[2+2] cycloaddition reactions of ethylene derivatives with the Si(100)-2x1 surface: A theoretical study

Possible mechanisms of the [2+2] cycloaddition reactions of ethylene (1), propylene (2), vinyl chloride (3), and styrene (4) with the Si(100)-2 x 1 surface have been investigated by theoretical calculations with the unrestricted density functional theory (DFT) and the second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). Facile occurrence of the studied reactions is supported by the low activation energies (2.45 similar to 5.76 kcal/mol) in the rate-determining steps. The buckled Si(100) surface facilitates the reactions via the low-symmetric pathways. The reactions follow the diradical mechanism of thermal [2+2] cycloaddition reactions between,pi-electron donors (the ethylene derivatives) and acceptors (the Si surface) through a pi-complex precursor and a singlet diradical intermediate. The influence of substitutents on the relative reactivity takes a qualitative sequence of 1 < 2 < 3 < 4. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and the released heat of some model reactions suggest that the relative reactivity might be partially understood by the pi-electron-donating abilities of the substituent to stabilize the radical centers at the transition states of the rate-determining steps.