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In recent years, the electronic structures of organocuprates in general and the complex [Cu(CF3)4]− in particular have attracted significant interest. A possible key indicator in this context is the reactivity of these species. Nonetheless, this aspect has received only limited attention. Here, we systematically study the series of tetra‐alkyl cuprates [MenCu(CF3)4−n]− and their unimolecular reactivity in the gas phase, which includes concerted formal reductive eliminations as well as radical losses. Through computational studies, we characterize the electronic structures of the complexes and show how these are connected to their reactivity. We find that all [MenCu(CF3)4−n]− ions feature inverted ligand fields and that the distinct reactivity patterns of the individual complexes arise from the interplay of different effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In den letzten Jahren haben Organocuprate im Allgemeinen und der Komplex [Cu(CF3)4]− im Besonderen wegen ihrer elektronischen Strukturen erhebliches Interesse auf sich gezogen. Obwohl der Reaktivität dieser Spezies in diesem Zusammenhang eine Schlüsselrolle zukommen dürfte, fand dieser Aspekt bisher nur wenig Beachtung. Wir untersuchen hier systematisch die Reihe der Tetraalkylcuprate [MenCu(CF3)4−n]− und ihre Gasphasenreaktivität, die sowohl konzertierte reduktive Eliminierungen als auch Radikalverluste umfasst. Mit Hilfe quantenchemischer Rechnungen charakterisieren wir die elektronischen Strukturen der Komplexe und zeigen, wie sie mit der Reaktivität zusammenhängen. Wir finden, dass alle Ionen [MenCu(CF3)4−n]− invertierte Ligandenfelder aufweisen und dass sich die unterschiedlichen Reaktivitäten der individuellen Komplexe aus dem Zusammenspiel verschiedener Effekte ergeben. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we benchmark density functional theory gauge-including projector-augmented-wave (GIPAW) chemical shieldings against molecular shieldings for which basis set completeness has been achieved [Jensen et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 18, 21145 (2016)]. We demonstrate the importance of two-center corrections for GIPAW hydrogen shieldings. For the other nuclei studied, standard GIPAW is sufficiently accurate. We find that GIPAW can be pushed to closely approach the basis set limit. The only source of small inaccuracies lies in the contribution to the shielding that is caused by surface currents, which we estimate comparing GIPAW susceptibilities to converged molecular magnetizabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the spin state of the metal centre in spin crossover compounds on the aromaticity of the ligands has been investigated for iron(II)tris-bipyridine (Fe(bpy)32+), and Fe(II)(formazanate)2 (as a truncated model and the full phenyl substituted compound). It was found that the aromaticity of the bipyridine ligands is unaffected by changing the spin state of the central iron atom, but that of the formazanate ligands is reduced upon transition to the high-spin state. This change in aromaticity is rationalized using the symmetry selection rules for aromaticity in terms of virtual excitations from occupied to empty orbitals. A further consequence of this loss in aromaticity is a shift to higher energy in the ring vibrations of the formazanate compounds that can be observed in either its IR or Raman spectrum; this prediction has been confirmed here. This change in aromaticity as a consequence of change in spin state can be regarded as an indication for non-innocent ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reported tetracoordinate dilithio methandiide complex from Liddle and co‐workers (1) is investigated from a coordination chemistry perspective, to probe the origin of its intriguing geometry. Through the application of a variety of computational techniques, non‐covalent (steric, electrostatic) interactions are found to be dominant. Further, we arrive at a bonding description which emphasizes the tricoordinate sp2‐hybridized nature of the central methandiide carbon, differing somewhat from the original proposal. Thus, 1 is distinct from other dilithio methandiides since it contains only one C−Li σ‐bond, and is found to be comparable to a simple aryllithium compound, phenyllithium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an investigation of structure and photophysics of thin layers of cibalackrot, a sturdy dye derived from indigo by double annulation at the central double bond. Evaporated layers contain up to three phases, two crystalline and one amorphous. Relative amounts of all three have been determined by a combination of X-ray diffraction and FT-IR reflectance spectroscopy. Initially, excited singlet state rapidly produces a high yield of a transient intermediate whose spectral properties are compatible with charge-transfer nature. This intermediate more slowly converts to a significant yield of triplet, which, however, does not exceed 100% and may well be produced by intersystem crossing rather than singlet fission. The yields were determined by transient absorption spectroscopy and corrected for effects of partial sample alignment by a simple generally applicable procedure. Formation of excimers was also observed. In