Ion-pair recognition based on halogen bonding: a case of the crown-ether receptor with iodo-trizole moiety

The development of halogen-bond-based ditopic receptors capable of binding simultaneously both a cation and an anion has attracted recent research interest. In this work, the crown-ether receptor 1, which consists of an iodo-trizole moiety for anion recognition through halogen bonding and a Lewis-basic center for cation binding, was investigated using density functional theory calculations. The structural and energetic features for the complexes of 1 with single cations, single halide anions, and ion pairs were explored. Intermolecular interactions in these complexes were systematically analyzed by the atoms in molecules and noncovalent interaction index methods. The presence of the coordinated cation significantly increases the anion-binding affinity, while the binding of halide anions has a slight influence on the cation-binding affinity. Anti-cooperative effects were found in the ion-pair recognition of 1, due to the strong attraction between the two counterions in the complexes. The solvent weakens the interaction strength considerably, and anti-cooperativity becomes very small in solvent. The results reported in this work are of fundamental importance in the design of ion-pair receptors based on halogen bonding.     

Astatine Facing Janus: Halogen Bonding vs. Charge-Shift Bonding

The nature of halogen-bond interactions was scrutinized from the perspective of astatine, potentially the strongest halogen-bond donor atom. In addition to its remarkable electronic properties (e.g., its higher aromaticity compared to benzene), C₆At₆ can be involved as a halogen-bond donor and acceptor. Two-component relativistic calculations and quantum chemical topology analyses were performed on C₆At₆ and its complexes as well as on their iodinated analogues for comparative purposes. The relativistic spin–orbit interaction was used as a tool to disclose the bonding patterns and the mechanisms that contribute to halogen-bond interactions. Despite the stronger polarizability of astatine, halogen bonds formed by C₆At₆ can be comparable or weaker than those of C₆I₆. This unexpected finding comes from the charge-shift bonding character of the C–At bonds. Because charge-shift bonding is connected to the Pauli repulsion between the bonding σ electrons and the σ lone-pair of astatine, it weakens the astatine electrophilicity at its σ-hole (reducing the charge transfer contribution to halogen bonding). These two antinomic characters, charge-shift bonding and halogen bonding, can result in weaker At-mediated interactions than their iodinated counterparts.     

Iodide Recognition and Sensing in Water by a Halogen‐Bonding Ruthenium(II)‐Based Rotaxane

The synthesis and anion‐recognition properties of the first halogen‐bonding rotaxane host to sense anions in water is described. The rotaxane features a halogen‐bonding axle component, which is stoppered with water‐solubilizing permethylated β‐cyclodextrin motifs, and a luminescent tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II)‐based macrocycle component. ¹H NMR anion‐binding titrations in D₂O reveal the halogen‐bonding rotaxane to bind iodide with high affinity and with selectively over the smaller halide anions and sulfate. The binding affinity trend was explained through molecular dynamics simulations and free‐energy calculations. Photo‐physical investigations demonstrate the ability of the interlocked halogen‐bonding host to sense iodide in water, through enhancement of the macrocycle component’s Ru^II metal–ligand charge transfer (MLCT) emission.     

How does halogen bonding behave in solution? A theoretical study using implicit solvation model

A systematic study of halogen bonding interactions in gas phase and in solution was carried out by means of quantum chemical DFT/B3LYP method. Three solvents with different polarities (chloroform, acetone, and water) were selected, and solvation effects were considered using the polarized continuum model (PCM). For charged halogen-bonded complexes, the strength of the interactions tends to significantly weaken in solution, with a concomitant elongation of intermolecular distances. For neutral systems, halogen bond distances are shown to shorten and the interaction energies change slightly. Computations also reveal that in the gas phase the binding affinities decrease in the order Cl(-) > Br(-) > I(-), while in solution the energy gaps of binding appear limited for the three halide anions. According to free energy results, many systems under investigation are stable in solution. Particularly, calculated free energies of formation of the complexes correlate well with halogen-bonding association constants determined experimentally. The differences of the effects of solvent upon halogen and hydrogen bonding were also elucidated. This study can establish fundamental characteristics of halogen bonding in media, which would be very helpful for applying this noncovalent interaction in medicinal chemistry and material design.     

