MP2 optimization ofPd
2(
-Br)(
-C
3H
5)(PH
3)
2(
1) andPdCl(
3-C
3H
5)(PH
3)(
2) well reproducesgeometrical characteristics of these complexes. For instance, theoptimized dihedral anglebetween
-allyl and Pd
2Br planes is 83
in
1, and the dihedral angle between
-allyl andPdCl(PH
3) planes is 115
in
2. Theseoptimized values agree well with the experimentalresults (the deviation is less than 1
). Although the
-allylcoordinate bond of
2 is mainlyformed by donation from the
-allyl nonbonding
(n
) orbital tothe unoccupied d orbital ofPd, the
-allyl coordinate bond of
1 is formed byback-donation from the Pd-Pd d
bondingorbital to the
-allyl
* orbital and donation from the
-allyln
orbital to the Pd-Pd d
antibonding orbital. To maximize these two interactions, twopalladium atoms take theirpositions under the terminal carbon atoms of
-allyl group. Inaddition to these interactions,the back-donating interaction between the
-allyl
* and thePd-Pd d
bonding orbitalsparticipates in the
-allyl coordination. The dihedral angle
of
1 decreases to 83
to enhancethe above-mentioned two back-bonding interactions. Introduction ofthe electron-withdrawing CN group to
-allyl enhances the stability of
1 anddecreases the dihedral angle
.However, introduction of the electron-releasing CH
3group to
-allyl little changes thedihedral angle of
1 but enhances the stability of
2. These substituent effects, as well asthedifference in the dihedral angle between
1 and
2,are clearly interpreted in terms of thecoordinate bonding nature.