Probing the reactivity of microhydrated α‐nucleophile in the anionic gas‐phase SN2 reaction

To probe the kinetic performance of microsolvated α‐nucleophile, the G2(+)_M calculations were carried out for the gas‐phase S_N2 reactions of monohydrated and dihydrated α‐oxy‐nucleophiles XO^?(H₂O)_{n = 1,2} (X = HO, CH₃O, F, Cl, Br), and α‐sulfur‐nucleophile, HSS^?(H₂O)_{n = 1,2}, toward CH₃Cl. We compared the reactivities of hydrated α‐nucleophiles to those of hydrated normal nucleophiles. Our calculations show that the α‐effect of monohydrated and dihydrated α‐oxy‐nucleophiles will become weaker than those of unhydrated ones if we apply a plot of activation barrier as a function of anion basicity. Whereas the enhanced reactivity of monohydrated and dihydrated ROO^? (R = H, Me) could be observed if compared them with the specific normal nucleophiles, RO^? (R = H, Me). This phenomena can not be seen in the comparisons of XO^?(H₂O)_{n = 1,2} (X = F, Cl, Br) with ClC₂H₄O^?(H₂O)_{n = 1,2}, a normal nucleophile with similar gas basicity to XO^?(H₂O)_{n = 1,2}. These results have been carefully analyzed by natural bond orbital theory and activation strain model. Meanwhile, the relationships between activation barriers with reaction energies and the ionization energies of α‐nucleophile are also discussed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Resonance Character of Copper/Silver/Gold Bonding in Small Molecule⋅⋅⋅MX (X=F,Cl, Br,CH3, CF3) Complexes

The resonance character of Cu/Ag/Au bonding is investigated in B???M?X (M=Cu, Ag, Au; X=F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CF₃; B=CO, H₂O, H₂S, C₂H₂, C₂H₄) complexes. The natural bond orbital/natural resonance theory results strongly support the general resonance‐type three‐center/four‐electron (3c/4e) picture of Cu/Ag/Au bonding, B:M?X?B⁺?M:X^?, which mainly arises from hyperconjugation interactions. On the basis of such resonance‐type bonding mechanisms, the ligand effects in the more strongly bound OC???M?X series are analyzed, and distinct competition between CO and the axial ligand X is observed. This competitive bonding picture directly explains why CO in OC???Au?CF₃ can be readily replaced by a number of other ligands. Additionally, conservation of the bond order indicates that the idealized relationship b_B???M+b_MX=1 should be suitably generalized for intermolecular bonding, especially if there is additional partial multiple bonding at one end of the 3c/4e hyperbonded triad.     

Hydrogen Bonding of Fluorinated Saccharides in Solution: F Acting as H‐Bond Acceptor in a Bifurcated H‐Bond of 4‐Fluorinated Levoglucosans

4‐Fluorinated levoglucosans were synthesised to test if OH???F H‐bonds are feasible even when the O???F distance is increased. The fluorinated 1,6‐anhydro‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoses were synthesised from 1,6 : 3,4‐dianhydro‐β‐D ‐galactopyranose ( 8 ). Treatment of 8 with KHF₂ and KF gave 43% of 4‐deoxy‐4‐fluorolevoglucosan ( 9 ), which was transformed into the 3‐O‐protected derivatives 13 by silylation and 15 by silylation, acetylation, and desilylation. 4‐Deoxy‐4‐methyllevoglucosan ( 19 ) and 4‐deoxylevoglucosan ( 21 ) were prepared as reference compounds that can only form a bivalent H‐bond from HO? C(2) to O? C(5). They were synthesised from the ⁱPr₃Si‐protected derivative of 8 . Intramolecular bifurcated H‐bonds from HO? C(2) to F? C(4) and O? C(5) of the 4‐fluorinated levoglucosans in CDCl₃ solution are evidenced by the ¹H‐NMR scalar couplings ^h1J(F,OH) and ³J(H,OH). The OH???F H‐bond over an O???F distance of ca. 3.0 Å is thus formed in apolar solvents, at least when favoured by the simultaneous formation of an OH???O H‐bond.     

