Structure,stability, and aromaticity of M?SubPc (MB,Al, and Ga): Computational study

A theoretical investigation on the structure, stability, and aromaticity of M‐subphthalocyanine (M? SubPc; M?B, Al, and Ga) was performed at the B3LYP/6‐31+G*//B3LYP/6‐31G* level. The comparison between M? SubPc and the corresponding M? phthalocyanine (M? Pc) was considered. The geometry optimization of the M? SubPc shows that in the Al? SubPc and Ga? SubPc, the steric repulsions among the three azacoupled isoindole moieties increase, as to their macrocycles tend to be far from planarity. The binding energies of Cl? M … aza‐coupled isoindole corrected by the basis set superposition error (BSSE), and the nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) values at the ring center, which are a simple and effective local aromaticity probe, were calculated. The results show that Al? SubPc is less stable than both B? SubPc and Al? Pc for larger steric repulsion, smaller binding energy, and weaker aromaticity. In the same way, Ga? SubPc is less stable than both B? SubPc and Ga? Pc. In addition, the ring expansion reactivity occurring in B? SubPc was confirmed by the global aromaticity mirrored by the electrophilicity index ω values. Therefore, the Al? SubPc and Ga? SubPc remain unknown, while the corresponding compounds Al? Pc and Ga? Pc are known experimentally. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Two Different Structural Motifs Observed for Dimeric Dialkylaluminum and Dialkylgallium Alkynides [R2E‐C≡C‐C6H5]2

The dialkylaluminum and dialkylgallium alkynides [R₂E‐C≡C‐R′]₂ (R = Me, CMe₃; E = Al, Ga; R′ = Ph) containing C≡C triple bonds attached to their central aluminum or gallium atoms are easily obtained by the reactions of dialkylelement chlorides with lithium alkynides or by treatment of the corresponding alkyne R‐C≡C‐H with dialkylaluminum or dialkylgallium hydrides. The first reaction is favored by the precipitation of LiCl, the second one by the formation of elemental hydrogen. All products form dimers in which the carbanionic carbon atoms of the alkynido groups adopt bridging positions, but, interestingly, different types of molecular structures were observed depending on the steric demand of the substituents terminally attached to the aluminum or gallium atoms. The small methyl substituents gave structures in which the aluminum or gallium atoms seemed to be side‐on coordinated by the C≡C triple bonds of almost linear E‐C≡C groups. In contrast, the more bulky tert‐butyl groups forced an arrangement in which the C≡C triple bonds were perpendicular to the E‐E axis of the molecules. Different bonding modes result, which were analyzed by quantum‐chemical calculations.     

Neutral carbene analogues of group 13 elements: the dimerization reaction to a biradicaloid

The dimerization reactions of the neutral carbene analogues with the group 13 elements boron, aluminum, gallium, and indium are studied. Besides boron, all monomeric species possess singlet ground states. For Al, bulky substituted cases were investigated; they reveal no essential changes in the singlet-triplet energy separations compared with the parent species. The dimerization energies increase with an increase in the bulk of the substituents; this is a consequence of an enhancement of van der Waals forces for association. The latter is opposed by entropic forces, which facilitate dissociation. An equilibrium between monomeric and dimeric structures is predicted because of enthalpy versus entropy control. The low-temperature domain association should prevail in the formation of a dimer with Al (Ga) within the formal oxidation state I+. The Al-Al bond refers to a chelated biradicaloid species with an energetically low-lying triplet state. It emerges from the metal-metal contacts in the dimer. The biradical character of the dimer decreases in the order E = Al ? Ga > In. The carbene analogue of In forms upon dimerization of only weak coordinative metal-metal interactions.     

