Influence of the Li⋅⋅⋅π Interaction on the H/X⋅⋅⋅π Interactions in HOLi⋅⋅⋅C6H6⋅⋅⋅HOX/XOH (X=F,Cl, Br,I) Complexes

The influences of the Li???π interaction of C₆H₆???LiOH on the H???π interaction of C₆H₆???HOX (X=F, Cl, Br, I) and the X???π interaction of C₆H₆???XOH (X=Cl, Br, I) are investigated by means of full electronic second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory calculations and “quantum theory of atoms in molecules” (QTAIM) studies. The binding energies, binding distances, infrared vibrational frequencies, and electron densities at the bond critical points (BCPs) of the hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds prove that the addition of the Li???π interaction to benzene weakens the H???π and X???π interactions. The influences of the Li???π interaction on H???π interactions are greater than those on X???π interactions; the influences of the H???π interactions on the Li???π interaction are greater than X???π interactions on Li???π interaction. The greater the influence of Li???π interaction on H/X???π interactions, the greater the influences of H/X???π interactions on Li???π interaction. QTAIM studies show that the intermolecular interactions of C₆H₆???HOX and C₆H₆???XOH are mainly of the π type. The electron densities at the BCPs of hydrogen bonds and halogen bonds decrease on going from bimolecular complexes to termolecular complexes, and the π‐electron densities at the BCPs show the same pattern. Natural bond orbital analyses show that the Li???π interaction reduces electron transfer from C₆H₆ to HOX and XOH.     

Sapphyrin Supramolecules through C−H⋅⋅⋅S and C−H⋅⋅⋅Se Hydrogen Bonds—First Structural Characterization of meso- Arylsapphyrins Bearing Heteroatoms

An unprecedented coupling reaction of heteroatom-containing tripyrranes leads to the formation of core-modified sapphyrins 1 and 2 , which self-assemble in the solid state to form supramolecular ladders. Weak C−H⋅⋅⋅S and C−H⋅⋅⋅Se hydrogen-bonding interactions in addition to C−H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bonds are responsible for the observed structures.     

Torsional and Electronic Factors Control the C−H⋅⋅⋅O Interaction

The precise role of non‐conventional hydrogen bonds such as the C?H???O interaction in influencing the conformation of small molecules remains unresolved. Here we survey a series of β‐turn mimetics using X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with quantum calculation, and conclude that favourable torsional and electronic effects are important for the population of states with conformationally influential C?H???O interactions. Our results also highlight the challenge in attempting to deconvolute a myriad of interdependent noncovalent interactions in order to focus on the contribution of a single one. Within a small molecule that is designed to resemble the complexity of the environment within peptides and proteins, the interplay of different steric burdens, hydrogen‐acceptor/‐donor properties and rotational profiles illustrate why unambiguous conclusions based solely on NMR chemical shift data are extremely challenging to rationalize.     

Cooperativity between the Dihydrogen Bond and the N⋅⋅⋅HC Hydrogen Bond in LiH–(HCN)n Complexes

The cooperativity between the dihydrogen bond and the N???HC hydrogen bond in LiH–(HCN)_n (n=2 and 3) complexes is investigated at the MP2 level of theory. The bond lengths, dipole moments, and energies are analyzed. It is demonstrated that synergetic effects are present in the complexes. The cooperativity contribution of the dihydrogen bond is smaller than that of the N???HC hydrogen bond. The three‐body energy in systems involving different types of hydrogen bonds is larger than that in the same hydrogen‐bonded systems. NBO analyses indicate that orbital interaction, charge transfer, and bond polarization are mainly responsible for the cooperativity between the two types of hydrogen bonds.     

Catalysis Based on C−I⋅⋅⋅π Halogen Bonds: Electrophilic Activation of 2‐Alkenylindoles by Cationic Halogen‐Bond Donors for [4+2] Cycloadditions

Homo‐ and cross‐[4+2] cycloadditions of 2‐alkenylindoles, catalyzed by cationic halogen‐bond donors, were developed. Under mild reaction conditions, 3‐indolyl‐substituted tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields. Experimental and quantum calculation studies revealed that the electrophilic activation of 2‐alkenylindoles was achieved by C?I???π halogen bonds.     

Columnar Stacking of Partially Fluorinated [4]Helicenes: C−H⋅⋅⋅F Interactions Change the Stacking Orientation

The partial fluorination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons often produces a layered crystal packing, where fluorinated aromatic surfaces are stacked over nonfluorinated aromatic surfaces. Herein, we report the synthesis and crystal packing of partially fluorinated [4]helicenes with steric congestion resulting from H and F atoms in the fjord region. F₆‐[4]Helicene forms head‐to‐tail columnar stacks consisting of an alternate arrangement of perfluorinated and nonfluorinated naphthalene moieties. With decreasing fluorine content, aromatic stacking switched from arene?fluoroarene (Ar^H?Ar^F) hetero‐stacking to Ar^H?Ar^H/Ar^F?Ar^F homo‐stacking with the help of intermolecular C?H???F contacts in the fjord region. As a result, head‐to‐head columnar stacks appear. Therefore, the conventional Ar^H?Ar^F stacking motif is not always applicable to F_n‐[4]helicenes with twisted π‐surfaces.     

