Synthesis of a Stable Compound with Fivefold Bonding between Two Chromium(I) Centers

Author

Tailuan Nguyen
Andrew D. Sutton
Marcin Brynda
James C. Fettinger
Gary J. Long, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Philip P. Power

Abstract

Although, in principle, transition metals can form bonds with 6 shared electron pairs, only quadruply-bonded compounds can be isolated as stable species at room temperature. Now, reduction of {Cr(µ-Cl)Ar'}2 (Ar' = C6H3-2,6(C6H3-2,6-Pri2)2 Pri = isopropyl) with a slight excess of potassium graphite has produced a stable compound with fivefold Cr-Cr bonding. The very air and moisture sensitive, dark red crystals of Ar'CrCrAr' were isolated in >40% yield. X-ray diffraction revealed a Cr-Cr bond length of 1.8351(4) angstroms and a planar, trans-bent core geometry. These data, together with its temperature independent paramagnetism, as well as computational studies, support sharing of 5 electron pairs in 5 bonding molecular orbitals between two 3d5 chromium(I) ions.

Recommended Citation

T. Nguyen et al., "Synthesis of a Stable Compound with Fivefold Bonding between Two Chromium(I) Centers," Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Jan 2005.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1116789

Department(s)

Chemistry

Keywords and Phrases

Crystals

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0036-8075

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2005 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2005