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.     

[N⋅⋅⋅I+⋅⋅⋅N] Halogen‐Bonded Dimeric Capsules from Tetrakis(3‐pyridyl)ethylene Cavitands

Two [N???I⁺???N] halogen‐bonded dimeric capsules using tetrakis(3‐pyridyl)ethylene cavitands with different lower rim alkyl chains are synthesized and analyzed in solution and the gas phase. These first examples of symmetrical dimeric capsules making use of the iodonium ion (I⁺) as the main connecting module are characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), and ion mobility‐mass spectrometry (TW‐IMS) experiments. The synthesis and effective halogen‐bonded dimerization proceeds through analogous dimeric capsules with [N???Ag⁺???N] binding motifs as the intermediates as evidenced by the X‐ray structures of (CH₂Cl₂)₂@[ 3 a ₂?Ag₄?(H₂O)₂?OTs₄] and (CH₂Cl₂)₂@[ 3 a ₂?Ag₄?(H₂O)₄?OTs₄], two structurally different capsules.     

A Crystallographic Charge Density Study of the Partial Covalent Nature of Strong N⋅⋅⋅Br Halogen Bonds

The covalent nature of strong N?Br???N halogen bonds in a cocrystal ( 2 ) of N‐bromosuccinimide ( NBS ) with 3,5‐dimethylpyridine ( lut ) was determined from X‐ray charge density studies and compared to a weak N?Br???O halogen bond in pure crystalline NBS ( 1 ) and a covalent bond in bis(3‐methylpyridine)bromonium cation (in its perchlorate salt ( 3 ). In 2 , the donor N?Br bond is elongated by 0.0954 Å, while the Br???acceptor distance of 2.3194(4) is 1.08 Å shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii. A maximum electron density of 0.38 e Å^?3 along the Br???N halogen bond indicates a considerable covalent contribution to the total interaction. This value is intermediate to 0.067 e Å^?3 for the Br???O contact in 1 , and approximately 0.7 e Å^?3 in both N?Br bonds of the bromonium cation in 3 . A calculation of the natural bond order charges of the contact atoms, and the σ*(N1?Br) population of NBS as a function of distance between NBS and lut , have shown that charge transfer becomes significant at a Br???N distance below about 3 Å.     

The Prominent Enhancing Effect of the Cation–π Interaction on the Halogen–Hydride Halogen Bond in M1⋅⋅⋅C6H5X⋅⋅⋅HM2

We designed M¹???C₆H₅X???HM² (M¹=Li⁺, Na⁺; X=Cl, Br; M²=Li, Na, BeH, MgH) complexes to enhance halogen–hydride halogen bonding with a cation–π interaction. The interaction strength has been estimated mainly in terms of the binding distance and the interaction energy. The results show that halogen–hydride halogen bonding is strengthened greatly by a cation–π interaction. The interaction energy in the triads is two to six times as much as that in the dyads. The largest interaction energy is ?8.31 kcal mol^?1 for the halogen bond in the Li⁺???C₆H₅Br???HNa complex. The nature of the cation, the halogen donor, and the metal hydride influence the nature of the halogen bond. The enhancement effect of Li⁺ on the halogen bond is larger than that of Na⁺. The halogen bond in the Cl donor has a greater enhancement than that in the Br one. The metal hydride imposes its effect in the order HBeH<HMgH<HNa<HLi for the Cl complex and HBeH<HMgH<HLi<HNa for the Br complex. The large cooperative energy indicates that there is a strong interplay between the halogen–hydride halogen bonding and the cation–π interaction. Natural bond orbital and energy decomposition analyses indicate that the electrostatic interaction plays a dominate role in enhancing halogen bonding by a cation–π interaction.     

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.     

Boron as an Electron‐Pair Donor for B⋅⋅⋅Cl Halogen Bonds

MP2/aug′‐cc‐pVTZ calculations were performed to investigate boron as an electron‐pair donor in halogen‐bonded complexes (CO)₂(HB):ClX and (N₂)₂(HB):ClX, for X=F, Cl, OH, NC, CN, CCH, CH₃, and H. Equilibrium halogen‐bonded complexes with boron as the electron‐pair donor are found on all of the potential surfaces, except for (CO)₂(HB):ClCH₃ and (N₂)₂(HB):ClF. The majority of these complexes are stabilized by traditional halogen bonds, except for (CO)₂(HB):ClF, (CO)₂(HB):ClCl, (N₂)₂(HB):ClCl, and (N₂)₂(HB):ClOH, which are stabilized by chlorine‐shared halogen bonds. These complexes have increased binding energies and shorter B?Cl distances. Charge transfer stabilizes all complexes and occurs from the B lone pair to the σ* Cl?A orbital of ClX, in which A is the atom of X directly bonded to Cl. A second reduced charge‐transfer interaction occurs in (CO)₂(HB):ClX complexes from the Cl lone pair to the π* C≡O orbitals. Equation‐of‐motion coupled cluster singles and doubles (EOM‐CCSD) spin–spin coupling constants, ^1xJ(B‐Cl), across the halogen bonds are also indicative of the changing nature of this bond. ^1xJ(B‐Cl) values for both series of complexes are positive at long distances, increase as the distance decreases, and then decrease as the halogen bonds change from traditional to chlorine‐shared bonds, and begin to approach the values for the covalent bonds in the corresponding ions [(CO)₂(HB)?Cl]⁺ and [(N₂)₂(HB)?Cl]⁺. Changes in ¹¹B chemical shieldings upon complexation correlate with changes in the charges on B.     