Influence of the Li⋅⋅⋅π Interaction on the H/X⋅⋅⋅π Interactions in HOLi⋅⋅⋅C6H6⋅⋅⋅HOX/XOH (X=F,Cl, Br,I) Complexes

The influences of the Li???π interaction of C₆H₆???LiOH on the H???π interaction of C₆H₆???HOX (X=F, Cl, Br, I) and the X???π interaction of C₆H₆???XOH (X=Cl, Br, I) are investigated by means of full electronic second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory calculations and “quantum theory of atoms in molecules” (QTAIM) studies. The binding energies, binding distances, infrared vibrational frequencies, and electron densities at the bond critical points (BCPs) of the hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds prove that the addition of the Li???π interaction to benzene weakens the H???π and X???π interactions. The influences of the Li???π interaction on H???π interactions are greater than those on X???π interactions; the influences of the H???π interactions on the Li???π interaction are greater than X???π interactions on Li???π interaction. The greater the influence of Li???π interaction on H/X???π interactions, the greater the influences of H/X???π interactions on Li???π interaction. QTAIM studies show that the intermolecular interactions of C₆H₆???HOX and C₆H₆???XOH are mainly of the π type. The electron densities at the BCPs of hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds decrease on going from bimolecular complexes to termolecular complexes, and the π‐electron densities at the BCPs show the same pattern. Natural bond orbital analyses show that the Li???π interaction reduces electron transfer from C₆H₆ to HOX and XOH.     

The Role of Molecular Electrostatic Potentials in the Formation of a Halogen Bond in Furan⋅⋅⋅XY and Thiophene⋅⋅⋅XY Complexes

The halogen bonding of furan???XY and thiophene???XY (X=Cl, Br; Y=F, Cl, Br), involving σ‐ and π‐type interactions, was studied by using MP2 calculations and quantum theory of “atoms in molecules” (QTAIM) studies. The negative electrostatic potentials of furan and thiophene, as well as the most positive electrostatic potential (V_S,max) on the surface of the interacting X atom determined the geometries of the complexes. Linear relationships were found between interaction energy and V_S,max of the X atom, indicating that electrostatic interactions play an important role in these halogen‐bonding interactions. The halogen‐bonding interactions in furan???XY and thiophene???XY are weak, “closed‐shell” noncovalent interactions. The linear relationship of topological properties, energy properties, and the integration of interatomic surfaces versus V_S,max of atom X demonstrate the importance of the positive σ hole, as reflected by the computed V_S,max of atom X, in determining the topological properties of the halogen bonds.     

Hydrogels Composed of Organic Amphiphiles and α‐Cyclodextrin: Supramolecular Networks of Their Pseudorotaxanes in Aqueous Media

Mixtures of N‐alkyl pyridinium compounds [py‐N‐(CH₂)_nOC₆H₃‐3,5‐(OMe)₂]⁺(X^?) ( 1b Cl: n=10, X=Cl; 1c Br: n=12, X=Br) and α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD) form supramolecular hydrogels in aqueous media. The concentrations of the two components influences the sol–gel transition temperature, which ranges from 7 to 67 °C. Washing the hydrogel with acetone or evaporation of water left the xerogel, and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR measurements, powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the xerogel of 1b Cl (or 1c Br) and α‐CD was composed of pseudorotaxanes with high crystallinity. ¹³C{¹H} and ¹H NMR spectra of the gel revealed the detailed composition of the components. The gel from 1b Cl and α‐CD contains the corresponding [2]‐ and [3]pseudorotaxanes, [ 1b? (α‐CD)]Br and [ 1b? (α‐CD)₂]Br, while that from 1c Br and α‐CD consists mainly of [3]pseudorotaxane [ 1c? (α‐CD)₂]Br. 2D ROESY ¹H NMR measurements suggested intermolecular contact of 3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl and pyridyl end groups of the axle component. The presence of the [3]pseudorotaxane is indispensable for gel formation. Thus, intermolecular interaction between the end groups of the axle component and that between α‐CDs of the [3]pseudorotaxane contribute to formation of the network. The supramolecular gels were transformed into sols by adding denaturing agents such as urea, C₆H₃‐1,3,5‐(OH)₃, and [py‐N‐nBu]⁺(Cl^?).     

