The edge inversion process in phosphoric acid, PO(OH), has been studied by large scale ab initio molecular orbital theory. Edge inversion of the tetrahedral ground state via a square-planar transition state requires 69.5 kcal/mol (MP-2). Addition of two NH, solvent molecules to the vacant NLUMO stabilizes the transition state by 45 kcal/mol (MP-2). The value for AH(300K) for the reaction 2NH3 + PO(OH)3 + PO(OH), . (NH,), is 24.1 kcal/mol (MP-2). The complex with two NH, molecules is an intermediate.
Addition of one NH, to PO(OH), leads to an energy lowering of the planar form of 31 kcal/mol. This structure is now a transition state. The value for AH(300K) for the reaction NH3 + PO(OH), + PO(OH)3 .NH, is 38.6 kcal/mol (MP-2). The complex of PF30 with two NH3 molecules was studied and is an intermediate. The value for AH(300K) for the reaction 2NH3 i WF3 -P POF, . (NH,), is only 3.3 kcal/mol (MP-2). Electron-donor solvents clearly will stabilize the edge inversion transition state for tetracoordinate main group compounds.