Preparing Gold(I) for Interactions with Proton Donors: The Elusive [Au]⋅⋅⋅HO Hydrogen Bond

MP2 and DFT calculations with correlation consistent basis sets indicate that isolated linear anionic dialkylgold(I) complexes form moderately strong (ca. 10 kcal mol^?1) Au???H hydrogen bonds with single H₂O molecules as donors in the absence of sterically demanding substituents. Relativistic effects are critically important in the attraction. Such bonds are significantly weaker in neutral, strong σ‐donor N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes (ca. 5 kcal mol^?1). The overall association (>11 kcal mol^?1), however, is strengthened by co‐operative, synergistic classical hydrogen bonding when the NHC ligands bear NH units. Further manipulation of the interaction by ligands positioned trans to the carbene, is possible.     

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.     

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.     

CH⋅⋅⋅N Hydrogen‐Bonding Interaction in 7‐Azaindole:CHX3 (X=F,Cl) Complexes

The C?H???Y (Y=hydrogen‐bond acceptor) interactions are somewhat unconventional in the context of hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Typical C?H stretching frequency shifts in the hydrogen‐bond donor C?H group are not only small, that is, of the order of a few tens of cm^?1, but also bidirectional, that is, they can be red or blue shifted depending on the hydrogen‐bond acceptor. In this work we examine the C?H???N interaction in complexes of 7‐azaindole with CHCl₃ and CHF₃ that are prepared in the gas phase through supersonic jet expansion using the fluorescence depletion by infra‐red (FDIR) method. Although the hydrogen‐bond acceptor, 7‐azaindole, has multiple sites of interaction, it is found that the C?H???N hydrogen‐bonding interaction prevails over the others. The electronic excitation spectra suggest that both complexes are more stabilized in the S₁ state than in the S₀ state. The C?H stretching frequency is found to be red shifted by 82 cm^?1 in the CHCl₃ complex, which is the largest redshift reported so far in gas‐phase investigations of 1:1 haloform complexes with various substrates. In the CHF₃ complex the observed C?H frequency is blue shifted by 4 cm^?1. This is at variance with the frequency shifts that are predicted using several computational methods; these predict at best a redshift of 8.5 cm^?1. This discrepancy is analogous to that reported for the pyridine‐CHF₃ complex [W. A. Herrebout, S. M. Melikova, S. N. Delanoye, K. S. Rutkowski, D. N. Shchepkin, B. J. van der Veken, J. Phys. Chem. A­ 2005 , 109, 3038], in which the blueshift is termed a pseudo blueshift and is shown to be due to the shifting of levels caused by Fermi resonance between the overtones of the C?H bending and stretching modes. The dissociation energies, (D₀), of the CHCl₃ and CHF₃ complexes are computed (MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level) as 6.46 and 5.06 kcal mol^?1, respectively.     

Host–Guest Chemistry: Oxoanion Recognition Based on Combined Charge‐Assisted C−H or Halogen‐Bonding Interactions and Anion⋅⋅⋅Anion Interactions Mediated by Hydrogen Bonds

Several bis‐triazolium‐based receptors have been synthesized and their anion‐recognition capabilities have been studied. The central chiral 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthol (BINOL) core features either two aryl or ferrocenyl end‐capped side arms with central halogen‐ or hydrogen‐bonding triazolium receptors. NMR spectroscopic data indicate the simultaneous occurrence of several charge‐assisted aliphatic and heteroaromatic C?H noncovalent interactions and combinations of C?H hydrogen and halogen bonding. The receptors are able to selectively interact with HP₂O₇^3?, H₂PO₄^?, and SO₄^2? anions, and the value of the association constant follows the sequence: HP₂O₇^3?>SO₄^2?>H₂PO₄^?. The ferrocenyl end‐capped 7²⁺?2 BF₄ ^? receptor allows recognition and differentiation of H₂PO₄^? and HP₂O₇^3? anions by using different channels: H₂PO₄^? is selectively detected through absorption and emission methods and HP₂O₇^3? by using electrochemical techniques. Significant structural results are the observation of an anion???anion interaction in the solid state (2:2 complex, 6²⁺? [ H₂P₂O₇ ] ^2? ), and a short C?I???O contact is observed in the structure of the complex [ 8 ²⁺][SO₄]_0.5[BF₄].     

