Studies of N-heterocyclic compounds with triosmium clusters: Formation of the heterocyclic-linked dicluster compound [Os 6(μ-H)2(μ3-C6H4N3)2(CO)18]

The cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂] reacts with indazole (C₇H₆N₂) to give two isomeric products [0s₃(μ-H)(μ-C₇H₅N₂)(CO)₁₀] in which the five-membered ring has been metallated with N-H cleavage to give an N,N-bonded isomer or with C-H cleavage to give a C,N-bonded isomer. These two isomers have very similar X-ray structures but can be clearly distinguished by ¹H NMR methods. They are shown to correspond to related clusters derived from pyrazole. Benzotriazole (C₆H₅N₃) also reacts (as shown earlier by others) to give two isomers: an N,N-bonded species [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₁₀] coordinated only through the five-membered ring and a minor C,N-bonded isomer [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₁₀], metallated at the C₆ ring and coordinated through both rings. The former isomer reacts with Me₃NO in acetonitrile to give [Os₃(μ-H)(μ-C₆H₄N₃)(CO)₉(MeCN)] which thermally looses MeCN to produce the coupled product [Os₆(μ-H)₂(μ₃-C₆H₄N₃)₂(CO)₁₈] which was shown by X-ray structure determination to have all six nitrogen atoms coordinated to osmium, a novel situation for coordinated benzotriazole. The two Os₃ units are linked together by an OsNNOsNN ring in a boat conformation with the whole cluster adopting C₂ symmetry.     

Regioselective addition of protic acids to tricarbonyliron complexes of 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(methylene)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. Crystal structure of (C10H10O)Fe2(CO)6

The main product of the thermal reaction between the title oxatetraene (I) and Fe₂(CO)₉ in ether/pentane is the bimetallic complex (C₁₀H₁₀O)Fe₂(CO)₆-diexo (II), which has C_2υ symmetry both in the solid state (X-ray analysis) and in solution. Whereas the protonation of the free ligand leads usually to polymerisation, the addition of a protic acid such as CF₃CO₂H to II proceeds cleanly at 0°C giving first a (η 3-allyl)Fe(CO)₃O₂CCF₃ complex (III). The intermediate III adds a second equivalent of acid in a slower step (k₂/k₁ = 0.1, CF₃CO₂D/CHCl₃, 0°C) giving the trans-bis(η³-allyl) isomer IV with high regioselectivity. The addition of CF₃CO₂D yields the corresponding deuteriomethylallyliron tricarbonyl trifluoroacetates III′ and IV′. No further deuterium incorporation is observed at 0°C, thus confirming the kinetic control of the regioselective double addition of protic acid to II.     

Molecular vibrations of complexes with trigonal ligands. Part V. Symmetry coordinates for tetrahedral complexes

Ligands of C_3V symmetry are assumed to be a part of a T_d complex. Suitable combinations of C_3v (a₂ + e) symmetry coordinates, which fit into the T_d model, are studied. The results constitute a useful supplement to the C_3V (a₁ + e) type coordinates studied previously. Torsional coordinates in the Ni(PF₃)₄ type model are treated in particular.     

Structures and conformations of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF3SO2)2O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF3SO2)2CF2

The geometric structures and conformational properties of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF₃SO₂)₂O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ have been studied by gas electron diffraction (GED) and ab initio calculations (HF/3–21G*). The calculations predict for both systems two stable conformers with C₂ symmetry and one with C₁ symmetry. In both compounds structures with C₂ symmetry and dihedral angles SOSC ≈ 100° ((CF₃SO₂)₂O) and SCSC≈ 150° ((CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ are lowest in energy. According to the GED analyses the dominant conformer of (CF₃SO₂)₂O₂ possesses C₂ symmetry with SOSC dihedral angles of 99.1(14)°. The presence of up to 30% of the two other conformers cannot be excluded; for (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ only one conformer with C₂ symmetry and SCSC dihedral angles of 143(2)° is observed. A complete set of geometric parameters is given.     

