skip to main content


Title: Structural and energetic properties of RMX 3 ‐NH 3 complexes
Abstract

We have explored the structural and energetic properties of a series of RMX3‐NH3(M=Si, Ge; X=F, Cl; R=CH3, C6H5) complexes using density functional theory and low‐temperature infrared spectroscopy. In the minimum‐energy structures, the NH3binds axially to the metal, opposite a halogen, while the organic group resides in an equatorial site. Remarkably, the primary mode of interaction in several of these systems seems to be hydrogen bonding (C‐H‐‐N) rather than a tetrel (N→M) interaction. This is particularly clear for the RMCl3‐NH3complexes, and analyses of the charge distributions of the acid fragment corroborate this assessment. We also identified a set of metastable geometries in which the ammonia binds opposite the organic substituent in an axial orientation. Acid fragment charge analyses also provide a clear rationale as to why these configurations are less stable than the minimum‐energy structures. Matrix‐isolation infrared spectra provide clear evidence for the occurrence of the minimum‐energy form of CH3SiCl3–NH3, but analogous results for CH3GeCl3–NH3are less conclusive. Computational scans of the M‐N distance potentials for CH3SiCl3–NH3and CH3GeCl3–NH3, both in the gas phase and bulk dielectric media, reveal a great deal of anharmonicity and a propensity for condensed‐phase structural change.

 
more » « less
Award ID(s):
2018427
NSF-PAR ID:
10456441
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
International Journal of Quantum Chemistry
Volume:
120
Issue:
20
ISSN:
0020-7608
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Abstract

    The ability of B atoms on two different molecules to engage with one another in a noncovalent diboron bond is studied by ab initio calculations. Due to electron donation from its substituents, the trivalent B atom of BYZ2(Z=CO, N2, and CNH; Y=H and F) has the ability to in turn donate charge to the B of a BX3molecule (X=H, F, and CH3), thus forming a B⋅⋅⋅B diboron bond. These bonds are of two different strengths and character. BH(CO)2and BH(CNH)2, and their fluorosubstituted analogues BF(CO)2and BF(CNH)2, engage in a typical noncovalent bond with B(CH3)3and BF3, with interaction energies in the 3–8 kcal/mol range. Certain other combinations result in a much stronger diboron bond, in the 26–44 kcal/mol range, and with a high degree of covalent character. Bonds of this type occur when BH3is added to BH(CO)2, BH(CNH)2, BH(N2)2, and BF(CO)2, or in the complexes of BH(N2)2with B(CH3)3and BF3. The weaker noncovalent bonds are held together by roughly equal electrostatic and dispersion components, complemented by smaller polarization energy, while polarization is primarily responsible for the stronger ones.

     
    more » « less
  2. null (Ed.)
    Although unsaturated organotrifluoroborates are common synthons in metal–organic chemistry, their transition metal complexes have received little attention. [CH 2 (3,5-(CH 3 ) 2 Pz) 2 ]Cu(CH 2 CHBF 3 ), (SIPr)Cu(MeCN)(CH 2 CHBF 3 ) and [CH 2 (3,5-(CH 3 ) 2 Pz) 2 ]Ag(CH 2 CHBF 3 ) represent rare, isolable molecules featuring a vinyltrifluoroborate ligand on coinage metals. The X-ray crystal structures show the presence of three-coordinate metal sites in these complexes. The vinyltrifluoroborate group binds asymmetrically to the metal site in [CH 2 (3,5-(CH 3 ) 2 Pz) 2 ]M(CH 2 CHBF 3 ) (M = Cu, Ag) with relatively closer M–C(H) 2 distances. The computed structures of [CH 2 (3,5-(CH 3 ) 2 Pz) 2 ]M(CH 2 CHBF 3 ) and M(CH 2 CHBF 3 ), however, have shorter M–C(H)BF 3 distances than M–C(H) 2 . These molecules feature various inter- or intra-molecular contacts involving fluorine of the BF 3 group, possibly affecting these M–C distances. The binding energies of [CH 2 CHBF 3 ] − to Cu + , Ag + and Au + have been calculated at the wB97XD/def2-TZVP level of theory, in the presence and absence of the supporting ligand CH 2 (3,5-(CH 3 ) 2 Pz) 2 . The calculation shows that Au + has the strongest binding to the [CH 2 CHBF 3 ] − ligand, followed by Cu + and Ag + , irrespective of the presence of the supporting ligand. However, in all three metals, the supporting ligand weakens the binding of olefin to the metal. The same trends were also found from the analysis of the σ-donation and π-backbonding interactions between the metal fragment and the π and π* orbitals of [CH 2 CHBF 3 ] − . 
    more » « less
  3. Abstract

