Encapsulation Chalcogen Anions in Perfluorinated Silicon Fullerene: X2−@Si20F20 (X=O,S, Se)

The structures and stabilities of cage Si₂₀F₂₀ and its endohedral complexes X²⁻@Si₂₀F₂₀ (X=O, S, Se) were determined at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) levels of density functional theory (DFT). It is found that the adiabatic electron affinity (EA_ad) of host cage Si₂₀F₂₀ (I_h) is higher than that of isolated O atom (4.24 vs. 1.46 eV). This suggests the Si₂₀F₂₀ cage can selectively trap and stabilize the capsulated spherical anions. The calculations predict that X=S and Se are nearly located at the center of the cage, and O dramatically deviates from the center in C_3v symmetry. Moreover, the corresponding X²⁻@Si₂₀F₂₀ complexes have more negative inclusion energies (ΔE_inc) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔZ) than X²⁻@C₂₀F₂₀. The amount of charge that is being transferred from the encapsulated anions to the cage increases with the atomic radius, i.e., from O²⁻ (ca. 45%), S²⁻ (ca. 51%) to Se²⁻ (ca. 59%), and such a novel model of cage may have practical uses as potential and electrical building units of nanoscale materials.