Helical self-assembly of substituted benzoic acids: influence of weaker X...X and C-H...X interactions

The X-ray crystal packing analyses of the sterically encumbered halogen-substituted benzene carboxylic acids 1-4 reveal a novel and unprecedented crystal packing in that the association of the carboxyl groups through O-H...O bonds results in the generation of a helix along the 41-screw axis. Such an organization of the acids is shown convincingly to be a result of the close packing, which exploits the weaker X...X and C-H...X interactions in conjunction with the stronger O-H...O hydrogen bonds. In contrast, the chloro- and bromo-substituted durene carboxylic acids 6 and 7 exhibit a pattern that is akin to tape/ribbon involving the centrosymmetric-dimer motif and X...X short intermolecular interactions. The structural investigations demonstrate the ability of the weaker interactions in modifying the supposedly "robust" centrosymmetric-dimer motif of the carboxyl groups in a decisive manner.     

Intermolecular C—H...O and C—H...X interactions in substituted spiroacenaphthylene structures

In the three spiroacenaphthylene structures 5′′‐[(E)‐2,3‐dichlorobenzylidene]‐7′‐(2,3‐dichlorophenyl)‐1′′‐methyldispiro[acenaphthylene‐1,5′‐pyrrolo[1,2‐c][1,3]thiazole‐6′,3′′‐piperidine]‐2,4′′‐dione, C₃₅H₂₆Cl₄N₂O₂S, (I), 5′′‐[(E)‐4‐fluorobenzylidene]‐7′‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1′′‐methyldispiro[acenaphthylene‐1,5′‐pyrrolo[1,2‐c][1,3]thiazole‐6′,3′′‐piperidine]‐2,4′′‐dione, C₃₅H₂₈F₂N₂O₂S, (II), and 5′′‐[(E)‐4‐bromobenzylidene]‐7′‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐1′′‐methyldispiro[acenaphthylene‐1,5′‐pyrrolo[1,2‐c][1,3]thiazole‐6′,3′′‐piperidine]‐2,4′′‐dione, C₃₅H₂₈Br₂N₂O₂S, (III), the substituted aryl groups are 2,3‐dichloro‐, 4‐fluoro‐ and 4‐bromophenyl, respectively. The six‐membered piperidine ring in all three structures adopts a half‐chair conformation, the thiazolidine ring adopts a slightly twisted envelope and the pyrrolidine ring an envelope conformation; in each case, the C atom linking the rings is the flap atom. In all three structures, weak intramolecular C—H...O interactions are present. The crystal packing is stabilized through a number of intermolecular C—H...O and C—H...X interactions, where X = Cl in (I) and F or S in (II), and C—H...O interactions are observed predominantly in (III). In all three structures, molecules are linked through centrosymmetric ring motifs, further tailored through a relay of C—H...X [Cl in (I), Br in (II) and O in (III)] interactions.     

Three quinolone compounds featuring O...I halogen bonding

Ethyl 1‐ethyl‐6‐iodo‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylate, C₁₄H₁₄INO₃, (I), and ethyl 1‐cyclopropyl‐6‐iodo‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylate, C₁₅H₁₄INO₃, (II), have isomorphous crystal structures, while ethyl 1‐dimethylamino‐6‐iodo‐4‐oxo‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylate, C₁₄H₁₅IN₂O₃, (III), possesses a different solid‐state supramolecular architecture. In all three structures, O...I halogen‐bonding interactions connect the quinolone molecules into infinite chains parallel to the unique crystallographic b axis. In (I) and (II), these molecular chains are arranged in (101) layers, viaπ–π stacking and C—H...π interactions, and these layers are then interlinked by C—H...O interactions. The structural fragments involved in the C—H...O interactions differ between (I) and (II), accounting for the observed difference in planarity of the quinolone moieties in the two isomorphous structures. In (III), C—H...O and C—H...π interactions form (100) molecular layers, which are crosslinked by O...I and C—H...I interactions.     

