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Isolation and reversible dimerization of a selenium-selenium three-electron σ-bond.

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  • 1State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.

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Researchers stabilized a novel selenium-based radical cation featuring a three-electron sigma bond using a naphthalene scaffold and large anions. This advancement opens doors for isolating more three-electron sigma bond systems.

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Area of Science:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Crystallography

Background:

  • Three-electron sigma bonds, proposed by Linus Pauling, are crucial in chemical intermediates.
  • Previous spectroscopic studies explored these bonds in various phases, but X-ray diffraction was limited to simple systems like Xe₂ and constrained N₂⁺.
  • Stabilizing and characterizing novel three-electron sigma bond systems via X-ray diffraction remained a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and characterize a stable radical cation featuring a selenium-selenium three-electron sigma bond.
  • To investigate the influence of counter-anions on the stability and structure of the radical cation.
  • To explore the potential of naphthalene scaffolds in stabilizing unusual bonding motifs.

Main Methods:

  • One-electron oxidation of a naphthalene-modified diselena species using large, weakly coordinating anions.
  • Spectroscopic analysis (UV-Vis, EPR) to characterize the radical cation.
  • X-ray diffraction studies to determine the solid-state structure.
  • Investigation of dimerization behavior with small anions.

Main Results:

  • A room-temperature-stable radical cation with a Se∴Se three-electron sigma bond was successfully synthesized and characterized.
  • X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of the three-electron sigma bond within the naphthalene scaffold.
  • Reversible dimerization and distinct color changes (blue in solution, brown in solid state) were observed upon using small anions, indicating a transition from radical cation to diamagnetic dimer.

Conclusions:

  • Naphthalene scaffolds, combined with large, weakly coordinating anions, can effectively stabilize and isolate novel three-electron sigma bond systems.
  • The observed reversible dimerization highlights the sensitivity of these systems to counter-anion size and coordination.
  • This work provides a pathway for the discovery and characterization of a broader range of three-electron sigma bonded compounds.