LiPN<Subscript>2</Subscript> and NaPN<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystals: Structural features and chemical bonding

The band structure spectra, densities of states, and valence and difference densities of LiPN₂ and NaPN₂ crystals were obtained by DFT self-consistent calculations using the nonlocal pseudopotentials and the localized pseudoorbital basis. Crystal-chemical analysis of these compounds shows that they occupy an intermediate position between the ideal structures of β-cristobalite and chalcopyrite, which manifests itself in the peculiarities of the electronic structure and chemical bonding. The valence band consists of three allowed subbands and differs radically from the typical valence band of chalcopyrite crystals in both subband structure and contributions of the s, p, and d atomic orbitals to the crystal orbitals.     

Features of the valence electron charge distribution in LiB<Superscript>II</Superscript>X<Superscript>V</Superscript> crystals

Total, difference, and deformation electron densities are calculated from the first principles using the density functional theory and the sublattice method for LiBX (B = Mg, Ca, Zn; X = N, P, As) crystals with the sphalerite structure. The nature and formation features of the chemical bonding caused by a change in the chemical composition are revealed. A weak bond between Li⁺ ions with X anions enables their displacements in the space between crystal-forming tetrahedral (BX)^– groups. It is found that Ca–X bonds are mainly ionic and in a series of crystals the ionic covalent Li–B bond is traced.     

Sulfur- and Selenium-Containing Compounds Potentially Exhibiting Al Ion Conductivity

We have created a set of crystalline model structures exhibiting straight lines of Al³⁺ connected to chalcogenides (O²⁻, S²⁻, and Se²⁻) connected to metal cations of varying valence (Sr²⁺, Y³⁺, Zr⁴⁺, Nb⁵⁺, and Mo⁶⁺). They were relaxed with density functional theory computations and analysed by Bader partitioning. As Al³⁺ ions are supposed to strongly interact with their atomic environment, we studied the electron density topology induced by higher-valent cations in the extended chemical neighbourhood of Al. In fact, we found a general decrease of ionic charges and an increasing displacement of the chalcogenides towards higher-valent ions for the heavier chalcogens. Therefore, we comprehensively screened S- and Se-containing compounds for candidates theoretically exhibiting low migration barriers for Al³⁺ ions by using Voronoi–Dirichlet partitioning and bond valence site energy calculations. The basis for this search is the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database. Indeed, we could extract six promising candidates with low Al³⁺ migration barriers. which are even lower than the barriers for any other element inside of these materials. This will encourage efforts towards preparing suitable Al³⁺ conductors.     

Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds Enhance Disparity in Reactivity between Isomers of Photoswitchable Sorbents and CO2: A Computational Study

Reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, such as CO₂, requires efficient and reusable capture materials. The energy for regenerating sorbents is critical to the cost of CO₂ capture. Here, we design a series of photoswitchable CO₂ capture molecules by grafting Lewis bases, which can covalently bond CO₂, to azo‐based backbones that can switch configurations upon light stimulation. The first‐principles calculations demonstrate that intramolecular hydrogen bonds are crucial for enlarging the difference of CO₂ binding strengths to the cis and trans isomers. As a result, the CO₂–sorbent interaction can be light‐adjusted from strong chemical bonding in one configuration to weak bonding in the other, which may lead to a great energy reduction in sorbent regeneration.     

Electronic structure and chemical bonding in bismuth sesquioxide polymorphs

The electronic structure of the α-Bi₂O₃, Β-Bi₂O₃, and γ-Bi₂O₃ phases was investigated by the ab initio self-consistent LMTO method in a tight binding approximation and by the semiempirical Hückel method. The total and partial densities of states and Mulliken overlap populations were obtained. The stability of bismuth oxide polymorphs is discussed based on the results of the total energy calculations for crystals. An analysis of chemical bonding shows that the Bi-O interaction plays the leading role. The Bi-Bi metallic bond is absent. Mechanisms of oxygen ion migration and possible stabilization of the structure of the superionic conductor δ-Bi₂O₃ are discussed.     

