Volume 57, Issue 17 pp. 4760-4764
Communication

Formation of Agostic Structures Driven by London Dispersion

Dr. Qing Lu

Dr. Qing Lu

Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany

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Prof. Dr. Frank Neese

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Frank Neese

Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany

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Dr. Giovanni Bistoni

Corresponding Author

Dr. Giovanni Bistoni

Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Platz 1, 45470 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany

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First published: 07 March 2018
Citations: 59

Graphical Abstract

The importance of dispersion: DLPNO-CCSD(T) local energy decomposition analysis was used to elucidate the nature of β-agostic interactions. Short-range London dispersion between the agostic C−H bond and the metal center drives the formation of agostic structures to a large extent. These results were used to rationalize a series of previously published experimental findings.

Abstract

Agostic interactions between a C−H bond and a transition metal are commonly crucial in catalytic polymerization processes. Herein, a quantitative study of the nature of β-agostic interactions in a series of systems of importance in C−H bond activation reactions is reported. The analysis, characterized by the use of a coupled-cluster-based energy decomposition scheme, demonstrates that short-range London dispersion between the agostic C−H bond and the metal center plays a fundamental role in affecting the structural stability of these systems, contrary to a widely held view. These results are used to rationalize a series of previously published experimental findings.

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