Proton Migration in Benzene Complexes of Methyl and Silyl Cations

Quantum-chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory were used to optimize stationary points in the C6H6 + H3X+ (X = C, Si) systems. At X = Si, the adduct of the cation with benzene is the most stable isomer, whereas at X = C, the para isomer is more stable than the adduct (ipso isomer). This difference is explained in terms of charge distribution in the benzene ring in toluene and phenylsilane: In the latter, the negative charge on the carbon atom attached to silicon is much higher than on the other carbon atoms, unlike toluene in which the highest negative charge is on the carbon atom para to the methyl group. Proton migration from the ipso to para position requires the lowest (X = C) and highest (X = Si) barriers to be overcome compared with the other barriers to proton migration over the benzene ring. These barriers and relative stabilities of the isomers correlate well with the charge distribution on benzene carbon atoms in toluene and phenylsilane.