Chalcogen-substituted carbenes: a density functional study of structure, stability, and donor ability

Chalcogen-substituted carbenes are examined computationally using density functional theory. Several approaches are used to assess the stability and reactivity of chalcogenazol-2-ylidene carbenes (NEHCs; E = O, S, Se, Te). The known unsaturated species 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene is studied at the same level of theory as the NEHC molecules, as a reference. Electronic structures, stability towards dimerization, and ligand properties are discussed. The results highlight the NEHCs as potentially valuable ancillary ligands for stabilizing low-valent metals or paramagnetic main group molecules. A simple, effective computational method for evaluating sigma donor ability and pi acidity of carbenes is presented.

Automated summary

Chalcogen-substituted carbenes were computationally examined using density functional theory to assess their stability and reactivity. The study found that these carbenes have the potential to serve as valuable ancillary ligands for stabilizing low-valent metals or paramagnetic main group molecules. Additionally, a simple and effective computational method for evaluating the sigma donor ability and pi acidity of carbenes was presented.