Electron difference densities and chemical bonding

In view of recent advances in X-ray technology it may be possible to deduce information regarding chemical bonding from experimentally determined electron densities. The construction of difference density maps represents a possible intermediate step in attaining this goal, but unresolved questions exist regarding appropriate definitions and interpretations of such maps. To shed light on these problems, theoretical difference densities are determined by ab-initio calculations for the molecules H₂, He₂, Li₂, Be₂, N₂ and F₂ at various internuclear distances. An examination of these difference density maps shows that the identification of those features of molecular electronic densities which are related to chemical bonding requires a judicious construction and a careful analysis of difference densities between molecules and their constituent atoms. Chemically relevant deformations can be small compared to density differences between different components of degenerate atomic groundstates and, consequently, chemical information can be swamped when difference densities are formed with spherically averaged atoms. To avoid such artifacts, oriented unaveraged atomic states must be subtracted for the formation of meaningful Chemical Difference Densities. The latter are explainable by means of a partitioning in terms of contributions from non-bonded inner shells, from lone pairs and from sigma and pi bonding shells. Such partitionings can be obtained through decompositions in terms of natural orbitals from correlated wavefunctions. Canonical SCF orbitals prove to be considerably less effective. Internuclear distances are found to have a great influence upon difference densities regardless of the attractive or repulsive nature of the interactions.     

3,5‐Di­methyl‐1,3,5‐oxadi­azane‐2,4,6‐trione: short intermolecular contacts determining the crystal packing

In the title compound, C₅H₆N₂O₄, the mol­ecules lie across a crystallographic mirror plane. The compound lacks traditional hydrogen‐bond donors, and hence crystals are held together by unusual C=O⋯O, O⋯C and weak C—H⋯O interactions, forming layers. Adjacent layers are arranged in an antiparallel manner, yielding an ABA layer sequence. The intermolecular contacts are quite short; a topological analysis of charge density based on density‐functional‐theory calculations was used for consideration of these short contacts and indicated a strong attractive bonding closed‐shell interaction between these atoms in the crystal structure.     

1,2,4-三氮杂苯-(H2O)n复合物氢键相互作用的密度泛函理论研究

用密度泛函理论方法在B3LYP/6-31++G**水平上对1,2,4-三氮杂苯-(H₂O)_n (n＝1, 2, 3)氢键复合物的基态进行了结构优化和能量计算, 结果表明复合物之间存在较强的氢键作用, 所有稳定复合物结构中形成一个N…H—O氢键并终止于弱O…H—C氢键的氢键水链的构型最稳定. 同时, 用含时密度泛函理论方法(TD-DFT)在TD-B3LYP/6-31++G**水平上计算了1,2,4-三氮杂苯单体及其氢键复合物的单重态第一¹(n, π^*)垂直激发能.     

Crystallographic and Theoretical Investigations of Er2@C2 n (2 n=82, 84, 86): Indication of Distance-Dependent Metal–Metal Bonding Nature

Successful isolation and characterization of a series of Er-based dimetallofullerenes present valuable insights into the realm of metal–metal bonding. These species are crystallographically identified as Er₂@C_s(6)-C₈₂, Er₂@C_3v(8)-C₈₂, Er₂@C₁(12)-C₈₄, and Er₂@C_2v(9)-C₈₆, in which the structure of the C₁(12)-C₈₄ cage is unambiguously characterized for the first time by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Interestingly, natural bond orbital analysis demonstrates that the two Er atoms in Er₂@C_s(6)-C₈₂, Er₂@C_3v(8)-C₈₂, and Er₂@C_2v(9)-C₈₆ form a two-electron-two-center Er−Er bond. However, for Er₂@C₁(12)-C₈₄, with the longest Er⋅⋅⋅Er distance, a one-electron-two-center Er−Er bond may exist. Thus, the difference in the Er⋅⋅⋅Er separation indicates distinct metal bonding natures, suggesting a distance-dependent bonding behavior for the internal dimetallic cluster. Additionally, electrochemical studies suggest that Er₂@C_82–86 are good electron donors instead of electron acceptors. Hence, this finding initiates a connection between metal–metal bonding chemistry and fullerene chemistry.     

New insight into the electronic structure of iron(IV)‐oxo porphyrin compound I. A quantum chemical topological analysis

The electronic structure of iron‐oxo porphyrin π‐cation radical complex Por^·+Fe^IV?O (S? H) has been studied for doublet and quartet electronic states by means of two methods of the quantum chemical topology analysis: electron localization function (ELF) η(r) and electron density ρ(r). The formation of this complex leads to essential perturbation of the topological structure of the carbon–carbon bonds in porphyrin moiety. The double C?C bonds in the pyrrole anion subunits, represented by pair of bonding disynaptic basins V_i=1,2(C,C) in isolated porphyrin, are replaced by single attractor V(C,C)_i=1–20 after complexation with the Fe cation. The iron–nitrogen bonds are covalent dative bonds, N→Fe, described by the disynaptic bonding basins V(Fe,N)_i=1–4, where electron density is almost formed by the lone pairs of the N atoms. The nature of the iron–oxygen bond predicted by the ELF topological analysis, shows a main contribution of the electrostatic interaction, Fe^δ+···O^δ?, as long as no attractors between the C(Fe) and C(O) core basins were found, although there are common surfaces between the iron and oxygen basines and coupling between iron and oxygen lone pairs, that could be interpreted as a charge‐shift bond. The Fe? S bond, characterized by the disynaptic bonding basin V(Fe,S), is partially a dative bond with the lone pair donated from sulfur atom. The change of electronic state from the doublet (M = 2) to quartet (M = 4) leads to reorganization of spin polarization, which is observed only for the porphyrin skeleton (?0.43e to 0.50e) and S? H bond (?0.55e to 0.52e). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ab Initio</Emphasis> Study of Electronic Structure of Lithium Metaborate

