Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Characterizing Lewis Pairs Using Titration Coupled with In Situ Infrared Spectroscopy
Published on: February 20, 2020
Interaction between Spirosilanes and Lewis Bases: from Coordination to Frustration
Fabrizio Medici1, Julien Maury1, Gilles Lemière1
1CNRS, Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire, Sorbonne Universite, 4 Place Jussieu, CC 229, 75252, Paris Cedex 05, France.
Abstract:
In this work, the interaction between Lewis bases, especially N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), and hindered neutral silicon derivatives featuring high Lewis acidity is described. The formation of normal and abnormal Lewis adducts could be controlled by varying the acidity of the corresponding tetravalent spiro organosilane. Some DFT calculations permitted to gain insight into the thermodynamics of the NHC-spirosilane interaction featuring various NHCs differing in size and σ-donor capacity. Spirosilanes are introduced as new Lewis partners in frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) chemistry and some FLP-type reactivities are presented, in particular the activation of formaldehyde that could occur with both hindered NHCs and phosphines.
Related Concept Videos
Lewis Acids and Bases
A coordinate covalent bond (or dative bond) occurs when one of the atoms in the bond provides both bonding electrons. For example, a coordinate covalent bond occurs when a water molecule combines with a hydrogen ion to form a hydronium ion. A coordinate covalent bond also results when...
Lewis Acids and Bases
Coordination Compounds and Nomenclature
Lewis Symbols and the Octet Rule
Coordination Number and Geometry
Covalent Bonding and Lewis Structures

