Chemical Bonding in Silicon Carbonyl Complexes

Although silylene-carbonyl complexes are known for decades, only recently isolable examples have been accomplished. In this work, the bonding situation is re-evaluated to explain the origins of their remarkable stability within the Kohn-Sham molecular orbital theory framework. It is shown that the chemical bond can be understood as CO interaction with the silylene via a donor-acceptor interaction: a σ-donation from the σ_CO into the empty p-orbital of silicon, and a π-back donation from the sp² lone pair of silicon into the π*_CO antibonding orbitals. Notably, it was established that the driving force behind the surprisingly stable Si−CO compounds, however, is another π-back donation from a perpendicular bonding R−Si σ-orbital into the π*_CO antibonding orbitals. Consequently, the pyramidalization of the central silicon atom cannot be associated with the strength of the π-back donation, in sharp contrast to the established chemical bonding model. Considering this additional bonding interaction not only shed light on the bonding situation, but is also an indispensable key for broadening the scope of silylene-carbonyl chemistry.     

Polymerization Isomerism in Co-M (M = Cu,Ag, Au) Carbonyl Clusters: Synthesis,Structures and Computational Investigation

The reaction of [Co(CO)₄]⁻ (1) with M(I) compounds (M = Cu, Ag, Au) was reinvestigated unraveling an unprecedented case of polymerization isomerism. Thus, as previously reported, the trinuclear clusters [M{Co(CO)₄}₂]⁻ (M = Cu, 2; Ag, 3; Au, 4) were obtained by reacting 1 with M(I) in a 2:1 molar ratio. Their molecular structures were corroborated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) on isomorphous [NEt₄][M{Co(CO)₄}₂] salts. [NEt₄](3)represented the first structural characterization of 3. More interestingly, changing the crystallization conditions of solutions of 3, the hexanuclear cluster [Ag₂{Co(CO)₄}₄]²⁻ (5) was obtained in the solid state instead of 3. Its molecular structure was determined by SC-XRD as Na₂(5)·C₄H₆O₂, [PPN]₂(5)·C₅H₁₂ (PPN = N(PPh₃)₂]⁺), [NBu₄]₂(5) and [NMe₄]₂(5) salts. 5 may be viewed as a dimer of 3 and, thus, it represents a rare case of polymerization isomerism (that is, two compounds having the same elemental composition but different molecular weights) in cluster chemistry. The phenomenon was further studied in solution by IR and ESI-MS measurements and theoretically investigated by computational methods. Both experimental evidence and density functional theory (DFT) calculations clearly pointed out that the dimerization process occurs in the solid state only in the case of Ag, whereas Cu and Au related species exist only as monomers.     

Synthese und Struktur chiraler Heterometallatetrahedrane des Typs [Re2(M1PPh3)(M2PPh3)(μ‐PCy2)(CO)7C≡CPh] (M1 = Ag,Au; M2 = Cu,Ag, Au)

Syntheses and Structure of Chiral Metallatetrahedron Complexes of the Type [Re₂(M¹PPh₃)(M²PPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] (M¹ = Ag, Au; M² = Cu, Ag, Au) From the reaction of Li[Re₂(μ‐H)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇(C(Ph)O)] ( 1 ) with Ph₃AuC≡CPh both benzaldehyde and the trinuclear complex Li[Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] ( 2a ) were obtained in high yield. The complex anion was isolated as its PPh₄‐salt 2b . The latter reacts with coinage metal complexes PPh₃M²Cl [M² = Cu, Ag, Au] to give chiral heterometallatetrahedranes of the general formula [Re₂(AuPPh₃)(M²PPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] (M² = Cu 3a , Ag 3b , Au 3c ). The corresponding complex [Re₂(AgPPh₃)₂(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] ( 3d ) is obtained from the reaction of [Re₂(AgPPh₃)₂(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇Cl] ( 4 ) with LiC≡CPh. 3d undergoes a metathesis reaction in the presence of PPh₃CuCl giving [Re₂(AgPPh₃)(CuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇C≡CPh] ( 3e ) and PPh₃AgCl. Analogous metathesis reactions are observed when 3c is reacted with PPh₃AgCl or PPh₃CuCl giving 3a or 3b , respectively. The reaction of 1 with PPh₃AuCl gives benzaldehyde and Li[Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇Cl] ( 5a ) which upon reaction with PhLi forms the trinuclear complex Li[Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇Ph] ( 6a ). Again this complex was isolated as its PPh₄‐salt 6b . In contrast to 2b , 6b reacts with one equivalent of Ph₃PAuCl by transmetalation to give Ph₃PAuPh and PPh₄[Re₂(AuPPh₃)(μ‐PCy₂)(CO)₇Cl] ( 5b ). The X‐ray structures of the compounds 3a , 3b , 3e and 4 are reported.     