Caractéristiques spectroscopiques des liaisons hydrogène N-H-N très fortes. Études des acides A3(CN)6, (A=H,D; M=Fe,Co) par spectroscopie de vibration

Infrared and Raman spectra of the polycrystalline complex cyanide acids H₃M^III(CN)₆ (M=Fe,Co) and their deutero analogues were investigated at 300 and 90K in the region 4000-100 cm⁻¹. The spectra indicate clearly that the site symmetry of the M(CN)₆³⁻ ion is C_3v for M=Fe and D_3d for M=Co. These conclusions are consistent with an asymmetric N-H·N bond in H₃Fe(CN)₆ and with a symmetric one in H₃Co(CN)₆. The N-H stretching frequencies are assigned as ca. 1100 cm⁻¹ (Fe) and as 560 cm⁻¹ (Co), the shift being related to the difference in the hydrogen bonding strength, 2.665 Å (Fe) and 2.582 Å (Co). The spectroscopic behaviour of these very short N-H·N bonds appears to be similar to that of the strong O-H·O bonds in type A (for M=Co) or type pseudo-A compounds (for M=Fe).     

Structures and conformations of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF3SO2)2O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF3SO2)2CF2

The geometric structures and conformational properties of trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride, (CF₃SO₂)₂O, and bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)difluoromethane, (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ have been studied by gas electron diffraction (GED) and ab initio calculations (HF/3–21G*). The calculations predict for both systems two stable conformers with C₂ symmetry and one with C₁ symmetry. In both compounds structures with C₂ symmetry and dihedral angles SOSC ≈ 100° ((CF₃SO₂)₂O) and SCSC ≈ 150° ((CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂) are lowest in energy. According to the GED analyses the dominant conformer of (CF₃SO₂)₂O possesses C₂ symmetry with SOSC dihedral angles of 99.1(14)°. The presence of up to 30% of the two other conformers cannot be excluded; for (CF₃SO₂)₂CF₂ only one conformer with C₂ symmetry and SCSC dihedral angles of 143(2)° is observed. A complete set of geometric parameters is given.     

Photochemical reaction of W(CO)6 with SnCl4 II. Synthesis and X-ray structure of tetrachlorobis(triphenylphosphine oxide)tungsten(IV), [WCl4(OPPh3)2]

The crystal structure of [WCl₄(OPPh₃)₂](1), formed in the photochemical reaction of W(CO)₆ with SnCl₄ in the presence of triphenylphosphine, has been determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space C2/c, with A=14.027(3), B=13.163(3), C=19.621(4) Å, β=96.36(3)°, Z=4. The structure solved by heavy-atom methods has been refined to R=0.0466, for 3489 observed reflections.

The [WCl₄(OPPh₃)₂] molecule possesses a crystallographically imposed C₂ axis passing through the tungsten atom. Despite steric demands, a mutually cis arrangement of triphenylphosphine oxide oxygens is found for [WCl₄(OPPh₃)₂], while there is a slight lengthening of the W---Cl bonds trans to the oxygen atoms.     

Photochemical synthesis and structural characterization of (η-C5Me5)3Mo3(CO)4(μ2-H)(μ3-O): an unprecedented 46-electron trimolybdenum cluster containing a localized monoprotonated Mo---Mo double bond

Irradiation of the 30-electron Mo₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂(CO)₄ and Re₂(CO)₁₀ in toluene solution (containing H₂O) afforded (in 1–2% yields) a novel triangular metal cluster, (η⁵-C₅Me₅)₃Mo₃(CO)₄(η₂-H)(η₃-O) (1), which was characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Compound 1, of pseudo C_s-m symmetry, has a triangulo-Mo₃(η₃-O) core with composite Mo---H---Mo and Mo---Mo electron-pair bonds along one unusually short edge (2.660(1) Å) and Mo--- electron-pair bonds along the other two edges (2.916(1) and 2.917(1) Å). The edge-bridged hydride ligand, which displays a characteristic high-field proton NMR resonance at δ −17.79 ppm, was not found from the crystallographic determination but was located via a quantitative potential-energy-minimization method. This procedure unambiguously established that the optimized hydrogen position, which corresponds to a distinct coordination site with identical Mo---H distances of 1.85 Å, is the only one that can be sterically occupied by a metal-bound hydride ligand. This 46-electron species is the first electron-deficient trimolybdenum cluster containing a monoprotonated Mo---Mo double bond; its existence is attributed to ligand overcrowding due to the bulky pentamethylcyclopentadienyl rings. Black (η⁵- C₅Me₅)₃Mo₃(CO)₄(η₂-H)(η₃-O) · 1/2THF crystallizes with two formula species in a triclinic unit cell of P1 symmetry with a 8.603(4), b 11.115(4), c 19.412(11) Å, 80.69(4)°, β 101.10(4)°, and γ 98.88(3)° at −40° C. Least-squares refinement (RAELS with 221 variables) of one independent Mo₃ molecule and a centrosymmetrically-disordered THF molecule converged at R₁(F) 5.62%, R₂(F 6.88% for 8460 independent diffractometry data (I₀ ρ 3σ(I₀ collected at −40° C with Mo-K radiation     

