Halogen Bonding Between Anions: Association of Anion Radicals of Tetraiodo‐p‐benzoquinone with Iodide Anions

Halogen bonding between two negatively charged species, tetraiodo‐p‐benzoquinone anion radicals (I₄Q^?.) and iodide anions, was observed and characterized for the first time. X‐ray structural and EPR/UV–Vis spectral studies revealed that the anion–anion bonding led to the formation of crystals comprising 2D layers of I₄Q^?. anion radicals linked by iodides and separated by Et₄N⁺ counter‐ions. Computational analysis suggested that the seemingly antielectrostatic halogen bonds in these systems were formed via a combination of several factors. First, an attenuation of the interionic repulsion by the solvent facilitated close approach of the anions leading to their mutual polarization. This resulted in the appearance of positively charged areas (σ‐holes) on the surface of the iodine substituents in I₄Q^?. responsible for the attractive interaction. Finally, the solid‐state associations were also stabilized by multicenter (4:4) halogen bonding between I₄Q^?. and iodide.     

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.     

Comparison of non-covalent interactions and spectral properties in 1-methyl-3-methylthio-5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazinium mono- and tetraiodide crystals

The reaction of 1-methyl-3-methylthio-5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazinium (MTPT) iodide with diiodine in a solution leads to monoiodide crystal structure that in excess of iodine gives the unusual tetraiodide anion with two central iodine atoms in disorder. The bonding within the anion has been characterized as I^–…I₂…I^–; the existence of the bound iodine molecule inside has been proven by the characteristic band in experimental and calculated Raman spectra. Non-covalent interactions of MTPT in considered crystal structures are different. Monoiodide anion as a strong electron donor allows the formation of the S…I chalcogen bonds that are absent in tetraiodide structure. The features of halogen bonds within the I₄^2– anion are also performed.

     

Stabilizing Otherwise Unstable Anions with Halogen Bonding

Both hydrogen bonding (HB) and halogen bonding (XB) are essentially electrostatic interactions, but whereas hydrogen bonding has a well‐documented record of stabilizing unstable anions, little is known about halogen bonding's ability to do so. Herein, we present a combined anion photoelectron spectroscopic and density functional theory study of the halogen bond‐stabilization of the pyrazine (Pz) anion, an unstable anion in isolation due to its neutral counterpart having a negative electron affinity (EA). The halogen bond formed between the σ‐hole on bromobenzene (BrPh) and the lone pair(s) of Pz significantly lowers the energies of the Pz(BrPh)₁⁻ and Pz(BrPh)₂⁻ anions relative to the neutral molecule, resulting in the emergence of a positive EA for the neutral complexes. As seen through its charge distribution and electrostatic potential analyses, the negative charge on Pz⁻ is diluted due to the XB. Thermodynamics reveals that the low temperature of the supersonic expansion plays a key role in forming these complexes.     

Weak hydrogen and halogen bonding in 4‐[(2,2‐difluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide and 4‐[(3‐chloro‐2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide

To enable a comparison between a C—H…X hydrogen bond and a halogen bond, the structures of two fluorous‐substituted pyridinium iodide salts have been determined. 4‐[(2,2‐Difluoroethoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide, C₈H₁₀F₂NO⁺·I⁻, (1), has a –CH₂OCH₂CF₂H substituent at the para position of the pyridinium ring and 4‐[(3‐chloro‐2,2,3,3‐tetrafluoropropoxy)methyl]pyridinium iodide, C₉H₉ClF₄NO⁺·I⁻, (2), has a –CH₂OCH₂CF₂CF₂Cl substituent at the para position of the pyridinium ring. In salt (1), the iodide anion is involved in one N—H…I and three C—H…I hydrogen bonds, which, together with C—H…F hydrogen bonds, link the cations and anions into a three‐dimensional network. For salt (2), the iodide anion is involved in one N—H…I hydrogen bond, two C—H…I hydrogen bonds and one C—Cl…I halogen bond; additional C—H…F and C—F…F interactions link the cations and anions into a three‐dimensional arrangement.     

