@article{SchmidtFantuzziKlopfetal.2021, author = {Schmidt, Paul and Fantuzzi, Felipe and Klopf, Jonas and Schr{\"o}der, Niklas B. and Dewhurst, Rian D. and Braunschweig, Holger and Engel, Volker and Engels, Bernd}, title = {Twisting versus delocalization in CAAC- and NHC-stabilized boron-based biradicals: the roles of sterics and electronics}, series = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry - A European Journal}, number = {16}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202004619}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256636}, pages = {5160-5170}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Twisted boron-based biradicals featuring unsaturated C\(_2\)R\(_2\) (R=Et, Me) bridges and stabilization by cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes (CAACs) were recently prepared. These species show remarkable geometrical and electronic differences with respect to their unbridged counterparts. Herein, a thorough computational investigation on the origin of their distinct electrostructural properties is performed. It is shown that steric effects are mostly responsible for the preference for twisted over planar structures. The ground-state multiplicity of the twisted structure is modulated by the σ framework of the bridge, and different R groups lead to distinct multiplicities. In line with the experimental data, a planar structure driven by delocalization effects is observed as global minimum for R=H. The synthetic elusiveness of C\(_2\)R\(_2\)-bridged systems featuring N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) was also investigated. These results could contribute to the engineering of novel main group biradicals.}, language = {en} } @article{RamlerFantuzziGeistetal.2021, author = {Ramler, Jaqueline and Fantuzzi, Felipe and Geist, Felix and Hanft, Anna and Braunschweig, Holger and Engels, Bernd and Lichtenberg, Crispin}, title = {The dimethylbismuth cation: entry into dative Bi-Bi bonding and unconventional methyl exchange}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {60}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202109545}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256543}, pages = {24388-24394}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The dimethyl bismuth cation, [BiMe\(_2\)(SbF\(_6\))], has been isolated and characterized. Reaction with BiMe\(_3\) allows access to the first compound featuring Bi→Bi donor-acceptor bonding. In solution, dynamic behavior with methyl exchange via an unusual S\(_E\)2 mechanism is observed, underlining the unique properties of bismuth species as soft Lewis acids with the ability to undergo reversible Bi-C bond cleavage.}, language = {en} } @article{FranzsicoFantuzziCardozoetal.2021, author = {Franzsico, Marcos A. S. and Fantuzzi, Felipe and Cardozo, Thiago M. and Esteves, Pierre M. and Engels, Bernd and Oliveira, Ricardo R.}, title = {Taming the Antiferromagnetic Beast: Computational Design of Ultrashort Mn-Mn Bonds Stabilized by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes}, series = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, volume = {27}, journal = {Chemistry—A European Journal}, number = {47}, doi = {10.1002/chem.202101116}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256874}, pages = {12126-12136}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The development of complexes featuring low-valent, multiply bonded metal centers is an exciting field with several potential applications. In this work, we describe the design principles and extensive computational investigation of new organometallic platforms featuring the elusive manganese-manganese bond stabilized by experimentally realized N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). By using DFT computations benchmarked against multireference calculations, as well as MO- and VB-based bonding analyses, we could disentangle the various electronic and structural effects contributing to the thermodynamic and kinetic stability, as well as the experimental feasibility, of the systems. In particular, we explored the nature of the metal-carbene interaction and the role of the ancillary η\(^{6}\) coordination to the generation of Mn\(_{2}\) systems featuring ultrashort metal-metal bonds, closed-shell singlet multiplicities, and positive adiabatic singlet-triplet gaps. Our analysis identifies two distinct classes of viable synthetic targets, whose electrostructural properties are thoroughly investigated.}, language = {en} } @article{BruecknerFantuzziStennettetal.2021, author = {Br{\"u}ckner, Tobias and Fantuzzi, Felipe and Stennett, Tom E. and Krummenacher, Ivo and Dewhurst, Rian D. and Engels, Bernd and Braunschweig, Holger}, title = {Isolation of neutral, mono-, and dicationic B\(_2\)P\(_2\) rings by diphosphorus addition to a boron-boron triple bond}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {60}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {24}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202102218}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-256451}, pages = {13661-13665}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The NHC-stabilised diboryne (B\(_2\)(SIDep)\(_2\); SIDep=1,3-bis(2,6-diethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) undergoes a high-yielding P-P bond activation with tetraethyldiphosphine at room temperature to form a B\(_2\)P\(_2\) heterocycle via a diphosphoryldiborene by 1,2-diphosphination. The heterocycle can be oxidised to a radical cation and a dication, respectively, depending on the oxidant used and its counterion. Starting from the planar, neutral 1,3-bis(alkylidene)-1,3-diborata-2,4-diphosphoniocyclobutane, each oxidation step leads to decreased B-B distances and loss of planarity by cationisation. X-ray analyses in conjunction with DFT and CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations reveal closed-shell singlet, butterfly-shaped structures for the NHC-stabilised dicationic B\(_2\)P\(_2\) rings, with their diradicaloid, planar-ring isomers lying close in energy.}, language = {en} } @article{RoyTroesterFantuzzietal.2021, author = {Roy, Dipak Kumar and Tr{\"o}ster, Tobias and Fantuzzi, Felipe and Dewhurst, Rian D. and Lenczyk, Carsten and Radacki, Krzysztof and Pranckevicius, Conor and Engels, Bernd and Braunschweig, Holger}, title = {Isolation and Reactivity of an Antiaromatic s-Block Metal Compound}, series = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, volume = {60}, journal = {Angewandte Chemie International Edition}, number = {7}, doi = {10.1002/anie.202014557}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-224447}, pages = {3812 -- 3819}, year = {2021}, abstract = {The concepts of aromaticity and antiaromaticity have a long history, and countless demonstrations of these phenomena have been made with molecules based on elements from the p, d, and f blocks of the periodic table. In contrast, the limited oxidation-state flexibility of the s-block metals has long stood in the way of their participation in sophisticated π-bonding arrangements, and truly antiaromatic systems containing s-block metals are altogether absent or remain poorly defined. Using spectroscopic, structural, and computational techniques, we present herein the synthesis and authentication of a heterocyclic compound containing the alkaline earth metal beryllium that exhibits significant antiaromaticity, and detail its chemical reduction and Lewis-base-coordination chemistry.}, language = {en} }