Donor-acceptor complexes of borazines

Donor-acceptor complexes of borazine (BZ) and its substituted derivatives with Lewis acids (A = MCl(3), MBr(3); M = B, Al, Ga) and Lewis bases (D = NH(3), Py) have been theoretically studied at the B3LYP/TZVP level of theory. The calculations showed that complexes with Lewis bases only are unstable with respect to dissociation into their components, while complexes with Lewis acids only (such as aluminum and gallium trihalides) are stable. It was shown that formation of ternary D→BZ→A complexes may be achieved by subsequent introduction of the Lewis acid (acceptor A) and the Lewis base (donor D) to borazine. The nature of substituents in the borazine ring, their number, and position were shown to have only minor influence on the stability of ternary D→BZ→A complexes due to the compensation effect. Much weaker acceptor properties of borazine are explained in terms of large endothermic pyramidalization energy of the boron center in the borazine ring. In contrast to borazine, binary complexes of the isoelectronic benzene were predicted to be weakly bound even in the case of very strong Lewis acids; ternary DA complexes of benzene were predicted to be unbound. The donor-acceptor complex formation was predicted to significantly reduce both the endothermicity (by 70-95 kJ mol(-1)) and the activation energy (by 40-70 kJ mol(-1)) for the borazine hydrogenation. Thus, activation of the borazine ring by Lewis acids may be a facile way for the hydrogenation of borazines and polyborazines.     

Infrared spectra of aluminum hydrides in solid hydrogen: Al2H4 and Al2H6

The reaction of laser-ablated Al atoms and normal-H(2) during co-deposition at 3.5 K produces AlH, AlH(2), and AlH(3) based on infrared spectra and the results of isotopic substitution (D(2), H(2) + D(2) mixtures, HD). Four new bands are assigned to Al(2)H(4) from annealing, photochemistry, and agreement with frequencies calculated using density functional theory. Ultraviolet photolysis markedly increases the yield of AlH(3) and seven new absorptions for Al(2)H(6) in the infrared spectrum of the solid hydrogen sample. These frequencies include terminal Al-H(2) and bridge Al-H-Al stretching and AlH(2) bending modes, which are accurately predicted by quantum chemical calculations for dibridged Al(2)H(6), a molecule isostructural with diborane. Annealing these samples to remove the H(2) matrix decreases the sharp AlH(3) and Al(2)H(6) absorptions and forms broad 1720 +/- 20 and 720 +/- 20 cm(-1) bands, which are due to solid (AlH(3))(n). Complementary experiments with thermal Al atoms and para-H(2) at 2.4 K give similar spectra and most product frequencies within 2 cm(-1). Although many volatile binary boron hydride compounds are known, binary aluminum hydride chemistry is limited to the polymeric (AlH(3))( solid. Our experimental characterization of the dibridged Al(2)H(6) molecule provides an important link between the chemistries of boron and aluminum.     

New nickel gallium boride, B14Ga3Ni27: synthesis and crystal structure

Crystals of the new compound B(14)Ga(3)Ni(27) were successfully prepared by arc melting of the elements. B(14)Ga(3)Ni(27) crystallizes as a novel structure type in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/m with unit cell parameters a = 8.6859(4) ?, b = 10.7477(4) ?, c = 8.8425(3) ?, β = 90.707(4)°, and Z = 2. Its structure was solved from single crystal data and refined to R1(F) = 0.0225. The unit cell of B(14)Ga(3)Ni(27) contains boron dumbbells and isolated gallium atoms embedded in a nickel 3D-framework. Its electronic structure, calculated by DFT methods, indicates metallic properties.     

One- and two-photon absorption of three-coordinate compounds with different centers (B,Al,N) and a 2,2'-dipyridylnitrogen functional group

A series of three-coordinate octupolar compounds with varied centers (boron, aluminum, and nitrogen), which exhibit very large effective two-photon absorption cross sections have been theoretically studied. The ground state geometries and electronic structures are obtained using the density functional theory with the B3LYP functional and 6-31G(d) basis set, and the results are comparable to the available experimental determinations. Based on the correct geometrical and electronic structures, the one- and two-photon absorptions are predicted by the ZINDO-SOS method. Among these compounds, the boron (B) and aluminum (Al) centers act as acceptors, while the nitrogen center acts as donor according to the net charge changes during the excitation. It is found that (i) the compounds with boron and aluminum centers show two large two-photon absorption peaks, while the molecule with nitrogen center show only one two-photon absorption peak; (ii) the cross sections of the molecules with B or Al as centers are larger than that of the molecule with nitrogen as center; furthermore, the two-photon absorption cross section of the molecule with Al center is larger than that of the molecule with B center, from this point of view, our theoretical prediction provides for the experiment a good new candidate with large two-photon absorption cross section for further research; (iii) lengthening the conjugation bridge by inserting a benzene ring on the organoborane compounds (forming the investigated molecule B-2) enhances the two-photon absorption cross section, and keeping good transparency at the same time.     

