A theoretical study of substitution effects on halogen–π interactions

Ab initio calculations are performed to analyse the existence of intermolecular halogen···π interactions in NCX complexes with YC≡CY, where X = Cl, Br and Y = H, CN, F, Cl, OH, NH₂, and CH₃. Molecular geometries and interaction energies of the complexes are investigated at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. Our results indicate that the interaction energies for the NCX···YC≡CY complexes lie in the range between ?0.5 and ?5.9 kcal/mol. The physical nature of the interactions is studied using symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT). The stability of the X···π interactions is predicted to be attributable mainly to electrostatic and dispersion effects.     

An ab initio study on substituent and cooperative effects in bifurcated fluorine bonds

Bifurcated fluorine bond (BFB) interactions are studied in model binary complexes pairing N-formyl formamide derivatives and FX molecules (X = F, CN, NC, CF₃ and CCH) by means of ab initio calculations. The calculated F···O binding distances in these complexes are in the range of 2.813–3.048 Å. The corresponding interaction energies lie in a narrow range, from?2.25 to ?16.49 kJ/mol. The nature of BFBs is analysed by a vast number of methods including molecular electrostatic potential, quantum theory of atoms in molecules, non-covalent interaction index and natural bond orbital methods. According to the energy decomposition analysis, the electrostatic and dispersion effects have a dominant role in the formation of these complexes. The formation of a hydrogen- and lithium-bonding interaction tends to increase the strength of BFBs in the ternary XF:NFF-H:NH₃ and XF:NFF-Li:NH₃ complexes, respectively.     

Strengthening of the halogen-bonding by an aerogen bond interaction: substitution and cooperative effects in O3Z···NCX···NCY (Z = Ar,Kr, Xe; X = Cl,Br, I; Y = H,F, OH) complexes

The geometry, interaction energy and bonding properties of ternary complexes O₃Z···NCX···NCY (Z= Ar, Kr, Xe; X = Cl, Br, I and Y = H, F, OH) are investigated with ab initio calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level. Two different types of intermolecular interactions are present in these complexes, namely, aerogen bond (Z···N) and halogen bond (X···N). The formation mechanism and bonding properties of these complexes are analysed with molecular electrostatic potentials, quantum theory of atoms in molecules and non-covalent interaction index. It is found that the cooperativity energies in the ternary complexes are all negative; that is, the interaction energy of the ternary complex is greater (more negative) than the sum of the interaction energies of the corresponding binary systems. Also, the cooperativity energies increase with the increase of the interaction energies. The cooperative effects in the ternary complexes make a decrease in the total spin–spin coupling constants across the aerogen bonding, J(Z–N), which can be regarded as a proof for the reinforce of Z···N interactions in the ternary complexes with respect to the binary systems.     

The strengthening effect of a hydrogen or lithium bond on the Z···N aerogen bond (Z = Ar,Kr and Xe): a comparative study

An ab initio study is performed on O₃Z···NCM···NCX (Z = Ar, Kr and Xe; M = H and Li; X = H, F and CH₃) complexes to investigate cooperativity effects between aerogen and hydrogen or lithium bonding interactions in these systems. To understand the cooperative effects, a detailed analysis of the binding distances, interaction energies and bonding properties is performed on these complexes. The results indicate that all Z···N and H/Li···N binding distances in the ternary complexes are shorter than those of corresponding binary systems. For a given M or X, cooperative energies increase as Z = Xe > Kr > Ar. Moreover, O₃Z···NCLi···NCX complexes exhibit a larger cooperative energy than O₃Z···NCH···NCX ones. The non-covalent interaction (NCI) index analysis indicates that the formation of an H/Li···N interaction in the ternary complexes shifts the location of the spike associated with the Z···N interaction towards the negative λ₂ρ values. This indicates that NCI analysis can be regarded as a useful tool for the study of cooperative effects between two different non-covalent interactions. Also, cooperative effects in O₃Z···NCM···NCX complexes make a decrease in ¹⁴N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants of NCH or NCLi molecule.     

