The role of back-bonding in the determination of classical vs. non-classical bonding in EH3+ and EH5+ minimum structures for E = C, Si and Ge

Abstract

A rationalization of bonding in EH ₃ ⁺ and EH ₅ ⁺ classical and non-classical most stable minimum structures is proposed for E = C, Si and Ge by means of a back-bonding interaction which when present is clearly displayed by a configuration analysis and explains the lack of bridged hydrogens in the corresponding structure.