Competition between hydrogen and halogen bonding in halogenated 1‐methyluracil: Water systems

The competition between hydrogen‐ and halogen‐bonding interactions in complexes of 5‐halogenated 1‐methyluracil (XmU; X = F, Cl, Br, I, or At) with one or two water molecules in the binding region between C5‐X and C4?O4 is investigated with M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d). In the singly‐hydrated systems, the water molecule forms a hydrogen bond with C4?O4 for all halogens, whereas structures with a halogen bond between the water oxygen and C5‐X exist only for X = Br, I, and At. Structures with two waters forming a bridge between C4?O and C5‐X (through hydrogen‐ and halogen‐bonding interactions) exist for all halogens except F. The absence of a halogen‐bonded structure in singly‐hydrated ClmU is therefore attributed to the competing hydrogen‐bonding interaction with C4?O4. The halogen‐bond angle in the doubly‐hydrated structures (150–160°) is far from the expected linearity of halogen bonds, indicating that significantly non‐linear halogen bonds may exist in complex environments with competing interactions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Theoretical study on the interactions of halogen‐bonds and pnicogen‐bonds in phosphine derivatives with Br2, BrCl,and BrF

The MP2 ab initio quantum chemistry methods were utilized to study the halogen‐bond and pnicogen‐bond system formed between PH₂X (X = Br, CH₃, OH, CN, NO₂, CF₃) and BrY (Y = Br, Cl, F). Calculated results show that all substituent can form halogen‐bond complexes while part substituent can form pnicogen‐bond complexes. Traditional, chlorine‐shared and ion‐pair halogen‐bonds complexes have been found with the different substituent X and Y. The halogen‐bonds are stronger than the related pnicogen‐bonds. For halogen‐bonds, strongly electronegative substituents which are connected to the Lewis acid can strengthen the bonds and significantly influenced the structures and properties of the compounds. In contrast, the substituents which connected to the Lewis bases can produce opposite effects. The interaction energies of halogen‐bonds are 2.56 to 32.06 kcal·mol^?1; The strongest halogen‐bond was found in the complex of PH₂OH???BrF. The interaction energies of pnicogen‐bonds are in the range 1.20 to 2.28 kcal·mol^?1; the strongest pnicogen‐bond was found in PH₂Br???Br₂ complex. The charge transfer of lp(P) ? σ*(Br? Y), lp(F) ? σ*(Br? P), and lp(Br) ? σ*(X? P) play important roles in the formation of the halogen‐bonds and pnicogen‐bonds, which lead to polarization of the monomers. The polarization caused by the halogen‐bond is more obvious than that by the pnicogen‐bond, resulting in that some halogen‐bonds having little covalent character. The symmetry adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) energy decomposition analysis showes that the halogen‐bond and pnicogen‐bond interactions are predominantly electrostatic and dispersion, respectively.     

Silber(I)‐di(arensulfonyl)amide und ein Silber(I)‐(arensulfonyl)(alkansulfonyl)amid: Von Bändern zu lamellaren Schichten mit kurzen Zwischenschichtkontakten C–H…Hal–C oder C–Br…Br–C

Structures of Ionic Di(arenesulfonyl)amides. 2. Silver(I) Di(arenesulfonyl)amides and a Silver(I) (Arenesulfonyl)(alkanesulfonyl)amide: From Ribbons to Lamellar Layers Exhibiting Short C–H…Hal–C or C–Br…Br–C Interlayer Contacts Low‐temperature X‐ray crystal structures are reported for AgN(SO₂C₆H₄‐4‐X)₂ · H₂O, where X is Cl ( 4 ) or Br ( 5 ), and for AgN(SO₂Ph)(SO₂Me) ( 6 ). Compounds 4 and 5 and the previously described F analogue ( 3 ) are isotypic, though not strictly isostructural (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, Z = 4, but egregiously large discrepancies of x and z coordinates for corresponding atoms). Throughout this triad, glide‐plane related formula units are linked along the z axis to form infinite ribbons [(ArSO₂)₂N–Ag(μ‐H₂O)]_∞, in which Ag extends its coordination number to five by accepting one Ag–O bond from each of the (ArSO₂)₂N^⊖ ligands in the adjacent units. By means of O–H…O(S) hydrogen bonds, the ribbons are associated into lamellar layers parallel to the xz plane. Owing to the folded conformation of the anions, the layers display an inner polar region of Ag atoms, H₂O molecules and N(SO₂)₂ groups, outer apolar regions of stacked pairs of aryl rings, and interlayer regions hosting the halogen atoms. Inspection of the latter areas provides sound evidence that the distinct juxtapositions of adjacent layers arise from specific interlamellar attractions and repulsions ( 3 : two C–H…F, all F…F beyond the van der Waals limit d_W; 4 : one C–H…Cl, close packing of Cl atoms at Cl…Cl ≈ d_W; 5 : one C–H…Br, one short Br…Br contact < d_W, all other Br…Br > d_W). Structure 6 (monoclinic, P2₁/n, Z = 4) consists of a lamellar coordination polymer, in which the cation accepts one Ag–N and three Ag–O bonds drawn from four different anions. On account of crystal symmetry, the extended ligand has its Ph and Me groups distributed on both sides of the sheet, the phenyl rings forming the apolar regions of the lamella, whereas the smaller methyl groups are integrated into the corrugated inorganic region by means of weak C–H…O hydrogen bonds.     