Interplay and competition between the lithium bonding and halogen bonding: R3C···XCN···LiCN and R3C···LiCN···XCN as a working model (R = H,CH3; X = Cl,Br)

UMP2 calculations with aug-cc-pVDZ basis set were used to analyse intermolecular interactions in R₃C···XCN···LiCN and R₃C···LiCN···XCN triads (R = H, CH₃; X = Cl, Br) which are connected via lithium bond and halogen bond. To understand the properties of the systems better, the corresponding dyads are also studied. Molecular geometries and binding energies of dyads, and triads are investigated at the UMP2/aug-cc-pVDZ computational level. Particular attention is paid to parameters such as cooperative energies, and many-body interaction energies. All studied complexes, with the simultaneous presence of a lithium bond and a halogen bond, show cooperativity with energy values ranging between ?1.20 and ?7.71 kJ mol^?1. A linear correlation was found between the interaction energies and magnitude of the product of most positive and negative electrostatic potentials (V_S,maxV_S,min). The electronic properties of the complexes are analysed using parameters derived from the atoms in molecules (AIM) methodology. According to energy decomposition analysis, it is revealed that the electrostatic interactions are the major source of the attraction in the title complexes.     

Prediction and characterisation of a chalcogen···π interaction with acetylene as a potential electron donor in XHS···HCCH and XHSe···HCCH (X = F,Cl, Br,CN, OH,OCH3, NH2, CH3) σ-hole complexes

It is well-known that many covalently bonded atoms of group VI have specific positive regions of electrostatic potential (σ-holes) through which they can interact with Lewis bases. This interaction is called ‘chalcogen bond’ by analogy with halogen bond and hydrogen bond. In this study, ab initio calculations are performed to predict and characterise chalcogen···π interactions in XHS···HCCH and XHSe···HCCH complexes, where X = F, Cl, Br, CN, OH, OCH₃, NH₂, CH₃. For the complexes studied here, XHS(Se) and HCCH are treated as a Lewis acid and a Lewis base, respectively. The CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ interaction energies of this type of σ-hole bonding range from ?1.18 to ?4.83 kcal/mol. The calculated interaction energies tend to increase in magnitude with increasing positive electrostatic potential on the extension of X–S(Se) bond. The stability of chalcogen···π complexes is attributed mainly to electrostatic and correlation effects. The nature of chalcogen···π interactions is unveiled by means of the atoms in molecules, natural bond orbital, and electron localisation function analyses.     

Cooperative interaction between π-hole and single-electron σ-hole interactions in O2S···NCX···CH3 and O2Se···NCX···CH3 complexes (X = F,Cl, Br and I)

Ab initio calculations are performed to analyse the cooperative effects between π-hole and single-electron σ-hole interactions in O₂S···NCX···CH₃ and O₂Se···NCX···CH₃ complexes, where X = F, Cl, Br and I. These effects are investigated in terms of geometric and energetic features of the complexes, which are computed by UMP2/aug-cc-pVTZ(-PP) method. Our results indicate that the shortening of the each π-hole bond distance in the complexes is dependent on the strength of the σ-hole interaction. The maximum and minimum energetic cooperativity values correspond to the most and least stable complexes studied in the present work. The cooperativity between both types of interaction is chiefly caused by the electrostatic effects. The topological analysis, based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, is used to characterise the interactions and analyse their enhancement with varying electron density at bond critical points.     

Tuning of pnicogen and chalcogen bonds by an aerogen-bonding interaction: a comparative ab initio study

Using high-level ab initio calculations, the cooperativity effects between an aerogen-bonding and a pnicogen- or chalcogen-bonding interactions are studied in ternary Y···PH₂CN···ZO₃ and Y···SHCN···ZO₃ complexes (Y?=?NH₃, N₂ and Z?=?Ar, Kr, Xe). A detailed analysis of the structures, interaction energies and bonding properties is performed on these systems. For each set of the complexes, a favourable cooperativity is observed between Z···N and P/S···N interactions, especially in complexes involving NH₃ and XeO₃ molecules. It is found that for a given Y or Z, the amount of cooperativity effects in Y···PH₂CN···ZO₃ complexes are important than Y···SHCN···ZO₃ ones. For each ternary complex considered, the effect of a Z···N aerogen bond on a P/S···N bond is more pronounced than that of a P/S···N bond on a Z···N bond. The mechanism of the cooperativity effects in the ternary complexes is studied by electron density difference, quantum theory of atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital analyses. The solvent effects are also studied on the interaction energy and cooperativity of Z···N and P/S···N bonds in the ternary systems.     