Peripheral Arylation of Subporphyrazines

Peripherally hexaarylated subporphyrazines (SubPzs) have been prepared through a Pd‐catalyzed, CuTC‐mediated coupling of a hexaethylsulfanylated subporphyrazine with arylboronic acids. The introduced aryl substituents strongly influence the electronic properties of the subporphyrazine through effective conjugative interaction. Aryl rings endowed with π‐electron‐donating groups at the para positions produce a remarkable perturbation of the electron density of the SubPz macrocycle. This is reflected through significant redshifts of the SubPz CT and Q‐bands, together with increase of the molar absorptivity of the former, with respect to those exhibited by the hexaphenyl‐SubPz 2 a . Moreover, the trend in the first SubPz reduction potentials correlates with the Hammett constants (σ_p) corresponding to the para substituents of the aryl. The domed, extended SubPz π‐system self‐assembles in the solid state to form a dimeric capsule that houses a solvent molecule.     

Convenient synthesis of aluminum and gallium phosphonate cages

The reactions of AlCl 3.6H 2O and GaCl 3 with 2-pyridylphosphonic acid (2PypoH 2) and 4-pyridylphosphonic acid (4PypoH 2) afford cyclic aluminum and gallium phosphonate structures of [(2PypoH) 4Al 4(OH 2) 12]Cl 8.6H 2O ( 1), [(4PypoH) 4Al 4(OH 2) 12]Cl 8.11H 2O ( 2), [(2PypoH) 4Al 4(OH 2) 12](NO 3) 8.7H 2O ( 3), [(2PypoH) 2(2Pypo) 4Ga 8Cl 12(OH 2) 4(thf) 2](GaCl 4) 2..8thf ( 4), and [(2PypoH) 2(2Pypo) 4Ga 8Cl 12(OH 2) 4(thf) 2](NO 3) 2.9thf ( 5). Structures 1- 3 feature four aluminum atoms bridged by oxygen atoms from the phosphonate moiety and show structural resemblance to the secondary building units found in zeolites and aluminum phosphates. The gallium complexes, 4 and 5, have eight gallium atoms bridged by phosphonate moieties with two GaCl 4 (-) counterions present in 4 and nitrate ions in 5. The cage structures 1- 3 are interlinked by strong hydrogen bonds, forming polymeric chains that, for aluminum, are thermally robust. Exchange of the phosphonic acid for the more flexible 4PyCH 2PO 3H 2 afforded a coordination polymer with a 1:1 Ga:P ratio, {[(4PyCH 2PO 3H)Ga(OH 2) 3](NO 3) 2.0.5H 2O} x ( 6). Complexes 1- 6 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, and mass spectrometry and studied by TGA.     

Subphthalocyanine-fused dimers and trimers: synthetic, electrochemical, and theoretical studies

Subphthalocyanine (SubPc)-fused dimers and trimers bearing fluorine, iodine, and thioether peripheral substituents were synthesized and characterized. Absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical studies revealed (i) that the substituents have a strong effect on the electronic properties of the macrocycles and (ii) that there is good communication between the subphthalocyaninic moieties within the oligomeric structures. Theoretical calculations at DFT/6-31G(d,p) computational level and electron density studies support the experimental findings. The frontier orbitals in the dimers and trimers were also shown to be significantly altered with respect to those of SubPcs as a consequence of the extension of the conjugation associated with symmetry breaking. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations reproduced the differences observed in the UV-vis spectra of the fused dimers and the monomeric SubPcs.     

Quantification of Aluminum Gallium Arsenide (AlGaAs) Wafer Plasma Using Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS)

