Reply to the ‘Comment on “The oxidation state in low-valent beryllium and magnesium compounds”’ by S. Pan and G. Frenking,<i>Chem. Sci.</i>, 2022,<b>13</b>, DOI: 10.1039/D2SC04231B
Martí Gimferrer, Sergi Danés, Eva Vos, Cem B. Yildiz, Inés Corral, Anukul Jana, Pedro Salvador, Diego M. Andrada
Abstract
is fully consistent with our data. Some of the arguments exposed by Pan and Frenking were based on visual inspection of our figures, rather than a thorough numerical analysis. We discuss with numerical proof that some of the statements made by the authors concerning our reported data are erroneous. In addition, we provide further evidence that the criterion of the lowest orbital interaction energy in the energy decomposition analysis (EDA) method is unsuitable as a general tool to assess the valence state of the fragments. Other indicators based on natural orbitals for chemical valence (NOCV) deliver a more reliable bonding picture. We also emphasize the importance of using stable wavefunctions for any kind of analysis, including EDA.