C-H...N and C-H...S hydrogen bonds--influence of hybridization on their strength

Simple complexes connected through C-H...S and C-H...N interactions are investigated: CH4...NH3, C2H4...NH3, C2H2...NH3, CH4...SH2, C2H4...SH2, and C2H2...SH2. Ab initio and DFT calculations are performed (SCF, MP2, B3LYP) using different basis sets up to the MP2/aug-cc-pVQZ//MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level of approximation. The Bader theory is applied since MP2/6-311++G(d,p) wave functions are used to find and to characterize bond critical points in terms of electron densities and their Laplacians. The influence of hybridization on the properties of C-H...S and C-H...N systems is also studied showing that the strength of such interactions increases in the following order: C(sp3)-H...Y, C(sp2)-H...Y, C(sp)-H...Y, where Y = S, N--it is in line with the previous findings on C-H...O hydrogen bonds. The results also show that CH4...SH2 and C2H4...SH2 complexes should be rather classified as van der Waals interactions and not as hydrogen bonds. The frequency associated with the C-H stretch of C(sp3)-H...S is blue-shifted.     

Evidence for 5-center 4-electron bonding in (C...H...C...H...C) array

This paper brings new independent evidence for 5-center 4-electron bonding, whose existence in (C...H...C...H...C) fragment of the molecule I was anticipated in the recent study by Tantillo and Hoffmann. The evidence is based on the applications of the so-called multicenter bond indices, recently proposed as new efficient tool for the detection and localization of multicenter bonding in molecules.     

Gold liquid crystals displaying luminescence in the mesophase and short F...F interactions in the solid state

Rodlike gold(I) complexes, [Au(C6F4OCmH2m+1)(C(triple bond)NC6H4C6H4OCnH2n+1)] (m=2, n=4, 10; m=6, n=10; m=10, n=6, 10), display interesting features. They are liquid crystals and show photoluminescence in the mesophase, as well as in the solid state and in solution. The single-crystal, X-ray diffraction structure of [Au(C6F4OC2H5)(C(triple bond)NC6H4C6H4OC4H9)] confirms its rodlike structure, with a linear coordination around the gold atom, and reveals the absence of any Au...Au interactions (such interactions are often present in luminescent gold complexes). Well-defined, intermolecular Fortho...Fmeta interactions, with remarkably short intermolecular FF distances (2.66 A), are observed; these interactions seem to be responsible for the crystal packing, which consists of an antiparallel arrangement of molecules. Experiments under different conditions support the explanation that the photoluminescence has an intramolecular origin.     

Supramolecular chemistry of halogens: complementary features of inorganic (M-X) and organic (C-X') halogens applied to M-X...X'-C halogen bond formation

Electronic differences between inorganic (M-X) and organic (C-X) halogens in conjunction with the anisotropic charge distribution associated with terminal halogens have been exploited in supramolecular synthesis based upon intermolecular M-X...X'-C halogen bonds. The synthesis and crystal structures of a family of compounds trans-[MCl(2)(NC(5)H(4)X-3)(2)] (M = Pd(II), Pt(II); X = F, Cl, Br, I; NC(5)H(4)X-3 = 3-halopyridine) are reported. With the exception of the fluoropyridine compounds, network structures propagated by M-Cl...X-C halogen bonds are adopted and involve all M-Cl and all C-X groups. M-Cl...X-C interactions show Cl...X separations shorter than van der Waals values, shorter distances being observed for heavier halogens (X). Geometries with near linear Cl...X-C angles (155-172 degrees ) and markedly bent M-Cl...X angles (92-137 degrees ) are consistently observed. DFT calculations on the model dimers {trans-[MCl(2)(NH(3))(NC(5)H(4)X-3)]}(2) show association through M-Cl...X-C (X not equal F) interactions with geometries similar to experimental values. DFT calculations of the electrostatic potential distributions for the compounds trans-[PdCl(2)(NC(5)H(4)X-3)(2)] (X = F, Cl, Br, I) demonstrate the effectiveness of the strategy to activate C-X groups toward halogen bond formation by enhancing their electrophilicity, and explain the absence of M-Cl...F-C interactions. The M-Cl...X-C halogen bonds described here can be viewed unambiguously as nucleophile-electrophile interactions that involve an attractive electrostatic contribution. This contrasts with some types of halogen-halogen interactions previously described and suggests that M-Cl...X-C halogen bonds could provide a valuable new synthon for supramolecular chemists.     