In this work, we report the results of the compositional analysis of an aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) sample using the calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) technique. The AlGaAs sample was doped with three various concentrations of gallium (Ga), arsenic (As), and aluminum (Al), as reported by the manufacturer, and the CF-LIBS technique was employed to identify the doping concentration. A pulsed Q-switched Nd: YAG laser capable of delivering 200 and 400 mJ energy at 532 and 1064 nm, respectively, was focused on the target sample for ablation, and the resulting emission spectra were captured using a LIBS 2000+ spectrometer covering the spectral range from 200 to 720 nm. The emission spectra of the AlGaAs sample yielded spectral lines of Ga, As, and Al. These lines were further used to calculate the plasma parameters, including electron temperature and electron number density. The Boltzmann plot method was used to calculate the electron temperature, and the average electron temperature was found to be 5744 ± 500 K. Furthermore, the electron number density was calculated from the Stark-broadened line profile method, and the average number density was calculated to be 6.5 × 10¹⁷ cm⁻³. It is further observed that the plasma parameters including electron temperature and electron number density have an increasing trend with laser irradiance and a decreasing trend along the plume length up to 2 mm. Finally, the elemental concentrations in terms of weight percentage using the CF-LIBS method were calculated to be Ga: 94%, Al: 4.77% and As: 1.23% for sample-1; Ga: 95.63%, Al: 1.15% and As: 3.22% for sample-2; and Ga: 97.32%, Al: 0.69% and As: 1.99% for sample-3. The certified concentrations were Ga: 95%, Al: 3% and As: 2% for sample-1; Ga: 96.05%, Al: 1% and As: 2.95% for sample-2; and Ga: 97.32%, Al: 0.69% and As: 1.99% for sample-3. The concentrations measured by CF-LIBS showed good agreement with the certified values reported by the manufacturer. These findings suggest that the CF-LIBS technique opens up an avenue for the industrial application of LIBS, where quantitative/qualitative analysis of the material is highly desirable.     

Distribution of aluminum and boron in the periodical building units of boron-containing Beta zeolites

Various boron only ([B]-BEA) as well as aluminum- and boron-containing beta zeolites ([Al,B]-BEA) have been prepared and modified by ion exchange of ammonium, sodium, and nickel ions. The zeolite samples have been characterized by 11B, 27Al, and 29Si MAS as well as three of them by 11B and 27Al 3Q-MAS NMR spectroscopy. The quantitative contributions of defect-free Si(nX) (n = 2, 1, 0; X = Al, B) and Si(OH)x (x = 2, 1) sites to the NMR signal intensities were calculated from the various Si/(Al + B) ratios and relative 11B, 27Al, and 29Si NMR signal intensities using the special distribution of aluminum and boron in different periodical building units of the zeolite framework. The boron atoms are sitting exclusively in diagonal positions in the four-membered rings of [B]-BEA zeolites, while the aluminum atoms are situated both in diagonal and lone positions in the four-membered rings of [Al,B]-BEA zeolites. A higher part of boron atoms are positioned in framework-related deformed tetrahedral boron species than in lattice positions in the [B]-BEA than in the [Al,B]-BEA zeolites. All extraframework octahedral aluminum species are transformed back to lattice positions due to ion exchange from the protonated form to ammonium-, sodium-, or nickel-ions containing zeolites. Oppositely, trigonal boron leaves the zeolite structure completely during ion exchange.     

Lewis acidity of gallium halides

The Lewis acidity of GaF(3), GaF(2)Cl, GaFCl(2), and GaCl(3) in acid-base interactions has been studied by taking ammonia as their electron-donating counterpart. We have derived an unoccupied reactive orbital that shows the maximum localization on the Ga atomic center for each species. The orbital is located lower in energy compared to those in the corresponding boron and aluminum halides. In contrast to boron halides, the unoccupied reactive orbital of the acid site tends to be delocalized considerably on the halogens as the fluorines are substituted by chlorines in gallium halides. The trend observed in the effects of fluorine and chlorine on the acidity of the gallium halides is opposite to those found in the boron halides. This cannot be interpreted solely in terms of the electron-accepting strength of the gallium center, but can be understood by including electrostatic interactions and closed-shell repulsion with ammonia in the adducts. The origin of the difference in Lewis acidity of BCl(3), AlCl(3), and GaCl(3) has been clarified.     

Metalloid aluminum and gallium clusters: element modifications on the molecular scale?

