Catalytic hydrogenation of alkyne with planar tetracoordinate carbon in CAl3MgH2¯ system

The present work reports the catalytic function of the planar tetracoordinate carbon (ptC) molecule, CAl₃MgH₂¯, for the first time. The hydrogenation of alkyne and alkene using CAl₃MgH₂¯ as a catalyst has been computationally examined through density functional theory calculations. Various quantum chemical tools are employed to analyze the reaction pathways systematically. The study also highlights that the reaction is favourable in the gas phase as compared to the solvent phase, suggesting the practical feasibility of using the CAl₃MgH₂ ^- catalyst in the industry. Intrinsic reaction coordinate analysis confirms that the transition states are truly connected to the local minima. Furthermore, natural atomic charges and elongated bond lengths confirm the heterolytic cleavage of H₂. Non-covalent interaction analysis illustrates the significant role of van der Waals interactions in coordinating reactants and stabilizing products. This study highlights the potential of the ptC molecule CAl₃MgH₂ ^- as a catalyst for hydrogenation reactions, eventually opening up new avenues for planar hypercoordinate and main-group metal-based catalysts.