Te(II) forms binuclear complexes with bridging [{S
![](/images/glyphs/BPQ.GIF)
P(Ph)
2}
2N]
− ligands and axial aryl groups with very long Te
![](/images/glyphs/BN9.GIF)
Te distances, while Te(I) analogues with [S
2P(R)
2]
− have no axial ligands and exhibit a Te
![](/images/glyphs/BO7.GIF)
Te bond. No such selenium complexes have been found, although a square-planar mononuclear derivative of [{S
![](/images/glyphs/BPQ.GIF)
P(Ph)
2}
2N]
− is available for both Te and Se. In an attempt to study the nature of the Te
![](/images/glyphs/BN9.GIF)
Te interaction, a variety of theoretical approaches and basis sets was used in order to find the best way to reproduce the Te
![](/images/glyphs/BN9.GIF)
Te distance in the Te(II) derivatives. DFT calculations with the ADF program provided the best answer, since MP2 calculations are more computationally demanding. While the formal oxidation state of Te is a requirement for a Te
![](/images/glyphs/BO7.GIF)
Te bond, the type of ligand strongly determines the geometry of the binuclear species. The smaller [S
2P(R)
2]
− leads to more asymmetric species, with Te forming a normal Te
![](/images/glyphs/BO7.GIF)
S bond and a very weak one; with [{S
![](/images/glyphs/BPQ.GIF)
P(Ph)
2}
2N]
−, both Te
![](/images/glyphs/BO7.GIF)
S bonds have comparable lengths. Selenium analogues were found to behave similarly.