Comparative studies on group III σ‐hole and π‐hole interactions

The σ‐hole of M₂H₆ (M = Al, Ga, In) and π‐hole of MH₃ (M = Al, Ga, In) were discovered and analyzed, the bimolecular complexes M₂H₆···NH₃ and MH₃···N₂P₂F₄ (M = Al, Ga, In) were constructed to carry out comparative studies on the group III σ‐hole interactions and π‐hole interactions. The two types of interactions are all partial‐covalent interactions; the π‐hole interactions are stronger than σ‐hole interactions. The electrostatic energy is the largest contribution for forming the σ‐hole and π‐hole interaction, the polarization energy is also an important factor to form the M···N interaction. The electrostatic energy contributions to the interaction energy of the σ‐hole interactions are somewhat greater than those of the π‐hole interactions. However, the polarization contributions for the π‐hole interactions are somewhat greater than those for the σ‐hole interactions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A DFT study of Lp···π/halogen bond competition in complexes of perhalogenated alkenes with oxygen/nitrogen containing simple molecules

The possible noncovalent lone pair‐π/halogen bond (lp···π/HaB) complexes of perhalogenated unsaturated C₂Cl_nF_4?n (n = 0–4) molecules with four simple molecules containing oxygen or nitrogen as electron donor, formaldehyde (H₂CO), dimethyl ether (DME), NH₃, and trimethylamine (TMA), have been systematically examined at the M062X/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis at the same level is used for understanding the electron density distributions of these complexes. The progressive introduction of Cl atom on C₂Cl_nF_4?n influences more on the lp···π complexes over the corresponding HaB ones. Within the scope of this study, gem‐C₂Cl₂F₂ is the best partner molecule for lp···π interaction with the simple molecules, coupled with the greatest interaction energy (IE) and second‐order orbital interaction [E(2) value], whereas C₂F₄ is the poorest one. The C₂Cl₃F·H₂CO and C₂Cl₄·H₂CO complexes exhibit reverse lp···π bonding, while the Z/E‐C₂Cl₂F₂·NH₃, C₂Cl₃F·NH₃ and C₂Cl₄·NH₃ complexes perform half‐lp···π bonding according to the NBO analysis. The lp···π interaction involving the oxygen/nitrogen and the π‐hole of C₂Cl_nF_4?n overwhelms the HaB involving the oxygen/nitrogen and the σ‐hole of the Cl atom. The electron‐donating methyl groups contribute significantly to the two competitive interactions, therefore, DME and TMA engage stronger in the partner molecules than H₂CO and NH₃. Our theoretical study would be useful for future experimental investigation on noncovalent complexes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Influence of substitution on the strength and nature of CH···N hydrogen bond in XCCH···NH3 complexes

The effect of substitution on the strength and nature of CH···N hydrogen bond in XCCH···NH₃ (X = F, Cl, Br, OH, H, Me) and NCH···NH₃ complexes were investigated by quantum chemical calculations. Ab initio calculations were performed using MP2 method with a wide range of basis sets. With tacking into account the BSSE and ZPVE, the values of BEs decrease. Replacement of the nonparticipatory hydrogen atom of HCCH by the electronegative atoms (F, Cl, and Br), lead to the BEs increases. The BE corresponding to the replacement of the nonparticipatory hydrogen atom of HCCH by the OH and CH₃ groups decreases. A far greater enhancement of the interaction energy arises from replacement of HCCH by the more acidic HCN. The natural bond orbital analysis and the Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules were also used to elucidate the interaction characteristics of these complexes. The electrostatic nature of H‐bond interactions is predicted from QTAIM analysis. In addition, the relationship between the isotropic and anisotropic chemical shifts of the bridging hydrogen and binding energy of complexes as well as electron density at N···H BCPs were investigated. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Nature of MoH···I bonds in Cp2Mo(L)H···I‐C≡C‐R Complexes (L=H,CN, PPh2, C(CH3)3; R=NO2, Cl,Br, H,OH, CH3, NH2)

The nature of the MoH···I bond in Cp₂Mo(L)H···I‐C≡C‐R (L= H, CN, PPh₂, C(CH₃)₃; R=NO₂, Cl, Br, H, OH, CH₃, NH₂) was investigated using electrostatic potential analysis, topological analysis of the electron density, energy decomposition analysis and natural bond orbital analysis. The calculated results show that MoH···I interactions in the title complexes belong to halogen‐hydride bond, which is similar to halogen bonds, not hydrogen bonds. Different to the classical halogen bonds, the directionality of MoH···I bond is low; Although electrostatic interaction is dorminant, the orbital interactions also play important roles in this kind of halogen bond, and steric interactions are weak; the strength of H···I bond can tuned by the most positive electrostatic potential of the I atom. As the electron‐withdrawing ability of the R substituent in the alkyne increases, the electrostatic potential maximum of the I atom increases, which enhances the strength of the H···I halogen bond, as well as the electron transfer.     

