Charge‐Shift Bonding: A New and Unique Form of Bonding

Charge‐shift bonds (CSBs) constitute a new class of bonds different than covalent/polar‐covalent and ionic bonds. Bonding in CSBs does not arise from either the covalent or the ionic structures of the bond, but rather from the resonance interaction between the structures. This Essay describes the reasons why the CSB family was overlooked by valence‐bond pioneers and then demonstrates that the unique status of CSBs is not theory‐dependent. Thus, valence bond (VB), molecular orbital (MO), and energy decomposition analysis (EDA), as well as a variety of electron density theories all show the distinction of CSBs vis‐à‐vis covalent and ionic bonds. Furthermore, the covalent–ionic resonance energy can be quantified from experiment, and hence has the same essential status as resonance energies of organic molecules, e.g., benzene. The Essay ends by arguing that CSBs are a distinct family of bonding, with a potential to bring about a Renaissance in the mental map of the chemical bond, and to contribute to productive chemical diversity.     

Metal-metal quadruple bonds: New frontiers for their kith and kin

The entire range of compounds related to, as weil as including those containing, quadruple bonds between metal atoms is reviewed, briefly and historically, and some prospects for future work are considered.     

Catalysis with Pnictogen,Chalcogen, and Halogen Bonds

Halogen‐ and chalcogen‐based σ‐hole interactions have recently received increased interest in non‐covalent organocatalysis. However, the closely related pnictogen bonds have been neglected. In this study, we introduce conceptually simple, neutral, and monodentate pnictogen‐bonding catalysts. Solution and in silico binding studies, together with high catalytic activity in chloride abstraction reactions, yield compelling evidence for operational pnictogen bonds. The depth of the σ holes is easily varied with different substituents. Comparison with homologous halogen‐ and chalcogen‐bonding catalysts shows an increase in activity from main group VII to V and from row 3 to 5 in the periodic table. Pnictogen bonds from antimony thus emerged as by far the best among the elements covered, a finding that provides most intriguing perspectives for future applications in catalysis and beyond.     

Ternary Complexes Stabilized by Chalcogen and Alkaline-Earth Bonds: Crucial Role of Cooperativity and Secondary Noncovalent Interactions

High-level G4 calculations show that the strength of chalcogen interactions is enhanced dramatically if chalcogen compounds simultaneously form alkaline-earth bonds. This phenomenon is studied by exploring binary YX₂⋅⋅⋅N-Base complexes and two types of ternary MCl₂⋅⋅⋅YX₂⋅⋅⋅N-Base, YX₂⋅⋅⋅N-Base⋅⋅⋅MCl₂ complexes, in which YX₂ is a chalcogen compound (Y=S, Se; X=F, Cl), the N-Bases are sp, sp², and sp³ bases (NCH, HN=CH₂, NH₃), and MCl₂ are alkaline-earth BeCl₂ or MgCl₂ derivatives. Starting from the chalcogen-bonded complexes YX₂⋅⋅⋅NH₃ and YX₂⋅⋅⋅HN=CH₂, the binding site of a new incoming alkaline-earth bond is found, surprisingly, to depend on the nature of the halogen atom attached to the chalcogen. For the YF₂ binary complexes the association site is the F atom of the YF₂ subunit, whereas for YCl₂ it is the N atom of the nitrogen base. Regarding YX₂⋅⋅⋅NCH complexes, N is the most favorable site for an alkaline-earth interaction in ternary complexes, regardless of which YX₂ derivative is used. The explanation relies on the interplay of all the noncovalent interactions involved: the strong cooperativity between chalcogen and alkaline-earth bonds, and the appearance of secondary noncovalent interactions in the form of hydrogen bonds.     

Lithium Bonds in Lithium Batteries

Lithium bonds are analogous to hydrogen bonds and are therefore expected to exhibit similar characteristics and functions. Additionally, the metallic nature and large atomic radius of Li bestow the Li bond with special features. As one of the most important applications of the element, Li batteries afford emerging opportunities for the exploration of Li bond chemistry. Herein, the historical development and concept of the Li bond are reviewed, in addition to the application of Li bonds in Li batteries. In this way, a comprehensive understanding of the Li bond in Li batteries and an outlook on its future developments is presented.     

