Mechanism of the addition of nonenolizable aldehydes and ketones to (Di)metallenes (R(2)X=YR(2), X = Si,Ge Y = C,Si, Ge): a density functional and multiconfigurational perturbation theory study

The mechanism of the addition of nonenolizable aldehydes and ketones to group 14 (di)metallenes has been examined through a theoretical study of the addition of formaldehyde to Si=C, Ge=C, Si=Si, Si=Ge, and Ge=Ge bonds at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and CAS-MCQDPT2/6-31++G(d,p) levels of theory. The reaction pathways located can be grouped as either involving the formation of singlet diradical or zwitterionic intermediates or as concerted processes. Within each group of reaction pathways, several different mechanisms have been located, with not all mechanisms being available to all of the (di)metallenes. It was found that for reactions in which a Si-O bond results (i.e., addition to Si=C, Si=Si, and Si=Ge) both diradical and zwitterionic intermediates are possible; however, the formation of diradical intermediates was not found for reactions that result in the formation of a Ge-O bond (addition to Ge=C and Ge=Ge). The underlying cause of this pathway selectivity is examined, as well as the effect of solvent on the relative energies of the pathways. The results of the study shed light on the cause of experimentally obtained results regarding the mechanism of the reaction of (di)metallenes with nonenolizable ketones and aldehydes.