Synthesis, Chemical Characterization, and Molecular Structure of Au8{Fe(CO)4}4(dppe)2 and Au6Cu2{Fe(CO)4}4(dppe)2

The new Au₈{Fe(CO)₄}₄(P^P)₂ and Au₆Cu₂{Fe(CO)₄}₄(P^P)₂ (P^P=dppm, dppe) neutral cluster compounds were isolated in good yields by condensation of the [Au₃{Fe(CO)₄}₂(P^P)]^- anions with Au(SEt₂)Cl and CuCl, respectively, and have been characterized by IR, NMR and microanalyses. The molecular structures of Au₈{Fe(CO)₄}₄(dppe)₂ and Au₆Cu₂{Fe(CO)₄}₄(dppe)₂ have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Both molecules adopt a stereogeometry of the heavy atoms consisting of a triangulated and corrugated ribbon twisted around the elongation direction. Contrary to the expectations the latter displays the two copper atoms in the sites of highest connectivity. This implies that site exchange between copper and gold occurs during the synthesis.     

Transition Metal Complexes with more than one Dihydrogen Ligand: Structure and Bonding of M(CO)6–x(H2)x (M = Cr,Mo, W; x = 1, 2, 3) [1]

Quantum mechanical ab initio calculations at the MP2 and CCSD(T) level of theory have been used to investigate the geometries and bond energies of the complexes M(CO)_6–x(H₂)_x (M = Cr, Mo, W; x = 1, 2, 3). The theoretically predicted M(CO)₅–(H₂) bond dissociation energies are in excellent agreement with experimental values. The M–(H₂) dissociation energies of the bis- and tris-dihydrogen complexes are very similar to the values for the mono-dihydrogen complexes. In M(CO)₅(H₂) the dihydrogen ligand prefers an eclipsed conformation relative to the equatorial carbonyl groups. For M(CO)₄(H₂)₂ the cis and trans isomers are nearly equal in energy for M = W, while a cis configuration is favoured for M = Cr. For M(CO)₃(H₂)₃ the facial configurations are more stable than the meridial structures for all three metals M. The charge decomposition analysis (CDA) classifies dihydrogen as a donor ligand with moderate acceptor properties. In trans-M(CO)₄(H₂)₂ back donation is increased and the M–(H₂) bonds are stronger than in M(CO)₅–(H₂). Back donation in M(CO)₃(H₂)₃ is slightly weaker than in the mono-dihydrogen complexes M(CO)₅(H₂).     

Synthese und Struktur der Phosphor-verbrückten Übergangsmetallkomplexe [Fe2(CO)6(PR)6] (R = tBu,iPr), [Fe2(CO)4(PiPr)6], [Fe2(CO)3Cl2(PtBu)5], [Co4(CO)10(PiPr)3], [Ni5(CO)10(PiPr)6] und [Ir4(C8H12)4Cl2(PPh)4]

