both the order of magnitude and sequence are in fair agreement with both CCSD(T) and DFA calculations, certainly when taking into account the small differences in complexation energies of the different complexes (often not more than a few kJ mol⁻¹) and the experimental error. It should, however, be noted that the OCS chalcogen complexes are not identified experimentally, most probably owing to entropic effects. For a given Lewis base, the stability sequence of the complexes is first successfully interpreted via a classical electrostatic quadrupole–dipole moment model, highlighting the importance of the magnitude and sign of the quadrupole moment of the Lewis acid. This approach is validated by a subsequent analysis of the molecular electrostatic potential, scrutinizing the σ and π holes, as well as the evolution in preference for chalcogen versus tetrel bonds when passing to “higher” chalcogens in agreement with the evolution of the quadrupole moment. The energy decomposition analysis gives further support to the importance/dominance of electrostatic effects, as it turns out to be the largest attractive term in all cases considered, followed by the orbital interaction and the dispersion term. The natural orbitals for chemical valence highlight the sequence of charge transfer in the orbital interaction term, which is dominated by an electron-donating effect of the N or O lone-pair(s) of the base to the central atom of the triatomics, with its value being lower than in the case of comparable halogen bonding situations. The effect is appreciably larger for TMA, in line with its much higher basicity than DME, explaining the comparable complexation energies for DME and TMA despite the much larger dipole moment for DME.     

H2XP…SHY复合物中磷键与硫键的理论研究

用从头算量子化学方法MP2 与CCSD(T)研究了H₂XP和SHY (X, Y=H, F, Cl, Br)分子的P与S之间形成的磷键X―P…S与硫键Y―S…P的本质与规律以及取代基X与Y对成键的影响. 计算结果表明, 硫键比磷键强, 连接在Lewis 酸上的取代基的电负性增大导致形成的磷键或硫键增强, 键能增大, 对单体的结构和性质的影响也增大; 而连接在Lewis 碱上的取代基效应则相反. 硫键键能为8.37-23.45 kJ·mol^-1, 最强的硫键结构是Y 电负性最大而X 电负性最小的HFS…PH₃, CCSD(T)计算的键能是16.04 kJ·mol^-1; 磷键键能为7.54-14.65 kJ·mol^-1, 最强的磷键结构是X 电负性最大而Y 电负性最小的H₂FP…SH₂, CCSD(T)计算的键能是12.52 kJ·mol^-1. 对磷键与硫键能量贡献较大的是交换与静电作用. 分子间超共轭lp(S)-σ^*(PX)与lp(P)-σ^*(SY)对磷键与硫键的形成起着重要作用, 它导致单体的极化, 其中硫键的极化效应较大, 从而有一定的共价特征.     

Competition between Inter and Intramolecular Tetrel Bonds: Theoretical Studies Complemented by CSD Survey

Crystal structures document the ability of a TF₃ group (T=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) situated on a naphthalene system to engage in an intramolecular tetrel bond (TB) with an amino group on the adjoining ring. Ab initio calculations evaluate the strength of this bond and evaluate whether it can influence the ability of the T atom to engage in a second, intermolecular TB with another nucleophile. A very strong CN⁻ anionic base can approach the T either along the extension of a T−C or T−F bond and form a strong TB with an interaction energy approaching 100 kcal/mol, although this bond is weakened a bit by the presence of the internal T⋅⋅⋅N bond. The much less potent NCH base engages in a correspondingly longer and weaker TB, less than 10 kcal/mol. Such an intermolecular TB is weakened by the presence of the internal TB, to the point that it only occurs for the two heavier tetrel atoms Sn and Pb.     

Noncovalent Bonds between Tetrel Atoms

The pairing of TFH₃ with a TH₂CH₃⁻ anion, where T represents tetrel atoms C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, results in a strong direct interaction between the two T atoms. The interaction energy is sensitive to the nature of the two T atoms but can be as large as 90 kcal/mol. The noncovalent bond strength rises quickly as the basic T atom of the anion becomes smaller, or as the Lewis acid T grows larger, although there is less sensitivity to the latter atom. The electrostatic component makes up some 55–70 % of the total attraction energy. This term is well accounted for by simple combination of the maximum and minimum values of the molecular electrostatic potential of the Lewis acid and base units, respectively. The complexation induces a rearrangement in the TFH₃ molecule from tetrahedral to trigonal pyramidal. The associated deformation energy reduces the exothermicity of the complexation reaction. Electron density shift patterns reveal a density loss on the basic T atom, along with accompanying increases on the acidic T and its attached F atom.     

Enantioseparation of 5,5′-Dibromo-2,2′-dichloro-3-selanyl-4,4′-bipyridines on Polysaccharide-Based Chiral Stationary Phases: Exploring Chalcogen Bonds in Liquid-Phase Chromatography

The chalcogen bond (ChB) is a noncovalent interaction based on electrophilic features of regions of electron charge density depletion (σ-holes) located on bound atoms of group VI. The σ-holes of sulfur and heavy chalcogen atoms (Se, Te) (donors) can interact through their positive electrostatic potential (V) with nucleophilic partners such as lone pairs, π-clouds, and anions (acceptors). In the last few years, promising applications of ChBs in catalysis, crystal engineering, molecular biology, and supramolecular chemistry have been reported. Recently, we explored the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) enantioseparation of fluorinated 3-arylthio-4,4′-bipyridines containing sulfur atoms as ChB donors. Following this study, herein we describe the comparative enantioseparation of three 5,5′-dibromo-2,2′-dichloro-3-selanyl-4,4′-bipyridines on polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) aiming to understand function and potentialities of selenium σ-holes in the enantiodiscrimination process. The impact of the chalcogen substituent on enantioseparation was explored by using sulfur and non-chalcogen derivatives as reference substances for comparison. Our investigation also focused on the function of the perfluorinated aromatic ring as a π-hole donor recognition site. Thermodynamic quantities associated with the enantioseparation were derived from van’t Hoff plots and local electron charge density of specific molecular regions of the interacting partners were inspected in terms of calculated V. On this basis, by correlating theoretical data and experimental results, the participation of ChBs and π-hole bonds in the enantiodiscrimination process was reasonably confirmed.     