Dual Role of the 1,2,3‐Triazolium Ring as a Hydrogen‐Bond Donor and Anion–π Receptor in Anion‐Recognition Processes

Several bis(triazolium)‐based receptors have been synthesized as chemosensors for anion recognition. The central naphthalene core features two aryltriazolium side‐arms. NMR experiments revealed differences between the binding modes of the two triazolium rings: one triazolium ring acts as a hydrogen‐bond donor, the other as an anion–π receptor. Receptors 9²⁺?2BF₄ ^? (C₆H₅), 11²⁺?2BF₄ ^? (4‐NO₂?C₆H₄), and 13²⁺?2BF^4? (ferrocenyl) bind HP₂O₇^3? anions in a mixed‐binding mode that features a combination of hydrogen‐bonding and anion–π interactions and results in strong binding. On the other hand, receptor 10²⁺?2 BF₄ ^? (4‐CH₃O?C₆H₄) only displays combined Csp₂?H/anion–π interactions between the two arms of the receptors and the bound anion rather than triazolium (CH)⁺???anion hydrogen bonding. All receptors undergo a downfield shift of the triazolium protons, as well as the inner naphthalene protons, in the presence of H₂PO₄^? anions. That suggests that only hydrogen‐bonding interactions exist between the binding site and the bound anion, and involve a combination of cationic (triazolium) and neutral (naphthalene) C?H donor interactions. Theoretical calculations relate the electronic structure of the substituent on the aromatic group with the interaction energies and provide a minimum‐energy conformation for all the complexes that explains their measured properties.     

Halogen Bonding between Anions and Iodoperfluoroorganics: Solution‐Phase Thermodynamics and Multidentate‐Receptor Design

The interactions of iodoperfluoroarenes and ‐alkanes with anions in organic solvent were studied. The data indicates that favorable halogen‐bonding interactions exist between halide anions and the monodentate model compounds C₆F₅I and C₈F₁₇I. These data served as a basis for the development of preorganized multidentate receptors capable of high‐affinity anion recognition. Several new receptor architectures were prepared, and the multidentate‐iodoperfluorobenzoate‐ester design, as described in a preliminary communication, was evaluated in more detail. Computation was employed to better interpret the structure–activity relationships arising from these studies. Investigations of the thermodynamics of anion binding (by van't Hoff analysis) and solvent effects reveal details of these halogen bonding interactions.     

Ab initio study of the complexes of halogen-containing molecules RX (X=Cl, Br, and I) and NH3: towards understanding the nature of halogen bonding and the electron-accepting propensities of covalently bonded halogen atoms

Ab initio calculations have been performed on a series of complexes formed between halogen-containing molecules and ammonia to gain a deeper insight into the nature of halogen bonding. It appears that the dihalogen molecules form the strongest halogen-bonded complexes with ammonia, followed by HOX; the charge-transfer-type contribution has been demonstrated to dominate the halogen bonding in these complexes. For the complexes involving carbon-bound halogen molecules, our calculations clearly indicate that electrostatic interactions are mainly responsible for their binding energies. Whereas the halogen-bond strength is significantly enhanced by progressive fluorine substitution, the substitution of a hydrogen atom by a methyl group in the CH(3)X...NH(3) complex weakened the halogen bonding. Moreover, remote substituent effects have also been noted in the complexes of halobenzenes with different para substituents. The influence of the hybridization state of the carbon atom bonded to the halogen atom has also been examined and the results reveal that halogen-bond strengths decrease in the order HC triple bond CX > H(2)C=CHX approximately O=CHX approximately C(6)H(5)X > CH(3)X. In addition, several excellent linear correlations have been established between the interaction energies and both the amount of charge transfer and the electrostatic potentials corresponding to an electron density of 0.002 au along the R-X axis; these correlations provide good models with which to evaluate the electron-accepting abilities of the covalently bonded halogen atoms. Finally, some positively charged halogen-bonded systems have been investigated and the effect of the charge has been discussed.     

