Work

Experimental and Computational Studies of Amido Chlorogermylenes as Lewis Acids in CO2 Insertion

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A novel combination of an amido‐stabilised chlorogermylene (RGeCl) and a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (cAAC) has been utilized in a frustrated Lewis pair‐type reaction to activate and capture CO2. The synthesis, characterization, and reactivity studies accompanied by extensive computational input reveal “push‐pull”‐type interactions in the isolated CO2‐captured compounds. Both the steric and electronic factors as well as the Lewis acidity/basicity are found to play an important role in the reactivity and ability of the FLPs to activate CO2. The results indicate that the covalent interaction between the cAAC carbene carbon and electrophilic CO2‐carbon is too strong to facilitate further reduction or reactivity of the bound CO2‐moiety. However, the interaction between the Lewis acidic Ge‐species and the nucleophilic O‐atom of CO2 shows that germylenes can be utilised as the Lewis acidic partner in FLP‐type chemistry and small molecule activation.

Source: European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry

DOI: 10.1002/ejic.202500116

Authors: Jussi Lundahl, Laura E. English, Jas S. Ward, Petra Vasko

Institutions: University of Helsinki, University of Birmingham, University of Jyväskylä

Language: English

Topic: Synthesis and characterization of novel inorganic/organometallic compounds

Subfield: Inorganic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,050