Transition-metal complexes of tetrylones [(CO)5W-E(PPh3)2] and tetrylenes [(CO)5W-NHE] (E=C-Pb): a theoretical study.

Quantum chemical calculations at the BP86/TZVPP//BP86/SVP level are performed for the tetrylone complexes [W(CO)(5) -E(PPh(3))(2)] (W-1 E) and the tetrylene complexes [W(CO)(5)-NHE] (W-2 E) with E=C-Pb. The bonding is analyzed using charge and energy decomposition methods. The carbone ligand C(PPh(3) ) is bonded head-on to the metal in W-1 C, but the tetrylone ligands E(PPh(3))(2) are bonded side-on in the heavier homologues W-1 Si to W-1 Pb. The W-E bond dissociation energies (BDEs) increase from the lighter to the heavier homologues (W-1 C: D(e) =25.1 kcal mol(-1); W-1 Pb: D(e) =44.6 kcal mol(-1)). The W(CO)(5) ←C(PPh(3))(2) donation in W-1 C comes from the σ lone-pair orbital of C(PPh(3))(2), whereas the W(CO)(5) ←E(PPh(3))(2) donation in the side-on bonded complexes with E=Si-Pb arises from the π lone-pair orbital of E(PPh(3))(2) (the HOMO of the free ligand). The π-HOMO energy level rises continuously for the heavier homologues, and the hybridization has greater p character, making the heavier tetrylones stronger donors than the lighter systems, because tetrylones have two lone-pair orbitals available for donation. Energy decomposition analysis (EDA) in conjunction with natural orbital for chemical valence (NOCV) suggests that the W-E BDE trend in W-1 E comes from the increase in W(CO)(5) ←E(PPh(3))(2) donation and from stronger electrostatic attraction, and that the E(PPh(3))(2) ligands are strong σ-donors and weak π-donors. The NHE ligands in the W-2 E complexes are bonded end-on for E=C, Si, and Ge, but side-on for E=Sn and Pb. The W-E BDE trend is opposite to that of the W-1 E complexes. The NHE ligands are strong σ-donors and weak π-acceptors. The observed trend arises because the hybridization of the donor orbital at atom E in W-2 E has much greater s character than that in W-1 E, and even increases for heavier atoms, because the tetrylenes have only one lone-pair orbital available for donation. In addition, the W-E bonds of the heavier systems W-2 E are strongly polarized toward atom E, so the electrostatic attraction with the tungsten atom is weak. The BDEs calculated for the W-E bonds in W-1 E, W-2 E and the less bulky tetrylone complexes [W(CO)(5) -E(PH(3))(2)] (W-3 E) show that the effect of bulky ligands may obscure the intrinsic W-E bond strength.