Simulating the effect of a triple bond to achieve the shortest main group metal-metal distance in diberyllium complexes: a computational study
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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
Published on: December 16, 2013
Xue-Feng Zhao1, Caixia Yuan, Si-Dian Li
1Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage of Shanxi Province, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, People's Republic of China. wyb@sxu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
The subject of metal-metal bonding interactions in molecular systems continues to attract research interest. Chromium heretofore has been the only element known to afford metal-metal distances shorter than 1.700 Å in the form of Cr-Cr multiple bonds. In this computational study, the effect of a triple bond on reducing interatomic distances is simulated through forming three non-classical bonding orbitals between two beryllium atoms, thereby realizing the remarkably short Be-Be distances (1.692-1.735 Å) in kinetically stable global minimum species [L → Be2H3 ← L]+ (L = NH3, PH3, and noble gases Ne-Xe). Such diberyllium complexes make promising candidates for experimental realization. In particular, the Be-Be distance of 1.692 Å in [Ne → Be2H3 ← Ne]+ represents the first example of global minimum having a main group metal-metal distance under 1.700 Å. [TEA → Be2H3 ← TEA]+, which contains the bulky triethylamine (TEA) ligands, is designed as a more promising target for synthesis and isolation in condensed states.
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