Spectroscopic, structural, and theoretical studies of halide complexes with a urea-based tripodal receptor

A urea-based tripodal receptor L substituted with p-cyanophenyl groups has been studied for halide anions using (1)H NMR spectroscopy, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and X-ray crystallography. The (1)H NMR titration studies suggest that the receptor forms a 1:1 complex with an anion, showing a binding trend in the order of fluoride > chloride > bromide > iodide. The interaction of a fluoride anion with the receptor was further confirmed by 2D NOESY and (19)F NMR spectroscopy in DMSO-d(6). DFT calculations indicate that the internal halide anion is held by six NH···X interactions with L, showing the highest binding energy for the fluoride complex. Structural characterization of the chloride, bromide, and silicon hexafluoride complexes of [LH(+)] reveals that the anion is externally located via hydrogen bonding interactions. For the bromide or chloride complex, two anions are bridged with two receptors to form a centrosymmetric dimer, while for the silicon hexafluoride complex, the anion is located within a cage formed by six ligands and two water molecules.     

Calix[4]arenes containing thiourea and amide moieties: neutral receptors towards alpha,omega-dicarboxylate anions

Two-armed neutral anion receptors (4,5), were prepared and examined for their anion-binding ability using UV-vis, fluorescence and 1H NMR spectra in DMSO. The results of non-linear curve fitting indicate that 4 or 5 form 1 : 1 stoichiometric complexes with dicarboxylate anions by multiple hydrogen bonding interactions and the sensitivity for recognition of dicarboxylate depends on the chain length of these dicarboxylate anions. Receptors 4 and 5 have no binding ability with acetate, dihydrogen phosphate and the halogen (Cl-, Br-, I-) anions. This demonstrates that receptors 4 or 5 could be used as chemical sensors for some special dicarboxylate anions.     

Transmembrane anion transport mediated by halogen bonding and hydrogen bonding triazole anionophores

Transmembrane ion transport by synthetic anionophores is typically achieved using polar hydrogen bonding anion receptors. Here we show that readily accessible halogen and hydrogen bonding 1,2,3-triazole derivatives can efficiently mediate anion transport across lipid bilayer membranes with unusual anti-Hofmeister selectivity. Importantly, the results demonstrate that the iodo-triazole systems exhibit the highest reported activity to date for halogen bonding anionophores, and enhanced transport efficiency relative to the hydrogen bonding analogues. In contrast, the analogous fluoro-triazole systems, which are unable to form intermolecular interactions with anions, are inactive. The halogen bonding anionophores also exhibit a remarkable intrinsic chloride over hydroxide selectivity, which is usually observed only in more complex anionophore designs, in contrast to the readily accessible acyclic systems reported here. This highlights the potential of iodo-triazoles as synthetically accessible and versatile motifs for developing more efficient anion transport systems. Computational studies provide further insight into the nature of the anion-triazole intermolecular interactions, examining the origins of the observed transport activity and selectivity of the systems, and revealing the role of enhanced charge delocalisation in the halogen bonding anion complexes.

Halogen and hydrogen bonding 1,2,3-triazole derivatives efficiently mediate anion transport across lipid bilayer membranes with unusual anion selectivity profiles.     