Anionic CH⋅⋅⋅X− Hydrogen Bonds: Origin of Their Strength,Geometry, and Other Properties

CF₃H as a proton donor was paired with a variety of anions, and its properties were assessed by MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ calculations. The binding energy of monoanions halide, NO₃^?, formate, acetate, HSO₄^?, and H₂PO₄^? lie in the 12–17 kcal mol^?1 range, although F^? is more strongly bound, by 26 kcal mol^?1. Dianions SO₄^2? and HPO₄^2? are bound by 27 kcal mol^?1, and trianion PO₄^3? by 45 kcal mol^?1. When two O atoms are available on the anion, the CH???O^? H‐bond (HB) is usually bifurcated, although asymmetrically. The CH bond is elongated and its stretching frequency redshifted in these ionic HBs, but the shift is reduced in the bifurcated structures. Slightly more than half of the binding energy is attributed to Coulombic attraction, with smaller contributions from induction and dispersion. The amount of charge transfer from the anions to the σ*(CH) orbital correlates with many of the other indicators of bond strength, such as binding energy, CH bond stretch, CH redshift, downfield NMR spectroscopic chemical shift of the bridging proton, and density at bond critical points.     

Tuning the Halogen/Hydrogen Bond Competition: A Spectroscopic and Conceptual DFT Study of Some Model Complexes Involving CHF2I

Insight into the key factors driving the competition of halogen and hydrogen bonds is obtained by studying the affinity of the Lewis bases trimethylamine (TMA), dimethyl ether (DME), and methyl fluoride (MF) towards difluoroiodomethane (CHF₂I). Analysis of the infrared and Raman spectra of solutions in liquid krypton containing mixtures of TMA and CHF₂I and of DME and CHF₂I reveals that for these Lewis bases hydrogen and halogen‐bonded complexes appear simultaneously. In contrast, only a hydrogen‐bonded complex is formed for the mixtures of CHF₂I and MF. The complexation enthalpies for the C?H ??? Y hydrogen‐bonded complexes with TMA, DME, and MF are determined to be ?14.7(2), ?10.5(5) and ?5.1(6) kJ mol^?1, respectively. The values for the C?I ??? Y halogen‐bonded isomers are ?19.0(3) kJ mol^?1 for TMA and ?9.9(8) kJ mol^?1 for DME. Generalization of the observed trends suggests that, at least for the bases studied here, softer Lewis bases such as TMA favor halogen bonding, whereas harder bases such as MF show a substantial preference for hydrogen bonding.     

Cation–Cation Pairing by NCH⋅⋅⋅O Hydrogen Bonds

The pairing of ions of opposite charge is a fundamental principle in chemistry, and is widely applied in synthesis and catalysis. In contrast, cation–cation association remains an elusive concept, lacking in supporting experimental evidence. While studying the structure and properties of 4‐oxopiperidinium salts [OC₅H₈NH₂]X for a series of anions X^? of decreasing basicity, we observed a gradual self‐association of the cations, concluding in the formation of an isolated dicationic pair. In 4‐oxopiperidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide, the cations are linked by N? H???O?C hydrogen bonds to form chains, flanked by hydrogen bonds to the anions. In the tetra(perfluoro‐tert‐butoxy)aluminate salt, the anions are fully separated from the cations, and the cations associate pairwise by N? C? H???O?C hydrogen bonds. The compounds represent the first genuine examples of self‐association of simple organic cations based merely on hydrogen bonding as evidenced by X‐ray structure analysis, and provide a paradigm for an extension of this class of compounds.     

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.     

Conformational polymorphs of 22‐cyano‐N‐methyl‐5‐phenylpent‐2‐en‐4‐ynamide

Although the two polymorphic modifications, (I) and (II), of the title compound, C₁₃H₁₀N₂O, crystallize in the same space group (P2₁/c), their asymmetric units have Z′ values of 1 and 2, respectively. These are conformational polymorphs, since the mol­ecules in phases (I) and (II) adopt different rotations of the phenyl ring with respect the central 2‐cyano­carboxy­amino­prop‐2‐enyl fragment. Calculations of crystal packing using Cerius² [Molecular Simulations (1999). 9685 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA 92121, USA] have shown that (I) is more stable than (II), by 1.3 kcal mol^?1 for the crystallographically determined structures and by 1.56 kcal mol^?1 for the optimized structures (1 kcal mol^?1 = 4.184 kJ mol^?1). This difference is mainly attributed to the different strengths of the hydrogen bonding in the two forms.     