Hybrid Calixarene/Inorganic Salt/Diiodoperfluorocarbon Supramolecular Assemblies

1,3-Bis(α-picolyloxy)-p-tert-butylcalix[4]crown-5 in the cone conformation (2), 1,8-diiodoperfluorooctane or 1,6-diiodoperfluorohexane, and potassium iodide ternary mixtures undergo in solution self-sorting and afford crystalline “supramolecular salts”. These hybrid materials consist of supercation [K⁺ ? 2] and superanion [I–(CF₂) _n –I…I^? …I–(CF₂) _n –I…I^? …] (n = 6,8) components. In the supercations the potassium ion is embedded in the ionophoric pocket created by the heteroatoms present at the lower rim. In the superanions the iodide ions form infinite fluorous polyanionic chains as a result of a self-assembly process which relies on halogen bonding. Both cation encapsulation and anion-perfluorocarbon halogen bonding were detected in solution by ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR, and in the gas phase by ESI MS.     

Tris(1,9‐diethyl­adeninium) triiodide diiodide

X‐ray analysis of the title compound reveals three crystallographically distinct cations of 1,9‐diethyl­adeninium, two iodide anions and one triiodide anion in the asymmetric unit, giving six residues and the formula 3C₉H₁₄N₅⁺·I₃⁻·2I⁻. Standard purine nomenclature is used to identify the atoms of each adenine moiety. Hydrogen bonding is observed between atoms N6 and N7 of a pair of cations [N⋯N = 2.885 (4)/2.902 (3) and 2.854 (3)/2.854 (3) Å], with additional hydrogen bonding to I⁻ anions via the other N6 H atom [N⋯I = 3.708 (3), 3.738 (3) and 3.638 (3) Å]. The triiodide anion is not involved in hydrogen bonding. The bond lengths and angles of the 1,9‐diethyl­adeninium cations are compared with literature values and confirm the formation of the imine tautomer.     

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.     

Spectroscopic Measurement of a Halogen Bond Energy

Halogen bonding (XB) has emerged as an important bonding motif in supramolecules and biological systems. Although regarded as a strong noncovalent interaction, benchmark measurements of the halogen bond energy are scarce. Here, a combined anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) study of XB in solvated Br^? anions is reported. The XB strength between the positively‐charged σ‐hole on the Br atom of the bromotrichloromethane (CCl₃Br) molecule and the Br^? anion was found to be 0.63 eV (14.5 kcal mol^?1). In the neutral complexes, Br(CCl₃Br)_1,2, the attraction between the free Br atom and the negatively charged equatorial belt on the Br atom of CCl₃Br, which is a second type of halogen bonding, was estimated to have interaction strengths of 0.15 eV (3.5 kcal mol^?1) and 0.12 eV (2.8 kcal mol^?1).     

Hirshfeld and DFT analysis of the N‐heterocyclic carbene proligand methylenebis(N‐butylimidazolium) as the acetonitrile‐solvated diiodide salt

N‐Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) based systems are usually exploited in the exploration of catalytic mechanisms and processes in organocatalysis, and homo‐ and heterogeneous catalysis. However, their molecular structures have not received adequate attention. The NHC proligand methylenebis(N‐butylimidazolium) has been synthesized as the acetonitrile solvate of the diiodide salt, C₁₅H₂₆N₄²⁺·2I⁻·CH₃CN [1,1′‐methylenebis(3‐butylimidazolium) diiodide acetonitrile monosolvate], and fully characterized. An interesting cation–anion connection pattern has been identified in the crystal lattice, in which three iodide anions interact simultaneously with the cisoid‐oriented cation. A Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals the predominance of hydrogen bonding over anion–π interactions. This particular arrangement is observed in different methylene‐bridged bis(imidazolium) cations bearing chloride or bromide counter‐anions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations with acetonitrile as solvent reproduce the geometry of the title cation.     

An All‐Halogen Bonding Rotaxane for Selective Sensing of Halides in Aqueous Media

The synthesis and anion binding properties of the first rotaxane host system to bind and sense anions purely through halogen bonding, is described. Through a combination of polarized iodotriazole and iodotriazolium halogen bond donors, a three‐dimensional cavity is created for anion binding. This rotaxane incorporates a luminescent rhenium(I) bipyridyl metal sensor motif within the macrocycle component, thus enabling optical study of the anion binding properties. The rotaxane topology was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, demonstrating halogen bonding between the electrophilic iodine atoms and chloride anions. In 50 % H₂O/CH₃CN solvent mixtures the rotaxane host exhibits strong binding affinity and selectivity for chloride, bromide, and iodide over a range of oxoanions.     