Synthesis and Structure of the Phosphorus-bridged Transition Metal Complexes [Fe₂(CO)₆(PR)₆] (R = ^tBu, ⁱPr), [Fe₂(CO)₄(PⁱPr)₆], [Fe₂(CO)₃Cl₂(P^tBu)₅], [Co₄(CO)₁₀(PⁱPr)₃], [Ni₅(CO)₁₀(PⁱPr)₆], and [Ir₄(C₈H₁₂)₄Cl₂(PPh)₄] (P^tBu)₃ and (PⁱPr)₃ react with [Fe₂(CO)₉] to form the dinuclear complexes [Fe₂(CO)₆(PR)₆] (R = ^tBu: 1 ; ⁱPr: 2 ). 2 is also formed besides [Fe₂(CO)₄(PⁱPr)₆] ( 3 ) in the reaction of [Fe(CO)₅] with (PⁱPr)₃. When PⁱPr(P^tBu)₂ and PⁱPrCl₂ are allowed to react with [Fe₂(CO)₉] it is possible to isolate [Fe₂(CO)₃Cl₂(P^tBu)₅] ( 4 ). The reactions of (PⁱPr)₃ with [Co₂(CO)₈] and [Ni(CO)₄] lead to the tetra- and pentanuclear clusters [Co₄(CO)₁₀(PⁱPr)₃] ( 5 ), [Ni₄(CO)₁₀(PⁱPr)₆] [2] and [Ni₅(CO)₁₀(PⁱPr)₆] ( 6 ). Finally the reaction of [Ir(C₈H₁₂)Cl]₂ with K₂(PPh)₄ leads to the complex [Ir₄(C₈H₁₂)₄Cl₂(PPh)₄] ( 7 ). The structures of 1–7 were obtained by X-ray single crystal structure analysis (1: space group P2₁/c (Nr. 14), Z = 8, a = 1 758.8(16) pm, b = 3 625.6(18) pm, c = 1 202.7(7) pm, β = 90.07(3)°; 2 : space group P1 (Nr. 2), Z = 1, a = 880.0(2) pm, b = 932.3(3) pm, c = 1 073.7(2) pm, α = 79.07(2)°, β = 86.93(2)°, γ = 72.23(2)°; 3 : space group Pbca (Nr. 61), Z = 8, a = 952.6(8) pm, b = 1 787.6(12) pm, c = 3 697.2(30) pm; 4 : space group P2₁/n (Nr. 14), Z = 4, a = 968.0(4) pm, b = 3 362.5(15) pm, c = 1 051.6(3) pm, β = 109.71(2)°; 5 : space group P2₁/n (Nr. 14), Z = 4, a = 1 040.7(5) pm, b = 1 686.0(5) pm, c = 1 567.7(9) pm, β = 93.88(4)°; 6 : space group Pbca (Nr. 61), Z = 8, a = 1 904.1(8) pm, b = 1 959.9(8) pm, c = 2 309.7(9) pm. 7 : space group P1 (Nr. 2), Z = 2, a = 1 374.4(7) pm, b = 1 476.0(8) pm, c = 1 653.2(9) pm, α = 83.87(4)°, β = 88.76(4)°, γ = 88.28(4)°).     

Ag[Fe(CO)5]2+: A Bare Silver Complex with Fe(CO)5 as a Ligand

Attempts to prepare Fe(CO)₅⁺ from Ag[Al(OR^F)₄] (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) and Fe(CO)₅ in CH₂Cl₂ yielded the first complex of a neutral metal carbonyl bound to a simple metal cation. The Ag[Fe(CO)₅]₂⁺ cation consists of two Fe(CO)₅ molecules coordinating Ag⁺ in an almost linear fashion. The ν(CO) modes are blue‐shifted compared to Fe(CO)₅, with one band above 2143 cm^?1 indicating that back‐bonding is heavily decreased in the Ag[Fe(CO)₅]₂⁺ cation.     

[SnI8{Fe(CO)4}4]2+: Highly Coordinated Sn+III8 Subunit with Fragile Carbonyl Clips

[SnI₈{Fe(CO)₄}₄][Al₂Cl₇]₂ contains the [SnI₈{Fe(CO)₄}₄]²⁺ cation with an unprecedented highly coordinated, bicapped SnI₈ prism. Given the eightfold coordination with the most voluminous stable halide, it is all the more surprising that this SnI₈ arrangement is surrounded only by fragile Fe(CO)₄ groups in a clip‐like fashion. Inspite of a predominantly ionic bonding situation in [SnI₈{Fe(CO)₄}₄]²⁺, the I^????I^? distances are considerably shortened (down to 371 pm) and significantly less than the van der Waals distance (420 pm). The title compound is characterized by single‐crystal structure analysis, spectroscopic methods (EDXS, FTIR, Raman, UV/Vis, Mössbauer), thermogravimetry, and density functional theory methods.     

