Theoretical study on the mechanism of cycloaddition reaction between dichlorogermylene silylene (ClGe=Si:) and acetaldehyde.

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet state dichlorogermylene silylene (ClGe=Si:) and acetaldehyde has been investigated with the MP2/cc-pvtz//MP2/6-31G* method. According to the potential energy profile, it can be predicted that the reaction has four competitive dominant reaction pathways. The presented rule of this reaction is that the 3 p unoccupied orbital of Si: atom in dimethylgermylene silylene(ClGe=Si:) inserts the π orbital of acetaldehyde from the oxygen side, resulting in the formation of intermediate. In the intermediate and two reactants, two four-membered ring silylenes, with Si and O in the syn-position and opposite orientation, respectively, are generated, as the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction has occurred between the two bonding π orbital in dichlorogermylene silylene and acetaldehyde. Because of the unsaturated property of Si: atom in the two four-membered ring silylenes, they can further react with acetaldehyde to form two silicic bis-heterocyclic compounds. Simultaneity, the drive of ringlet tensility and unsaturated property of Si: atom in the four-membered ring silylene makes it isomerize into a distorted four-membered ring product and a Cl-transfer product and a H-transfer product, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]