Shedding light on the electronic structure of [Ru(η-CH)(NH)] complex: a computational insight.

Ruthenophanes have been recognized as potential candidates to the design of electrically conducting polymers, particularly due to their electrochemical, structural, and spectroscopic properties. The comprehension and rationalization of the metal-ligand interaction is fundamental to pave the way for future applications as the design of new conducting materials. For that reason, this investigation sheds light on the electronic details behind the cation-π interactions present in ruthenophanes by using [Ru(η-CH)(NH)] as a model. Zeroth-order symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT0) shows the interaction Ru(II)-[2.2]paracyclophane with a predominant covalent character. However, the hapticity analysis of [2.2]paracyclophane shows only two predominantly covalent Ru-C bonds, as highlighted by the total energy density, H(r), in the bond critical point (BCP) obtained from quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) method, and by second-order stabilization energy, ΔE, related to the processes: π C-C → d or d Ru, achieved in the natural bond orbital (NBO) method. The other two Ru-C chemical bonds show a largely electrostatic character, as can be visualized from the delocalization index, DI, between the electron basins in the electron localization function (ELF) method. Remarkably, the interacting quantum atoms (IQA) method showed practically the same value of the total interaction energy, E[Formula: see text], between Ru and these C atoms and, then, corroborates the hapticity four of the ligand: [2.2]paracyclophane. Source function distribution presents a correlation with the electronic interactions between different groups in [Ru(η-CH)(NH)]. Graphical Abstract The nature of the interactions between [Ru(NH)] and [2.2]paracyclophane in [Ru(η-CH)(NH)] was investigated with different methods of energy decomposition and electron density analysis. This interaction has a predominantly covalent character. It was possible to observe that some Ru-C interactions have a larger covalent character, in contrast for other that are mainly ionic.