The diiodine basicity scale: toward a general halogen-bond basicity scale

The new diiodine basicity scale pK_BI2 is quasi‐orthogonal to most known Lewis basicity scales (hydrogen‐bond, dative‐bond and cation basicity scales). The diiodine basicity falls in the sequence N>P≈Se>S>I≈O>Br>Cl>F for the iodine‐bond acceptor atomic site and SbO≈NO≈AsO>SeO>PO>SO>C?O>? O? >SO₂ or PS?? S? >C?S?N?C?S for the functionality of oxygen or sulfur bases. Substituent effects are quantified through linear free energy relationships, which allow the calculation of individual complexation constants for each site of polybases and thus the classification of aromatic ethers as carbon π bases and of aromatic amines, thioethers and selenoethers as N, S and Se bases, respectively. The pK_BI2 values of nBu₃N⁺‐N^?C≡N, 2‐aminopyridine and 1,10‐phenanthroline reveal a superbasic nitrile, a hydrogen‐bond‐assisted iodine bond and a two‐centre iodine bond, respectively. The diiodine basicity scale is a general inorganic but family‐dependent organic halogen‐bond basicity scale because organic halogen‐bond donors such as IC≡N and ICF₃ have a stronger electrostatic character than I₂. The family independence can be restored by the addition of an electrostatic parameter, either the experimental pK_BHX hydrogen‐bond basicity scale or the computed minimum electrostatic potential.