Small Cycloalkane (CN)2CC(CN)2 Structures Are Highly Directional Non‐covalent Carbon‐Bond Donors

High‐level calculations (RI‐MP2/def2‐TZVP) disclosed that the σ‐hole in between two C atoms of cycloalkane X₂C?CX₂ structures (X=F, CN) is increasingly exposed with decreasing ring size. The interacting energy of complexes of F^?, HO^?, N≡C^?, and H₂CO with cyclopropane and cyclobutane X₂C?CX₂ derivatives was calculated. For X=F, these energies are small to positive, while for X=CN they are all negative, ranging from ?6.8 to ?42.3 kcal mol^?1. These finding are corroborated by a thorough statistical survey of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). No clear evidence could be found in support of non‐covalent carbon bonding between electron‐rich atoms (El.R.) and F₂C?CF₂ structures. In marked contrast, El.R.???(CN)₂C?C(CN)₂ interactions are abundant and highly directional. Based on these findings, the hydrophobic electrophilic bowl formed by 1,1′,2,2′‐tetracyano cyclopropane or cyclobutane derivatives is proposed as a new and synthetically accessible supramolecular synthon.