Kinetics and mechanisms of homogeneous catalytic reactions: Part 7. Hydroformylation of 1-hexene catalyzed by cationic complexes of rhodium and iridium containing PPh3

Cationic rhodium and iridium complexes of the type [M(COD)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ (M = Rh, 1a; Ir, 1b) are efficient precatalysts for the hydroformylation of 1-hexene to its corresponding aldehydes (heptanal and 2-methylhexanal), under mild pressures (2–5 bar) and temperatures (60 °C for Rh and 100 °C for Ir) in toluene solution; the linear to branched ratio (l/b) of the aldehydes in the hydroformylation reaction varies slightly (between 3.0 and 3.7 for Rh and close to 2 for Ir). Kinetic and mechanistic studies have been carried out using these cationic complexes as catalyst precursors. For both complexes, the reaction proceeds according to the rate law r_i = K₁K₂K₃k₄[M][olef][H₂][CO]/([CO]² + K₁[H₂][CO] + K₁K₂K₃[olef][H₂]). Both complexes react rapidly with CO to produce the corresponding tricarbonyl species [M(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂]PF₆, M = Rh, 2a; Ir, 2b, and with syn-gas to yield [MH₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂]PF₆, M = Rh, 3a; Ir, 3b, which originate by CO dissociation the species [MH₂(CO)(PPh₃)₂]PF₆ entering the corresponding catalytic cycle. All the experimental data are consistent with a general mechanism in which the transfer of the hydride to a coordinated olefin promoted by an entering CO molecule is the rate-determining step of the catalytic cycle.     

Synthesis and structure of the iron-substituted silylacetylene [(η-C5H5)Fe(CO)2SiMe2C]2 and its cobalt hexacarbonyl derivative [(η-C5H5)Fe(CO)2SiMe2C]2 · Co2(CO)6

A transition metal-substituted silylacetylene [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂SiMe₂C]₂, [FpMe₂SiC]₂ (I) was synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and structurally. I crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, A = 13.011(3) Å B = 12.912(3) Å, C = 13.175(5) Å, β = 94.95(2). The acetylene linkage is reactive toward Co₂(CO)₈ to form I. Co₂(CO)₆ (II) which was also characterized spectroscopically and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. II crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Pbca, A = 17.64(2) Å, B = 14.225(10) Å, C = 24.49(2) Å.     

Theoretical study on the aromaticity of the bimetallic clusters X2M2 (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga)

Four neutral bimetallic clusters X₂M₂ (X=Si, Ge, M=Al, Ga) are investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and post-HF methods. The calculated results show that each of four X₂M₂ species has two energetically close stable isomers with rhombic structure (D_2h symmetry) and trapezoidal structure (C_2v symmetry) respectively. For the Ge₂Al₂ species the rhombic (D_2h) isomer is the ground state, whereas for other three species Ge₂Ga₂, Si₂Al₂, and Si₂Ga₂, the trapezoidal (C_2v) isomers are the ground states. The calculated magnetic susceptibility anisotropy (χ_anis) and nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) indicate that a strong diatropic ring current exists in the two heterocyclic planar isomers, suggesting they are highly aromatic. A detailed molecular orbital analysis further reveals that both heterocyclic isomers possess multiple aromaticity derived from one delocalized π MOs and two delocalized σ MOs.     

