Theoretical study of electronic structure and complexation of PbII(S2COR)2 [R = Me, Et, Ph] complexes

Abstract

The complexes of PbII(S2COR)2 [R = Me, Et, Ph] having three possible coordination patterns S,S/S,S or S,O/S,S or S,O/S,O are studied. The formation energy and relative energy of these isomers reveal that the order of stability is S,S/S,S > S,O/S,S > S,O/S,O. Complexation energy of the isomers decreases substantially from gas phase to water. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis has been performed to explore the metal–ligand coordination. Similar types of metal–ligand coordinations are observed for methyl and ethyl substituent. In S/S,S/S coordination, lead mainly uses its 6p sub-shells along with 6d and 7s orbitals to coordinate with 3p sub-shells of the surrounding sulfur atoms. Significant mixing of 6p and 6d orbitals of lead is also observed. In contrast, for phenyl substituent, lead uses only its 6p sub-shells to coordinate with sulfur atoms. In S,O/S,O or S,O/S,S coordination, oxygen uses its 2s and 2p sub-shells while sulfur uses its 3p sub-shells to coordinate with 7s and 6p sub-shells of lead. The binding energy and NBO analysis of these chelates indicate that lead–sulfur (soft–soft) coordination is preferred over lead–oxygen (soft–hard). In all these chelates, valence 6s orbital of lead shows inert pair effect with no participation in chelation.