The Trifluoromethyl Anion

First evidence for the existence of free trifluoromethyl anion CF₃⁻ has been obtained. The 3D‐caged potassium cation in [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ is inaccessible to CF₃⁻, thus rendering it uncoordinated (“naked”). Ionic [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ CF₃⁻ has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, solution NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and reactivity toward electrophiles.     

On the Structure of [K(crypt‐222)]+

Due to disorder, [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ ( 1 ) is crystallographically indistinguishable from its isomer, a 1:1 fluoroform clathrate of deprotonated [K(crypt‐222)]⁺, [K(crypt‐222{‐H⁺})]·CHF₃ ( 2 ). In our preceding publications, 1 was characterized on the basis of combined X‐ray diffraction, NMR, reactivity, labeling, acid‐base, and DFT studies. Herein we report that neither incorporation of deuterium nor any other transformation of [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ is observed in the presence of CD₃OD/CD₃OK at 70 °C or CD₃S(O)CD₂K/(D₆)DMSO at 23 °C over hours and even days. Since fluoroform is easily and quickly deprotonated under such conditions, the demonstrated greater acidity of CHF₃ relative to [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ provides additional evidence in favor of 1 and against 2 . Likewise, crystal packing analysis and DFT calculations support 1 , which has now been refined in the ultimately correct space group R32. Our previously drawn conclusions regarding [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ and the existence of a ‘naked’ trifluoromethyl anion in a condensed phase remain valid. The recent alternative refinement (Becker and Müller, Chem. Eur. J. 2017 , 23, 7081 – 7086) of our raw diffraction data has been improperly performed in the wrong space group to yield a non‐charge‐balanced model [K(crypt‐222)]⁺·CHF₃, which is hereby repudiated. Becker and Müller's attempts to resolve the charge balance issue have produced models that are inadequate from the perspective of both crystallography and chemistry.     

The Trifluoromethyl Anion: Evidence for [K(crypt‐222)]+

[K(crypt‐222)]⁺ ( 1 ) and [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ ( 3 ) are isostructural, displaying nearly identical unit cell parameters. The two structures are similar to the extent that the previously reported [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ model can be refined against the new data for [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ , with extra electron density being observed from the fourth fluorine atom of the . In agreement with experimental observations, theoretical calculations suggest that deprotonated [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ is highly unstable even at as low as 195 K. The previously considered 1:1 CHF ₃ clathrate of deprotonated [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ (crystallographically indistinguishable from 1 ) is ruled out on the basis of all available data.     

Studies on the Reactivity of [Ge9]4− towards [Fe(cot)(CO)3]: Synthesis and Characterization of [Ge8Fe(CO)3]3− and of the Anionic Organometallic Species [Fe(cot)(CO)3]−

Reaction of cyclooctatetraene (COT) iron(II) tricarbonyl, [Fe(cot)(CO)₃], with one equivalent of K₄Ge₉ in ethylenediamine (en) yielded the cluster anion [Ge₈Fe(CO)₃]^3? which was crystallographically‐characterized as a [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]⁺ salt in [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]₃[Ge₈Fe(CO)₃]. The chemically‐reduced organometallic species [Fe(η³‐C₈H₈)(CO)₃]^? was also isolated as a side‐product from this reaction as [K(2,2,2‐crypt)][Fe(η³‐C₈H₈)(CO)₃]. Both species were further characterized by EPR and IR spectroscopy and electrospray mass spectrometry. The [Ge₈Fe(CO)₃]^3? cluster anion represents an unprecedented functionalized germanium Zintl anion in which the nine‐atom precursor cluster has lost a vertex, which has been replaced by a transition‐metal moiety.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Cationic Low‐Valent Gallium Complexes of Cryptand[2.2.2]

The synthesis and characterization of two bimetallic, cationic low‐valent gallium–cryptand[2.2.2] complexes is reported. The reaction of cryptand[2.2.2] with Ga₂Cl₄ gave two different cations, [Ga₃Cl₄(crypt‐222)]⁺ ( 1 ) or [Ga₂Cl₂(crypt‐222)]²⁺ ( 2 ), depending on whether or not trimethylsilyl triflate (Me₃SiOTf) was added as a co‐reagent. Complexes 1 and 2 are the first examples of bimetallic cryptand[2.2.2] complexes, as well as the first low‐valent gallium–cryptand[2.2.2] complexes. Computational methods were used to evaluate the bonding in the gallium cores.     