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry VI: Phosphine substitution at CpMoIr3(μ-CO)3(CO)8; X-ray crystal structure of CpMoIr3(μ-CO)3(CO)7(PPh3)

Reactions of CpMoIr₃(μ-CO)₃(CO)₈ (1) with stoichiometric amounts of phosphines afford the substitution products CpMoIr₃(μ-CO)₃(CO)_8−x (L)_x (L = PPh₃, x = 1 (2), 2 (3); L = PMe₃, x = 1 (4), 2 (5), 3 (6)) in fair to good yields (23–54%); the yields of both 3 and 6 are increased on reacting 1 with excess phosphine. Products 2–5 are fluxional in solution, with the interconverting isomers resolvable at low temperatures. A structural study of one isomer of 2 reveals that the three edges of an MoIr₂ face of the tetrahedral core are spanned by bridging carbonyls, and that the iridium-bound triphenyiphosphine ligates radially and the molybdenum-bound cyclopentadienyl coordinates axially with respect to this Molr₂ face. Information from this crystal structure, ³¹P NMR data (both solution and solid-state), and results with analogous tungsten—triiridium and tetrairidium clusters have been employed to suggest coordination geometries for the isomeric derivatives.     

Preparation, structures, and haptotropic rearrangement of novel dinuclear ruthenium complexes, (μ2,η:η-guaiazulene)Ru2(CO)4(CNR)

Novel isonitrile derivatives of a diruthenium carbonyl complex, (μ₂,η³:η⁵-guaiazulene)Ru₂(CO)₅ (2), were synthesized by substitution of a CO ligand by an isonitrile, and were subjected to studies on thermal and photochemical haptotropic interconversion. Treatment of 2 (a 45:55 mixture of two haptotropic isomers, 2-A and 2-B) with RNC at room temperature resulted in coordination of RNC and alternation of the coordination mode of the guaiazulene ligand to form (μ₂,η¹:η⁵-guaiazulene)Ru₂(CO)₅(CNR), 5d–5f, [5d; R=^tBu, 5e; 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, or 5f; 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃] in moderate to good yields. Thermal dissociation of a CO ligand from 5 at 60 °C resulted in quantitative formation of a desirable isonitrile analogue of 2, (μ₂,η³:η⁵-guaiazulene)Ru₂(CO)₄(CNR), 4d–4f, [4d; R=^tBu, 4e; 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂, or 4f; 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃], as a 1:1 mixture of the two haptotropic isomers. A direct synthetic route from 2 to 4d–4f was alternatively discovered; treatment of 2 with one equivalent of RNC at 60 °C gave 4d–4f in moderate yields. All of the new compounds were characterized by spectroscopy, and structures of 5d (R=^tBu) and 4d-A (R=^tBu) were determined by crystallography. Thermal and photochemical interconversion between the two haptotropic isomers of 4d–4f revealed that the isomer ratios in the thermal equilibrium and in the photostatic state were in the range of 48:52–54:46.     

Multiple ligand transfer reaction between [CpRu(L)(AN)2][PF6] (L=AN, CO, P(OMe)3; AN=acetonitrile) and CpFe(CO)L′X (L′=CO, PMe3, PMe2Ph, PMePh2, PPh3, P(OPh)3; X=Cl, Br, I)

Treatment of ruthenium complexes [CpRu(AN)₃][PF₆] (1a) (AN=acetonitrile) with iron complexes CpFe(CO)₂X (2a–2c) (X=Cl, Br, I) and CpFe(CO)L′X (6a–6g) (L′=PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PPh₃, P(OPh)₃; X=Cl, Br, I) in refluxing CH₂Cl₂ for 3 h results in a triple ligand transfer reaction from iron to ruthenium to give stable ruthenium complexes CpRu(CO)₂X (3a–3c) (X=Cl, Br, I) and CpRu(CO)L′X (7a–7g) (L′=PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PPh₃, P(OPh)₃; X=Br, I), respectively. Similar reaction of [CpRu(L)(AN)₂][PF₆] (1b: L=CO, 1c: P(OMe)₃) causes double ligand transfer to yield complexes 3a–3c and 7a–7h. Halide on iron, CO on iron or ruthenium, and two acetonitrile ligands on ruthenium are essential for the present ligand transfer reaction. The dinuclear ruthenium complex 11a [CpRu(CO)(μ-I)]₂ was isolated from the reaction of 1a with 6a at 0°C. Complex 11a slowly decomposes in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature to give 3a, and transforms into 7a by the reaction with PMe₃.     

