Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025

Preparation and Use of Carbonyl-decorated Carbenes in the Activation of White Phosphorus
Published on: October 3, 2014
Carbodiphosphorane-Activated Distibene and Dibismuthene Dications
Philipp Dabringhaus1, Andrew Molino1, Robert J Gilliard1
1Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States.
Low-valent antimony and bismuth double bonds exhibit novel reactivity for small molecule activation. Researchers synthesized new distibene and dibismuthene compounds with enhanced accessibility for diverse chemical transformations.
Area of Science:
- Main-group chemistry
- Organometallic chemistry
- Inorganic chemistry
Background:
- Low-valent antimony and bismuth are emerging platforms for small-molecule activation.
- Reactivity of monomeric Sb(I) and Bi(I) via oxidative addition is known.
- Chemistry of heavy group 15 double bonds (Sb=Sb, Bi=Bi) is largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel distibene and dibismuthene dications.
- To investigate the reactivity of these compounds toward small molecules.
- To explore the potential of these systems in reversible small-molecule activation.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of distibene and dibismuthene dications coordinated with carbodiphosphorane (CDP) ligands.
- Computational analysis of electronic structure, focusing on HOMO-LUMO gaps.
- Experimental studies of reactions including oxidative addition and cycloadditions.
Main Results:
- Compounds with exceptionally small HOMO-LUMO gaps were synthesized due to nonbonding interactions between CDP and M=M bonds.
- Reduced steric hindrance compared to neutral derivatives enhanced double bond accessibility.
- Demonstrated reactivity in oxidative addition to diphenyldisulfide and [2+2] cycloadditions to alkynes.
- Reversible [4+2] cycloaddition of the Sb=Sb bond with 2,3-dimethylbutadiene.
Conclusions:
- Novel distibene and dibismuthene dications exhibit unique electronic properties and high reactivity.
- These compounds serve as promising platforms for reversible small-molecule activation.
- The findings open new avenues in main-group chemistry and catalysis.
More Related Videos
08:46Preparation and Reactivity of a Triphosphenium Bromide Salt: A Convenient and Stable Source of PhosphorusI
Published on: November 22, 2016
07:20Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents
Published on: May 28, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Electrophilic 1,2- and 1,4-Addition of X2 to 1,3-Butadiene
[4+2] Cycloaddition of Conjugated Dienes: Diels–Alder Reaction
Diels–Alder Reaction Forming Bridged Bicyclic Products: Stereochemistry
ortho–para-Directing Deactivators: Halogens
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3
Depolarizing Blockers: Pharmocokinetics