The T⋅⋅⋅N tetrel bond (TB) formed between TX3OH (T=C, Si, Ge; X=H, F) and the Lewis base N≡CM (M=H, Li, Na) is studied by ab initio calculations at the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. Complexes involving TH3OH contain a conventional TB with interaction energy less than 10 kcal/mol. This bond is substantially strengthened, approaching 35 kcal/mol and covalent character, when fluorosubstituted TF3OH is combined with NCLi or NCNa. Along with this enhanced binding comes a near equalization of the TB T⋅⋅⋅N and the internal T−O bond lengths, and the associated structure acquires a trigonal bipyramidal shape, despite a high internal deformation energy. This structural transformation becomes more complete, and the TB is further strengthened upon adding an electron acceptor BeCl2to the Lewis acid and a base to the NCM unit. This same TB strengthening can be accomplished also by imposition of an external electric field.
Origins and properties of the tetrel bond
The tetrel bond (TB) recruits an element drawn from the C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb family as electron acceptor in an interaction with a partner Lewis base. The underlying principles that explain this attractive interaction are described in terms of occupied and vacant orbitals, total electron density, and electrostatic potential. These principles facilitate a delineation of the factors that feed into a strong TB. The geometric deformation that occurs within the tetrel-bearing Lewis acid monomer is a particularly important issue, with both primary and secondary effects. As a first-row atom of low polarizability, C is a reluctant participant in TBs, but its preponderance in organic and biochemistry make it extremely important that its potential in this regard be thoroughly understood. The IR and NMR manifestations of tetrel bonding are explored as spectroscopy offers a bridge to experimental examination of this phenomenon. In addition to the most common σ-hole type TBs, discussion is provided of π-hole interactions which are a result of a common alternate covalent bonding pattern of tetrel atoms.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1954310
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10226289
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics
- Volume:
- 23
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 1463-9076
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 5702 to 5717
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract Crystal structures document the ability of a TF3group (T=Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) situated on a naphthalene system to engage in an intramolecular tetrel bond (TB) with an amino group on the adjoining ring.
Ab initio calculations evaluate the strength of this bond and evaluate whether it can influence the ability of the T atom to engage in a second, intermolecular TB with another nucleophile. A very strong CN−anionic base can approach the T either along the extension of a T−C or T−F bond and form a strong TB with an interaction energy approaching 100 kcal/mol, although this bond is weakened a bit by the presence of the internal T⋅⋅⋅N bond. The much less potent NCH base engages in a correspondingly longer and weaker TB, less than 10 kcal/mol. Such an intermolecular TB is weakened by the presence of the internal TB, to the point that it only occurs for the two heavier tetrel atoms Sn and Pb. -
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CP00242B