The tungsten-tungsten triple bond---18. Bridging and terminal allyl ligands in complexes of the formula W2(R)2(NMe2)4, where R = C3H5 and C4H7

The reaction between RMgCl (two equivalents) and 1,2-W₂Cl₂(NMe₂)₄ in hydrocarbon solvents affords the compounds W₂R₂(NMe₂)₄, where R = allyl and 1− and 2-methyl-allyl. In the solid state the molecular structure of W₂(C₃H₅)₂(NMe₂)₄ has C₂ symmetry with bridging allyl ligands and terminal W---NMe₂ ligands. The W---W distance 2.480(1) Å and the C---C distances, 1.47(1) Å, imply an extensive mixing of the allyl π-MOs with the WW π-MOs, and this is supported by an MO calculation on the molecule W₂(C₃H₅)₂(NH₂)₄ employing the method of Fenske and Hall. The most notable interaction is the ability of the (WW)⁶⁺ centre to donate to the allyl π^*-MO (π₃). This interaction is largely responsible for the long W---W distance, as well as the long C---C distances, in the allyl ligand. The structure of the 2-methyl-allyl derivative W₂(C₄H₇)₂(NMe₂)₄ in the solid state reveals a gauche-W₂C₂N₄ core with W---W = 2.286(1) Å and W---C = 2.18(1) Å, typical of WW and W---C triple and single bonds, respectively. In solution (toluene-d₈) ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra over a temperature range −80°C to +60°C indicate that both anti- and gauche- W₂C₂N₄ rotamers are present for the 2-methyl-allyl derivative. In addition, there is a facile fluxional process that equilibrates both ends of the 2-methyl-allyl ligand on the NMR time-scale. This process leads to a coalescence at 100°C and is believed to take place via an η³-bound intermediate. The 1-methyl-allyl derivative also binds in an η¹ fashion in solution and temperature-dependent rotations about the W---N, W---C and C=C bonds are frozen out at low temperatures. The spectra of the allyl compound W₂(C₃H₅)₂(NMe₂)₄ revealed the presence of two isomers in solution—one of which can be readily reconciled with the presence of the bridging isomer found in the solid state while the other is proposed to be W₂(η³-C₃H₅)₂(NMe₂)₄. The compound W₂R₂(NMe₂)₄ where R = 2,4-dimethyl- pentadiene was similarly prepared and displayed dynamic NMR behaviour explainable in terms of facile η¹ = η³ interconversions.     

Substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands—10. Intramolecular steric interactions in [(η-C5H3(SiMe3)2)Mo(CO)2(L)I]

Reaction of C₅H₄(SiMe₃)₂ with Mo(CO)₆ yielded [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂)Mo(CO)₃]₂, which on addition of iodine gave [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂Mo(CO)₃I]. Carbonyl displacement by a range of ligands: [L = P(OMe)₃, P(OPrⁱ)₃,P(O-o-tol)₃, PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PPh₃, P(m-tol)₃] gave the new complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂ MO(CO)₂(L)I]. For all the trans isomer was the dominant, if not exclusive, isomer formed in the reaction. An NOE spectral analysis of [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂)Mo(CO)₂(L)I] L = PMe₂Ph, P(OMe)₃] revealed that the L group resided on the sterically uncongested side of the cyclopentadienyl ligand and that the ligand did not access the congested side of the molecule. Quantification of this phenomenon [L = P(OMe)₃] was achieved by means of the vertex angle of overlap methodology. This methodology revealed a steric preference with the trans isomer (less congestion of CO than I with an SiMe₃ group) being the more stable isomer for L = P(OMe)₃.     