Comparative study of XO···ClF and XS···ClF (X = H,CH3, and F) halogen‐bonded complexes

Quantum chemical calculations have been performed to study the single‐electron halogen bonds in HO···ClF and HS···ClF complexes. The calculation methods have a larger effect on the S···Cl halogen bond than on the O···Cl one. The interaction strength in HO···ClF complex is stronger than that in HS···ClF one, but the presence of methyl group in the halogen acceptor makes the sequence reverse. The methyl group has a greater effect on the S···Cl halogen bond than on the O···Cl one. The charge analyses indicate that the methyl group is electron‐donating and the electron‐donating role in the H₃CS? ClF complex is larger than in the H₃CO? ClF one. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

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.     

Highly accurate benchmark calculations of the interaction energies in the complexes C6H6···C6X6 (X = F,Cl, Br,and I)

Different from the case of the benzene dimer, the differences between the interaction energies are always less than 0.50 kcal/mol for face‐to‐face eclipsed, face‐to‐face staggered, and parallel‐displaced configurations of all investigated complexes C₆H₆···C₆X₆ (X = F, Cl, Br, and I). Hence, it is a great challenge for quantum chemists to accurately calculate the interaction energies for the three configurations of the complexes C₆H₆···C₆X₆. This work demonstrates that results obtained with the PBE0 density functional combined with the D3 dispersion correction (PBE0‐D3) and the basis set def2‐TZVPP are in excellent agreement with the estimates of the coupled‐cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] complete basis set (CBS) limit. The other finding in this study is that, in comparison with the gold‐standard CCSD(T)/CBS benchmark, the spin‐component scaled (SCS) zeroth‐order symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT0), when paired with the basis set aug‐cc‐pVDZ, performs also very well, and its performance is even better than that of the PBE0‐D3/def2‐TZVPP method or the conventional SAPT/aug‐cc‐pVQZ method. The findings of this study are very significant because both PBE0‐D3/def2‐TZVPP and SCS‐SAPT0/aug‐cc‐pVDZ can deal with the systems with more than 200 atoms.     

The competition of Y⋯o and X⋯n halogen bonds to enhance the group V σ‐hole interaction in the NCY⋯oPH3⋯NCX and OPH3⋯NCX⋯NCY (X,YF,Cl, and Br) complexes

The positive electrostatic potentials (ESP) outside the σ‐hole along the extension of O? P bond in O?PH₃ and the negative ESP outside the nitrogen atom along the extension of the C? N bond in NCX could form the Group V σ‐hole interaction O?PH₃?NCX. In this work, the complexes NCY?O?PH₃?NCX and O?PH₃?NCX?NCY (X, Y?F, Cl, Br) were designed to investigate the enhancing effects of Y?O and X?N halogen bonds on the P?N Group V σ‐hole interaction. With the addition of Y?O halogen bond, the V _{S, max} values outside the σ‐hole region of O?PH₃ becomes increasingly positive resulting in a stronger and more polarizable P?N interaction. With the addition of X?N halogen bond, the V _{S, min} values outside the nitrogen atom of NCX becomes increasingly negative, also resulting in a stronger and more polarizable P?N interaction. The Y?O halogen bonds affect the σ‐hole region (decreased density region) outside the phosphorus atom more than the P?N internuclear region (increased density region outside the nitrogen atom), while it is contrary for the X?N halogen bonds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An insight into CH···N hydrogen bond and stability of the complexes formed by trihalomethanes with ammonia and its monohalogenated derivatives

A theoretical study of the C?H···N hydrogen bond in the interactions of trihalomethanes CHX₃ (X = F, Cl, Br) with ammonia and its halogen derivatives NH₂Y (Y = F, Cl, Br) has been carried out thoroughly. The complexes are quite stable, and their stability increases in going from CHF₃ to CHCl₃ then to CHBr₃ when Y keeps unchanged. With the same CHX₃ proton donor, enhancement of the gas phase basicity of NH₂Y strengthens stability of the CHX₃···NH₂Y complex. The C?H···N hydrogen bond strength is directly proportional to the increase of proton affinity (PA) at N site of NH₂Y and the decrease of deprotonation enthalpy (DPE) of C?H bond in CHX₃. The CHF₃ primarily appears to favor blue shift while the red‐shift is referred to the CHBr₃. The blue‐ or red‐shift of CHCl₃ strongly depends on PA at N site of NH₂Y. We suggest the ratio of DPE/PA as a factor to predict which type of hydrogen bond is observed upon complexation. The SAPT2+ results show that all C?H···N interactions in the complexes are electrostatically driven regardless of the type of hydrogen bond, between 48% and 61% of the total attractive energy, and partly contributed by both induction and dispersion energies.     