As members of the same group in the periodic table, the industrially significant elements aluminum and gallium exhibit strong similarities in the majority of their compounds. In contrast there are significant differences in the structures of the two elemental forms: Aluminum forms a typical closest-packed metallic structure whereas gallium demonstrates a diversity of molecular bonding principles in its seven structural modifications. It can therefore be expected that differences between Al and Ga compounds will arise when, as for the elemental forms, many metal-metal bonds are formed. To synthesize such cluster compounds, we have developed the following synthesis procedure: Starting from gaseous monohalides at around 1000 degrees C, metastable solutions are generated from which the elements ultimately precipitate by means of a disproportionation reaction at room temperature. On the way to the elemental forms, molecular Al and Ga cluster compounds can be obtained by selection of suitable ligands (protecting groups), in which a core of Al or Ga atoms are protected from the formation of the solid element by a ligand shell. Since the arrangement of atoms in such clusters corresponds to that in the elements, we have designated these clusters as metalloid or elementoid. In accordance with the Greek word [see text] (ideal, prototype), the atomic arrangement in metalloid clusters represents the prototypic or ideal atomic arrangement in the elements at the molecular level. The largest clusters of this type contain 77 Al or 84 Ga atoms and have diameters of up to two nanometers. They hold the world record with respect to the naked metal-atom core for structurally characterized metalloid clusters.     

An EPR and ENDOR investigation of a series of diazabutadiene-group 13 complexes

Paramagnetic diazabutadienegallium(II or III) complexes, [(Ar-DAB)2Ga] and [{(Ar-DAB*)GaX}2] (X = Br or I; Ar-DAB = {N(Ar)C(H)}2, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl), have been prepared by reactions of an anionic gallium N-heterocyclic carbene analogue, [K(tmeda)][:Ga(Ar-DAB)], with either "GaI" or [MoBr2(CO)2(PPh3)2]. A related InIII complex, [(Ar-DAB*)InCl2(thf)], has also been prepared. These compounds were characterised by X-ray crystallography and EPR/ENDOR spectroscopy. The EPR spectra of all metal(III) complexes incorporating the Ar-DAB ligand, [(Ar-DAB(.))MX(2)(thf)(n)] (M = Al, Ga or In; X = Cl or I; n = 0 or 1) and [(Ar-DAB)2Ga], confirmed that the unpaired spin density is primarily ligand centred, with weak hyperfine couplings to Al (a = 2.85 G), Ga (a = 17-25 G) or In (a = 26.1 G) nuclei. Changing the N substituents of the diazabutadiene ligand to tert-butyl groups in the gallium complex, [(tBu-DAB*)GaI2] (tBu-DAB={N(tBu)C(H)}2), changes the unpaired electron spin distribution producing 1H and 14N couplings of 1.4 G and 8.62 G, while the aryl-substituted complex, [(Ar-DAB*)GaI2], produces couplings of about 5.0 G. These variations were also manifested in the gallium couplings, namely aGa approximately 1.4 G for [(tBu-DAB*)GaI2] and aGa approximately 25 G for [(Ar-DAB*)GaI2]. The EPR spectra of the gallium(II) and indium(II) diradical complexes, [{(Ar-DAB*)GaBr}2], [{(Ar-DAB*)GaI}2], [{(tBu-DAB*)GaI}2] and [{(Ar-DAB*)InCl}2], revealed doublet ground states, indicating that the Ga-Ga and In-In bonds prevent dipole-dipole coupling of the two unpaired electrons. The EPR spectrum of the previously reported complex, [(Ar-BIAN*)GaI2] (Ar-BIAN = bis(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)acenaphthene) is also described. The hyperfine tensors for the imine protons, and the aryl and tert-butyl protons were obtained by ENDOR spectroscopy. In [(Ar-DAB*)GaI2], gallium hyperfine and quadrupolar couplings were detected for the first time.     

Cationic terminal gallylene complexes by halide abstraction: coordination chemistry of a valence isoelectronic analogue of CO and N2