Theoretical analysis of trends in hydrogen bonding involving halogen acceptors (F−At) covalently bonded to a group 14 atom (C−Pb)

In this work, extensive quantum-chemical calculations have been carried out to identify and elucidate trends in the hydrogen-bonding (HB) interaction involving halogen acceptors covalently bonded to a group 14 atom. A series of 25 heterodimers composed of MH₃X (where M = C?Pb and X = F?At) and HNC molecules have been selected as model complexes stabilised by the HB interaction occurring between the X atom of MH₃X and the H atom of HNC. The interaction energy (E_int) between MH₃X and HNC in the MH₃X···HNC complexes falls in the range from ?2.7 to ?10.8 kcal/mol, indicating weak or medium strength of HB in these complexes. The strength of HB in the complexes remains consistent with the well-known HB weakening as X gets heavier. Regarding the effect of M on E_int, the gradual strengthening of HB is observed while descending group 14, but only from M = Si to M = Pb. The trends in E_int are compared with various HB-related parameters obtained from vibrational analysis, the natural bond orbital (NBO) method, the symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM). The parameters that present clear (possibly linear) relationships with E_int have been selected to characterise the effect of M and X on the HB interaction.     

Chalcogen bonds tuned by an N–H···π or C–H···π interaction: investigation of substituent,cooperativity and solvent effects

In the present work, ab-initio calculations are performed to investigate cooperativity effects between chalcogen bond and H···π interactions in XHY···NCH···C₆H₆ and XHY···CNH···C₆H₆ complexes, where X = F, Cl, Br, CN, NC, and Y = S, Se. The nature of these interactions and the mechanism of cooperativity are studied by means of quantum theory of atoms in molecules, noncovalent interaction index, many-body analysis of interaction energy and electron density shift analysis. For each ternary complex, the shortening of the Y···N(C) distance is more pronounced than that of the H···π. The cooperative energies of these complexes are all negative which demonstrate a positive cooperativity between the Y···N(C) and H···π interactions. The many-body analysis of interaction energy reveals that the two-body energy term has the largest contribution to the total interaction energies of ternary complexes. A good linear correlation is established between the three-body energy and cooperative energy values in the ternary systems. The cooperative energies of XHY···CNH···C₆H₆ complexes indicate a larger sensitivity on the polarity of solvent than XHY···NCH···C₆H₆ ones.     

Tuning of carbon bonds by substituent effects: an ab initio study

ABSTRACT

An ab initio study, at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory, is performed to study σ-hole bond in binary XH₃C···CNY complexes, where X = CN, F, NO₂, CCH and Y = H, OH, NH₂, CH₃, C₂H₅, Li. This type of interaction is labelled as ‘carbon bond’, since a covalently bonded carbon atom acts as the Lewis acid in these systems. The geometrical and energetic parameters of the resulting complexes are analysed in details. The interaction energies of these complexes are between ?4.97 kJ/mol in (HCC)H₃C···CNH and ?23.07 kJ/mol in (O₂N)H₃C···CNLi. It is found that the electrostatic interaction plays a key role in the overall stabilisation of these carbon-bonded complexes. To deepen the understanding of the nature of the carbon-bonding, the molecular electrostatic potential, natural bond orbital, quantum theory of atoms in molecules and non-covalent interaction index analyses are also used. Our results indicate that the carbon bond is favoured over the C-H···C hydrogen bond in the all complexes considered and may suggest the possible important roles of the C···C interactions in the crystal growth and design.     

Enhancement effect of lithium bonding on the strength of pnicogen bonds: XH2P···NCLi···NCY as a working model (X = F,Cl; Y = H,F, Cl,CN)

MP2 calculations with aug-cc-pVDZ basis set were used to analyse intermolecular interactions in XH₂P···NCLi···NCY triads (X = F, Cl; Y = H, F, Cl, CN) which are connected via pnicogen bond and lithium bond. To understand the properties of the systems better, the corresponding dyads are also studied. Molecular geometries and interaction energies of dyads, and triads are investigated at the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ computational level. Particular attention is paid to parameters such as cooperative energies and many-body interaction energies. All studied complexes, with the simultaneous presence of a lithium bond and a pnicogen bond, show cooperativity with energy values ranging between ?4.73 and ?8.88 kJ mol^?1. A linear correlation was found between the interaction energies and magnitude of the product of most positive and negative electrostatic potentials. According to energy decomposition analysis, it is revealed that the electrostatic interactions are the major source of the attraction in the title complexes.     

