The Chemical Bond: When Atom Size Instead of Electronegativity Difference Determines Trend in Bond Strength

We have quantum chemically analyzed element−element bonds of archetypal H_nX−YH_n molecules (X, Y=C, N, O, F, Si, P, S, Cl, Br, I), using density functional theory. One purpose is to obtain a set of consistent homolytic bond dissociation energies (BDE) for establishing accurate trends across the periodic table. The main objective is to elucidate the underlying physical factors behind these chemical bonding trends. On one hand, we confirm that, along a period (e. g., from C−C to C−F), bonds strengthen because the electronegativity difference across the bond increases. But, down a period, our findings constitute a paradigm shift. From C−F to C−I, for example, bonds do become weaker, however, not because of the decreasing electronegativity difference. Instead, we show that the effective atom size (via steric Pauli repulsion) is the causal factor behind bond weakening in this series, and behind the weakening in orbital interactions at the equilibrium distance. We discuss the actual bonding mechanism and the importance of analyzing this mechanism as a function of the bond distance.     

碳原子价轨道电负性对化学键性能的影响

研究了同一类型化学键X―C的键能、键长和H―C键的酸性等性能与碳原子价轨道电负性的定量关系。结果表明,X―C键能随碳原子价轨道电负性增加而线性增大;H―C与C―C键的键长随碳原子价轨道电负性增加而线性减小;H―C的酸性随碳原子价轨道电负性增加而线性增大。因而,对结构类似的有机化合物,可以采用碳原子价轨道电负性对实验测定的化学键性能作图,判断其测定结果正确与否。     

Single-Nitrogen Atom Incorporation into B=B Bond via the N=N Bond Splitting of Diazo Compound and Diazirine

Triboraazabutenyne 3 is synthesized by the reaction of diboraazabutenyne 1 with aryl boron dibromide followed by the reduction. The ligand exchange to replace phosphine on the terminal sp² B atom with carbene furnishes 4 . ¹¹B NMR, solid-state structures, and computational studies disclose that 3 and 4 feature the extremely polarized B=B bond. 4 readily splits the N=N bond of both diazo compound and diazirine under ambient conditions, whereby one nitrogen atom is incorporated into the B=B moiety leading to a neutral diboraazaallene 6 . The mechanism of the reaction between 4 and diazo compound is extensively investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, as well as the isolation of an intermediate.     

Molecular electronegativity in density functional theory (VI)

Based on the density functional theory and partitioning the molecular electron density ρ (r) into atomic electronic densities and bond electronic densities, the expressions of the total molecular energy and the “effective electronegativity” of an atom or a bond in a molecule are obtained. The atom-bond electronegativity equalization model is then proposed for the direct calculation of the total molecular energy and the charge distribution of large molecules. Practical calculations show that the atom-bond electronegativity equalization model can reproduce the correspondingab initio values of the total molecular energies and charge distributions for a series of large molecules with a very satisfactory accuracy.     

Molecular electronegativity in density functional theory(VIII) Charge polarization modes in a closed system

Based on the density functional theory and the atom-bond electronegativity equalization model (ABEEM), a method is proposed to construct the softness matrix and to obtain the electron population normal modes (PNMs) for a closed system. Using this method the information about the bond charge polarization in a molecule can be obtained easily. The test calculation shows that the PNM obtained by this method includes all the modes about the bond charge polarization explicitly. And the bond charge polarization mode characterized by the biggest eigenvalue, which is the softest one of all modes related with chemical bonds, can describe the charge polarization process in a molecule as exquisitely as the correspondingab initio method.     

Correlation of the position of the bond functions in H-X with electronegativity

S type Gaussian bond functions are optimized for HF, H₂O, NH₃, and CH₄. The optimization is carried out with respect to the exponent and position in the H-X bond. The position is found to correlate well with the electronegativity of Pauling and Allred-Rochow.     