The electronic structure of lithium metaborate in monoclinic and tetragonal phases is studied using the density functional theory (DFT) method. The band spectra, total and partial densities of states are calculated for both modifications. Deformation electron density maps in LiBO₂ crystals are obtained. Participation of oxygen atoms in chemical bonding due to trigonal BO₃ and tetragonal BO₄ groups in monoclinic and tetragonal phases, respectively, is studied.     

The Chemical Bond in C2

Quantum chemical calculations using the complete active space of the valence orbitals have been carried out for H_nCCH_n (n=0–3) and N₂. The quadratic force constants and the stretching potentials of H_nCCH_n have been calculated at the CASSCF/cc‐pVTZ level. The bond dissociation energies of the C?C bonds of C₂ and HC≡CH were computed using explicitly correlated CASPT2‐F12/cc‐pVTZ‐F12 wave functions. The bond dissociation energies and the force constants suggest that C₂ has a weaker C?C bond than acetylene. The analysis of the CASSCF wavefunctions in conjunction with the effective bond orders of the multiple bonds shows that there are four bonding components in C₂, while there are only three in acetylene and in N₂. The bonding components in C₂ consist of two weakly bonding σ bonds and two electron‐sharing π bonds. The bonding situation in C₂ can be described with the σ bonds in Be₂ that are enforced by two π bonds. There is no single Lewis structure that adequately depicts the bonding situation in C₂. The assignment of quadruple bonding in C₂ is misleading, because the bond is weaker than the triple bond in HC≡CH.     

A Triatomic Silicon(0) Cluster Stabilized by a Cyclic Alkyl(amino) Carbene

Reduction of the neutral carbene tetrachlorosilane adduct (cAAC)SiCl₄ (cAAC=cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene :C(CMe₂)₂(CH₂)N(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with potassium graphite produces stable (cAAC)₃Si₃, a carbene‐stabilized triatomic silicon(0) molecule. The Si?Si bond lengths in (cAAC)₃Si₃ are 2.399(8), 2.369(8) and 2.398(8) Å, which are in the range of Si?Si single bonds. Each trigonal pyramidal silicon atom of the triangular molecule (cAAC)₃Si₃ possesses a lone pair of electrons. Its bonding, stability, and electron density distributions were studied by quantum chemical calculations.     

Unusual Bonding and Properties in Main Group Element Chemistry: Rational Synthesis,Characterization, and Experimental Electron Density Determination of Mixed‐Valent Tetraphosphetes

Five dispirocyclic λ³,λ⁵‐tetraphosphetes [{R₂Si(NR¹)(NR²)P₂}₂] (R¹ = R² and R¹ ≠ R²) are easily prepared in almost quantitative yields via photolysis of the respective bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphanyldiazaphosphasiletidines with intense visible light. These deep‐yellow low‐coordinate phosphorus compounds can be considered as the first higher congeners of the well‐known cyclodiphosphazenes. The tetraphosphetes are remarkably stable in air and show unexpected molecular properties related to the unique bonding situation of the central four‐π‐electron four‐membered phosphorus ring. The extent of rhombic distortion of the central P₄ ring is remarkable due to an unusually acute angle at the σ²‐phosphorus atoms. All of the P?P bonds are approximately equal in length. The distances are in the middle of the range given by phosphorus single and double bonds. The anisotropic absorption of visible light that can easily be observed in the case of the yellow/colorless dichroic crystals of [{Me₂Si(NtBu)(NtBu)P₂}₂] and the exceptional ³¹P NMR chemical shift of the σ²‐phosphorus atoms are the most remarkable features of the λ³,λ⁵‐tetraphosphetes. In the case of [{Me₂Si(NtBu)(NtBu)P₂}₂], the Hansen–Coppens multipole model is applied to extract the electron density from high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction data obtained at 100 K. Static deformation density and topological analysis reveal a unique bonding situation in the central unsaturated P₄ fragment characterized by polar σ‐bonding, pronounced out‐of‐ring non‐bonding lone pair density on the σ²‐phosphorus atoms, and an additional non‐classical three‐center back‐bonding contribution.     

