Work

What distinguishes the strength and the effect of a Lewis base: insights with a strong chromogenic silicon Lewis acid

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: optical spectroscopy and computational analysis. Extending our previously developed concept of global and effective Lewis acidity (gLA and eLA), we propose analogous descriptors for Lewis basicity: global Lewis basicity (gLB) and effective Lewis basicity (eLB). Our findings reveal that gLB and eLB are distinct and independently varying properties. However, unlike for Lewis acidity-where the offset of gLA and eLA is governed by deformation energy-the divergence of gLB and eLB is dominated by solvation of the Lewis base. Specifically, solvation energy significantly affects adduct formation thermodynamics (gLB) but has minimal influence on the induced optical response (eLB). Furthermore, the chromogenic probe enables identification of π-type Lewis basicity contributions. The distinction developed in this work refines the conceptual framework of Lewis pair interactions and highlights the importance of solvation and electronic structure when applying LB descriptors in different chemical contexts.

Source: Chemical Science

DOI: 10.1039/d5sc03200h

Authors: Lennart Stoess, Lutz Greb

Institution: Heidelberg University

Language: English

Topic: Organoboron and organosilicon chemistry

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Fonds der Chemischen Industrie, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Awards: G1110023947, G1366155583, G1578741624, G328597760, G402306430