Heavy group 14 1,(n+2)-dimetallabicyclo[n.n.n]alkanes and 1,(n+2)-dimetalla[n.n.n]propellanes: are they all realistic synthetic targets?
[n.n.n]Propellanes and bicyclo[n.n.n]alkanes (1</=n</=3) in which the bridgeheads and bridges are composed of different Group 14 elements will not be ideal homologues of the all-carbon propellanes and bicycloalkanes. We used quantum-chemical calculations to conclude which of these could possibly be stable at ambient temperature. Structures, strain, and dimerization energies of [n.n.n]propellanes and bicyclo[n.n.n]alkanes with C-based tethers and with Si, Ge, or Sn at the bridgehead positions were calculated. The aptitude to add water was probed in selected cases. Comparisons were made with the analogous all-C propellanes and bicycloalkanes. All heavy 1,(n+2)-dimetallabicyclo[n.n.n]alkanes should be thermally stable and suitable synthetic targets, even though the moisture sensitivity of 1,3-dimetallabicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes increases as Group 14 is descended. For 1,(n+2)-dimetalla[n.n.n]propellanes, the incompatibility between the tether and M--M bond lengths impacts strongly on structure and stability. At ambient temperature 1,3-disila[1.1.1]propellanes should oligomerize instantly upon formation, whereas 1,3-digerma- and 1,3-distanna[1.1.1]propellanes should be less prone to oligomerize and possibly isolable. The 1,4-dimetalla[2.2.2]propellanes with M=Si-Sn have biradical ground states and can presumably only be observed under inert conditions at cryogenic temperatures. Finally, we predict that 1,5-disila[3.3.3]propellane will be persistent at ambient temperature, but 1,5-distanna[3.3.3]propellane should rapidly oligomerize.
Department of Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Box 599, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden.
Niclas
N
Sandström
Henrik
H
Ottosson