The interaction strength of intermolecular systems formed by NaH⋯2(HF) and NaH⋯4(HF): Hydrogen bonds,dihydrogen bonds and halogen–hydride bonds

In this paper, a theoretical study of the molecular properties of NaH⋯2(HF) and NaH⋯4(HF) complexes is reported. Based on MP2/6-311++G(d,p) calculations, the dihydrogen bonds (H⋯H), hydrogen bonds (F⋯H) and halogen-hydride bonds (F⋯Na) of these intermolecular systems were fully characterized. The characterization involved the following procedures: the examination of structural parameters, analysis of vibration modes such as frequencies shifted to red or blue in the infrared spectrum, modeling of the electronic topology, quantification of the cooperative energy followed by charge transfer and, finally, natural bond orbital analysis. The results show short intermolecular distances with high electronic density, while the stretch frequencies of the proton donors and acceptors are unusually shifted, and some values reach 1000 cm⁻¹. When all subunits of the complexes are taken into account, in this case the NaH and HF molecules, the high value for the strength of the H⋯H dihydrogen bond in NaH⋯2(HF) suggests the formation of an additional subpart, i.e., the H₂ molecule.     

Coordination‐directed and Hydrogen‐bonded Assembly of Supramolecular Architectures Constructed from Diverse Coordination of Linear,Triangular, Tetragonal Pyramid,Trigonal Bipyramid,and Octahedral Mononuclear Units

Reaction of a imidazole phenol ligand 4‐(imidazlo‐1‐yl)phenol (L) with 3d metal salts afforded four complexes, namely, [Ni(L)₆] · (NO₃)₂ ( 1 ), [Cu(L)₄(H₂O)] · (NO₃)₂ · (H₂O)₅ ( 2 ), [Zn(L)₄(H₂O)] · (NO₃)₂ · (H₂O) ( 3 ), and [Ag₂(L)₄] · SO₄ ( 4 ). All complexes are composed of monomeric units with diverse coordination arrangements and corresponding anions. All the hydroxyl groups of monomeric cations are used as hydrogen‐bond donors to form O–H ··· O hydrogen bonds. However, the coordination habit of different metal ions produces various supramolecular structures. The Ni^II atom shows octahedral arrangement in 1 , featuring a 3D twofold inclined interpenetrated network through O–H ··· O hydrogen bond and π–π stacking interaction. The Cu^II atom of 2 displays square pyramidal environment. The O–H ··· O hydrogen bond from the [Cu(L)₄(H₂O)]²⁺ cation and lattice water molecule as well as π–π stacking produce one‐dimensional open channels. NO₃^– ions and lattice water molecules are located in the channels. 3 is a 3D supramolecular network, in which Zn^II has a trigonal bipyramid arrangement. Two different rings intertwined with each other are observed. The Ag^I in 4 has linear and triangular coordination arrangements. The mononuclear units are assembled into a 1D chain by hydrogen bonding interaction from coordination units and SO₄^2– anions.     

The Impact of Halogen Substituents on the Synthesis and Structure of Co-Crystals of Pyridine Amides

Strategies for co-crystal synthesis tend to employ either hydrogen- or halogen-bonds between different molecules. However, when both interactions are present, the structural influence that they may exert on the resulting assembly is difficult to predict a priori. To shed some light on this supramolecular challenge, we attempted to co-crystallize ten aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (co-formers) with three groups of target molecules; N-(pyridin-2-yl)picolinamides (2Pyr-X), N-(pyridin-2-yl)nicotinamides (3Pyr-X), N-(pyridin-2-yl)isonicotinamides (4Pyr-X); X=Cl/ Br/ I. The structural outcomes were compared with co-crystals prepared from the non-halogenated targets. As expected, none of the reactions with 2Pyr-X produced co-crystals due to the presence of a very stable intramolecular N-H···N hydrogen bond. In the 3Pyr series, all six structures obtained showed the same synthons, –COOH···N(py) and –COOH···N(py)-NH, that were found in the non-halogenated parent 3Pyr and were additionally accompanied by structure directing X···O(OH) interactions (X=Br/I). The co-crystals of the unhalogenated parent 4Pyr co-crystals assembled via intermolecular –COOH···N(py) and –COOH···N(py)-NH synthons. Three of the analogues 4Pyr-X co-crystals displayed only COOH···N(py) and –COOH···N(py)-NH interactions. The three co-crystals of 4Pyr-X with fumaric acid (for which no analogues structures with 4Pyr are known) formed –COOH···N(py)-NH and –NH···O=C hydrogen bonds and showed no structure-directing halogen bonds. In three co-crystals of 4Pyr-I in which –COOH···N(py)-NH hydrogen bond was present, a halogen-bond based –I···N(py) synthon replaced the –COOH···N(py) motif observed in the parent structures. The structural influence of the halogen atoms increased in the order of Cl < Br < I, as the size of σ-holes increased. Finally, it is noteworthy that isostructurality among structures of the homomeric targets was not translated to structural similarities between their respective co-crystals.     