While N(2) and CO have played central roles in developing models of electronic structure, and their interactions with transition metals have been widely investigated, the valence isoelectronic diatomic molecules EX (E = group 13 element, X = group 17 element) have yet to be isolated under ambient conditions, either as the "free" molecule or as a ligand in a simple metal complex. As part of a program designed to address this deficiency, together with wider issues of the chemistry of cationic systems [L(n)M(ER)](+) (E = B, Al, Ga; R = aryl, amido, halide), we have targeted complexes of the type [L(n)M(GaX)](+). Halide abstraction is shown to be a viable method for the generation of mononuclear cationic complexes containing gallium donor ligands. The ability to isolate tractable two-coordinate products, however, is strongly dependent on the steric and electronic properties of the metal/ligand fragment. In the case of complexes containing ancillary pi-acceptor ligands such as CO, cationic complexes can only be isolated as base-trapped adducts, even with bulky aryl substituents at gallium. Base-free gallylene species such as [Cp*Fe(CO)(2)(GaMes)](+) can be identified only in the vapor phase by electrospray mass spectrometry experiments. With bis(phosphine) donor sets at the metal, the more favorable steric/electronic environment allows for the isolation of two-coordinate ligand systems, even with halide substituents at gallium. Thus, [Cp*Fe(dppe)(GaI)](+)[BAr(f)(4)](-) (9) can be synthesized and shown crystallographically to feature a terminally bound GaI ligand; 9 represents the first experimental realization of a complex containing a valence isoelectronic group 13/group 17 analogue of CO and N(2). DFT calculations reveal a relatively weakly bound GaI ligand, which is confirmed experimentally by the reaction of 9 with CO to give [Cp*Fe(dppe)(CO)](+)[BAr(f)(4)](-). In the absence of such reagents, 9 is stable for weeks in fluorobenzene solution, presumably reflecting (i) effective steric shielding of the gallium center by the ancillary phosphine and Cp* ligands; (ii) a net cationic charge which retards the tendency toward dimerization found for putative charge neutral systems; and (iii) (albeit relatively minor) population of the LUMOs of the GaI molecule through pi overlap with the HOMO and HOMO-2 of the [Cp*Fe(dppe)](+) fragment.     

Synthesis and structure of the coordinatively unsaturated boron subphthalocyanine cation, [B(SubPc)]+

The boron subphthalocyanine cation, B(SubPc)⁺, has been prepared as a salt of a weakly coordinating carborane anion, CHB₁₁Me₅Br₆⁻, by a metathesis reaction of Et₃Si(CHB₁₁Me₅Br₆) with B(SubPc)Cl. The separation of the cation and anion in the X‐ray structure indicates coordinative unsaturation at the boron center, and this is corroborated by DFT calculations. A strongly Lewis acidic nature for the B(SubPc)⁺ cation is indicated by its hydrolysis to an unusual product, the di‐meso‐N‐protonated μ‐oxo dimer, [H(SubPc)B‐O‐B(SubPc)H]²⁺. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 17:209–216, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20223     

Aluminum, gallium, and indium hydrazides and the generation of oligonuclear element-nitrogen cages: molecular intermediates on the way to element nitrides

Organoelement aluminum, gallium, and indium hydrazides, [R(2)ENHN(H)R'](2) (E = Al, Ga, In), are easily available from the corresponding trialkylelement compounds, ER(3), and hydrazines, H(2)NN(H)R', via elimination of the respective hydrocarbons. Their diverse molecular structures are derived from four-, five-, or six-membered element-nitrogen heterocycles. Their stepwise thermolysis under carefully controlled conditions was shown to proceed along one of several different well-defined routes. Cleavage of the N-N bonds afforded aluminum or gallium imides, [REN(H)](n), with up to eight metal atoms in a single molecule, while preservation of the N-N bonds led to interesting cages in which intact N-N bonds of formally dianionic hydrazinediides bridge the metal atoms via their two adjacent donor atoms. Further thermolysis yielded the amorphous element nitrides via the gradual degradation of the hydrazinediide groups. Several intermediates have been isolated and provided insight in the course of these reactions. A particularly interesting compound was one that features a hydrazinetetraide unit, [N-N](4-), that is stabilized by coordination to six gallium atoms.     

Dicarbollylamine ligand as a tunable template for sigma,sigma- and pi,sigma-bonding modes: syntheses, structures, and theoretical studies of eta5:eta1-coordinated constrained-geometry group 13 metal complexes