Structural and Electron Density Studies on a Chromium(IV)-Oxo Complex [CrIV(O)(TMP)]

The electron density distribution of a chromium(IV)-oxo complex, [Cr^IV(O)(TMP)] (TMP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-p-methoxyphenyl porphyrin), is investigated by molecular orbital calculation. The molecular and crystal structure of the compound is studied by x-ray diffraction. It belongs to the space group 1 2, Z = 2, a = 14.979(4) Å, b = 9.752(3), c = 15.605(3) Å, β = 100.97(2)°, V = 2238(1) ų, Mo Kα radiation λ = 0.7107 Å, R = 4.9%, Rw = 3.5% for 3575 observed reflections. Cr is five-coordinated in a square pyramidal fashion with the Cr atom located 0.42 Å toward the oxo-ligand. Deformation density maps are derived from the single point molecular orbital calculation on the basis of HF and DFT(density functional theory) calculations. The accumulation of deformation density along the C-H, C-C, C-N and C-O bonds in the porphyrin ligand is well represented. The asphericity in electron density around the Cr ion is clearly demonstrated. Natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) reveals that the Cr-O_oxo is actually a triple-bond character (σ²π⁴) and the four N of pyrrole serves as a σ-donor to Cr. The Cr-N_pyrrole bond is essentially a dative bond d-Orbital populations of Cr derived from both calculations are in good agreement with each other. Planar d_π-orbital is the most populated, which is in accord with the prediction from crystal field theory. Detail bond characterization of the Cr-L, multiple bond is discussed.     

Ab Initio Study on the Stability of NgnBe2N2, NgnBe3N2 and NgBeSiN2 Clusters

The global minima of Be₂N₂, Be₃N₂ and BeSiN₂ clusters are identified using a modified stochastic kick methodology. The structure, stability and bonding nature of these clusters bound to noble gas (Ng) atoms are studied at the MP2/def2‐QZVPPD level of theory. Positive Be?Ng bond dissociation energy, which gradually increases down Group 18 from He to Rn, indicates the bound nature of Ng atoms. All of the Ng‐binding processes are exothermic in nature. The Xe and Rn binding to Be₂N₂ and Be₃N₂ clusters and Ar?Rn binding to BeSiN₂ are exergonic processes at room temperature; however, for the lighter Ng atoms, lower temperatures are needed. Natural population analysis, Wiberg bond index computations, electron density analysis, and energy decomposition analysis are performed to better understand the nature of Be?Ng bonds.     

Molecular structure of two dicyclopentadienylmolybdenum derivatives containing a four-membered ring [Mo(η5-C5H5)2(2-NHNC5H4)][PF6] and [Mo(η5C5H5)2(2-ONC5H4)][PF6]

The structure of the new compound [Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂(2-NHNC₅H₄)][PF₆] (1) has been determined. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pca2₁ with a 20.807(1), b 8.0030(8), c 10.056(3) Å, V 1674.5 ų, Z = 4. The structure of [Mo(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂(2-ONC₅H₄)][PF₆] (2) has also been determined. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Pnma with a 12.727(3), b 10.174(2), c 12.918(1) Å, V 1672.8 ų, Z = 4. The structures were solved by Patterson and difference electron density syntheses and refined by least-squares to R of 0.028 for 1287 reflections for 1 and 0.059 for 1178 reflections for 2.Although not isostructural the two cationic complexes have equivalent geometries with the normal bent bismetallocene structure. For 1 the MoN bond lengths are 2.160(8) and 2.142(9) Å, with a NMoN bond angle of 59.8(3)°, whereas for 2 MoO is 2.142(10), MoN is 2.138(11) Å, the NMoO angle is 61.2(4)°. These parameters are discussed and compared with the corresponding data for similar biscyclopentadienyl complexes of molybdenum(IV). Extended Hückel molecular orbital calculations have been carried out to throw light on the nature of the bonding between the metal and the bidentate ligand.     

3,4,6‐Trichloro‐5‐cyano‐2‐hydroxybenzamide

The title compound, C₈H₃Cl₃N₂O₂, forms crystals in which hydrogen‐bonding and Cl...N interactions appear to be equally important to the structure. The molecules form ribbons held together alternately by cyclic (CONH)₂ and cyclic (ClCCC[triple‐bond]N)₂ interactions. The ribbons assemble into layers through Cl...Cl interactions. The layers are held together by NH...N[triple‐bond]C hydrogen bonds, as well as by π–π interactions.