A Triatomic Silicon(0) Cluster Stabilized by a Cyclic Alkyl(amino) Carbene.

Reduction of the neutral carbene tetrachlorosilane adduct (cAAC)SiCl4 (cAAC=cyclic alkyl(amino) carbene :C(CMe2)2(CH2)N(2,6-iPr2C6H3) with potassium graphite produces stable (cAAC)3Si3, a carbene-stabilized triatomic silicon(0) molecule. The Si−Si bond lengths in (cAAC)3Si3 are 2.399(8), 2.369(8) and 2.398(8) Å, which are in the range of Si−Si single bonds. Each trigonal pyramidal silicon atom of the triangular molecule (cAAC)3Si3 possesses a lone pair of electrons. Its bonding, stability, and electron density distributions were studied by quantum chemical calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]