A series of group 13 main group complexes with pi,sigma-type bonding interaction of the formula [{(eta (5)-RC 2B 9H 9)(CH 2)(eta (1)-NMe 2)}MMe] (M = Al, R = H 5, Me 6; Ga, R = H 7, Me 8; In, R = H 9, Me 10) was produced by the reaction of group 13 metal alkyls (MMe 3; M = Al, Ga, In) with the dicarbollylamine ligands, nido-8-R-7,8-C 2B 9H 10-7-(CH 2)NHMe 2 (R = H 1, Me 2). The reactions of 1 and 2 with AlMe 3 in toluene initially afforded tetra-coordinated aluminum complexes with sigma,sigma-type bonding interaction, [{(eta (1)-RC 2B 9H 10)(CH 2)(eta (1)-NMe 2)}AlMe 2] (R = H 3, Me 4), which readily underwent further methane elimination to yield the corresponding constrained geometry complexes (CGCs, 5 and 6) of aluminum with pi,sigma-bonding interaction. However, the reactions between 1 and 2 and MMe 3 (M = Ga, In) in toluene produced gallium and indium pi,sigma-CGCs of 7 and 10 directly, not proceeding through sigma,sigma-intermediates. The structures of group 13 metal CGCs were established by X-ray diffraction studies of 5, 6, and 8, which authenticated a characteristic eta (5):eta (1)-coordination mode of the dicarbollylamino ligand to the group 13 metals. A similar pi,sigma-bonding interaction was also established in ethylene-bridged dicarbollylethylamine series. Thus, aluminum pi,sigma-CGCs of dicarbollylethylamine, [{(eta (5)-RC 2B 9H 9)(CH 2) 2(eta (1)-NBz 2)}AlMe] (R = H 17, Me 18), were prepared by the trans-metalation of the [{(eta (5)-RC 2B 9H 9)(CH 2) 2(eta (1)-NBz 2)}Ti(NMe 2) 2] (R = H 15, Me 16) with AlMe 3. However, only sigma,sigma-bonded complexes of the formula [{(eta (1)-RC 2B 9H 9)(CH 2) 2(eta (1)-NBz 2)}AlMe 2] (R = H 13, Me 14) were isolated by the reaction between [ nido-7-8-R-7,8-C 2B 9H 10-(CH 2) 2HNBz 2] (R = H 11, Me 12) and AlMe 3. When methane-elimination reactions between metal alkyls and dicarbollylamines were carried out with either the gallium atom or monobenzyl aminoethyl tethered ligands, [ nido-7-H 2NBz(CH 2) 2-8-R-7,8-C 2B 9H 10] (R = H 21, Me 22), desired pi,sigma-CGCs, [{(eta (5)-RC 2B 9H 9)(CH 2) 2(eta (1)-NBz 2)}GaMe] (R = H 19, Me 20) or [{(eta (5)-RC 2B 9H 9)(CH 2) 2(eta (1)-NHBz)}AlMe] (R = H 23, Me 24), were generated, respectively. DFT calculation on 5 provides evidence of existence of pi,sigma-bonding of dicarbollylamine ligand to the aluminum atom: pi-bonding interaction of a dicarbollyl unit becomes intensified in the presence of a weak sigma-bonding amine-tethered group. Furthermore, preference for the formation of pi,sigma-bonding was predicted by optimizing a reaction profile including sigma,sigma- and pi,sigma-structures as well as transition state structures for each methylene- and ethylene-spaced ligand system, 3-5 and 14- 18, to reveal that pi,sigma-bonding interaction is more favorable in the case of a methylene-tethered ligand system.     

Theoretical studies of [MYR2]n isomers (M = B, Al, Ga; Y = N, P, As; R = H, CH3): structures and energetics of monomeric and dimeric compounds (n = 1, 2)

A series of group 13-15 compounds of the general formula [MYR(2)](n) (M = B, Al, Ga; Y = N, P, As; n = 1, 2; R = H, CH(3)) have been theoretically studied at the B3LYP/TZVP level of theory. The stability of different isomer structures is discussed to reveal the competitiveness of group 13-13, group 13-15, and group 15-15 bonding. Preferential bonding patterns and trends in the stability with respect to M and Y are also discussed. For the dimeric compounds, C(2v) symmetric [HMYH](2) rings are the lowest in energy, with the single exception of Ga(2)N(2)H(4), for which a somewhat unexpectedly C(2v) symmetric [GaNH(2)](2) ring is found to be the energy minimum, followed by the planar H(2)NGaGaNH(2) chain. The higher stability of the GaNH(2) bonding pattern in oligomer compounds may be rationalized in terms of the increasing stability of the oxidation state I as compared to that for the boron and aluminum analogues. Methylation significantly reduces the energetic differences between monomeric MYMe(2) MeMYMe, and Me(2)MY, isomers, especially for the AlP, AlAs, and GaAs systems, thus allowing a variety of structural types to be competitive in energy.