The nature of halogen...halide synthons: theoretical and crystallographic studies

Two types of halogen...halide synthons are investigated on the basis of theoretical and crystallographic studies; the simple halogen...halide synthons and the charge assisted halogen...halide synthons. The former interactions were investigated theoretically (ab initio) by studying the energy of interaction of a halide anion with a halocarbon species as a function of Y...X- separation distance and the C-Y...X- angle in a series of complexes (R-Y...X-, R=methyl, phenyl, acetyl or pyridyl; Y=F, Cl, Br, or I; X-=F-, Cl-, Br-, or I-). The theoretical study of the latter interaction type was investigated in only one system, the [(4BP)Cl]2 dimer, (4BP=4-bromopyrdinium cation). Crystal structure determinations, to complement the latter theoretical calculations, were performed on 13 n-chloropyridinium and n-bromopyridinium halide salts (n=2-4). The theoretical and crystallographic studies indicate that these interactions are controlled by electrostatics and are characterized by linear C-Y...X- angles and separation distances less than the sum of van der Waals radius (rvdW) of the halogen atom and the ionic radii of the halide anion. The strength of these contacts from calculations varies from weak or absent, e.g., H3C-Cl...I-, to very strong, e.g., HCC-I...F- (energy of interaction ca. -153 kJ/mol). The strengths of these contacts are influenced by four factors: (a) the type of the halide anion; (b) the type of the halogen atom; (c) the hybridization of the ipso carbon; (d) the nature of the functional groups. The calculations also show that charge assisted halogen...halide synthons have a comparable strength to simple halogen...halide synthons. The nature of these contacts is explained on the basis of an electrostatic model.     

Isostructurality, polymorphism and mechanical properties of some hexahalogenated benzenes: the nature of halogen...halogen interactions

The nature of intermolecular interactions between halogen atoms, X...X (X = Cl, Br, I), continues to be of topical interest because these interactions may be used as design elements in crystal engineering. Hexahalogenated benzenes (C6Cl(6-n)Br(n), C6Cl(6-n)I(n), C6Br(6-n)I(n)) crystallise in two main packing modes, which take the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n and the triclinic space group P1. The former, which is isostructural to C6Cl6, is more common. For molecules that lack inversion symmetry, adoption of this monoclinic structure would necessarily lead to crystallographic disorder. In C6Cl6, the planar molecules form Cl...Cl contacts and also pi...pi stacking interactions. When crystals of C6Cl6 are compressed mechanically along their needle length, that is, [010], a bending deformation takes place, because of the stronger interactions in the stacking direction. Further compression propagates consecutively in a snakelike motion through the crystal, similar to what has been suggested for the motion of dislocations. The bending of C6Cl6 crystals is related to the weakness of the Cl...Cl interactions compared with the stronger pi...pi stacking interactions. The triclinic packing is less common and is restricted to molecules that have a symmetrical (1,3,5- and 2,4,6-) halogen substitution pattern. This packing type is characterised by specific, polarisation-induced X...X interactions that result in threefold-symmetrical X3 synthons, especially when X = I; this leads to a layered pseudohexagonal structure in which successive planar layers are inversion related and stacked so that bumps in one layer fit into the hollows of the next in a space-filling manner. The triclinic crystals shear on application of a mechanical stress only along the plane of deformation. This shearing arises from the sliding of layers against one another. Nonspecificity of the weak interlayer interactions here is demonstrated by the structure of twinned crystals of these compounds. One of the compounds studied (1,3,5-tribromo-2,4,6-triiodobenzene) is dimorphic, adopting both the monoclinic and triclinic structures, and the reasons for polymorphism are suggested. To summarise, both chemical and geometrical models need to be considered for X...X interactions in hexahalogenated benzenes. The X...X interactions in the monoclinic group are nonspecific, whereas in the triclinic group some X...X interactions are anisotropic, chemically specific and crystal-structure directing.     