Between Localization and Delocalization: Ru(cod)2+ Units in the Zintl Clusters [Bi9{Ru(cod)}2]3− and [Tl2Bi6{Ru(cod)}]2−

Reactions of [K(crypt‐222)]₂(TlBi₃)⋅0.5 en ( 1 b ) with [Ru(cod)(H₂CC(Me)CH₂)₂] ( A ) in 1,2‐diaminoethane (en) led to the formation of two compounds with new bismuth‐rich cluster anions, [K(crypt‐222)]₃[Bi₉{Ru(cod)}₂]⋅1.5 en ( 2 ) and [K(crypt‐222)]₂[Tl₂Bi₆{Ru(cod)}]⋅2 tol ( 3 ), alongside the salt of a binary nido cluster, [K(crypt‐222)]₃(Tl₄Bi₅)⋅2 en ( 4 ). The anions in 2 and 3 are two further examples of rare heterometallic clusters containing Ru atoms. As one cod ligand is retained on each Ru atom in both clusters, the anions may be viewed as intermediates on the way towards larger, ligand‐free intermetalloid clusters. Quantum‐chemical studies provided insight into the bonding situation in these clusters. According to these studies, the anion of 2 features both electron‐precise and electron‐deficient parts. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the clusters undergo stepwise fragmentation.     

Step‐by‐Step Synthesis of the Endohedral Stannaspherene [Ir@Sn12]3− via the Capped Cluster Anion [Sn9Ir(cod)]3−

The endohedral stannaspherene cluster anion [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? was synthesized in two steps. The reaction of K₄Sn₉ with [IrCl(cod)]₂ (cod: 1,5‐cyclooctadienyl) in ethylenediamine (en) solution first yielded the [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]⁺ salt (2,2,2‐crypt: 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) of the capped cluster anion [Sn₉Ir(cod)]^3?. Subsequently, crystals of this compound were dissolved in en, followed by the addition of triphenylphosphine or 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane and treatment at elevated temperatures. [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? was obtained and characterized as the [K(2,2,2‐crypt)]⁺ salt. The isolation of [Sn₉Ir(cod)]^3? as an intermediate product establishes that the formation of the stannaspherene [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? occurs through the oxidation of [Sn₉Ir(cod)]^3?. Among the structurally characterized tetrel cluster anions, [Ir@Sn₁₂]^3? is a unique example of a stannaspherene, and one of the rare spherical clusters encapsulating a metal atom that is not a member of Group 10. Single‐crystal structure determination shows that the novel Zintl ion cluster has nearly perfect icosahedral I_h point symmetry.     

Solution Synthesis,Structure, and CO2 Reduction Reactivity of a Scandium(II) Complex, {Sc[N(SiMe3)2]3}−

The first crystallographically characterizable complex of Sc²⁺, [Sc(NR₂)₃]⁻ (R=SiMe₃), has been obtained by LnA₃/M reactions (Ln=rare earth metal; A=anionic ligand; M=alkali metal) involving reduction of Sc(NR₂)₃ with K in the presence of 2.2.2‐cryptand (crypt) and 18‐crown‐6 (18‐c‐6) and with Cs in the presence of crypt. Dark maroon [K(crypt)]⁺, [K(18‐c‐6)]⁺, and [Cs(crypt)]⁺ salts of the [Sc(NR₂)₃]⁻ anion are formed, respectively. The formation of this oxidation state of Sc is also indicated by the eight‐line EPR spectra arising from the I =7/2 ⁴⁵Sc nucleus. The Sc(NR₂)₃ reduction differs from Ln(NR₂)₃ reactions (Ln=Y and lanthanides) in that it occurs under N₂ without formation of isolable reduced dinitrogen species. [K(18‐c‐6)][Sc(NR₂)₃] reacts with CO₂ to produce an oxalate complex, {K₂(18‐c‐6)₃}{[(R₂N)₃Sc]₂(μ‐C₂O₄‐κ ¹O:κ ¹O′′)}, and a CO₂⁻ radical anion complex, [(R₂N)₃Sc(μ‐OCO‐κ ¹O:κ ¹O′)K(18‐c‐6)]_n .     

