1,2-Metallobridging and the Antiperiplanar Effect. Thermodynamic Preference for the Z-Configuration in Imidoyl(Alkali Metals) and their Phosphorus Analogs

Abstract

We showed that imidoyl- and phosphaethenyl(alkali metals) would thermodynamically prefer the Z-configuration. The bond model analysis of the electronic structures showed that the Z-preference should originate from 1,2-metallobridging by the delocalization of lone pairs on N or P to vacant p-orbitals of the alkali metals and from the antiperiplanar effect of the delocalization from σ _C—M to σ∗ _{N(P)—R ²} and from n _N(P) to the C—R¹. The Z-preference increases by more electron-withdrawing groups at the carbon atom of the double bond. However, substitution at the nitrogen/phosphorus results in E-preference because of 1,4-chelation of the lone pair of the substituents to alkali metals. Most of halogen derivatives were not stable and eliminate metal halides.

Keywords:

• 1,2-metallobridging
• antiperiplanar effect
• bond metal analysis
• imioloyl (alkali metals)
• phosphaethenyl (alkali metals)
• Z-preference