Switching of global minima of novel germylenic reactive intermediates via halogens (X): C 2GeH 2 vs. C 2GeHX at ab initio and DFT levels

Abstract

For 30 C 2GeHX germylenic isomers, one cyclic structure, X-germacyclopropenylidene, and three acyclics are considered, which include: ethynyl-X-germylene, X-vinylidenegermylene, and (X-ethynyl)germylene (X = H, F, Cl, and Br). The global minimum among six isomeric C 2GeH 2 (where X = H), is found to be cyclic, aromatic, singlet germacyclopropenylidene. In contrast, among the 24 corresponding halogermylenes, C 2GeHX (where X = F, Cl, and Br), the global minima switch to acyclic, singlet ethynylhalogermylenes, at eight reasonably high ab initio and DFT levels. The direct resonance interaction between X and the divalent center Ge in the singlet acyclic ethynylhalogermylene structures, is claimed to justify switching of the calculated global minima in the halo derivatives. GIAO–NICS calculations indicate that the X-germacyclopropenylidene isomer is more aromatic for X = H than X = F, Cl, or Br. The angle ∠XGeC bending potential energy curves show the singlet and triplet ethynylgermylene crossing at ≈146°, for X = H.