Hydrogen‐Bond Cooperativity in Formamide2–Water: A Model for Water‐Mediated Interactions

The rotational spectrum of formamide₂–H₂O formed in a supersonic jet has been characterized by Fourier‐transform microwave spectroscopy. This adduct provides a simple model of water‐mediated interaction involving the amide linkages, as occur in protein folding or amide‐association processes, showing the interplay between self‐association and solvation. Mono‐substituted ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, and ²H isotopologues have been observed and their data used to investigate the structure. The adduct forms an almost planar three‐body sequential cycle. The two formamide molecules link on one side through an N?H???O hydrogen bond and on the other side through a water‐mediated interaction with the formation of C=O???H?O and O???H?N hydrogen bonds. The analysis of the quadrupole coupling effects of two ¹⁴N‐nuclei reveals the subtle inductive forces associated to cooperative hydrogen bonding. These forces are involved in the changes in the C=O and C?N bond lengths with respect to pure formamide.     

Cooperativity between the Halogen Bond and the Hydrogen Bond in H3N⋅⋅⋅XY⋅⋅⋅HF Complexes (X,Y=F,Cl, Br)

Ab initio calculations are used to provide information on H₃N???XY???HF triads (X, Y=F, Cl, Br) each having a halogen bond and a hydrogen bond. The investigated triads include H₃N???Br₂‐HF, H₃N???Cl₂???HF, H₃N???BrCI???HF, H₃N???BrF???HF, and H₃N???ClF???HF. To understand the properties of the systems better, the corresponding dyads are also investigated. Molecular geometries, binding energies, and infrared spectra of monomers, dyads, and triads are studied at the MP2 level of theory with the 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set. Because the primary aim of this study is to examine cooperative effects, particular attention is given to parameters such as cooperative energies, many‐body interaction energies, and cooperativity factors. The cooperative energy ranges from ?1.45 to ?4.64 kcal mol^?1, the three‐body interaction energy from ?2.17 to ?6.71 kcal mol^?1, and the cooperativity factor from 1.27 to 4.35. These results indicate significant cooperativity between the halogen and hydrogen bonds in these complexes. This cooperativity is much greater than that between hydrogen bonds. The effect of a halogen bond on a hydrogen bond is more pronounced than that of a hydrogen bond on a halogen bond.     

Structure of Amido Pyridinium Betaines: Persistent Intermolecular C−H⋅⋅⋅N Hydrogen Bonding in Solution

A hydrogen bond of the type C?H???X (X=O or N) is known to influence the structure and function of chemical and biological systems in solution. C?H???O hydrogen bonding in solution has been extensively studied, both experimentally and computationally, whereas the equivalent thermodynamic parameters have not been enumerated experimentally for C?H???N hydrogen bonds. This is, in part, due to the lack of systems that exhibit persistent C?H???N hydrogen bonds in solution. Herein, a class of molecule based on a biologically active norharman motif that exhibits unsupported intermolecular C?H???N hydrogen bonds in solution has been described. A pairwise interaction leads to dimerisation to give bond strengths of about 7 kJ mol^?1 per hydrogen bond, which is similar to chemically and biologically relevant C?H???O hydrogen bonding. The experimental data is supported by computational work, which provides additional insight into the hydrogen bonding by consideration of electrostatic and orbital interactions and allowed a comparison between calculated and extrapolated NMR chemical shifts.     