Tuning of non-covalent interactions involving a halogen atom that plays the role of Lewis acid and base simultaneously

In this work, a series of model complexes (MH₃X)(HNC)(N'C’H’), where M = C–Pb and X = Cl–At, is studied using a first-principles computational approach. Each of these complexes possesses a halogen atom (X) simultaneously acting as the Lewis base for X···H hydrogen bonding (HB) with HNC and as the Lewis acid for X···N’ halogen bonding (XB) with N'C’H’. The strengths of these non-covalent interactions are tuned by sharing the same halogen centre and by substituting M and X with consecutive elements from groups 14 and 17. Variations in the strengths are estimated mostly by means of various energetic quantities, such as the total interaction energy (E_int), two- and three-body contributions to E_int, their fundamental physical components and donor–acceptor orbital interaction energies. The coexistence of HB and XB involving the same X-centre weakens these interactions, but the magnitude of the total interaction in the complexes increases due to the three-body interaction and the appearance of additional lateral non-covalent interaction between HNC and N'C’H’. Substituting M and X with consecutive elements from groups 14 and 17 leads to several regularities in the changes of E_int. A dependence of three-body interaction on the kinds of M and X is also detected.     

Cooperativity between the hydrogen bonding and halogen bonding in F3CX ··· NCH(CNH) ··· NCH(CNH) complexes (X=Cl,Br)

MP2 calculations with the cc-pVTZ basis set were used to analyse the intermolecular interactions in F₃CX?···?NCH(CNH)?···?NCH(CNH) triads (X=Cl, Br), which are connected via hydrogen and halogen bonds. Molecular geometries, binding energies, and infrared spectra of the dyads and triads were investigated at the MP2/cc-pVTZ computational level. Particular attention was given to parameters such as the cooperative energies, cooperative dipole moments, and many-body interaction energies. All studied complexes, with the simultaneous presence of a halogen bond and a hydrogen bond, show cooperativity with energy values ranging between ?1.32 and ?2.88?kJ?mol^?1. The electronic properties of the complexes were analysed using the Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP), electron density shift maps and the parameters derived from the Atoms in Molecules (AIM) methodology.     

Substituent effects in cooperativity of chalcogen bonds

In the present work, substituent effects on cooperativity of S···N chalcogen bonds are studied in XHS···NCHS···4-Z–Py (X = F, Cl; Z = H, F, OH, CH₃, NH₂, NO₂, and CN; and Py = pyridine) complexes using ab initio calculations. An increased attraction or a positive cooperativity is observed on introduction of a third molecule to the XHS···NCHS and NCHS···4-Z–Py binary systems. The shortening of each chalcogen bond distance in the ternary systems is dependent on the substituent Z and is increased in the order Z = NH₂ > OH > CH₃ > H > F > CN > NO₂. The electronic aspects of the complexes are analysed using molecular electrostatic potential, and the parameters derived from the atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital methodologies. According to interaction energy decomposition analysis, the electrostatic energies are important in the interaction energy of S···N bonds and may be regarded as being responsible for the stability of these complexes.     

Properties of cationic pnicogen-bonded complexes F4-nHnP+:N-base with H–P···N linear and n = 1–4

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been carried out to investigate the pnicogen-bonded complexes F_4-nH_nP⁺:N-base, for n = 1–4, each with a linear or nearly linear H_ax–P···N alignment. The sp³-hybridised nitrogen bases include NH₃, NClH₂, NFH₂, NCl₂H, NCl₃, NFCl₂, NF₂H, NF₂Cl, and NF_3, and the sp bases are NCNH₂, NCCH₃, NP, NCOH, NCCl, NCH, NCF, NCCN, and N₂. Binding energies increase as the P–N distance decreases, with an exponential curve showing this relationship when complexes with sp³ and sp hybridised bases are treated separately. However, the correlations are not as good as they are for the complexes F_4-nH_nP⁺:N-base for n = 0–3 with F–P···N linear. Different patterns are observed for the change in the binding energies of complexes with a particular base as the number of F atoms in the acid changes. Thus, the particular acid–base pair is a factor in determining the binding energies of these complexes.

Three different charge-transfer interactions stabilise these complexes, namely N_lp→σ*P–H_ax, N_lp→σ*P–F_eq, and N_lp→σ*P–H_eq. Unlike the corresponding complexes with F–P···N linear, N_lp→σ*P–H_ax is not always the dominant charge-transfer interaction, since N_lp→σ*P–F_eq is greater in some complexes. N_lp→σ*P–H_eq makes the smallest contribution to the total charge-transfer energy. The total charge-transfer energies of all complexes increase exponentially as the P–N distance decreases in a manner very similar to that observed for the series of complexes with F–P···N linear.

