Anionanion (MX3-)2 dimers (M = Zn, Cd, Hg; X = Cl, Br, I) in different environments.

ABSTRACT

The possibility that MX3- anions can interact with one another is assessed via ab initio calculations in gas phase as well as in aqueous and ethanol solution. A pair of such anions can engage in two different dimer types. In the bridged configuration, two X atoms engage with two M atoms in a rhomboid structure with four equal M-X bond lengths. The two monomers retain their identity in the stacked geometry which contains a pair of noncovalent MX interactions. The relative stabilities of these two structures depend on the nature of the central M atom, the halogen substituent, and the presence of solvent. The interaction and binding energies are fairly small, generally no more than 10 kcal mol-1. The large electrostatic repulsion is balanced by a strong attractive polarization energy.