Strong N−X⋅⋅⋅O−N Halogen Bonds: A Comprehensive Study on N‐Halosaccharin Pyridine N‐Oxide Complexes

A study of the strong N?X???^?O?N⁺ (X=I, Br) halogen bonding interactions reports 2×27 donor×acceptor complexes of N‐halosaccharins and pyridine N‐oxides (PyNO). DFT calculations were used to investigate the X???O halogen bond (XB) interaction energies in 54 complexes. A simplified computationally fast electrostatic model was developed for predicting the X???O XBs. The XB interaction energies vary from ?47.5 to ?120.3 kJ mol^?1; the strongest N?I???^?O?N⁺ XBs approaching those of 3‐center‐4‐electron [N?I?N]⁺ halogen‐bonded systems (ca. 160 kJ mol^?1). ¹H NMR association constants (K_XB) determined in CDCl₃ and [D₆]acetone vary from 2.0×10⁰ to >10⁸ m ^?1 and correlate well with the calculated donor×acceptor complexation enthalpies found between ?38.4 and ?77.5 kJ mol^?1. In X‐ray crystal structures, the N‐iodosaccharin‐PyNO complexes manifest short interaction ratios (R_XB) between 0.65–0.67 for the N?I???^?O?N⁺ halogen bond.     

Ab initio and AIM studies on typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type halogen bonds: Comparison with hydrogen bonds

Series of typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type halogen‐bonded complexes B ··· ClY and B ··· BrY and hydrogen‐bonded complex B ··· HY (B = C₂H₄, C₂H₂, and C₃H₆; Y = F, Cl, and Br) have been investigated using the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ method. A striking parallelism was found in the geometries, vibrational frequencies, binding energies, and topological properties between B ··· XY and B ··· HY (X = Cl and Br). It has been found that the lengths of the weak bond d(X ··· π)/d(H ··· π), the frequencies of the weak bond ν(X ··· π)/ν(H ··· π), the frequency shifts Δν(X? Y)/Δν(H? Y), the electron densities at the bond critical point of the weak bonds ρ_c(X ··· π)/ρ_c(H ··· π), and the electron density changes Δρ_c(X? Y)/Δρ_c(H? Y) could be used as measures of the strengths of typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type halogen/hydrogen bonds. The typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type halogen bond and hydrogen bond are noncovalent interactions. For the same Y, the halogen bond strengths are in the order B ··· ClY < B ··· BrY. For the same X, the halogen bond strength decreases according to the sequence F > Cl > Br that is in agreement with the hydrogen bond strengths B ··· HF > B ··· HCl > B ··· HBr. All of these typical π‐type and pseudo‐π‐type hydrogen‐bonded and halogen‐bonded complexes have the “conflict‐type” structure. Contour maps of the Laplacian of π electron density indicate that the formation of B ··· XY halogen‐bonded complex and B ··· HY hydrogen‐bonded complex is very similar. Charge transfer is observed from B to XY/HY and both the dipolar polarization and the volume of the halogen atom or hydrogen atom decrease on B ··· XY/B ··· HY complex formation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Dilemmas in Crystallization. The ‘Unusual' Behavior of trans‐1,5‐Dichloro‐9,10‐diethynyl‐9,10‐dihydroanthracene‐9,10‐diol and the More ‘Normal' Behavior of Its Pseudopolymorphs with Dipolar Aprotic Solvents

The compound trans‐1,5‐dichloro‐9,10‐diethynyl‐9,10‐dihydroanthracene‐9,10‐diol (DDDA) has an inversion center as the only molecular symmetry element and yet does not occupy an inversion center in the centrosymmetric space group that it adopts in the crystal structure. The reason for this very unusual occurrence is the crowded environment of the H‐bond donors and acceptors that leads to less than optimal H‐bonding. A centrosymmetric supramolecular synthon constituted with four Cl‐atoms in a planar array occupies an i site in the crystal, and this appears to provide a satisfactory alternative packing. Based on the hypothesis that H‐bonding is less than optimal in the crystal structure of DDDA, pseudopolymorphs were prepared with strongly H‐bond‐accepting solvents. The crystal structures of five of these solvates are described, wherein the DDDA molecule is able to occupy an i site and form strong and linear O? H ???O H‐bonds with the solvent molecules. Competition experiments show that a smaller solvent molecule with a greater H‐bond‐accepting ability is included more readily and that the H‐bonds formed are correspondingly better.     