Preparing Gold(I) for Interactions with Proton Donors: The Elusive [Au]⋅⋅⋅HO Hydrogen Bond

MP2 and DFT calculations with correlation consistent basis sets indicate that isolated linear anionic dialkylgold(I) complexes form moderately strong (ca. 10 kcal mol^?1) Au???H hydrogen bonds with single H₂O molecules as donors in the absence of sterically demanding substituents. Relativistic effects are critically important in the attraction. Such bonds are significantly weaker in neutral, strong σ‐donor N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes (ca. 5 kcal mol^?1). The overall association (>11 kcal mol^?1), however, is strengthened by co‐operative, synergistic classical hydrogen bonding when the NHC ligands bear NH units. Further manipulation of the interaction by ligands positioned trans to the carbene, is possible.     

Halogen-Bonded Liquid Crystals

While the halogen bond has been recognised and studied for over a hundred years, it is only in more recent times that chemists have begun to apply it and see its possibilities as another supramolecular interaction that can be deployed in the preparation of materials. This review takes one of those areas, liquid crystals, and considers examples of motifs that have been deployed successfully to generate new mesogens. In particular, rather than attempting to be comprehensive, the article reviews critically data from well-characterised systems and seeks to first make some comparisons with analogous hydrogen-bonded materials, before considering how the lability and flexibility of the halogen bond expresses itself in liquid crystal behaviour.     

超高真空环境下有机分子表面化学反应的研究进展

超高真空（ultra-high vacuum,UHV）环境下的表面化学反应是构筑二维（two-dimensional,2D）功能纳米材料的重要方法,近年来,已经引起越来越多研究者的关注.本综述介绍了近几年来有机分子表面化学反应的几种主要类型,如有机金属配位反应、脱卤反应、脱氢环化、缩聚反应、炔烃偶合等,以及利用超高真空扫描隧道显微镜（STM）等测试手段对反应过程以及所形成的精细结构进行分析,特别是反应后结构中分子的连接方式,如有机金属配位键,C-C键,以及氢键等.     

Computational Study of spx(x=1–3)-Hybridized Be−Be Bonds Stabilized by Amidinate Ligands

Complexes containing odd-electron Be−Be bonds are still rare until now. Hereby, a series of neutral di-beryllium amidinate complexes containing a Be−Be bond were explored theoretically. The complexes with direct chelation with the Be₂ dimer by the bidentate amidinate (AMD) ligands are always corresponding to their global minimum structures. The detailed bonding analyses reveal that the localized electrons of the Be−Be fragment can be adjusted by the amount of AMD ligands because each AMD ligand only takes one electron from the Be₂ fragment. Meanwhile, the hybridization of the central Be atom also changes as the number of AMD ligands increases. In particular, the sp³-hybridized single-electron Be−Be bond is firstly identified in the tri-AMD-ligands-chelated neutral D_3h- Be₂(AMD)₃ complex, which also possesses the higher stability compared to its monoanionic D_3h- Be₂(AMD)₃ ⁻ and monocationic C₃- Be₂(AMD)₃ ⁺ analogues. Importantly, our study provides a new approach to obtain a neutral odd-electron Be−Be bond, namely by the use of radical ligands through side-on chelation.     