Hydrogen Bonding versus Halogen Bonding: Spectroscopic Investigation of Gas-Phase Complexes Involving Bromide and Chloromethanes

Hydrogen bonding and halogen bonding are important non-covalent interactions that are known to occur in large molecular systems, such as in proteins and crystal structures. Although these interactions are important on a large scale, studying hydrogen and halogen bonding in small, gas-phase chemical species allows for the binding strengths to be determined and compared at a fundamental level. In this study, anion photoelectron spectra are presented for the gas-phase complexes involving bromide and the four chloromethanes, CH₃Cl, CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, and CCl₄. The stabilisation energy and electron binding energy associated with each complex are determined experimentally, and the spectra are rationalised by high-level CCSD(T) calculations to determine the non-covalent interactions binding the complexes. These calculations involve nucleophilic bromide and electrophilic bromine interactions with chloromethanes, where the binding motifs, dissociation energies and vertical detachment energies are compared in terms of hydrogen bonding and halogen bonding.     

杯芳烃衍生物对阴离子的识别作用

综述了杯芳烃衍生物对阴离子识别作用的研究进展。详细介绍了杯芳烃衍生物的化学结构修饰和分子结构以及其通过氢键和静电等作用对卤素、有机酸根、金属酸根等阴离子的识别作用,并对其应用前景进行了展望。     

A Potent Halogen‐Bonding Donor Motif for Anion Recognition and Anion Template Mechanical Bond Synthesis

The covalent attachment of electron deficient perfluoroaryl substituents to a bis‐iodotriazole pyridinium group produces a remarkably potent halogen bonding donor motif for anion recognition in aqueous media. Such a motif also establishes halogen bonding anion templation as a highly efficient method for constructing a mechanically interlocked molecule in unprecedented near quantitative yield. The resulting bis‐perfluoroaryl substituted iodotriazole pyridinium axle containing halogen bonding [2]rotaxane host exhibits exceptionally strong halide binding affinities in competitive 50 % water containing aqueous media, by a factor of at least three orders of magnitude greater in comparison to a hydrogen bonding rotaxane host analogue. These observations further champion and advance halogen bonding as a powerful tool for recognizing anions in aqueous media.     

Halotriazolium Axle Functionalised [2]Rotaxanes for Anion Recognition: Investigating the Effects of Halogen‐Bond Donor and Preorganisation

The anion‐templated synthesis of three novel halogen‐bonding 5‐halo‐1,2,3‐triazolium axle containing [2]rotaxanes is described, and the effects of altering the nature of the halogen‐bond donor atom together with the degree of inter‐component preorganisation on the anion‐recognition properties of the interlocked host investigated. The ability of the bromotriazolium motif to direct the halide‐anion‐templated assembly of interpenetrated [2]pseudorotaxanes was studied initially; bromide was found to be the most effective template. As a consequence, bromide anion templation was used to synthesise the first bromotriazolium axle containing [2]rotaxane, the anion‐binding properties of which, determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopic titration experiments, revealed enhanced bromide and iodide recognition relative to a hydrogen‐bonding protic triazolium rotaxane analogue. Two halogen‐bonding [2]rotaxanes with bromo‐ and iodotriazolium motifs integrated into shortened axles designed to increase inter‐component preorganisation were also synthesised. Anion ¹H NMR spectroscopic titration experiments demonstrated that these rotaxanes were able to bind halide anions even more strongly, with the iodotriazolium axle integrated rotaxane capable of recognising halides in aqueous solvent media. Importantly, these observations suggest that a halogen‐bonding interlocked host binding domain, in combination with increased inter‐component preorganisation, are requisite design features for a potent anion receptor.     

基于咪唑的荧光传感器对磷酸二氢根离子的高选择性识别

设计并合成了基于咪唑基团的高选择性的荧光传感器, 分别利用荧光和紫外-可见光谱研究了其对阴离子的识别. 结果显示, 该类荧光传感器只在H₂PO₄^-离子存在下发生显著的荧光猝灭现象, 并且产生一个新的荧光发射峰, 因此可用于乙腈溶液中H₂PO₄^-的快速有效检测.     

