Mechanism of abstraction reactions of dimetallenes (R2X=XR2; X = C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) with halocarbons: a theoretical study.

Abstract

Potential energy surfaces for the abstraction reactions of dimetallenes with halocarbons have been studied using density functional theory (B3LYP). Five dimetallene species, (SiH(3))(2)X=X(SiH(3))(2), where X = C, Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb, have been chosen in this work as model reactants. The present theoretical investigations suggest that the relative dimetallenic reactivity increases in the order C=C << Si=Si < Ge=Ge < Sn=Sn < Pb=Pb. That is to say, for halocarbon abstractions there is a very clear trend toward lower activation barriers and more exothermic reactions on going from C to Pb. Moreover, for a given dimetallene, the overall barrier heights are determined to be in the order CF(4) > CCl(4) > CBr(4) > CI(4). That is, the heavier the halogen atom (Y), the more facile its abstraction from CY(4). Halogen abstraction is always predicted to be much faster than the abstraction of a CY(3) group irrespective of the dimetallene or halocarbon involved. Our model conclusions are consistent with some available experimental findings. Furthermore, both a configuration mixing model based on the work of Pross and Shaik and bonding dissociation energies can be used to rationalize the computational results. These results allow a number of predictions to be made.