    The nature of halogen bonding under different dielectric conditions remains underexplored, especially for inorganic systems. The structural and energetic properties of model halogen bonded complexes (R3M−I—NH3for R=H and F, and M=C, Si, and Ge) are examined computationally for relative permittivities between 1 and 109 using an implicit solvent model. We confirm and assess the exceptionally high maximum potentials at the sigma hole on I (Vs,max) in F3Ge−I relative to cases where M=C or Si. In particular, Ge far outperforms Si in mediating inductive effects. Linear relationships, typically with R2>0.97, are identified betweenVs,max, the full point charge on I in R3M−I, and the interaction energy, and optimized I—N distance in the complexes. An anomalous trend is identified in which, for each M, F3M−I—NH3becomeslessstable as the optimized I—N distance getsshorterin different dielectric environments; it is explained using the F−I—NH3complex as a reference.

     
    more » « less
  4. Abstract

    We have been interested in the development of rubisco‐based biomimetic systems for reversible CO2capture from air. Our design of the chemical CO2capture and release (CCR) system is informed by the understanding of the binding of the activator CO2(ACO2) in rubisco (ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase). The active site consists of the tetrapeptide sequence Lys‐Asp‐Asp‐Glu (or KDDE) and the Lys sidechain amine is responsible for the CO2capture reaction. We are studying the structural chemistry and the thermodynamics of CO2capture based on the tetrapeptide CH3CO−KDDE−NH2(“KDDE”) in aqueous solution to develop rubisco mimetic CCR systems. Here, we report the results of1H NMR and13C NMR analyses of CO2capture by butylamine and by KDDE. The carbamylation of butylamine was studied to develop the NMR method and with the protocol established, we were able to quantify the oligopeptide carbamylation at much lower concentration. We performed a pH profile in the multi equilibrium system and measured amine species and carbamic acid/carbamate species by the integration of1H NMR signals as a function of pH in the range 8≤pH≤11. The determination of ΔG1(R) for the reaction R−NH2+CO2R−NH−COOH requires the solution of a multi‐equilibrium equation system, which accounts for the dissociation constantsK2andK3controlling carbonate and bicarbonate concentrations, the acid dissociation constantK4of the conjugated acid of the amine, and the acid dissociation constantK5of the alkylcarbamic acid. We show how the multi‐equilibrium equation system can be solved with the measurements of the daughter/parent ratioX, the knowledge of the pH values, and the initial concentrations [HCO3]0and [R‐NH2]0. For the reaction energies of the carbamylations of butylamine and KDDE, our best values are ΔG1(Bu)=−1.57 kcal/mol and ΔG1(KDDE)=−1.17 kcal/mol. Both CO2capture reactions are modestly exergonic and thereby ensure reversibility in an energy‐efficient manner. These results validate the hypothesis that KDDE‐type oligopeptides may serve as reversible CCR systems in aqueous solution and guide designs for their improvement.

     
    more » « less
  5. Abstract

    The spatial heterogeneity of carrier dynamics in polycrystalline metal halide perovskite (MHP) thin films has a strong influence on photovoltaic device performance; however, the underlying cause is not yet clearly understood. Here, the sub‐micrometer scale mapping of charge carrier dynamics in CH3NH3PbI3thin films using time‐resolved nonlinear optical microscopy, specifically transient absorption microscopy (TAM) with sub‐picosecond (ps) and time‐resolved photoluminescence (PL) microscopy with nanosecond temporal resolution is reported. To study the influence of physical morphology on charge carrier dynamics, MHP thin films having granular‐ and fibrous structures are investigated. On both types of films, spatial regions with short‐lived transient gain signals (fast nonradiative relaxation within ≈1 ps) typically show slower charge recombination via radiative relaxation, which is attributed to the presence of additional energy states near the band edge. In addition, fibrous films show longer PL lifetimes. Interestingly, the functional contrast shown in TAM images exhibits fundamental differences from the structural contrast shown in scanning electron microscopy images, implying that the variation of trap density in the bulk contributes to the observed spatial heterogeneity in carrier dynamics.

     
    more » « less