Cooperative Effects in Ligand Binding to Metal Atoms: the Bonding in M(CO)2, M = Be, Al, and Ga, and in Be2(CO)4, and Be(C2H4)(CO)n, n = 0−2

Abstract

The results of theoretical calculations of the structure and vibrational frequencies of Al(CO)2 and Ga(CO)2 are reviewed. These species are found to have small (< 75°) CMC angles. A reinterpretation of the vibrational spectra of Al(CO)2 and Ga(CO)2 is proposed. Theoretical results demonstrating the existence of a Be-Be double bond in Be2(CO)4 and of cooperative effects in the binding of CO and C2H4 to Be are also presented.