Rational Modification of the Hierarchy of Intermolecular Interactions in Molecular Crystal Structures by Using Tunable Halogen Bonds

A family of 16 isomolecular salts (3‐XpyH)₂[MX′₄] (3‐XpyH=3‐halopyridinium; M=Co, Zn; X=(F), Cl, Br, (I); X′=Cl, Br, I) each containing rigid organic cations and tetrahedral halometallate anions has been prepared and characterized by X‐ray single crystal and/or powder diffraction. Their crystal structures reflect the competition and cooperation between non‐covalent interactions: N? H???X′? M hydrogen bonds, C? X???X′? M halogen bonds and π–π stacking. The latter are essentially unchanged in strength across the series, but both halogen bonds and hydrogen bonds are modified in strength upon changing the halogens involved. Changing the organic halogen (X) from F to I strengthens the C? X???X′? M halogen bonds, whereas an analogous change of the inorganic halogen (X′) weakens both halogen bonds and N? H???X′? M hydrogen bonds. By so tuning the strength of the putative halogen bonds from repulsive to weak to moderately strong attractive interactions, the hierarchy of the interactions has been modified rationally leading to systematic changes in crystal packing. Three classes of crystal structure are obtained. In type A (C? F???X′? M) halogen bonds are absent. The structure is directed by N? H???X′? M hydrogen bonds and π‐stacking interactions. In type B structures, involving small organic halogens (X) and large inorganic halogens (X′), long (weak) C? X???X′? M interactions are observed with type I halogen–halogen interaction geometries (C? X???X′ ≈ X???X′? M ≈155°), but hydrogen bonds still dominate. Thus, minor but quite significant perturbations from the type A structure arise. In type C, involving larger organic halogens (X) and smaller inorganic halogens (X′), stronger halogen bonds are formed with a type II halogen–halogen interaction geometry (C? X???X′ ≈180°; X???X′? M ≈110°) that is electrostatically attractive. The halogen bonds play a major role alongside hydrogen bonds in directing the type C structures, which as a result are quite different from type A and B.     

Polysulfonylamine. CLXXXIV. Kristallstrukturen molekularer Triphenylphosphangold(I)‐di(4‐X‐benzolsulfonyl)‐amide: Isomorphie und dichte Packung (X = Me,F, Cl,NO2) vs. struktursteuernde Halogenbrücken C–X···Au/O (X = Br,I)

Polysulfonylamines. CLXXXIV. Crystal Structures of Molecular Triphenylphosphanegold(I) Di(4‐X‐benzenesulfonyl)amides: Isomorphism and Close Packing (X = Me, F, Cl, NO₂) vs. Structure‐Determining C–X···Au/O Halogen Bonds (X = Br, I) In order to study the structure‐determining influence that halogen bonding can exert during the course of crystallization, solid‐state structures are compared for two previously reported and four new molecular gold(I) complexes of the type Ph₃P–Au–N(SO₂–C₆H₄–4‐X)₂, each featuring linear P,N coordination at gold and two phenyl rings with varying p‐substituents X = Me, F, Cl, NO₂, Br or I. The compounds were synthesized by reactions of Ph₃PAuX (X = Cl or I) with the corresponding silver di(arenesulfonyl)amides, crystallized from dichloromethane, and characterized by low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction. The Me, F, Cl and NO₂ congeners are isomorphic and crystallize without solvent inclusion in the chiral orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ (Z′ = 1). These structures are governed by isotropic close packing via three‐dimensional 2₁ symmetry, incidentally supported by an invariant set of C–H···O=S hydrogen bonds, CH/π interactions and π/π stackings of aromatic rings; in particular, the hard halogen atoms of the fluoro and the chloro homologues are not involved in X···Au, X···O or X···X interactions. The higher homologues, with soft halogen atoms, were obtained as a dichloromethane hemisolvate for X = Br and a corresponding monosolvate for X = I, each triclinic in the centrosymmetric space group (Z′ = 1). Here, the primary structural effect is implemented by infinite chains in which translation‐related molecules are connected for the bromo compound by a bifurcated Au···Br(2)···O=S interaction, for the iodo congener by an equivalent Au···I(2)···O=S interaction and a short halogen bond C–I(1)···O=S. The latter bond is stronger than a similar C–Br···O=S interaction and induces a conformational adjustment of the (CSO₂)₂N group from the normal twofold symmetry in the bromo compound to an energetically unfavourable asymmetric form in the iodo homologue. In both cases, pairs of antiparallel molecular catemers are associated into strands via sixfold phenyl embraces, the strands are stacked to form layers, the solvent molecules are intercalated between adjacent layers, and the crystal packings are reinforced by a number of C–H···O=S hydrogen bonds and interactions of aromatic rings.     