Zur Kenntnis der Hydrate des Typs MX2 · 1 H2O mit M = Sr,Ba und X = Cl,Br, I. Kristallstrukturen des Strontiumchlorid-Monohydrats,SrCl2 · 1 H2O,und des Strontiumbromid-Monohydrats,SrBr2 · 1 H2O

On Hydrates of the Type MX₂ · 1 H₂O with M = Sr, Ba and X = Cl, Br, I. Crystal Structures of Strontium Chloride Monohydrate, SrCl₂ · 1 H₂O, and Strontium Bromide Monohydrate, SrBr₂ · 1 H₂O The structures of SrCl₂ · 1 H₂O, orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 1088.1(1), b = 416.2(1), c = 886.4(1) pm, Z = 4, d_c = 2.92 Mg m^?3, R = 0.052 for 755 reflections, and of SrBr₂ · 1 H₂O, orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 1146.4(1), b = 429,5(1), c = 922.9(1) pm, Z = 4, d_c = 3.88 Mg m^?3, R = 0.056 for 762 reflections have been determined from a Patterson synthesis and refined by Fourier and Least Squares methods. The structure consists of [SrX₂ = H₂O]_n-layers normal to [100] and Sr? H₂O? Sr? H₂O-chains parallel [010]. The Sr? O distances are 265.1(3) pm, SrCl₂ · 1 H₂O, and 265.9(4) pm, SrBr₂ · 1 H₂O. The shortest Sr? Cl and Sr? Br distances (298.9(1) and 315.3(1) pm) are within the layers. The environment of oxygen and strontium is a distorted tricapped trigonal prism. The orientation of the water molecules has been determined from vibrational spectroscopic measurements. The hydrogen atoms H₁ and H₂ form bifurcated hydrogen bonds of different strength to neighbouring halide ions. The corresponding O···X distances are 331.9(4) and 320.2(4) pm, SrCl₂ · 1 H₂O, and 340.8(4) and 333.8(4) pm, SrBr₂ · 1 H₂O. The other O? X distances are between 310.3(5) and 323.7(5) pm, SrCl₂ · 1 H₂O, and 323.5(5) and 333.2(6) pm, SrBr₂ · 1 H₂O.     

Kristallstrukturen des Sr(BrO3)2 · H2O,Ba(BrO3)2 · H2O,Ba(IO3)2 · H2O,Pb(CIO3)2 · H2O und Pb(BrO3)2 · H2O

Crystal Structure of Sr(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O, Ba(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O, Ba(IO₃)₂ · H₂O, Pb(ClO₃)₂ · H₂O, and Pb(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O The crystall structures of the isostructural halates Sr(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O, Ba(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O, Ba(IO₃)₂ · H₂O, Pb(ClO₃)₂ · H₂O, and Pb(BrO₃)₂ · H₂O were determined using X-ray single crystal data (monoclinic space group C2/c? C, Z = 4), The mean bond lengths and bond angles of the halate ions in the Ba(ClO₃)₂ · 1 H₂O-type compounds, which correspond to those of other halates, are Cl? O, 149.0, Br? O, 165.9, I? O, 180.2 pm, ClO₃^?, 106.4, BrO₃^?, 104.0, and IO₃^?, 99.6°. The structure data obtained are discussed in terms of possible orientational disorder of the water molecules, strengths of the hydrogen bonds, influence of the lead ions on the structure, and site group distortion of the halate ions.     

