Electronic Structure of Substituted Magnesium Malonates and Malonic Aldehyde Dianion Associates

Abstract

Ab initio calculations using a molecular pseudopotential and an all-electron approximation have been carried out with various basis sets for Mg complexes and for dianions of malonic aldehyde and its imino and chloro derivatives. The valence levels are reproduced most adequately, whereas the atomic charges and bond characteristics depend heavily on the basis used. Employing a pseudopotential does not change the quality of the electronic characteristics of the system, slightly increasing the existing charge separation. The Cl atom in the β-position is involved in π-conjugation of the dicarbonyl cycle, causing antibonding in the dianion. Introduction of Mg considerably increases the mesomeric effect of Cl and electron density on the N and O atoms, slightly changing the charges on the carbon atoms. According to the calculations, the Mg–O and Mg–N bonds are slightly covalent. The metal AO is not included in the π-system of the ring.