Theoretical investigation on identical anionic halide‐exchange SN2 reaction processes on N‐haloammonium cation NH3X+ (X = F,Cl, Br,and I)

CCSD(T) calculations have been used for identically nucleophilic substitution reactions on N‐haloammonium cation, X^? + NH₃X⁺ (X = F, Cl, Br, and I), with comparison of classic anionic S_N2 reactions, X^? + CH₃X. The described S_N2 reactions are characterized to a double curve potential, and separated charged reactants proceed to form transition state through a stronger complexation and a charge neutralization process. For title reactions X^? + NH₃X⁺, charge distributions, geometries, energy barriers, and their correlations have been investigated. Central barriers ΔE for X^? + NH₃X⁺ are found to be lower and lie within a relatively narrow range, decreasing in the following order: Cl (21.1 kJ/mol) > F (19.7 kJ/mol) > Br (10.9 kJ/mol) > I (9.1 kJ/mol). The overall barriers ΔE relative to the reactants are negative for all halogens: ?626.0 kJ/mol (F), ?494.1 kJ/mol (Cl), ?484.9 kJ/mol (Br), and ?458.5 kJ/mol (I). Stability energies of the ion–ion complexes ΔE_comp decrease in the order F (645.6 kJ/mol) > Cl (515.2 kJ/mol) > Br (495.8 kJ/mol) > I (467.6 kJ/mol), and are found to correlate well with halogen Mulliken electronegativities (R² = 0.972) and proton affinity of halogen anions X^? (R² = 0.996). Based on polarizable continuum model, solvent effects have investigated, which indicates solvents, especially polar and protic solvents lower the complexation energy dramatically, due to dually solvated reactant ions, and even character of double well potential in reactions X^? + CH₃X has disappeared. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Halogen,hydrogen and electrostatic interactions in 2‐amino‐5‐chloro‐1,3‐benzoxazol‐3‐ium nitrate and 2‐amino‐5‐chloro‐1,3‐benzoxazol‐3‐ium perchlorate

In the title compounds, C₇H₆ClN₂O⁺·NO₃⁻ and C₇H₆ClN₂O⁺·ClO₄⁻, the ions are connected by N—H...O hydrogen bonds and halogen interactions. Additionally, in the first compound, co‐operative π–π stacking and halogen...π interactions are observed. The energies of the observed interactions range from a value typical for very weak interactions (1.80 kJ mol⁻¹) to one typical for mildly strong interactions (53.01 kJ mol⁻¹). The iminium cations exist in an equilibrium form intermediate between exo‐ and endocyclic. This study provides structural insights relevant to the biochemical activity of 2‐amino‐5‐chloro‐1,3‐benzoxazole compounds.     

Dimers of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Copper,Silver, and Gold Halides: Probing Metallophilic Interactions through Electron Density Based Concepts

Homobimetallic metallophilic interactions between copper, silver, and gold‐based [(NHC)MX]‐type complexes (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene, i.e, 1,3,4‐trimethyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐5‐ylidene; X=F, Cl, Br, I) were investigated by means of ab initio interaction energies, Ziegler–Rauk‐type energy‐decomposition analysis, the natural orbital for chemical valence (NOCV) framework, and the noncovalent interaction (NCI) index. It was found that the dimers of these complexes predominantly adopt a head‐to‐tail arrangement with typical M ??? M distance of 3.04–3.64 Å, in good agreement with the experimental X‐ray structure determined for [{(NHC)AuCl}₂], which has an Au ??? Au distance of 3.33 Å. The interaction energies between silver‐ and gold‐based monomers are calculated to be about ?25 kcal mol^?1, whereas that for the Cu congener is significantly lower (?19.7 kcal mol^?1). With the inclusion of thermal and solvent contributions, both of which are destabilizing, by about 15 and 8 kcal mol^?1, respectively, an equilibrium process is predicted for the formation of dimer complexes. Energy‐decomposition analysis revealed a dominant electrostatic contribution to the interaction energy, besides significantly stabilizing dispersion and orbital interactions. This electrostatic contribution is rationalized by NHC(δ⁺) ??? halogen(δ^?) interactions between monomers, as demonstrated by electrostatic potentials and derived charges. The dominant NOCV orbital indicates weakening of the π backdonation in the monomers on dimer formation, whereas the second most dominant NOCV represents an electron‐density deformation according to the formation of a very weak M ??? M bond. One of the characteristic signals found in the reduced density gradient versus electron density diagram corresponds to the noncovalent interactions between the metal centers of the monomers in the NCI plots, which is the manifestation of metallophilic interaction.