Stabilization of Heterodiatomic SiC Through Ligand Donation: Theoretical Investigation of SiC(L)2 (L=NHCMe, CAACMe, PMe3)

Diego M. Andrada, Gernot Frenking

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

95 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quantum chemical calculations have been carried out at the BP86/TZ2P+ level for the compounds SiC(L)2 with L=NHCMe, CAACMe, PMe3 (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene, CAAC=cyclic (alkyl)aminocarbene). The optimized geometries exhibit a trans arrangement of the ligands L at SiC with a planar coordination when L=NHCMe and PMe3, while a twisted conformation is calculated when L=CAACMe. The bending angle L-Si-C is significantly more acute than the angle L-C-Si. Both angles become wider with the trend PMe3<NHCMe<CAACMe. The latter trend is also found for the bond dissociation energies of the reaction SiC(L)2→SiC+2L, which have absolute values between De=98-163kcalmol-1. Calculations suggest that the compounds SiC(L)2 have a very large first and second proton affinity, which takes place at the central carbon and silicon atoms, respectively. Energy decomposition analyses indicate that the best description of the bonding situation in SiC(L)2 features a cumulenic carbon-carbon bond and a dative carbon-silicon bond L=C=Si←L at the center.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)12319-12324
Number of pages6
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume54
Issue number42
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • bonding analysis
  • density functional calculations
  • donor-acceptor interactions
  • silacarbon complex

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stabilization of Heterodiatomic SiC Through Ligand Donation: Theoretical Investigation of SiC(L)2 (L=NHCMe, CAACMe, PMe3)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this