Electrooxidative Activation of B−B Bond in B2cat2: Access to gem-Diborylalkanes via Paired Electrolysis

This report describes the unprecedented electrooxidation of a solvent (e.g., DMF)-ligated B₂cat₂ complex, whereby a solvent-stabilized boryl radical is formed via quasi-homolytic cleavage of the B−B bond in a DMF-ligated B₂cat₂ radical cation. Cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory provide evidence to support this novel B−B bond activation strategy. Furthermore, a strategy for the electrochemical gem-diborylation of gem-bromides via paired electrolysis is developed for the first time, affording a range of versatile gem-diborylalkanes, which are widely used in synthetic society. Notably, this reaction approach is scalable, transition-metal-free, and requires no external activator.     

Electronic properties of oxides: Chemical and theoretical approaches

An original analysis of the electronic and chemical properties of oxides is proposed based on the electronegativity χ and the chemical hardness η. This model which has been applied to various oxide based metals, degenerate semiconductors and optical properties of transition metal oxides allows explaining their electronic behaviors: Strong electronegativity and weak chemical hardness characterize oxides of transition elements with high oxidation state. Strong electronegativity and strong chemical hardness feature insulators with a large optical gap. Weak electronegativity and moderate chemical hardness describe alkali and alkaline earth oxides and weak electronegativity and strong chemical hardness are for ionic oxides with a relatively large optical gap. For a few illustrative case studies, ab intio electronic band structure calculations within the density functional theory framework are used.     

分子ABEEM电荷分布的图形表示

利用Matlab软件编写程序, 将基于密度泛函理论和电负性均衡原理发展的原子-键电负性均衡方法σ-π模型(ABEEM σ-π)计算的电荷分布, 特别是键电荷和孤对电子的电荷分布, 用图形表现出来, 对分子的电荷分布给出直观形象的认识, 并以腺嘌呤、腺嘌呤脱氧核苷酸以及丙烯与氯化氢的马氏亲电加成反应为例, 进行应用说明.     

A comparative study of the bonding in heteroatom analogues of benzene

Summary Inorganic benzenes X₃Y₃H₆ are investigated, with X and Y chosen from Zn, B, Al, Ga, C, Si, Ge, N, P, As, O, and S such that there are a total of 6 electrons. Geometries and bond orders are used to qualitatively assess the degree of aromatic bonding in these species. Bond orders are extracted from the CI density matrix over localized molecular orbitals, using methods pioneered by Ruedenberg. Second row elements C, N, O are found to be more effective at this bonding. The aromatic bonding is poorest when X and Y have a large electronegativity difference.Dedicated to Prof. Klaus Ruedenberg     

Theoretical study on the mechanism of extraction reaction between silylene carbene and its derivatives and thiirane

The mechanism of the sulfur extraction reaction between singlet silylene carbine and its derivatives and thiirane has been investigated with density functional theory (DFT), including geometry optimization and vibrational analysis for the involved stationary points on the potential energy surface. The energies of the different conformations are calculated by B3LYP/6-311G(d, p) method. From the potential energy profile, it can be predicted that the reaction pathway of this kind consists in two steps: (1) the two reactants firstly form an intermediate through a barrier-free exothermic reaction; (2) the intermediate then isomerizes to a product via a transition state. This kind of reactions has similar mechanism: when the silylene carbene and its derivatives [X₂Si=C: (X = H, F, Cl, CH₃)] and thiirane approach each other, the shift of 3p lone electron pair of S in thiirane to the 2p unoccupied orbital of C in X₂Si=C: gives a p → p donor-acceptor bond, thereby leading to the formation of intermediate (INT). As the p → p donor-acceptor bond continues to strengthen (that is the C-S bond continues to shorten), the intermediate (INT) generates product (P + C₂H₄) via transition state (TS). It is the substituent electronegativity that mainly affect the extraction reactions. When the substituent electronegativity is greater, the energy barrier is lower, and the reaction rate is greater.     

Correlation of bond metallicity measures to electronegativity for binary oxides

We have investigated alkali, alkaline‐earth, and rutile binary oxides within density functional theory (DFT) and Bader's atoms‐in‐molecules theory, focusing on properties of bond and ring critical points, and their relations to band gap and Pauling electronegativity. We find linear relations of kinetic energy density, electron density, and the gap divided by kinetic energy density at the bond critical points to the difference of Pauling electronegativities of the cation and oxygen anion. At the ring critical points of rutile compounds, we also find that some bond metallicity measures are linearly related to the difference of electronegativities. This study extends our knowledge about the relations between bond critical points, band gap, and electronegativity, but also shows for the first time a quantitative relation between quantities at the ring critical points and global properties of the compounds.     