Solution Synthesis,Structure, and CO2 Reduction Reactivity of a Scandium(II) Complex, {Sc[N(SiMe3)2]3}−

The first crystallographically characterizable complex of Sc²⁺, [Sc(NR₂)₃]⁻ (R=SiMe₃), has been obtained by LnA₃/M reactions (Ln=rare earth metal; A=anionic ligand; M=alkali metal) involving reduction of Sc(NR₂)₃ with K in the presence of 2.2.2‐cryptand (crypt) and 18‐crown‐6 (18‐c‐6) and with Cs in the presence of crypt. Dark maroon [K(crypt)]⁺, [K(18‐c‐6)]⁺, and [Cs(crypt)]⁺ salts of the [Sc(NR₂)₃]⁻ anion are formed, respectively. The formation of this oxidation state of Sc is also indicated by the eight‐line EPR spectra arising from the I =7/2 ⁴⁵Sc nucleus. The Sc(NR₂)₃ reduction differs from Ln(NR₂)₃ reactions (Ln=Y and lanthanides) in that it occurs under N₂ without formation of isolable reduced dinitrogen species. [K(18‐c‐6)][Sc(NR₂)₃] reacts with CO₂ to produce an oxalate complex, {K₂(18‐c‐6)₃}{[(R₂N)₃Sc]₂(μ‐C₂O₄‐κ ¹O:κ ¹O′′)}, and a CO₂⁻ radical anion complex, [(R₂N)₃Sc(μ‐OCO‐κ ¹O:κ ¹O′)K(18‐c‐6)]_n .     

Chirale Halbsandwich‐Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl‐Rhodium(III)‐ und Iridium(III)‐Komplexe mit Schiff‐Basen aus Salicylaldehyd und α‐Aminosäureestern [1]

Chiral Half‐sandwich Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl Rhodium(III) and Iridium(III) Complexes with Schiff Bases from Salicylaldehyde and α‐Amino Acid Esters [1] A series of diastereoisomeric half‐sandwich complexes with Schiff bases from salicylaldehyde and L‐α‐amino acid esters including chiral metal atoms, [(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(Cl)M(N,O‐Schiff base)], has been obtained from chloro bridged complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)(Cl)M(μ‐Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Abstraction of chloride from these complexes with Ag[BF₄] or Ag[SO₃CF₃] affords the highly sensitive compounds [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(N,O‐Schiff base]⁺X^? (M = Rh, Ir; X = BF₄, CF₃SO₃) to which PPh₃ can be added under formation of [(η⁵‐C₅Me₅)M(PPh₃)(N,O‐Schiff base)]⁺X^?. The diastereoisomeric ratio of the complexes ( 1 ‐ 7 and 11 ‐ 12 ) has been determined from NMR spectra.     

{[CuSn5Sb3]2−}2: A Dimer of Inhomogeneous Superatoms

Reaction of the binary Zintl anion (Sn₂Sb₂)^2? with the β‐diketiminato complex [LCu(NCMe)] (L=nacnac=[(N(C₆H₃ⁱPr₂‐2,6)C(Me))₂CH]^?) in ethylenediamine or DMF affords the ternary cluster dimer {[CuSn₅Sb₃]^2?}₂ ( 1 ) as its [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ salt. The chemical formulation of 1 is supported by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and quantum chemical calculations. Each monomeric part of the dimer represents a trimetallic “[CuSn₅Sb₃]^2?” cluster, with an architecture in between a tricapped trigonal prism and a capped square antiprism. As shown by quantum chemical investigations, the presence of Sb atoms and, in particular, of Cu atoms in the cluster skeleton makes the monomeric unit behave like an inhomogeneous superatom, which clearly prefers to dimerize, thereby producing a relatively short, yet virtually non‐bonding Cu???Cu distance.     

