In the structures of (C6F5)2Hg·M(acac)2 (M = Pt, Pd; acacH = acetylacetone), infinite stacks of alternating crisscrossing coformers are held by the pure HgII⋯dz2-[MII] spodium bond (11–15 kcal mol−1) occurring between the electrophilic mercury(II) ion and d-nucleophilic [MII] sites of the positively charged PtII and PdII ions. X-ray diffraction studies reveal short Hg⋯M contacts (3.1051(1) Å for M = Pt; 3.1033(3) Å for M = Pd) significantly less than the sum of their van der Waals radii. Detailed density functional theory calculations, including QTAIM, NBO, and SAPT analyses, demonstrate the multifaceted nature of these interactions. The spodium bonds exhibit predominantly electrostatic character, with significant contributions from dispersion forces and orbital interactions. The PtII complex shows slightly stronger interactions compared to its PdII counterpart due to the more pronounced dz2-orbital of platinum. These pure heterometallic spodium bonds, unaffected by other noncovalent interactions, provide valuable insights for theoretical studies on spodium bonding.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5607-5616
JournalCrystEngComm
Issue number26
Early online date13 Sep 2024
DOIs
StatePublished - 13 Sep 2024

ID: 125271302