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Bismuth–Boron Multiple Bonding in BiB 2 O − and Bi 2 B −
Author(s) -
Jian Tian,
Cheung Ling Fung,
Chen TengTeng,
Wang LaiSheng
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201705209
Subject(s) - boron , bismuth , chemistry , crystallography , ab initio quantum chemistry methods , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , triple bond , chemical bond , cluster (spacecraft) , quadruple bond , ab initio , transition metal , double bond , bond length , bond order , molecule , crystal structure , nuclear magnetic resonance , physics , organic chemistry , computer science , polymer chemistry , programming language , biochemistry , catalysis
Despite its electron deficiency, boron is versatile in forming multiple bonds. Transition‐metal–boron double bonding is known, but boron–metal triple bonds have been elusive. Two bismuth boron cluster anions, BiB 2 O − and Bi 2 B − , containing triple and double B−Bi bonds are presented. The BiB 2 O − and Bi 2 B − clusters are produced by laser vaporization of a mixed B/Bi target and characterized by photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Well‐resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained and interpreted with the help of ab initio calculations, which show that both species are linear. Chemical bonding analyses reveal that Bi forms triple and double bonds with boron in BiB 2 O − ([Bi≡B−B≡O] − ) and Bi 2 B − ([Bi=B=Bi] − ), respectively. The Bi−B double and triple bond strengths are calculated to be 3.21 and 4.70 eV, respectively. This is the first experimental observation of Bi−B double and triple bonds, opening the door to design main‐group metal–boron complexes with multiple bonding.