Synthesis of LnII‐in‐Cryptand Complexes by Chemical Reduction of LnIII‐in‐Cryptand Precursors: Isolation of a NdII‐in‐Cryptand Complex

Lanthanide triflates have been used to incorporate Nd^III and Sm^III ions into the 2.2.2‐cryptand ligand (crypt) to explore their reductive chemistry. The Ln(OTf)₃ complexes (Ln=Nd, Sm; OTf=SO₃CF₃) react with crypt in THF to form the THF‐soluble complexes [Ln^III(crypt)(OTf)₂][OTf] with two triflates bound to the metal encapsulated in the crypt. Reduction of these Ln^III‐in‐crypt complexes using KC₈ in THF forms the neutral Ln^II‐in‐crypt triflate complexes [Ln^II(crypt)(OTf)₂]. DFT calculations on [Nd^II(crypt)]²⁺], the first Nd^II cryptand complex, assign a 4f⁴ electron configuration to this ion.     

(Ge4Bi14)4−: A Case of “Element Segregation” on the Molecular Level

Extraction of a solid with the nominal composition “K₂GeBi” with 1,2‐diaminoethane (en) in the presence of 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane (crypt‐222) afforded the salt [K(crypt‐222)]₄(Ge₄Bi₁₄). The 18‐atom Zintl anion (Ge₄Bi₁₄)⁴⁻ has a heretofore unknown molecular topology, which can be thought of as the formal condensation product of two E₁₁³⁻ cages along a shared Ge₄ waist. In this way, (Ge₄Bi₁₄)⁴⁻ represents the largest and most structurally complex Bi‐containing polyanion. We describe its stepwise formation, its geometric and electronic structure, and comment on relative stabilities of isomers with different distributions of the four Ge atoms on the 18 positions that were investigated using DFT calculations.     

Highly trifluoromethylated platinum compounds

The homoleptic, square‐planar organoplatinum(II) compound [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₄] ( 1 ) undergoes oxidative addition of CF₃I under mild conditions to give rise to the octahedral organoplatinum(IV) complex [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₅I] ( 2 ). This highly trifluoromethylated species reacts with Ag⁺ salts of weakly coordinating anions in Me₂CO under a wet‐air stream to afford the aquo derivative [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(OH₂)] ( 4 ) in around 75 % yield. When the reaction of 2 with the same Ag⁺ salts is carried out in MeCN, the solvento compound [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(NCMe)] ( 5 ) is obtained in around 80 % yield. The aquo ligand in 4 as well as the MeCN ligand in 5 are labile and can be cleanly replaced by neutral and anionic ligands to furnish a series of pentakis(trifluoromethyl)platinate(IV) compounds with formulae [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(L)] (L=CO ( 6 ), pyridine (py; 7 ), tetrahydrothiophene (tht; 8 )) and [NBu₄]₂[Pt(CF₃)₅X] (X=Cl ( 9 ), Br ( 10 )). The unusual carbonyl–platinum(IV) derivative [NBu₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(CO)] ( 6 ) is thermally stable and has a ν_CO of 2194 cm^?1. The crystal structures of 2? CH₂Cl₂, 5 , [PPh₄][Pt(CF₃)₅(CO)] ( 6′ ), and 7 have been established by X‐ray diffraction methods. Compound 2 has shown itself to be a convenient entry to the chemistry of highly trifluoromethylated platinum compounds. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 2 and 4 – 10 are the organoelement compounds with the highest CF₃ content to have been isolated and adequately characterized to date.     

