Structure, Spectra, and Reaction Energies of the Aluminum-Nitrogen (HAl-NH)(2) and (H(2)Al-NH(2))(2) Rings and the...

Rings of four-coordinate aluminum and nitrogen are easily synthesized and well studied, as are clusters of four-coordinate Al and N. Only recently, however, have rings that are derivatives of the model compounds (HAl-NH)(n)() (n = 2, 3) with three-coordinate Al and N been synthesized. Ab initio investigations of the structure, bonding, vibrational spectra, and reaction energies for the three-coordinate ring (HAl-NH)(2), the four-coordinate ring (H(2)Al-NH(2))(2), and the four-coordinate cluster (HAl-NH)(4) are presented. Even in the absence of differences in steric factors, the four-membered ring has longer Al-N bonds than either the six-membered ring or the unassociated aluminum amide, H(2)Al-NH(2). This is due to both rehybridization and pi interactions. Theoretical reaction energies for formation of the (HAl-NH)(4) cluster from the (H(2)Al-NH(2))(2) ring are consistent with intermolecular loss of hydrogen, or the necessity of surface catalysis.