Boron-lead multiple bonds in the PbB2O\u2013 and PbB3O2\u2013 clusters

Wei-Jia Chen,Si-Dian Li,Lai-Sheng Wang,Teng-Teng Chen,Xiao-Yun Zhao,Qiao-Qiao Yan,Yuan-Yuan Ma,Rui-Nan Yuan,Hai-Gang Lu,Qiang Chen

doi:10.1038/s42004-022-00643-1

Wei-Jia Chen, Si-Dian Li + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-022-00643-1

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Abstract

Despite its electron deficiency, boron can form multiple bonds with a variety of elements. However, multiple bonds between boron and main-group metal elements are relatively rare. Here we report the observation of boron-lead multiple bonds in PbB2O– and PbB3O2–, which are produced and characterized in a cluster beam. PbB2O– is found to have an open-shell linear structure, in which the bond order of B☱Pb is 2.5, while the closed-shell [Pb≡B–B≡O]2– contains a B≡Pb triple bond. PbB3O2– is shown to have a Y-shaped structure with a terminal B = Pb double bond coordinated by two boronyl ligands. Comparison between [Pb≡B–B≡O]2–/[Pb=B(B≡O)2]– and the isoelectronic [Pb≡B–C≡O]–/[Pb=B(C≡O)2]+ carbonyl counterparts further reveals transition-metal-like behaviors for the central B atoms. Additional theoretical studies show that Ge and Sn can form similar boron species as Pb, suggesting the possibilities to synthesize new compounds containing multiple boron bonds with heavy group-14 elements.

Highlights

Despite its electron deficiency, boron can form multiple bonds with a variety of elements
Theoretical calculations and chemical bonding analyses showed that PbB2O– has an open-shell [Pb☱B–B≡O]– linear structure with a B–Pb bond order of 2.5, whereas the closed-shell [Pb≡B–B≡O]2– contains a B≡Pb triple bond
The PbB3O2– species has a Y-shaped structure, [Pb=B(B≡O)2], which consists of a B = Pb double bond coordinated by two boronyl ligands

Summary

Introduction

Boron can form multiple bonds with a variety of elements. The first electron-precise transition-metal-boron triplebond complex was identified recently by combined photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and quantum chemistry calculations, in the linear ReB2O– species with a B≡Re triple bond[27]. The observed features and their vertical detachment energies (VDEs) from the photoelectron spectra of PbB2O– in comparison with theoretical values.

Results

Conclusion