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.     

Three-membered cyclic digermylenes stabilised by an N-heterocyclic carbene

Treatment of potassium salts of silole dianions with donor stabilised germanium dichlorides gave the anticipated silagermafulvenylidenes R₂Si = Ge(Do) (R₂Si = 1-silacyclopentadiendiyl, Do = N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)) only as transient intermediates in a side reaction. They were detected by NMR spectroscopy and, in one case, the formal dimer, 2,4-disila-1λ³,3λ³-digermetane, was isolated. The main products of these reactions are sila-bis-λ³-germiranes, i.e. directly interconnected digermylenes that are part of a three-membered ring. The structural data, supported by the results of density functional calculations confirm the digermylene nature of these products with a long inner cyclic Ge–Ge bond that decreases the inherent high ring strain in silagermiranes.

The reaction of silole dianions with NHC stabilised germanium dichloride affords 3-sila-1l³,2l³-digermiranes, three-membered ring compounds that are directly interconnected digermylenes.     

Triel–hydride triel bond between ZX3 (Z = B and Al; X = H and Me) and THMe3 (T = Si,Ge and Sn)

Complexes between THMe₃ (T = Si, Ge and Sn) and ZX₃ (Z = B and Al; X = H and Me) have been characterized using MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ calculations. These complexes are chiefly stabilized by a triel–hydride triel bond with the T–H bond pointing to the π‐hole on the triel atom. The triel–hydride interaction is mainly attributed to the charge transfer from the T–H bond orbital to the empty p orbital of the triel atom. These complexes are very stable with a large interaction energy (>10 kcal mol^?1) excluding THMe₃···BMe₃ (T = Si and Ge), indicating that the sp²‐hydridized triel atom has a strong affinity for the T–H bond. The formation of THMe₃···BH₃ results in proton transfer, characterized by conversion of orbital interaction and large charge transfer (ca 0.5e). The large deformation is primarily responsible for the abnormally greater interaction energy in THMe₃···BH₃ (>30 kcal mol^?1) than in the AlH₃ analogue. Methyl substitution on the triel atom weakens the triel–hydride interaction and causes a larger interaction energy in THMe₃···AlMe₃ with respect to its BMe₃ counterpart. Most of these interactions possess characteristics of covalent bonds. Polarization makes a contribution to the stability of most complexes nearly equivalent to the electrostatic term.     

Theoretical investigations on the weak nonbonded CS···CH2 interactions: Chalcogen‐bonded complexes with singlet carbene as an electron donor

In this article, we explored the noncovalent bonding interactions between O?C?S, S?C?S, F₂C?S, Cl₂C?S, and singlet carbene. Six chalcogen‐bonded complexes were obtained. It is found that all the vibrational frequencies of C?S bond presented a red shift character. Interaction energy, topology property of the electron density and its Laplacian, and the donor–acceptor interaction have been investigated. All these results show that there exists a weak nonbonded interaction between the chalcogen bond donor and CH₂. An energy decomposition analysis was performed to disclose that the electrostatic interaction is the main stabilized factor in these nonbonded complexes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

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.     

Prominent enhancing effects of substituents on the strength of π···σ‐hole tetrel bond

The potential applications of tetrel bonds involving π‐molecules in crystal materials and biological systems have prompted a theoretical investigation of the strength of π···σ‐hole tetrel bond in the systems with acetylene and its derivatives of CH₃, AuPH₃, Li, and Na as well as benzene as the π electron donors. A weak tetrel bond (ΔE < 15 kJ/mol) is found between acetylene and tetrel donor molecule TH₃F (T = C, Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb). All substituents strengthen the π tetrel bond, but the electron‐donating sodium atoms have the largest enhancing effect and the interaction energy is up to about 24 kJ/mol in C₂Na₂‐CH₃F. The electron‐donating ability of the AuPH₃ fragment is intermediate between the methyl group and alkali metal atom. The origin of the stability of the π tetrel‐bonded complex is dependent on the nature of the tetrel donor and acceptor molecules and can be regulated by the substituents.     

Comparison of σ-hole and π-hole tetrel bonds in complexes of borazine with TH3F and F2TO/H2TO (T = C,Si, Ge)

The complexes between borazine and TH₃F/F₂TO/H₂TO (T = C, Si, Ge) are investigated with high-level quantum chemical calculations. Borazine has three sites of negative electrostatic potential: the N atom, the ring center, and the H atom of the B H bond, whereas TH₃F and F₂TO/H₂TO provide the σ-hole and π-hole, respectively, for the tetrel bond. The N atom of borazine is the favored site for both the σ and π-hole tetrel bonds. Less-stable dimers include a σ-tetrel bond to the borazine ring center and to the BH proton. The π-hole tetrel-bonded complexes are more strongly bound than are their σ-hole counterparts. Due to the coexistence of both T···N tetrel and B···O triel bonding, the complexes of borazine with F₂TO/H₂TO (T = Si and Ge) are very stable, with interaction energies up to −108 kcal/mol. The strongly bonded complexes are accompanied by substantial net charge transfer from F₂TO/H₂TO to borazine.