[Ti(CO)6(MPEt3)]-(M=Au,Ag,Cu)配合物稳定性及其电子性质的量子化学研究

采用abinitioHF和密度泛函B₃LYP方法对[Ti(CO)₆(AuPEt₃)]^-配合物稳定性进行系统理论计算,并对Ti-Au金属-金属相互作用能运用完全均衡校正法对基函数重叠误差(BSSE)进行较正.理论优化的结构与X射线衍射晶体结构实验值基本相符,Ti-Au相互作用能为10.8575eV(B₃LYP/BSSE).进一步探讨Cu族元素为中心的同系配合物离子[Ti(CO)₆(MPR₃)]^-(M=Cu,Ag;R=Me,H)的电子性质及结合能规律,结果表明:Cu族化合物中,Au形成了较为稳定的化合物,表现出金属-金属相互作用影响比较明显.     

Monosubstituted Trinuclear and Tetranuclear VIB Metal Carbonyl Complexes: Syntheses of [{M(CO)5}3(Pf-Pf-Pf)] [Pf-Pf-Pf = PhP(CH2CH2PPh2)2] and [{M(CO)5}4(P-Pf3)] [P-Pf3 = P(CH2CH2PPh2)3] (M = Cr,Mo) and Crystal Structures of the Latter Three

The triligate trimetallic complexes, [{M(CO)₅}₃(Pf-Pf-Pf)] and tetraligate tetrametallic complexes, [{M(CO)₅}₄(P-Pf₃)] (M = Cr and Mo), were prepared from [M(CO) ₆] and the corresponding ligands in MeCN/CH₂Cl₂ promoted by Me₃NO at 0 °C. Crystals of trimer lb are monoclinic, space group P 2₁/n, with a = 13.407(3), b = 15.002(5), c = 26.52(1) Å, β = 90.65(2)°, Z = 4, and R = 0.060 for 2760 observed reflections. Crystals of tetramer 2a are monoclinic, space group P 2₁/c, with a – 14.183(8), b = 29.880(4), c = 16.103(2) Å, β = 94.98(3)°, Z = 4, and R = 0.039 for 5014 observed reflections. Crystals of 2b are monoclinic, space group C 2/c, with a = 42.120(8), b = 13.679(1), c = 23.486(2) Å, β = 92.14(1)°, Z = 8, and R = 0.032 for 6897 observed reflections. Each phosphorus atom of the ligands is coordinated to the M(CO)₅ moiety in each title compounds. The geometry of the four metals is a distorted tetrahedron for the tetramers.     

Neue Phosphor-verbrückte Übergangsmetall-Komplexe Die Kristallstrukturen von [Co4(CO)10(PiPr)2], [Fe3(CO)9(PtBu)(PPh)], [Cp3Fe3(CO)2(PPtBu)(PtBu)], [(NiPPh3)2(PiPr)6], [(NiPPh3)Ni{(PtBu)3}2] und [Ni8(PtBu)6(PPh3)2]

New Phosphorus-bridged Transition Metal Complexes The Crystal Structures of [Co₄(CO)₁₀(PⁱPr)₂], [Fe₃(CO)₉(P^tBu)(PPh)], [Cp₃Fe₃(CO)₂(PP^tBu)· (P^tBu)], [(NiPPh₃)₂(PⁱPr)₆], [(NiPPh₃)Ni{(P^tBu)₃}₂], and [Ni₈(P^tBu)₆(PPh₃)₂] By the reaction of cyclophosphines with transition metal carbonyl-derivatives polynuclear complexes are built, in which the PR-ligands (R = organic group) are bonded in different ways to the metal. Depending on the reaction conditions the following compounds can be characterized: [Co₄(CO)₁₀ · (PⁱPr)₂] ( 2 ), [Fe₃(CO)₉(P^tBu)(PPh)] ( 3 ), [Cp₃Fe₃(CO)₂(PP^tBu) · (P^tBu)] ( 4 ), [(NiPPh₃)₂(PⁱPr)₆] ( 5 ), [(NiPPh₃)Ni{(P^tBu)₃}₂] ( 6 ) and [Ni₈(P^tBu)₆(PPh₃)₂] ( 7 ). The structures of 2–7 were obtained by X-ray single crystal structure analysis ( 2 : space group Pccn (No. 56), Z = 4, a = 1001,4(2) pm, b = 1375,1(3) pm, c = 1675,5(3) pm; 3 : space group P2₁ (No. 4), Z = 2, a = 914,3(4) pm, b = 1268,7(4) pm, c = 1028,2(5) pm, β = 101,73(2)°; 4 : space group P1 (No. 2), Z = 2, a = 946,0(5) pm, b = 1074,4(8) pm, c = 1477,7(1,0) pm, α = 107,63(5)°, β = 94,66(5)°, γ = 111,04(5)°; 5 : space group P1 (No. 2), Z = 2, a = 1213,6(2) pm, b = 1275,0(2) pm, c = 2038,8(4) pm, α = 92,810(10)°, β = 102,75(2)°, γ = 93,380(10)°; 6 : space group P1 (No. 2), Z = 2, a = 1157,5(5) pm, b = 1371,9(6) pm, c = 1827,6(10) pm; α = 69,68(3)°, β = 80,79(3)°, γ = 69,36(3)°; 7 : space group P3 (No. 147), Z = 1, a = 1114,1(2) pm, b = 1114,1(2) pm, c = 1709,4(3) pm).     

