Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Bonding of Molecular Heavier Beryllium Chalcogenides

The reactions of a cyclic (alkyl)amino carbene (CAAC)-stabilized beryllium radical with E2Ph2 (E = S, Se, Te) and of a beryllole with HEPh (E = S, Se) yield the corresponding beryllium phenylchalcogenides, including the first structurally authenticated beryllium selenide and telluride complexes. Calculations show that their Be‒E bonds are best described by the interaction between the Be+ and E– fragments, with Coulombic forces accounting for ca. 55% of the attraction and orbital interactions dominated by the σ component.