Hydrogen bonding characterization of XH2NH2···HNO(X = B,Al, Ga) complexes: A theoretical investigation

The complexes of XH₂NH₂···HNO(X = B, Al, Ga) are characterized as head to tail with hydrogen bonding interactions. The structural characteristics can be confirmed by atoms in molecules (AIM) analysis, which also provide comparisons of hydrogen bonds strengths. The calculated interaction energies at G2MP2 level show that stability of complexes decrease as BH₂NH₂···HNO > AlH₂NH₂···HNO > GaH₂NH₂···HNO. On the basis of the vibrational frequencies calculations, there are red‐shifts for ν(X1? H) and blue‐shifts for ν(N? H) in the complexes on dihydrogen bonding formations (X1? H···H? N). On hydrogen bonding formations (N? H···O), there are red‐shifts for ν(N? H) compared to the monomers. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis is used to discuss the reasons for the ν(X1? H) and ν(N? H) stretching vibrational shifts by hyperconjugation, electron density redistribution, and rehybridization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Mixed‐ligand Copper(II) Complexes with N‐isopropyl‐iminodiacetato(2‐) and C‐phenyl‐imidazole Ligands. Crystal Structures of H2iPIDA, [Cu(iPIDA)(H2ϕim)(H2O)]·3H2O and [Cu(iPIDA)(H5ϕim)]n

The crystal of the N‐isopropyl‐iminodiacetic acid ( 1 ) consists of a 3D H‐bonded framework where the zwitterion (H₂iPIDA^±) is intra‐stabilized by one N⁺‐H···O interaction and both carboxyl are half‐protonated and involved in linear O‐H···O inter‐molecular bridges of 2.46 Å. The mixed‐ligand complexes [Cu(iPIDA)(H2?im)(H₂O)]·3H₂O ( 2 ) and [Cu(iPIDA)(H5?im)]_n ( 3 ) have also been synthesized and studied by thermal, spectral, magnetic and X‐ray diffraction methods. Both complexes exhibit a square base pyramidal coordination, type 4+1. Compound 3 is the less steric hindered 'remote' isomer, with H5?im instead of H4?im.     

A comparative study of some lithium and hydrogen‐bonded complexes: Ab initio and QTAIM studies

The nature of the interactions of cyanide with lithium and hydrogen halides was investigated using ab initio calculations and topological analysis of electron density. The computed properties of the lithium‐bonded complexes RCN···LiX (R = H, F, Cl, Br, C?CH, CH?CH₂, CH₃, C₂H₅; X = Cl, Br) were compared with those of corresponding hydrogen‐bonded complexes RCN···HX. The results show that both types of intermolecular interactions are “closed‐shell” noncovalent interactions. The effect of substitution on the interaction energy and electron density at the bond critical points of the lithium and hydrogen bonding interactions is similar. In comparison, the interaction energies of lithium‐bonded complexes are more negative than those of hydrogen‐bonded counterparts. The electrostatic interaction plays a more important role in the lithium bond than in the hydrogen bond. On complex formation, the net charge and energy of the Li atom decrease and the atomic volume increases, while the net charge and energy of the H atom increase and the atomic volume decreases. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Three isomorphous 2,6‐dibromopyridinium tetrabromidometallates: (C5H4Br2N)2[MBr4]·2H2O (M = Cu,Cd and Hg)

The structures of three isomorphous compounds, namely bis(2,6‐dibromopyridinium) tetrabromidocuprate(II) dihydrate, (C₅H₄Br₂N)₂[CuBr₄]·2H₂O, bis(2,6‐dibromopyridinium) tetrabromidocadmate(II) dihydrate, (C₅H₄Br₂N)₂[CdBr₄]·2H₂O, and bis(2,6‐dibromopyridinium) tetrabromidomercurate(II) dihydrate, (C₅H₄Br₂N)₂[HgBr₄]·2H₂O, show a crystal supramolecularity represented by M—Br...H—O—H...Br—M intermolecular interactions along with (π)N—H...OH₂ hydrogen‐bonding interactions forming layers connected via aryl–aryl face‐to‐face stacking of cations, leading to a three‐dimensional network. The anions have significantly distorted tetrahedral geometry and crystallographic C₂ symmetry. The stability of this crystal lattice is evidenced by the crystallization of a whole series of isomorphous compounds.     

Unconventional H‐bonds: SH···N interaction

Quantum calculations at the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ level are used to analyze the SH···N H‐bond in complexes pairing H₂S and SH radical with NH₃, N(CH₃)₃, NH₂NH₂, and NH₂N(CH₃)₂. Complexes form nearly linear H‐bonds in which the S? H covalent bond elongates and shifts its stretching frequency to the red. Binding energies vary from 14 kJ/mol for acceptor NH₃ to a maximum of 22 kJ/mol for N(CH₃)₃ and N(CH₃)₂NH₂. Analysis of geometric, vibrational, and electronic data indicate that the SH···N interaction involving SH is slightly stronger than that in which the closed‐shell H₂S serves as donor. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