Synthesis and derivative chemistry of [Ru2(μ-PPh2) (μ-OH) 2(μ-p-cymene) 2]

The cationic diphenylphosphido-bridged compound [Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)(μ-OH)₂(η⁶-p-cymene)₂][PF₆) (2) has been prepared by reaction of the tri-μ-hydroxo complex [Ru₂(μ-OH)₃(η-p-cymene)₂][PF₆] (1) with diphenylphosphine. Complex 2 eliminates water on reaction with protic acids, incorporating the conjugate base of the added acid as a bridging ligand. Formic acid, acetic acid, phenol, and aniline react with 2 to give the monosubstituted compounds [Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)(μ-OH)(μ-L)(η⁶-p-cymene)₂]PF₆] (L = HCO₂, MeCO₂, OPh, or NHPH), whereas methanol, thiophenol, 1,2-benzenedithiol, hydrochloric acid and isopropanol afford the disubstituted derivatives [Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)(μ-L)₂(η⁶-p-cymene)₂]PF₆] (L = OMe, SPh, S₂C₆H₄, Cl, or H).     

Vibrational spectra of σ-allylmanganese pentacarbonyl

The vibrational spectra of σ-(C₃H₅)Mn(CO)₅ are reported. Assignment of bands is made and carbonyl force constants are calculated. The results indicate that the Mn(CO)₅ moiety has C_4ν symmetry. The calculated angle between the axial and equatorial carbonyl groups is approximately 95°. The bonding in this compound is very similar to that in (CH₃)Mn(CO)₅.

In the far-infrared region, seven bands are expected in C_4ν symmetry (3A₁ + 4E), and all are observed.     

Dimethylchalkogenide als liganden in kationischen cyclopentadienyleisen-bis(phosphin)-komplexen: synthese, reaktivität und kristallstruktur von [C5H5Fe(P(OCH3)3)2(S(CH3)2)]PF6

Thermal displacement of coordinated nitriles RCN (R = CH₃, C₂H₅ or n-C₃H₇) in [C₅H₅Fe(L₂)(NCR)]X complexes (L₂ = P(OCH₃)₃)₂, (P(OC₆H₅)₃)₂ or (C₆H₅)₂PC₂H₄P(C₆H₅)₂ (DPPE)) by E(CH₃)₂ affords high yields of [C₅H₅Fe(L₂)(E(CH₃)₂)]X compounds (E = S, Se and Te; X = BF₄ or PF₆). Spectroscopic data and ligand displacement reactions are presented and discussed together with related observations on [C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂(E(CH₃)₂)]BF₄ compounds. The molecular structure of [C₅H₅Fe(P(OCH₃)₃)₂(S(CH₃)₂)]PF₆ was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n-C⁵_2h (No. 14) with a = 8.4064(12), b = 11.183(2), c = 50.726(8) Å, β = 90.672(13)° and Z = 8 molecules per unit cell. The coordination sphere of the iron atom is pseudo-tetrahedral with an Fe---S bond distance of 2.238 Å.     

C94 IPR isomeric set: large-scale computations of relative stabilities based on the Gibbs function

At present C₉₄ is one of the highest sets of isomeric fullerenes that has been characterized by ¹³C NMR spectra. This contribution reports quantum-chemical computations on the C₉₄ system. The complete set of 134 isolated-pentagon-rule isomers of C₉₄ is described by four semiempirical quantum-chemical methods (MNDO, AM1, PM3, and SAM1). The C₉₄ energetics is also checked with Hartree–Fock SCF calculations in the standard 4-31G basis set (HF/4-31G). The calculations point out a C₂ structure as the system ground state. As energetics itself cannot produce reliable relative stabilities at high temperatures, entropy terms are also computed and the relative-stability problem is entirely treated in terms of the Gibbs function. The lowest-energy structure remains the most populated isomer at higher temperatures. However, several other structures show significant populations at higher temperatures. The six most populated species at the AM1 computational level read: C₂, C₂, C₁, C₁, C_s, and C₂. This selected six-membered isomeric set indeed contains the four symmetries observed in the available experiment (C₂, C_s, C₂, and C₂). This incidence represents a good agreement with the experiment and can be viewed as another evidence that the supposed inter-isomeric thermodynamic equilibrium does exist in experiments.