IB 族金属-乙烯配合物[N{(Me)C(Ph)N}2]M-C2H4 (M=Cu,Ag, Au)的电子结构

采用从头算Hartree-Fock(HF),M??ller-Plesset微扰(MP2),二级近似耦合簇(CC2)和密度泛函理论(DFT)方法,对IB族金属-乙烯配合物LM-C2H4(L=[N{(Me)C(Ph)N}2];M=Cu,Ag,Au)的几何结构、电子结构以及LM与C2H4之间的结合能进行了理论研究.MP2、CC2和密度泛函方法对C2H4配位前后C=C键长的变化情况都给出了正确的描述.电子结构分析显示LM与C2H4之间主要以C2H4→LM"σ-给予"和LM→C2H4"π-反馈"方式协同成键,这种成键方式使C2H4配体π轨道上的电子密度下降,π*轨道上的电子密度增加,并使得C=C键长增加、键能下降,从而达到活化C=C键的目的.自然电荷布居和能量分解分析显示LM-C2H4中的"σ-给予"作用弱于"π-反馈"作用,若使用"σ-给予"作用强于"π-反馈"作用的M+-C2H4体系作为LM-C2H4的简化模型进行理论研究是不合适的.LM-C2H4中金属原子M的改变对C=C键长、C2H4电荷布居以及LM与C2H4之间的结合能等性质影响显著.LAu与LCu、LAg相比其接受和反馈电子的能力最强,使C2H4配体π轨道电子密度减少的程度和π*轨道电子密度增加的程度也最大,因此LAu对C2H4中C=C键的活化效果最好.螯合配体取代基供、吸电能力的改变对上述性质的影响则非常有限.     

Phosphido- und arsenido-verbrückte Zweikernkomplexe: Synthese und Struktur von (η5-C5H4R)2Zr{μ-P(SiMe3)2}2M(CO)4 (R = Me,M = Cr; R = H,M = Mo) sowie die Synthese von (η5-C5H5)2Zr{μ-As(SiMe3)2}2Cr(CO)4

Phosphido- and Arsenido-bridged Dinuclear Complexes. Synthesis and Molecular Structure of (η⁵-C₅H₄R)₂Zr{μ-P(SiMe₃)₂}₂M(CO)₄ (R = Me, M = Cr; R = H, M = Mo) and Synthesis of (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Zr{μ-As(SiMe₃)₂}₂Cr(CO)₄ The reaction of (η⁵-C₅H₄R)₂Zr{E(SiMe₃)₂}₂ with M(CO)₄(NBD) (NBD = norbornadiene) yields the dinuclear phosphido- or arsenido-bridged complexes (η⁵-C₅H₄R)₂Zr{μ-E(SiMe₃)₂}₂M(CO)₄ (R = Me, E = P, M = Cr ( 1 ); R = H, E = P, M = Mo ( 2 ); R = H, E = As, M = Cr ( 3 )). No formation of dinuclear complexes was observed in the reaction of (η⁵-C₅H₄Me)₂Zr{P(SiMe₃)₂}₂ with Ni(PEt₃)₄, Ni(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ or with NiCl₂(PPh₃)₂ in the presence of Mg. Complexes 1 – 3 were characterised spectroscopically (i. r., n. m. r., m. s.), and X-ray structure investigations were carried out on 1 and 2 . The central four-membered ZrP₂M ring is slightly puckered (dihedral angle between planes ZrP₂/CrP₂ 14.7°, ZrP₂/MoP₂ 14.2°). The Zr? P bond lengths are equivalent ( 1 : Zr? P1 2.654(4), Zr? P2 2.657(4) Å; 2 : Zr? P1 2.6711(9), Zr? P2 2.6585(7) Å), as are the M? P bond lengths (M = Cr ( 1 ): Cr? P1 2.513(4), Cr? P2 2.502(4) Å; M = Mo ( 2 ): Mo? P1 2.6263(7), Mo? P2 2.6311(10) Å). The long Zr ··· M distances of 3.414 Å (M = Cr ( 1 )) and 3.461 Å (M = Mo ( 2 )) indicate the absence of a metal-metal bond.     

