Implications of monomer deformation for tetrel and pnicogen bonds

Abstract

A series of TF₄ and ZF₅ molecules (T = Si, Ge, Sn and Z = P, As, Sb) were allowed to engage in tetrel and pnicogen bonds, respectively, with NH₃, pyrazine, and HCN. The interaction energies are quite large, approaching 50 kcal mol⁻¹ in some cases. The formation of each complex is accompanied by substantial geometrical deformation of the Lewis acid to accommodate the approaching base. The energy associated with this monomer rearrangement is the largest for the smaller central atoms Si and P, where it exceeds 20 kcal mol⁻¹. The total reaction energy of binding, which takes this distortion energy into account, is thus significantly lower than the interaction energy, although remaining quite high, particularly for the larger Sn and Sb central atoms. The tetrel and pnicogen bonds can still form even if the Lewis acid is not permitted to adjust its internal geometry, but they are drastically weakened, dropping by as much as 95%. The monomer rearrangement also aids in the binding by intensifying its σ-hole by a factor of 1.5–2.9.