Theoretical studies of the reactions XHn→XHn−1−+H+ and XHn−1−+SiH4→[SiH4XHn−1]−

Ab initio and MNDO calculations have been carried out to evaluate the gas-phase acidities of closed-shell XHn compounds (X= C, N, 0, F, Si, P, S, Cl) and the affinities of silane for the XHn_1anions. Fourth-order perturbation theory with extended basis sets reproduces the experimental gas-phase acidities to within 2 kcaljmol. Stable pentacoordinated silicon anions are found for X = H, C, N, 0, and F. In contrast, only marginally stable charge-dipole complexes are found for X = Si, S, and Cl.