The chemistry of superheavy elements. III. Theoretical studies on element 113 compounds

Abstract

The chemistry of element 113 is investigated by theoretical methods. The results of fully relativistic calculations for (113)H and (113)F are compared with those derived by other techniques to obtain an indication of the accuracy of the more approximate models as well as the importance of including scalar and/or spin–orbit relativistic effects. Both of these effects are found to be important. The spin–orbit coupled pseudopotential approximation yields results of satisfactory accuracy, but the two relativistic methods that do not include spin–orbit coupling (Douglas–Kroll and scalar relativistic pseudopotential method) do not agree so well with each other. The calculated properties of (113)H and (113)F and a number of other hydrides and halides of element 113 are compared with the properties of the equivalent compounds of the lighter group 13 elements. In general, element 13 exhibits behavior that is consistent with its placement in group 13 of the periodic table. Some of its properties are found to be somewhat unusual however, e.g., the element is relatively electronegative, the molecules (113)H3, (113)F3, and (113)Cl3 are predicted to be T-shaped rather than trigonal planar, and the 6d electrons of element 113 participate to a significant extent in chemical bonding. Compounds where element 113 is present in the +5 oxidation state are considered as well but are predicted to be thermodynamically unstable.