Computational studies of the solid-state molecular organometallic (SMOM) chemistry of Rh σ-alkane complexes

Andrés G. Algarra, Arron L. Burnage, Marcella Iannuzzi, Tobias Krämer, Stuart A. Macgregor*, Rachael E.M. Pirie, Bengt Tegner, Andrew S. Weller

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

A review of computational studies on the structures, bonding and reactivity of rhodium σ-alkane complexes in the solid state is presented. These complexes of the general form [(R2P(CH2)nPR2)Rh(alkane)][BArF 4] (where ArF = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) are formed via solid/gas hydrogenation of alkene precursors, often in single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SC-SC) transformations. Molecular and periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations complement experimental characterisation techniques (X-ray, solid-state NMR) to provide a detailed picture of the structure and bonding in these species. These σ-alkane complexes exhibit reactivity in the solid state, undergoing fluxional processes, and access different alkane binding modes that link to C-H activation and H/D exchange. The mechanisms of several of these processes have been defined using periodic DFT calculations which provide excellent quantitative agreement with the available experimental activation barriers. A comparison of computed results derived from periodic DFT calculations, where the full solid-state environment is taken into account, with simple model calculations using the isolated molecular cations highlights the importance of modelling the solid state to reproduce the structures of these alkane complexes. The solid-state environment can also have a significant impact on the computed reaction energetics.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationStructure and Bonding
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media
Pages183-228
Number of pages46
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Publication series

NameStructure and Bonding
Volume186
ISSN (Print)0081-5993
ISSN (Electronic)1616-8550

Keywords

  • C-H activation
  • Catalysis
  • Periodic DFT
  • Rh
  • Single-crystal-to-single-crystal
  • SMOM
  • SMOM-Cat
  • Solid-state molecular organometallic chemistry
  • σ-Alkane complexes

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