Synthesis,Structures, and Properties of Crystalline Salts with Radical Anions of Metal‐Containing and Metal‐Free Phthalocyanines

Radical anion salts of metal‐containing and metal‐free phthalocyanines [MPc(3?)]^.?, where M=Cu^II, Ni^II, H₂, Sn^II, Pb^II, Ti^IVO, and V^IVO ( 1 – 10 ) with tetraalkylammonium cations have been obtained as single crystals by phthalocyanine reduction with sodium fluorenone ketyl. Their formation is accompanied by the Pc ligand reduction and affects the molecular structure of metal phthalocyanine radical anions as well as their optical and magnetic properties. Radical anions are characterized by the alternation of short and long C?N_imine bonds in the Pc ligand owing to the disruption of its aromaticity. Salts 1 – 10 show new bands at 833–1041 nm in the NIR range, whereas the Q‐ and Soret bands are blue‐shifted by 0.13–0.25 eV (38‐92 nm) and 0.04–0.07 eV (4–13 nm), respectively. Radical anions with Ni^II, Sn^II, Pb^II, and Ti^IVO have S=1/2 spin state, whereas [Cu^IIPc(3?)]^.? and [V^IVOPc(3?)]^.? containing paramagnetic Cu^II and V^IVO have two S=1/2 spins per radical anion. Central metal atoms strongly affect EPR spectra of phthalocyanine radical anions. Instead of narrow EPR signals characteristic of metal‐free phthalocyanine radical anions [H₂Pc(3?)]^.? (linewidth of 0.08–0.24 mT), broad EPR signals are manifested (linewidth of 2–70 mT) with g‐factors and linewidths that are strongly temperature‐dependent. Salt 11 containing the [Na^IPc(2?)]^? anions as well as previously studied [Fe^IPc(2?)]^? and [Co^IPc(2?)]^? anions that are formed without reduction of the Pc ligand do not show changes in molecular structure or optical and magnetic properties characteristic of [MPc(3?)]^.? in 1 – 10 .     

Crystal Engineering Using Polyiodide Halogen and Chalcogen Bonding to Isolate the Phenothiazinium Radical Cation and Its Rare Dimer, 10-(3-Phenothiazinylidene)phenothiazinium

Utilizing facile one-electron oxidation of 10H-phenothiazine by molecular diiodine, the solid-state structure of the 10H-phenothiazinium radical cation was obtained in three cation:iodide ratios, as well as its THF and acetone solvates. Oxidation of 10H-phenothiazine with molecular diiodine in DMSO or DMF provided the structure of the radical coupling product 10-(3-phenothiazinyldene)phenothiazinium, which has not been crystallographically characterized to date. The radical cations were balanced by a mixture (I₇)⁻, (I₅)⁻, (I₃)⁻, and I⁻ anions, where a variety of chalcogen, halogen, and hydrogen bonding interactions stabilize the structures to reveal these interesting cationic species.     

Reactions of (Nonafluorocyclohexen-1-yl)xenon(II) Hexafluoroarsenate with Halide Anions

The products of the reaction between the electrophilic alkenylxenonium cation [1-Xe⁺–C₆F₉] and the halide anions I^?, Br^?, Cl^? and F^? depend on the hardness of the halide anion. With the soft halides I^? and Br^? Xe(II) is formally displaced by halogen as well in basic MeCN as in superacidic (AHF¹), whereas with hard fluoride and chloride no reaction takes place in AHF. In MeCN F^? initiates the formation of alkenyl radicals, which abstract hydrogen from the solvent, whereas Cl^? exhibits borderline character: RH and RCl formation. Possible reaction paths are discussed. The reactivity of the arylxenonium cation [C₆F₅Xe]⁺ in AHF toward halide ions is reported and the relative electrophilicity of the cations [C₆F₅Xe]⁺ and [1-Xe⁺–C₆F₉] is determined by the competitive reaction with Cl^?. In addition the synthesis of cyclohexene 1-CF₃–C₆F₉ from C₆F₅CF₃ and XeF₂ is performed and its electrophilicity is compared with that of the aromatic compound C₆F₅CF₃.     