C—H…Cl Hydrogen Bond and π-π Interaction Based Two 3D Supramolecular Architectures of Cu(II) and Co(II) Complexes with Chiral 1,2-Bis(benzimidazol-2-yl) ethane Ligand Containing 2D Grids

合成了两个新的配合物CuLCl₂•2EtOH(1) 和CoLCl₂ (2) [L是( S , S )－1,2－二N－甲基苯并咪唑－1,2－二甲氧基－乙烷],并通过单晶X衍射确定它们的结构。配合物1中,L作为三齿[N, N, O]配体,而配合物2 中,L作为二齿[N, N]配体。这两个配合物共同的结构特点都是通过分子内氢键形成2维的格子结构,然后通过分子间的C－H···Cl型氢键和π–π堆积作用形成3维结构。     

Long‐range π‐type hydrogen bond in dimers CH2?HF,CH2O?H2O,and CH2O?NH3

Using four basis bets, (6‐311G(d,p), 6‐31+G(d,p), 6‐31++G(2d,2p), and 6‐311++G(3df,3pd), the optimized structures with all real frequencies were obtained at the MP2 level for the dimers CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, CH₂O? NH₃, and CH₂O? CH₄. The structures of CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, and CH₂O? NH₃ are cycle‐shaped, which result from the larger bend of σ‐type hydrogen bonds. The bend of σ‐type H‐bond O…H? Y (Y?F, O, N) is illustrated and interpreted by an attractive interaction of a chemically intuitive π‐type hydrogen bond. The π‐type hydrogen bond is the interaction between one of the H atoms of CH₂O and lone pair(s) on the F atom in HF, the O atom in H₂O, or the N atom in NH₃. In contrast with the above three dimers, for CH₂O? CH₄, because there is not a π‐type hydrogen bond to bend its linear hydrogen bond, the structure of CH₂O? CH₄ is noncyclic shaped. The interaction energy of hydrogen bonds and the π‐type H‐bond are calculated and discussed at the CCSD (T)/6‐311++G(3df,3pd) level. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Neutrale Bis‐Aziridin‐Komplexe des Typs [M(CO)3XAz2] (M = Mn,Re; X = Cl,Br; Az = N(H)C2H2Me2)

The pentacarbonylhalogene complexes [XM(CO)₅] (M = Mn, Re; X = Cl, Br) ( 1a – 2b ) react with 2,2‐dimethylaziridine by thermally induced substitution reaction to give the neutral bis‐aziridine complexes [M(X)(CO)₃Az₂] (Az = N(H)C₂H₂Me₂) ( 3a – 4b ). As a result of the X‐ray structure analyses, the metal atoms are octahedrally configurated in the facial arrangement; the intact three‐membered rings coordinate through their distorted tetrahedrally configurated N atoms. All compounds 3a – 4b are stable with respect to the directed thermal alkene elimination to give the corresponding nitrene complexes (CO)₄(X)M=NH; their IR, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR, and MS spectra are reported and discussed.     

Die Pyridinaddukte der Goldhalogenide. 2. Darstellung,Eigenschaften und Kristallstruktur von AuCl · NC5H5 und Aul · NC5H5

Pyridine Adducts of the Gold Halides. 2. Synthesis, Properties, and Crystal Structure of AuCl · NC₅H₅ and AuI · NC₅H₅ AuCl · py is formed by the reaction of AuCl · S(CH₂C₆H₅)₂ with pyridine in absolute Ethanol. AuI · py can be obtained from AuI and pyridine in toluene. Both compounds are sensitive to light and thermically instable. AuI · py decomposes already above ?30°C. AuCl · py crystallizes monoclinic with 16 formula units in the space group C2/c, AuI · py is orthorhombic with the space group Pnnm and 8 formula units per unit cell. The structures of the adducts are built up by linear Au(py)₂ and AuX₂ groups, which are linked together to tetranuclear, chainlike complexes AuX₂? Au(py)₂? Au(py)₂? AuX₂ by weak gold-gold bonds. (AuI · py)₄ forms a linear Au₄ chain and possesses nearly the symmetry D_2h. The shortest Au-Au distance being 299.0 pm. In the centrosymmetrical (AuCl · py)₄ an Au₄-zig-zag chain with Au? Au distances of 324.9 and 341.6 pm is observed. The gold-ligand bond lengths are: AuCl · py: Au? Cl = 228 pm, Au? N = 209 pm; AuI · py: Au? I = 254.4, Au? N = 202 pm. The IR spectra and the luminescence properties are discussed.