Easy Access to the Copper(III) Anion [Cu(CF3)4]−

CuCl or pre‐generated CuCF₃ reacts with CF₃SiMe₃/KF in DMF in air to give [Cu(CF₃)₄]^? quantitatively. [PPN]⁺, [Me₄N]⁺, [Bu₄N]⁺, [PhCH₂NEt₃]⁺, and [Ph₄P]⁺ salts of [Cu(CF₃)₄]^? were prepared and isolated spectroscopically and analytically pure in 82–99 % yield. X‐ray structures of the [PPN]⁺, [Me₄N]⁺, [Bu₄N]⁺, and [Ph₄P]⁺ salts were determined. A new synthetic strategy with [Cu(CF₃)₄]^? was demonstrated, involving the removal of one CF₃^? from the Cu atom in the presence of an incoming ligand. A novel Cu^III complex [(bpy)Cu(CF₃)₃] was thus prepared and fully characterized, including by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The bpy complex is highly fluxional in solution, the barrier to degenerate isomerization being only 2.3 kcal mol^?1. An NPA study reveals a huge difference in the charge on the Cu atom in [Cu(CR₃)₄]^? for R=F (+0.19) and R=H (+0.46), suggesting a higher electron density on Cu in the fluorinated complex.     

Li+ cation coordination in [Li2(CF3SO3)2(diglyme)] and [Li3(C2F3O2)3(diglyme)]

The title compounds, poly­[[[bis(2‐methoxy­ethyl) ether]­lithium(I)]‐di‐μ₃‐tri­fluoro­methanesulfonato‐lithium(I)], [Li₂(CF₃SO₃)₂(C₆H₁₄O₃)]_n, and poly­[[[bis(2‐methoxy­ethyl) ether]­lithium(I)]‐di‐μ₃‐tri­fluoro­acetato‐dilithium(I)‐μ₃‐tri­fluoro­acetato], [Li₃(C₂F₃O₂)₃(C₆H₁₄O₃)]_n, consist of one‐dimensional polymer chains. Both structures contain five‐coordinate Li⁺ cations coordinated by a tridentate diglyme [bis(2‐methoxy­ethyl) ether] mol­ecule and two O atoms, each from separate anions. In both structures, the [Li(diglyme)X₂]^? (X is CF₃SO₃ or CF₃CO₂) fragments are further connected by other Li⁺ cations and anions, creating one‐dimensional chains. These connecting Li⁺ cations are coordinated by four separate anions in both compounds. The CF₃SO₃^? and CF₃CO₂^? anions, however, adopt different forms of cation coordination, resulting in differences in the connectivity of the structures and solvate stoichiometries.     

Polytellurides and Polyselenides – Compounds Containing $_{\infty}^{1}\rm [Te_{6}-Te_{4}]^{4-}$ and [Sn(Se4)3]2− Anions

The reactions of the Zintl phase K₂Cs₂Sn₉ with elemental tellurium and selenium in ethylenediamine have been investigated. From the reaction of K₂Cs₂Sn₉ with elemental tellurium [K‐(2,2,2‐crypt)]₄Te₆Te₄ ( 2 ) and [K‐(2,2,2‐crypt)]₂Sn₂Te₃ ( 3 ) were obtained, whereas the reaction of K₂Cs₂Sn₉ with elemental selenium led to the formation of [K‐(2,2,2‐crypt)]₂Sn(Se₄)₃ ( 4 ) and [K‐(2,2,2‐crypt)]₂Cs₂Sn₂Se₆·2en ( 5 )¹⁾. Compounds 2 , 4 , 5 have been characterized by single crystal X‐ray structure determination.     