Silver(I) complexes in coordination supramolecular system with bulky acridine-based ligands: syntheses, crystal structures, and theoretical investigations on C-H...Ag close interaction

In our efforts to investigate the coordination architectures of transition metals and organic ligands with tailored structures, we have prepared two structurally related rigid bulky acridine-based ligands, 9-[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]- acridine (L(1)) and 9-(1-imidazolyl)acridine (L2), and synthesized and characterized four of their Ag(I) complexes, {[AgL1](ClO4)}2 (1), {[AgL1](NO3)}2 (2), [AgL2(2)](ClO4) (3), and {[(Ag3L2(3))(NO3)](NO3)2(H2O)}(infinity) (4). The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the structures of 1 and 2 are similar to each other, with the two intramolecular Ag(I) centers of each complex being encircled by two L1 ligands; this forms a unique boxlike cyclic dimer, which is further linked to form one-dimensional (1D) chains of 1 and a two-dimensional (2D) network of 2 by intermolecular face-to-face pi...pi stacking and/or weak C-H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions, respectively. 3 has a mononuclear structure, which is further assembled into a 2D network via intermolecular Ag...O and pi...pi stacking weak interactions. 4 possesses two different 1D motifs that are further interlinked through interlayer face-to-face pi...pi stacking and Ag...O weak interactions, resulting in a 2D network. It is worth noting that one of the interesting structural features of 1, 2, and 4 is the presence of obvious C-H...M hydrogen-bonding interactions between the Ag centers and some acridine ring H atoms identified by X-ray diffraction on the basis of the van der Waals radii. Furthermore, as a representative example, full geometry optimization on the basis of the experimental structure, the natural bond orbital (NBO), and topological analysis of 1 were carried out by DFT and AIM (Atoms in Molecules) calculations. The total C-H...Ag interaction energy in 1 is estimated to be about 14 kJ/mol. Therefore, this work offers three new rare examples (1, 2, and 4) that exhibit C-H...Ag weak interactions, in which the N donors of the acridine rings coordinate to Ag(I) ions. Also, these results strongly support the existence of C-H...Ag close interactions and allow us to have a better understanding of the nature of such interactions in the coordination supramolecular systems.     

C—H...X (X = O,N or π) interactions in benzyl carbamate

The crystal packing and interaction energy of benzyl carbamate, C₈H₉NO₂, have been analysed in detail by the PIXEL method. Benzyl carbamate forms layers of hydrogen‐bonded molecules, with the layers connected by weaker C—H...π interactions. According to the PIXEL analysis, combinations of C—H...X (X = O, N or π) interactions are comparable in energy with hydrogen bonding. These interactions are necessary for explaining the geometry and the assembly of the layers.     

The crucial role of C—H...O and C=O...π interactions in the building of three‐dimensional structures of dicarboxylic acid–biimidazole compounds

The supramolecular architectures of three dicarboxylic acid–biimidazole compounds, namely, 2,2′‐biimidazolium malonate, C₆H₈N₄²⁺·C₃H₂O₄²⁻, (I), 2,2′‐bi(1H‐imidazole) succinic acid, C₆H₆N₄·C₄H₆O₄, (II), and 2,2′‐biimidazolium 2,2′‐iminiodiacetate chloride, C₆H₈N₄²⁺·C₄H₆NO₄⁻·Cl⁻, (III), are reported. The crystal structures are assembled by the same process, namely double conventional N—H...O or O—H...N hydrogen bonds link the dicarboxylates and biimidazoles to form tapes, which are stacked in parallel through lone‐pair–aromatic interactions between carbonyl O atoms and biimidazole groups and are further linked via weak C—H...O interactions. The C=O...π interactions involved in stacking the tapes in (II) and the C—H...O interactions involved in linking the tapes in (II) and (III) demonstrate the crucial role of these interactions in the crystal packing. There is crystallographically imposed symmetry in all three structures. In (I), two independent malonate anions have their central C atoms on twofold axes and two biimidazolium dications each lie about independent inversion centres; in (II), the components lie about inversion centres, while in (III), the unique cation lies about an inversion centre and the iminiodiacetate and chloride anions lie across and on a mirror plane, respectively.     