Using (FH)2 and (FH)3 to Bridge the σ‐Hole and the Lone Pair at P in Complexes with H2XP,for X=CH3, OH,H, CCH,F, Cl,NC, and CN

Ab initio MP2/aug′‐cc‐pVTZ calculations are used to investigate the binary complexes H₂XP:HF, the ternary complexes H₂XP:(FH)₂, and the quaternary complexes H₂XP:(FH)₃, for X=CH₃, OH, H, CCH, F, Cl, NC, and CN. Hydrogen‐bonded (HB) binary complexes are formed between all H₂XP molecules and FH, but only H₂FP, H₂ClP, and H₂(NC)P form pnicogen‐bonded (ZB) complexes with FH. Ternary complexes with (FH)₂ are stabilized by F?H???P and F?H???F hydrogen bonds and F???P pnicogen bonds, except for H₂(CH₃)P:(FH)₂ and H₃P:(FH)₂, which do not have pnicogen bonds. All quaternary complexes H₂XP:(FH)₃ are stabilized by both F?H???P and F?H???F hydrogen bonds and P???F pnicogen bonds. Thus, (FH)₂ with two exceptions, and (FH)₃ can bridge the σ‐hole and the lone pair at P in these complexes. The binding energies of H₂XP:(FH)₃ complexes are significantly greater than the binding energies of H₂XP:(FH)₂ complexes, and nonadditivities are synergistic in both series. Charge transfer occurs across all intermolecular bonds from the lone‐pair donor atom to an antibonding σ* orbital of the acceptor molecule, and stabilizes these complexes. Charge‐transfer energies across the pnicogen bond correlate with the intermolecular P?F distance, while charge‐transfer energies across F?H???P and F?H???F hydrogen bonds correlate with the distance between the lone‐pair donor atom and the hydrogen‐bonded H atom. In binary and quaternary complexes, charge transfer energies also correlate with the distance between the electron‐donor atom and the hydrogen‐bonded F atom. EOM‐CCSD spin‐spin coupling constants ^2hJ(F–P) across F?H???P hydrogen bonds, and ^1pJ(P–F) across pnicogen bonds in binary, ternary, and quaternary complexes exhibit strong correlations with the corresponding intermolecular distances. Hydrogen bonds are better transmitters of F–P coupling data than pnicogen bonds, despite the longer F???P distances in F?H???P hydrogen bonds compared to P???F pnicogen bonds. There is a correlation between the two bond coupling constants ^2hJ(F–F) in the quaternary complexes and the corresponding intermolecular distances, but not in the ternary complexes, a reflection of the distorted geometries of the bridging dimers in ternary complexes.     

Competitive interaction between halogen and hydrogen bonds in NH2Br‐HOX (X = F,Cl, and Br) complex

The NH₂Br‐HOX (X = F, Cl, and Br) complexes have been investigated with quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. Five isomers are observed for the Cl and Br complexes, whereas only two isomers are found for the F complex. The geometrical, energetic, and spectroscopic parameters have been analyzed for these complexes. The hydrogen‐bonded complexes are more stable than the halogen‐bonded ones. In most complexes, the associated O? H and O? X bonds are elongated and show a red shift, whereas the distant bonds are contracted and exhibit a blue shift. The complexes have been analyzed with natural bond orbital and atoms in molecules. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Synthesis and Structural Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Galactosaminogalactans Featuring α‐Galactose, α‐Galactosamine and α‐N‐Acetyl Galactosamine Linkages

Galactosaminogalactan (GAG) is a prominent cell wall component of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. GAG is a heteropolysaccharide composed of α‐1,4‐linked galactose, galactosamine and N‐acetylgalactosamine residues. To enable biochemical studies, a library of GAG‐fragments was constructed featuring specimens containing α‐galactose‐, α‐galactosamine and α‐N‐acetyl galactosamine linkages. Key features of the synthetic strategy include the use of di‐tert‐butylsilylidene directed α‐galactosylation methodology and regioselective benzoylation reactions using benzoyl‐hydroxybenzotriazole (Bz‐OBt). Structural analysis of the Gal, GalN and GalNAc oligomers by a combination of NMR and MD approaches revealed that the oligomers adopt an elongated, almost straight, structure, stabilized by inter‐residue H‐bonds, one of which is a non‐conventional C?H???O hydrogen bond between H5 of the residue (i+1) and O3 of the residue (i). The structures position the C‐2 substituents almost perpendicular to the oligosaccharide main chain axis, pointing to the bulk solvent and available for interactions with antibodies or other binding partners.