order to obtain guidance for improving molecular packing by a minor structural modification, calculations by a simplified frontier orbital method were used to find all local maxima of singlet fission rate as a function of geometry of a molecular pair. The method was tested at 48 maxima by comparison with the ab initio Frenkel-Davydov exciton model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several gold +I and +III complexes are investigated computationally and spectroscopically, focusing on the d‐configuration and physical oxidation state of the metal center. Density functional theory calculations reveal the non‐negligible electron‐sharing covalent character of the metal‐to‐ligand σ‐bonding framework. The bonding of gold(III) is shown to be isoelectronic to the formal CuIII complex [Cu(CF3)4]1−, in which the metal center tries to populate its formally unoccupied 3dx2‐y2 orbital via σ‐bonding, leading to a reduced d10 CuI description. However, Au L3‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy reveals excitation into the d‐orbital of the AuIII species is still possible, showing that a genuine d10 configuration is not achieved. We also find an increased electron‐sharing nature of the σ‐bonds in the AuI species, relative to their AgI and CuI analogues, due to the low‐lying 6s orbital. We propose that gold +I and +III complexes form similar bonds with substrates, owing primarily to participation of the 5dx2‐y2 or 6s orbital, respectively, in bonding, indicating why AuI and AuIII complexes often have similar reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density maps computed with the ipsocentric-distributed gauge ab initio CTOCD-DZ method and subjected to orbital-by-orbital analysis were used to follow the changing roles of alpha and Pi electrons along the reaction coordinate for the trimerization of ethlyne to form benzene. The sequence of changes from an alpha-dominated to a Pi-dominated ring current is accompanied by the change of character of the highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest occupied molecular orbital gap from alpha to pi.

The formal Cu(III) complex [Cu(CF3)4]1− has often served as a paradigmatic example of challenging oxidation state assignment – with many reports proposing conflicting descriptions. Here we report a computational analysis of this compound, employing Energy Decomposition Analysis and Intrinsic Bond Orbital Analysis. We present a quasi‐d10 perspective of the metal centre, resulting from ambiguities in d‐electron counting. The implications for describing reactions which undergo oxidation state changes, such as the formal reductive elimination from the analogous [Cu(CF3)3(CH2Ph)]1− complex (Paeth et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 3153), are probed. Electron flow analysis finds that the changes in electronic structure may be understood as a quasi‐d10 to d10 transition at the metal centre, rendering this process essentially redox neutral. This is reminiscent of a previously studied formal Ni(IV) complex (Steen et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 13133–13139), and indicates that our description of electronic structure has implications for the understanding of elementary organometallic reaction steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissimilatory sulfite reductase enzyme has very characteristic active site where the substrate binds to an iron site, ligated by a siroheme macrocycle and a thiol directly connected to a [Fe4S4] cluster. This arrangement gives the enzyme remarkable efficiency in reducing sulfite and nitrite all the way to hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. For the first time we present a theoretical study where substrate binding modalities and activation are elucidated using active site models containing proton supply side chains and the [Fe4S4] cluster. Density functional theory (DFT) was deployed in conjunction with the energy decomposition scheme (as implemented in AMS), the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), and conceptual DFT (cDFT) descriptors. We quantified the role of the electrostatic interactions inside the active site created by the side chains as well as the influence of the [Fe4S4] cluster on the substrate binding. Furthermore, using conceptual DFT results we shed light of the activation process, thus, laying foundation for further mechanistic studies. We found that the bonding of the ligands to the iron complex is dominated by electrostatic interactions, but the presence of the [Fe4S4] cubane leads to substantial changes in electronic interaction. The spin state of the cubane, however, affects the binding energy only marginally. The conceptual DFT results show that the presence of the [Fe4S4] cubane affects the reactivity of the active site as it is involved in electron transfer. This is corroborated by an increase in the electrophilicity index, thus making the active site more prone to react with the ligands. The interaction energies between the ligand and the siroheme group are also increased upon the presence of the cubane group, thus, suggesting that the siroheme group is not an innocent spectator but plays an active role in the reactivity of the dSIR active site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]