Interplay of phenyl-perfluorophenyl stacking,C-H...F,C-F...pi and F...F interactions in some crystalline aromatic azines

Analysis of phenyl-perfluorophenyl stacking synthon, C-H...F, C-F...pi interactions, and F...F tetramer in three closely related azine crystal structures shows the dominance of Ar-ArF synthon while other interactions are turned on/off depending on the H/F stoichiometry in the molecule.     

The impact of weak C-H...Rh interactions on the structure and reactivity of trans-[Rh(CO)2(phosphine)2]+: an experimental and theoretical examination

The crystal structure of the new cationic Rh(I) complex trans-[Rh(CO)(2)(L)(2)]BF(4) (L=alpha(2)-(diisopropylphosphino)isodurene) was found to exhibit a nonlinear OC-Rh-CO fragment and weak intramolecular C-H...Rh interactions. These interactions, which have also been shown to occur in solution, have been examined by density functional theory calculations and found to be inextricably linked to the presence of the distorted OC-Rh-CO fragment. This linkage has also been demonstrated by comparison with a highly similar Rh(I) complex, in which these C-H...Rh interactions are absent. Furthermore, the presence of these weak interactions has been shown to have a significant effect on the reactivity of the metal center.     

Probing C-H...X hydrogen bonds in amide-functionalized imidazolium salts under high pressure

We have probed under high pressure the C-H hydrogen bonds formed by N,N(')-disubstituted imidazolium ions having PF(6) (-) and Br(-) counterions. High-pressure infrared spectral profiles, x-ray crystallographic analysis, and ab initio calculations allow us to make a vibrational assignment of these compounds. The appearance of a signal for the free-NH unit (or weakly bonded N-H...F unit) in the infrared spectrum of the PF(6) (-) salt indicates that conventional N-H...O and N-H...N hydrogen bonds do not fully dominate the packing. It is likely that the charge-enhanced C(2)-H...F interactions, combined with other weak hydrogen bonds, disturb the formation of N-H hydrogen bonds in the PF(6) (-) salt. This finding is consistent with the pressure-dependent results, which reveal that the C(2)-H...F interaction is enhanced upon increasing the pressure. In contrast to the PF(6) (-) salt, the imidazolium C-H bonds of the Br(-) salt have low sensitivity to high pressure. This finding suggests that the hydrogen bonding patterns are determined by the relative hydrogen bond acceptor strengths of the Br(-) and PF(6) (-) ions.     

Bonding along a linear B...N...B triad

The synthesis of tris(2,6-dihydroxyphenyl)amine diborate, 4, is reported. This compound contains a linear B...N...B array for which a symmetrical three-center two-electron (3c-2e) bond is possible. The X-ray crystal structure of 4 shows that 3c-2e bonding is, in fact, absent. Rather, the B-N-B array of 4 is unsymmetrical, having a 2c-2e B-N dative bond with the remaining boron pyramidalized outward and bonded to the oxygen of THF, i.e., 4 x THF. In THF solution, 4 displays temperature-dependent 13C NMR spectra from which a DeltaG++ of 11.6 kcal/mol at 262 K may be calculated. The dynamic process observed in solution corresponds to a bond-switching equilibrium in which the B-N bond oscillates between the two borons ("bell clapper"). Ab initio calculations indicate that the most likely pathway for the bond switch does not involve a 3c-2e B...N...B bond, but rather occurs by nucleophilic attack of THF on the datively bonded boron to generate 4 x (THF)2, lacking any B-N interactions, followed by loss of one THF. The B-N-B system of 4 sans the perturbing effect of solvent was also investigated computationally. The form of 4 containing a 3c-2e bond is found to be a transition state in the solvent-free bond-switch reaction of 4, lying 2.66 kcal/mol above 4. The stability of three-center bonds to in-line distortion (viz., X...Y...X --> X-Y.........X) is discussed from the point of view of the second-order Jahn-Teller effect.     