Encapsulation of divalent tetrahedral oxyanions of sulfur within the rigidified dimeric capsular assembly of a tripodal receptor: first crystallographic evidence of thiosulfate encapsulation within neutral receptor capsule

A simple tris(2-aminoethyl)amine based meta-chloro substituted tripodal thiourea receptor L has been extensively studied with two divalent oxyanions of sulfur, such as sulfate and thiosulfate, with identical dimensionality. The solid state crystal structure of the anion complexes with L reveal that the anions are encapsulated within the dimeric rigid capsular assembly of the receptor via N-Hanion interactions. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the encapsulation of thiosulfate within dimeric capsular assembly of a neutral receptor. The tight capsular sizes for both anion complexes are quite comparable, whereas the coordination mode of the anions and the hydrogen bonding parameters are significantly varied. The three dimensional solid state structural orientations of the capsular complexes are mainly governed by the ClCl (for thiosulfate complex) and ClS (for sulfate complex) halogen bonding interactions. The solution-state binding and encapsulation of oxyanions by N-Hanion hydrogen bonding has also been confirmed by quantitative (1)H NMR titration and 2D NOESY NMR experiments. Both the experiments confirm that in contradiction of 2?:?1 solid state binding, in solution the studied anions are bound within the pseudocavity of the receptor with 1?:?1 binding stoichiometry. Moreover, the change in chemical shifts of thiourea -NH protons and the binding constant values suggest the receptor-sulfate interaction is more energetically favorable compared to the receptor thiosulfate interaction.     

Theoretical Study on Cooperativity Effects between Anion–π and Halogen‐Bonding Interactions

This article analyzes the interplay between lone pair–π (lp–π) or anion–π interactions and halogen‐bonding interactions. Interesting cooperativity effects are observed when lp/anion–π and halogen‐bonding interactions coexist in the same complex, and they are found even in systems in which the distance between the anion and halogen‐bond donor molecule is longer than 9 Å. These effects are studied theoretically in terms of energetic and geometric features of the complexes, which are computed by ab initio methods. Bader′s theory of “atoms in molecules” is used to characterize the interactions and to analyze their strengthening or weakening depending upon the variation of charge density at critical points. The physical nature of the interactions and cooperativity effects are studied by means of molecular interaction potential with polarization partition scheme. By taking advantage of all aforementioned computational methods, the present study examines how these interactions mutually influence each other. Additionally, experimental evidence for such interactions is obtained from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD).     

含硫脲和酰胺单元的新型杯［4］芳烃中性氟离子受体

Two-armed neutral anion receptors (4,5), calix[4]arenes beating thiourea and amide binding sites, were prepared and examined their anion-binding ability by the UV-vis spectra. The results of non-linear curve fitting and Job plot indicate that 4 or 5 forms 1：1 stoichiometry complex with fluoride by hydrogen bonding interactions. Receptors 4 and 5 have an excellent selectivity for fluoride but have no binding ability with acetate, dihydrogen phosphate and the halogen anions (Cl^-,Br^-,I^-).     

Enhanced voltammetric anion sensing at halogen and hydrogen bonding ferrocenyl SAMs

Halogen bonding mediated electrochemical anion sensing has very recently been established as a potent platform for the selective and sensitive detection of anions, although the principles that govern binding and subsequent signal transduction remain poorly understood. Herein we address this challenge by providing a comprehensive study of novel redox-active halogen bonding (XB) and hydrogen bonding (HB) ferrocene-isophthalamide-(iodo)triazole receptors in solution and at self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Under diffusive conditions the sensory performance of the XB sensor was significantly superior. In molecular films the XB and HB binding motifs both display a notably enhanced, but similar, response to specific anions. Importantly, the enhanced response of these films is rationalised by a consideration of the (interfacial) dielectric microenvironment. These effects, and the resolved relationship between anion binding and signal transduction, underpin an improved fundamental understanding of anion sensing at redox-active interfaces which will benefit not just the development of more potent, real-life relevant, sensors but also new tools to study host–guest interactions at interfaces.

Surface enhancement effects in the sensing of anions at redox-active molecular films are investigated in detail and rationalised based on a consideration of the dielectric binding microenvironment.