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[pi]-acidity of thioethers and selenoethers: Truth or fiction A comparative density functional study

Journal Article · · Organometallics; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/om00025a016· OSTI ID:6539047

The relevance of thioether-transition metal complexes as possible intermediates in the hydrodesulfurization of fossil fuels has prompted numerous investigations into the structure and reactivity of transition metal-thioether complexes, as well as its heavier congener selenoether. Using density functional theory (DFT) within the local density approximation (LDA), the electronic and geometrical structure of octahedral (OC)[sub 5]Cr-L with L = CO, NR[sub 3], PR[sub 3], AsR[sub 3], SR[sub 2], SeR[sub 2] (N, P, As, R = F, H; S, Se, R = F, H, Me), and OR[sub 2] (R = H, Me) were studied. All structures have been optimized in C[sub s] symmetry. The resulting geometries are rationalized in terms of orbital interactions. The metal-ligand bond energy has been determined for all systems in calculations where nonlocal corrections were added to the LDA energy expression. It was possible to break down the total metal-ligand bond energy into contributions stemming from [sigma]-donation and [pi]-back-bonding; hence, it is possible to rank thioethers and selenoethers in terms of [sigma]-donor and [pi]-acceptor ability. In general, thio- and selenoethers are rather poor [pi]-acceptors and weak [sigma]-donors. The methyl-substituted chalcogenoethers are better [sigma]-donors than the chalcogenhydrides. It is found that the fluoro-substituted chalcogen systems exhibit good [pi]-acceptor abilities, comparable to those found for PF[sub 3]. Surprisingly, the fluorine substitution does not significantly decrease the [sigma]donor ability. The Cr-E bond energies increase in the order Cr-EH[sub 2] < Cr-EMe[sub 2] < Cr-EF[sub 2] (E = O, S, Se). 21 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs.

OSTI ID:
6539047
Journal Information:
Organometallics; (United States), Journal Name: Organometallics; (United States) Vol. 12:1; ISSN ORGND7; ISSN 0276-7333
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English