Studies on the intramolecular C[bond]H...X (X = O,S) interactions in (S)-N-acyl- 4-isopropyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thiones and related 1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones

[reaction: see text] Two intramolecular C[bond]H...X (X = O, S) interactions in (S)-N-acyl-4-isopropyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thiones are documented through crystallographic and spectroscopic evidence and high-level theoretical calculations. The key role played by the sulfur atoms has been made clear by comparison with structurally related (S)-N-acyl-4-isopropyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones.     

A new polymorph of 1,4‐dibromo‐2,5‐dimethylbenzene: H...Br and Br...πversus Br...Br interactions

A new polymorph, (Ib), of the title compound, C₈H₈Br₂, crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n, the same as the known polymorph (Ia) but with Z = 2 (imposed inversion symmetry) rather than Z = 4. The molecular structures are closely similar because the molecule has no degrees of torsional freedom except for methyl groups, but the packing arrangements are completely different. Polymorph (Ia) is characterized by linked trapezia of Br...Br interactions, whereas polymorph (Ib) features H...Br and Br...π interactions.     

The nature of halogen...halogen synthons: crystallographic and theoretical studies

A study of the halogen...halogen contacts in organic compounds using ab initio calculations and the results of previously reported crystallographic studies show that these interactions are controlled by electrostatics. These contacts can be represented by the geometric parameters of the C--X1...X2--C moieties (where theta1=C--X1...X2 and theta2=X1...X2--C; ri=X1...X2 distance). The distributions of the contacts within the sum of van der Waals radii (rvdW) versus thetai (theta1=theta2) show a maximum at theta approximately 150 degrees for X=Cl, Br, and I. This maximum is not seen in the distribution of F...F contacts. These results are in good agreement with our ab initio calculations. The theoretical results show that the position of the maximum depends on three factors: 1) The type of halogen atom, 2) the hybridization of the ipso carbon atom, and 3) the nature of the other atoms that are bonded to the ipso carbon atom apart from the halogen atom. Calculations show that the strength of these contacts decreases in the following order: I...I>Br...Br>Cl...Cl. Their relative strengths decrease as a function of the hybridization of the ipso carbon atom in the following order: sp2>sp>sp3. Attaching an electronegative atom to the carbon atom strengthens the halogen...halogen contacts. An electrostatic model is proposed based on two assumptions: 1) The presence of a positive electrostatic end cap on the halogen atom (except for fluorine) and 2) the electronic charge is anisotropically distributed around the halogen atom.     

Au(I)...Ag(I) metallophilic interactions between anionic units: theoretical studies on a AuAg4 square pyramidal arrangement

We have studied theoretically the organometallic compound (NBu4)2[Au(3,5-C6F3Cl2)2Ag4(CF3CO2)5], whose dianionic part displays a AuAg4 square pyramidal arrangement based on closed-shell Au(I)...Ag(I) interactions between two monoanionic fragments. DFT/B3LYP, ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF), and second-order M?ller Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) calculations have been carried out for simplified model systems. Model system [AuPh2]-...[Ag4(CO2H)5]- (C1) has been chosen from DFT results as an appropriate model for the study of the interactions. The four Au(I)...Ag(I) interactions and two additional C...Ag(I) interactions are observed when dispersion-type interactions are considered in the level of theory (MP2) displaying a metallophilic attraction between two anionic units. The study of model C2 (similar to C1 but with minimized C...Ag(I) interactions) permits the study of the Au(I)...Ag(I) interactions separately, which confirms the existence of stabilizing Au(I)...Ag(I) interactions around 13 kJ.mol(-1) each.