Extraction of Ternary Alloys: Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [K([2.2.2]crypt)]Cs7[Sn9]2(en)3

The compound [K([2.2.2]crypt)]Cs₇[Sn₉]₂(en)₃ ( 1 ) was synthesized from an alloy of formal composition KCs₂Sn₉ by dissolving in ethylenediamine (en) followed by the addition of [2.2.2]crypt and toluene. 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pcca with a = 45.38(2), b = 9.092(4), c = 18.459(8) Å, and Z = 4. The structure consists of Cs₇[Sn₉]₂ layers which contain [Sn₉]^4– anions and Cs⁺ cations. The layers are separated by [K([2.2.2]crypt)]⁺ units. In the intermetallic slab (Cs₇[Sn₉]₂)^– compares the arrangement of pairs of symmetry‐related [Sn₉]^4– anions with the dimer ([Ge₉]–[Ge₉])^6– in [K([2.2.2]crypt)]₂Cs₄([Ge₉]–[Ge₉]), in which the clusters are linked by a cluster‐exo bond. The shortest distance between atoms of such two clusters in 1 is 4.762 Å, e. g. there are no exo Sn‐Sn bonds. The [Sn₉]^4– anion has almost perfect C_4v‐symmetry.     

Cationic versus neutral Ru(II)--N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as latent precatalysts for the UV-induced ring-opening metathesis polymerization

A series of cationic and neutral Ru^II complexes of the general formula [Ru(L)(X) (tBuCN)₄]⁺X^? and [Ru(L)(X)₂(tBuCN)₃)], that is, [Ru(CF₃SO₃){NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMesH₂)]⁺[CF₃SO₃]^? ( 1 ), [Ru(CF₃SO₃){NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMes)]⁺[CF₃SO₃]^? ( 2 ), [RuCl{NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMes)]⁺Cl^? ( 3 ), [RuCl{NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMesH₂)⁺Cl^?]/[RuCl₂{NCC(CH₃)₃}₃(IMesH₂)] ( 4 ), and [Ru(NCO)₂{NCC(CH₃)₃}₃(IMesH₂)] ( 5 ) (IMes=1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, IMesH₂=1,3‐dimesityl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) have been synthesized and used as UV‐triggered precatalysts for the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of different norborn‐2‐ene‐ and cis‐cyclooctene‐based monomers. The absorption maxima of complexes 1 – 5 were in the range of 245–255 nm and thus perfectly fit the emission band of the 254 nm UV source that was used for activation. Only the cationic Ru^II‐complexes based on ligands capable of forming μ²‐complexes such as 1 and 2 were found to be truly photolatent in ROMP. In contrast, complexes 3 – 5 could be activated by UV light; however, they also showed a low but significant ROMP activity in the absence of UV light. As evidenced by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, the structure of the polymers obtained with either 1 or 2 are similar to those found in the corresponding polymers prepared by the action of [Ru(CF₃SO₃)₂(IMesH₂)(CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)], which strongly suggest the formation of Ru‐based Grubbs‐type initiators in the course of the UV‐based activation process. Precatalysts that have the IMesH₂ ligand showed significantly enhanced reactivity as compared with those based on the IMes ligand, which is in accordance with reports on the superior reactivity of IMesH₂‐based Grubbs‐type catalysts compared with IMes‐based systems.     

Ab initio quantum chemical studies of the reactions of CF3CFHO2 with HO2

The potential energy surface (PES) for the CF₃CFHO₂+HO₂ reaction has been theoretically investigated using the DFT [B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p)] and B3LYP/6‐311++G(3df,3pd)//B3LYP/6‐311G(d,p) levels of theory. Both singlet and triplet PESs are investigated. The reaction mechanism on the triplet surface is simple. It is revealed that the formation of CF₃CFHOOH+³O₂ is the dominant channel on the triplet surface. On the basis of the ab initio data, the total rate constants for the reaction CF₃CFHO₂+HO₂ in the T = 210–500 K range have been computed using conventional transition state theory with Wigner's tunneling correction and have been fitted by a rate constant expression as k = 1.04 ×10^?12(cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) exp (700.33/T). Calculated transition state rate constants with Wigner's tunneling correction for the reaction CF₃CFHO₂+HO₂ are in good agreement with the available experimental values. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007