Equation-of-motion coupled cluster singles and doubles (EOM-CCSD) spin–spin coupling constants ^1pJ(P–N) across the pnicogen bond vary with the P–N distance, but different patterns are observed which depend on the nature of the acid, and for some acids, on the hybridisation of the nitrogen base. ^1pJ(P–N) values for complexes of F₃HP⁺ initially increase as the P–N distance decreases, reach a maximum, and then decrease with decreasing P–N distance as the P···N bond acquires increased covalent character. ^1pJ(P–N) for complexes with H–P···N linear and those with F–P···N linear exhibit similar distance dependencies depending on the number of F atoms in equatorial positions and the hybridisation of the base. Complexation may increase, decrease, or leave the P–H_ax distance unchanged, but ¹J(P–H_ax) always decreases relative to the corresponding isolated ion. Decreasing ¹J(P–H_ax) can be related to decreasing intermolecular P–N distance.     

Long distance structural consequences of H‐bonding: the case of complexes of para‐substituted phenol derivatives

H‐bonded complexes of p‐X‐PhOH/p‐X‐PhO^? with fluoride and hydrofluoric acid (X = OH, H, NO₂) were subject of optimization (by means of B3LYP/6‐311+G**) for gradually changed O···F distance from d_O···F = 4.0 Å down to (i) the distance of the proton transfer from the hydroxyl group to fluoride leading to O^?···HF interaction and (ii) fully optimized system (O^?···HF type). In this way, we simulate gradual changes of H‐bond strength estimating simultaneously the energy of interaction, E_int, energy of deformation, E_def, and the binding energy, E_tot. The obtained geometrical parameters allow us to show that H‐bond formation causes substantial changes in geometry, even at so distant parts of the system as the ring and bond length in para‐substituents (OH and NO₂). All these changes are monotonically dependent on interaction and deformation energies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cooperativity effects between σ-hole interactions: a theoretical evidence for mutual influence between chalcogen bond and halogen bond interactions in F2S···NCX···NCY complexes (X = F,Cl, Br,I; Y = H,F, OH)

Quantum chemical calculations are performed to study the cooperativity effects between chalcogen bond and halogen bond interactions in F₂S···NCX···NCY complexes, where X = F, Cl, Br, I and Y = H, F, OH. These effects are investigated in terms of geometric and energetic features of the complexes, which are computed by second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). For each F₂S···NCX···NCY complex studied, the effect of cooperativity on the chalcogen bond is dependent on the strength of halogen bond. The results indicate that the interaction energies of chalcogen and halogen bonds in the triads are more negative relative to the respective dyads. The interaction energy of chalcogen bond is increased by 31%–49%, whereas that of halogen bond by 28%–62%. The energy decomposition analysis reveals that electrostatic force plays a main role in the cooperativity effects between the chalcogen bond and halogen bond interactions. The topological analysis, based on the quantum theory of atoms in molecules, is used to characterise the interactions and analyse their enhancement with varying electron density at bond critical points.     

Relationship between cation–π and anion–π interactions: individual binding energies in the π–Mz+–π–X−–π system

The mutual influence of cation–π and anion–π interactions in the π–M^z+–π–X^?–π system (M^z+ = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺ and X^? = F^?, Cl^?) has been studied by quantum mechanical calculations. Both geometric parameters and energy data reveal that cation–π and anion–π interactions enhance each other in the π–M^z+–π–X^?–π system. Individual binding energies (E_ion···π) have been estimated in the quintuplet system using a simple new method from electron charge densities calculated at the bond critical points (BCPs) of the ion···π interaction by the atoms in molecules (AIM) method at the M062X/6-31+G(d) level of theory. With respect to the obtained individual binding energies, the strength of an ion···π interaction depends on the cooperative effects of other components.     

The F+ center in reactor-irradiated aluminum oxide

A point-ion calculation has been performed for the F⁺ center in α-Al₂O₃ (one electron in an O^2? vacancy). Optical transitions are predicted at 2·26, 3·39 and 5·15 eV. Contact hyperfine interactions with the two nearest pairs of Al³⁺ ions are calculated to be 151 and 39 G. Single crystals of α-Al₂O₃ were reactor-irradiated up to doses of 10²⁰ fast neutrons per cm², and studied by electron spin resonance (ESR). A broad ESR spectrum with 13 resolved components at g=2·0029±0·0005 was interpreted as the interaction of an unpaired electron with two pairs of Al³⁺ nuclei with hyperfine constants of 49·2 and 13·5 G. These values are in the same ratio as the values calculated for the F⁺ center, to which this ESR spectrum is attributed. The discrepancy of a factor of three is typical of point-ion calculations. The optical absorption spectrum for heavily-irradiated samples is not available for comparison with calculated transition energies.