Bond paths and bond properties of carbon-lithium bonds

Journal Article · Wed Sep 30 00:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00254a004· OSTI ID:6087419

Ritchie, J P; Bachrach, S M

Twenty-three organolithium compounds were analyzed by using the topological theory of molecular structure. The geometry of each compound was first optimized, making use of the 3-21G basis set. Then integrated lithium charges and quantities characterizing the carbon-lithium bond critical point, such as rho/sub c/ (C-Li), del/sup 2/rho/sub c/(C-Li), and the local energy density, were calculated. The results confirm the nature of the carbon-lithium bond to be primarily ionic. Bond path networks of these compounds were also calculated and proved surprising. Coordination numbers of lithium, as assigned by the topological theory, range from one to four. Similarly defined coordination numbers of carbon range as high as nine. Unexpectedly, some putatively bridging lithiums are not bridging in a topological sense. Additional unexpected features of the bond path networks are bond paths connecting essentially neutral carbons with lithiums and bond paths connecting highly negatively charged carbons that are widely separated. No lithium-lithium bond paths are found. Finally, unstable topological structures occur at potential energy minima. Polarization of electrons toward what are essentially lithium cations accounts for the carbon-lithium bond paths observed.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM
• OSTI ID: 6087419
• Journal Information: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 109:20; ISSN JACSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201* -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON
CHEMICAL BONDS
COORDINATION NUMBER
DATA
ELEMENTS
GRAPHS
INFORMATION
LITHIUM COMPOUNDS
MATHEMATICS
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
THEORETICAL DATA
TOPOLOGY