Charge-Assisted Halogen Bonding in an Ionic Cavity of a Coordination Cage Based on a Copper(I) Iodide Cluster

The design of molecular containers capable of selectively binding specific guest molecules presents an interesting synthetic challenge in supramolecular chemistry. Here, we report the synthesis and structure of a coordination cage assembled from Cu₃I₄⁻ clusters and tripodal cationic N-donor ligands. Owing to the localized permanent charges in the ligand core the cage binds iodide anions in specific regions within the cage through ionic interactions. This allows the selective binding of bromomethanes as secondary guest species within the cage promoted by halogen bonding, which was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Nontypical iodine–halogen bonds in the crystal structure of (3E)‐8‐chloro‐3‐iodomethylidene‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,4‐oxazino[2,3,4‐ij]quinolin‐4‐ium triiodide

Two kinds of iodine–iodine halogen bonds are the focus of our attention in the crystal structure of the title salt, C₁₂H₈ClINO⁺·I₃⁻, described by X‐ray diffraction. The first kind is a halogen bond, reinforced by charges, between the I atom of the heterocyclic cation and the triiodide anion. The second kind is the rare case of a halogen bond between the terminal atoms of neighbouring triiodide anions. The influence of relatively weakly bound iodine inside an asymmetric triiodide anion on the thermal and Raman spectroscopic properties has been demonstrated.     

Effect of Hydrogen Binding on Selective Recognition of Halide Anions

The interplay of molecular rigidity enforced by interior or exterior hydrogen bonding and affinity for binding halide anions is described to demonstrate the effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in anion recognition process. To this end pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamides 1 and 2 , and aromatic oligoamides 3 and 4 containing intramolecular hydrogen bonds were explored for their ability in associating with tetrabutylammonium halide (Cl^?, Br^?, and I^?). Binding constants in chloroform solution were calculated using nonlinear curve‐fitting method based on ¹H NMR titration experiments. The trimeric amide 3 , which adopts a crescent conformation as revealed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, strongly binds chloride anion with binding constant as high as 379 L·mol^?1. This is more than 6 times greater than the binding constant for the control receptor 2 with a backbone that is only partially rigidified. The comparative data provided supportive information for rationalizing the observed affinity difference in binding halide anions in terms of local preorganization effected by interior or exterior hydrogen bonding.     

Two‐Dimensional Networks of [AuCl4]– and [AuBr4]– Anions

Several salts of protonated amines and aza‐aromatics with [AuCl₄]^– and [AuBr₄]^– anions contain two‐dimensional (“square”) anionic networks that display short halogen ··· halogen contacts. The Au₄ quadrilaterals formed by neighboring anions of the networks are to a good approximation squares, with sides of around 7.5 Å for tetrachloridoaurates and 8 Å for tetrabromidoaurates.     

Crystalline Anions Based on Classical N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

Herein, the first stable anions K[SIPr^Bp] ( 4 a-K ) and K[IPr^Bp] ( 4 b-K ) (SIPr^Bp=BpC{N(Dipp)CH₂}₂, IPr^Bp=BpC{N(Dipp)CH}₂; Bp=4-PhC₆H₄; Dipp=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) derived from classical N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) (i.e. SIPr and IPr) have been isolated as violet crystalline solids. 4 a-K and 4 b-K are prepared by KC₈ reduction of the neutral radicals [SIPr^Bp] ( 3 a ) and [IPr^Bp] ( 3 b ), respectively. The radicals 3 a and 3 b as well as [Me-IPr^Bp] 3 c (Me-IPr^Bp=BpC{N(Dipp)CMe}₂) are accessible as crystalline solids on treatment of the respective 1,3-imidazoli(ni)um bromides (SIPr^Bp)Br ( 2 a ), (IPr^Bp)Br ( 2 b ), and (Me−IPr^Bp)Br ( 2 c ) with KC₈. The cyclic voltammograms of 2 a–2 c exhibit two one-electron reversible redox processes in −0.5 to −2.5 V region that correspond to the radicals 3 a–3 c and the anions ( 4 a–4 c )⁻. Computational calculations suggest a closed-shell singlet ground state for ( 4 a–4 c )⁻ with the singlet-triplet energy gap of 17–24 kcal mol⁻¹.