Ab initio study of mechanism of forming a spiro-heterocyclic ring compound involving Si from dichlorosilylenesilylene (Cl2Si=Si:)→Cl2Si=Si: and aldehyde

Abstract

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet dichlorosilylenesilylene (Cl2Si=Si:)→Cl2Si=Si: and aldehyde has been investigated with the CCSD(T)//MP2/6-31G* method. From the potential energy profile, it could be predicted that the reaction has one dominant reaction pathway. The reaction rules presented is that the two reactants firstly form a four-membered ring silylene through the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Because of the 3p unoccupied orbital of Si: atom in the four-membered ring silylene and the π orbital of aldehyde forming a π → p donor–acceptor bond, the four-membered ring silylene further combines with aldehyde to form an intermediate. Because the Si: atom in the intermediate happens sp 3 hybridization after transition state, then the intermediate isomerizes to a spiro-heterocyclic ring compound involving Si via a transition state.