Computation of large systems with an economic basis set: structures and reactivity indices of nucleic acid base pairs from density functional theory

We show here that an economic basis set can describe nucleic acid base pairs involving the hydrogen bond interactions in density functional calculations. The economic basis set in which the polarization function is added only to oxygen and nitrogen atoms of strong electronegativity can predict reliable geometric structures and dipole moment of nucleic acid base pairs, comparable to those obtained from the basis set of 6-31G* in B3LYP calculations. Combining single point calculations with the standard basis set on the geometric structures optimized by the economic basis set, the present approach has predicted accurate natural bond orbital charge, binding energy, electronegativity, hardness, softness, and electrophilicity index. The principle for basis selection presented in this study can be regarded as a general guideline in the computation of large biological systems with considerably high accuracy and low computational expense.     

密度泛函方法研究卤族原子(F,Br,I)与银原子簇的相互作用

应用密度泛函理论计算方法研究了气相中的单个的F, Br, I原子吸附在中性和带正、负电荷的银原子团簇上的平衡几何构型 Ag_nX^0,±1 (X＝F, Br, I)、吸附能、电荷转移量以及碎片化模式, 并与先前研究过的氯原子在银原子簇上的吸附做了对比. 结果表明卤族原子在银原子簇上的吸附得到的相似的最稳定几何构型, 具有相似的吸附性质. 吸附能和电子转移量的大小顺序为F＞Cl＞Br＞I, 与电负性顺序相一致.     

Theoretical study of mechanism of extraction reaction between germylene carbene and its derivatives and thiirane

The mechanism of the sulfur extraction reaction between singlet germylene carbene and its derivatives [X₂Ge?C: (X = H, F, Cl, CH₃)] and thiirane has been investigated with density functional theory, including geometry optimization and vibrational analyses for the involved stationary points on the potential energy surface. The energies of the different conformations are calculated by B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) method. From the potential energy profile, it can be predicted that the reaction pathway of this kind consists two steps: (1) the two reactants firstly form an intermediate (INT) through a barrier‐free exothermic reaction; (2) the INT then isomerizes to a product via a transition state (TS). This kind reaction has similar mechanism, when the germylene carbene and its derivatives [X₂Ge?C: (X = H, F, Cl, CH₃)] and thiirane get close to each other, the shift of 3p lone electron pair of S in thiirane to the 2p unoccupied orbital of C in X₂Ge = C: gives a p → p donor–acceptor bond, leading to the formation of INT. As the p → p donor–acceptor bond continues to strengthen (that is the C? S bond continues to shorten), the INT generates product (P + C₂H₄) via TS. It is the substituent electronegativity that mainly affects the extraction reactions. When the substituent electronegativity is greater, the energy barrier is lower, and the reaction rate is greater. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

A new approach to the relationship between bond energy and electronegativity

The familiar equation whereby Pauling related heteronuclear bond energies D_A–B to the electronegativity difference Δχ (=∣χ_A − χ_B∣) and the homonuclear bond energies D_A–A and D_B–B has been the subject of critical scrutiny for at least half a century. A modification to this equation that combines the concepts of electronegativity and hardness/softness can be rewritten in terms of two quantities x and y, both having absolute significance. Both homo- and heteronuclear bond energies can be rationalised from these new equations. The quantities x are linearly related to Pauling electronegativities, while y appears to be a measure of an atom’s intrinsic bonding potential, related to size and availability of valence orbitals.     

Molecular electronegativity in density functional theory(VIII)

Based on the density functional theory and the atom-bond electronegativity equalization model (ABEEM), a method is proposed to construct the softness matrix and to obtain the electron population normal modes (PNMs) for a closed system. Using this method the information about the bond charge polarization in a molecule can be obtained easily. The test calculation shows that the PNM obtained by this method includes all the modes about the bond charge polarization explicitly. And the bond charge polarization mode characterized by the biggest eigenvalue, which is the softest one of all modes related with chemical bonds, can describe the charge polarization process in a molecule as exquisitely as the correspondingab initio method.