title: Stability and structure of oligomers and polymers made of xenon and hydrocarbons: theoretical predictions.
abstract: Calculations at B3LYP level predict the existence of three carbon chain oligomers containing HXeC[triple bond]C- branches: C(7)H(8)Xe(2), C(11)H(12)Xe(3), and C(15)H(16)Xe(4). The geometries and NBO charges of the HXeC[triple bond]C- groups in the species are similar to those of the experimental known HXeC[triple bond]CH molecule, and are insensitive to the length of the carbon chain. The structures of the xenon oligomers are very similar to their hydrocarbon precursors. The energetics for C(11)H(12)Xe(3) is calculated to assess the stability of these polymers. Similar to HXeCCH, C(11)H(12)Xe(3) is kinetically stable and protected by a high barrier of 2.47 eV against dissociation to C(11)H(12)Xe(2)+Xe, and is energetically more stable by 1.30 eV than the C(11)H(11)Xe(2)+Xe+H products, which strongly supports the existence of the molecule. Extrapolation of the results for the oligomers suggests the existence of an extended [-CH(2)CH(C[triple bond]CXeH)-](n) polymer. A strategy for preparation is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry, Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.forename: R Benny
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gerber