From para‐Benziporphyrin to Rhodium(III) 21‐Carbaporphyrins: Imprinting Rh⋅⋅⋅η2‐CC,Rh⋅⋅⋅η2‐CO,and Rh⋅⋅⋅η2‐CH Coordination Motifs

Rhodium(III) para‐benziporphyrin alters the fundamental reactivity of the built‐in para‐phenylene moiety. Due to additional macrocyclic stabilization, a sequence of intramolecular rearrangements are triggered to afford rhodium(III) 21‐carbaporphyrin, which incorporates the rhodacyclopropane motif. The peculiar reversible transformations of the bridging methylene unit provide an example of selective and reversible aliphatic C?H bond elimination. Rhodium(III) 21‐carbaporphyrin can be oxygenated to rhodium(III) 21‐oxy‐21‐carbaporphyrin, whereas the metal ion interacts with the C(21)?O(25) fragment in an η² fashion. This species demonstrates a remarkable axial affinity toward alkenes.     

Solvent‐Dependent Dihydrogen/Dihydride Stability for [Mo(CO)(Cp*)H2(PMe3)2]+[BF4]− Determined by Multiple Solvent⋅⋅⋅Anion⋅⋅⋅Cation Non‐Covalent Interactions

Low‐temperature (200 K) protonation of [Mo(CO)(Cp*)H(PMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) by Et₂O ? HBF₄ gives a different result depending on a subtle solvent change: The dihydrogen complex [Mo(CO)(Cp*)(η²‐H₂)(PMe₃)₂]⁺ ( 2 ) is obtained in THF, whereas the tautomeric classical dihydride [Mo(CO)(Cp*)(H)₂(PMe₃)₂]⁺ ( 3 ) is the only observable product in dichloromethane. Both products were fully characterised (ν_CO IR; ¹H, ³¹P, ¹³C NMR spectroscopies) at low temperature; they lose H₂ upon warming to 230 K at approximately the same rate (ca. 10^?3 s^?1), with no detection of the non‐classical form in CD₂Cl₂, to generate [Mo(CO)(Cp*)(FBF₃)(PMe₃)₂] ( 4 ). The latter also slowly decomposes at ambient temperature. One of the decomposition products was crystallised and identified by X‐ray crystallography as [Mo(CO)(Cp*)(FH???FBF₃)(PMe₃)₂] ( 5 ), which features a neutral HF ligand coordinated to the transition metal through the F atom and to the BF₄^? anion through a hydrogen bond. The reason for the switch in relative stability between 2 and 3 was probed by DFT calculations based on the B3LYP and M05‐2X functionals, with inclusion of anion and solvent effects by the conductor‐like polarisable continuum model and by explicit consideration of the solvent molecules. Calculations at the MP4(SDQ) and CCSD(T) levels were also carried out for calibration. The calculations reveal the key role of non‐covalent anion–solvent interactions, which modulate the anion–cation interaction ultimately altering the energetic balance between the two isomeric forms.     

OH⋅⋅⋅N and CH⋅⋅⋅O Hydrogen Bonds Control Hydration of Pivotal Tropane Alkaloids: Tropinone⋅⋅⋅H2O Complex

The effect of monohydration in equatorial/axial isomerism of the common motif of tropane alkaloids is investigated in a supersonic expansion by using Fourier‐transform microwave spectroscopy. The rotational spectrum reveals the equatorial isomer as the dominant species in the tropinone???H₂O complex. The monohydrated complex is stabilized primarily by a moderate O?H???N hydrogen bond. In addition, two C?H???O weak hydrogen bonds also support this structure, blocking the water molecule and avoiding any molecular dynamics in the complex. The water molecule acts as proton donor and chooses the ternary amine group over the carbonyl group as a proton acceptor. The experimental work is supported by theoretical calculations; the accuracy of the B3LYP, M06‐2X, and MP2 methods is also discussed.     

[N⋅⋅⋅I+⋅⋅⋅N] Halogen‐Bonded Dimeric Capsules from Tetrakis(3‐pyridyl)ethylene Cavitands

Two [N???I⁺???N] halogen‐bonded dimeric capsules using tetrakis(3‐pyridyl)ethylene cavitands with different lower rim alkyl chains are synthesized and analyzed in solution and the gas phase. These first examples of symmetrical dimeric capsules making use of the iodonium ion (I⁺) as the main connecting module are characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), and ion mobility‐mass spectrometry (TW‐IMS) experiments. The synthesis and effective halogen‐bonded dimerization proceeds through analogous dimeric capsules with [N???Ag⁺???N] binding motifs as the intermediates as evidenced by the X‐ray structures of (CH₂Cl₂)₂@[ 3 a ₂?Ag₄?(H₂O)₂?OTs₄] and (CH₂Cl₂)₂@[ 3 a ₂?Ag₄?(H₂O)₄?OTs₄], two structurally different capsules.