On the inductive effects of the organometallic groups M(CO) m Cp n and HgM(CO) m Cp n (M = Co,Mo, Mn,Fe, Re)

Based on the dependences v(CO) =a + b^* for IR spectra of carbonyi complexes of transition metals, the inductive constants of the organometallic fragments M(CO) _m Cp _n and HgM(CO) _m Cp _n (M = Co, Mo, Mn, Fe, Re) have been determined. The acceptor properties of the organometallic fragments have been shown to change according to the order of the nucleophilicity of the anions: Fe(CO)₂Cp > Re(CO)₅ > Mn(CO)₅ > Mo(CO)₃Cp > Co(CO)₄.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1482–1484, August, 1994.     

Synthesis of clusters Fe2(CO)6(μ-XCH2CH=CH2)(μ3-X)Fe(CO)2Cp (X = Se, S; Cp = η5-C5H5)

The clusters Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-XCH₂CH=CH₂)(μ₃-X)Fe(CO)₂Cp (X = S, Se) were prepared by the successive treatment of the bi- and trimetallic complexes Fe₂(CO)₆(μ-Se₂) and Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-X) with allylmagnesium chloride and CpFe(CO)₂I. The clusters obtained contain a noncoordinated C=C bond. The structure of the Se-containing cluster was suggested on the basis of comparison of its spectral data (IR,¹H NMR, and Mössbauer spectra) with the spectra of the analogous S-containing complex, which was previously characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Comparison of Hydrogen and Gold Bonding in [XHX]−, [XAuX]−, and Isoelectronic [NgHNg]+, [NgAuNg]+ (X=Halogen,Ng=Noble Gas)

Quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ and CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ levels have been carried out for the title compounds. The electronic structures were analyzed with a variety of charge and energy partitioning methods. All molecules possess linear equilibrium structures with D_∞h symmetry. The total bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of the strongly bonded halogen anions [XHX]^? and [XAuX]^? decrease from [FHF]^? to [IHI]^? and from [FAuF]^? to [IAuI]^?. The BDEs of the noble gas compounds [NgHNg]⁺ and [NgAuNg]⁺ become larger for the heavier atoms. The central hydrogen and gold atoms carry partial positive charges in the cations and even in the anions, except for [IAuI]^?, in which case the gold atom has a small negative charge of ?0.03 e. The molecular electrostatic potentials reveal that the regions of the most positive or negative charges may not agree with the partial charges of the atoms, because the spatial distribution of the electronic charge needs to be considered. The bonding analysis with the QTAIM method suggests a significant covalent character for the hydrogen bonds to the noble gas atoms in [NgHNg]⁺ and to the halogen atoms in [XHX]^?. The covalent character of the bonding in the gold systems [NgAuNg]⁺ and [XAuX]^? is smaller than in the hydrogen compound. The energy decomposition analysis suggests that the lighter hydrogen systems possess dative bonds X^?→H⁺←X^? or Ng→H⁺←Ng while the heavier homologues exhibit electron sharing through two‐electron, three‐center bonds. Dative bonds X^?→Au⁺←X^? and Ng→Au⁺←Ng are also diagnosed for the lighter gold systems, but the heavier compounds possess electron‐shared bonds.