Chalcogen Bond Involving Zinc(II)/Cadmium(II) Carbonate and Its Enhancement by Spodium Bond

Carbonate MCO₃ (M = Zn, Cd) can act as both Lewis acid and base to engage in a spodium bond with nitrogen-containing bases (HCN, NHCH₂, and NH₃) and a chalcogen bond with SeHX (X = F, Cl, OH, OCH₃, NH₂, and NHCH₃), respectively. There is also a weak hydrogen bond in the chalcogen-bonded dyads. Both chalcogen and hydrogen bonds become stronger in the order of F > Cl > OH > OCH₃ > NH₂ > NHCH₃. The chalcogen-bonded dyads are stabilized by a combination of electrostatic and charge transfer interactions. The interaction energy of chalcogen-bonded dyad is less than −10 kcal/mol at most cases. Furthermore, the chalcogen bond can be strengthened through coexistence with a spodium bond in N-base-MCO₃-SeHX. The enhancement of chalcogen bond is primarily attributed to the charge transfer interaction. Additionally, the spodium bond is also enhanced by the chalcogen bond although the corresponding enhancing effect is small.     

Theoretical Study of the Interplay between Lithium Bond and Hydrogen Bond in Complexes Involved with HLi and HCN

The lithium‐ and hydrogen‐bonded complex of HLi? NCH? NCH is studied with ab initio calculations. The optimized structure, vibrational frequencies, and binding energy are calculated at the MP2 level with 6‐311++G(2d,2p) basis set. The interplay between lithium bonding and hydrogen bonding in the complex is investigated with these properties. The effect of lithium bonding on the properties of hydrogen bonding is larger than that of hydrogen bonding on the properties of lithium bonding. In the trimer, the binding energies are increased by about 19 % and 61 % for the lithium and hydrogen bonds, respectively. A big cooperative energy (?5.50 kcal mol^?1) is observed in the complex. Both the charge transfer and induction effect due to the electrostatic interaction are responsible for the cooperativity in the trimer. The effect of HCN chain length on the lithium bonding has been considered. The natural bond orbital and atoms in molecules analyses indicate that the electrostatic force plays a main role in the lithium bonding. A many‐body interaction analysis has also been performed for HLi? (NCH)_N (N=2–5) systems.     

Dicarboxylic Acid Separation by Dynamic and Size‐Matched Recognition in Solution and in the Solid State

Bis(trimethylammonium) alkane diiodides dynamically encapsulate dicarboxylic acids through intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the I^? anions of the hosts and the carboxylic OH groups of the guests. A selective recognition is realized when the size of the I^????HOOC(CH₂/CF₂)_nCOOH???I^? superanion matches the dication alkyl chain length. Dynamic recognition is also demonstrated in solution, where the presence of the size‐matching organic salt boosts the acid solubility profile, thus allowing efficient mixture separation.     

Synthesis and properties of room-temperature self-healing polyurethane elastomers

Two kinds of polyurethane elastomers were synthesized. One containing acylhydrazone bonds was named TPIA. The other containing both acylhydrazone and disulfide bonds was named TPID. Self-repairable ability and reprocessability of these two elastomers were studied. The results show that: The polyurethane elastomer TPIA can automatically repair damage to it under acidic conditions. After self-healing for 24 h, the strength and the elongation value at break recovered to 32% and 55% of the originality, respectively. The polyurethane elastomer TPID can automatically repair damage to it under visible light at room temperature. After 24 h of self-healing time, 75% of the original strength and 100% of the original elongation values at break were obtained. These two polyurethane elastomers can be reprocessed in their cured state by just applying temperature and pressure.     

Retention of long-chain acetylenic hydrocarbons on non-polar stationary phases

The retention indices of methyl and trimethylsilyl esters of octadeca-, eicosa- and tricosa-ynoic fatty acids containing acetylenic bonds were measured on non-polar stationary phase (dimethylsilicone with 5% phenyl groups). An unusually large increase in retention is observed for compounds containing conjugated and methylene interrupted acetylenic bonds. The additional increase in retention index as a result of the presence of one conjugated acetylenic bond is roughly equivalent to the retention increase caused by lengthening of the hydrocarbon chain for one carbon atom. The increase in retention for methylene interrupted bonds constitutes approximately 50% increase for conjugated triple bonds. A further increase in interruption substantially decreases the effect. Based on available literature data and the results of this work, the contributions of conjugated acetylenic and olefinic bonds, and methylene interrupted acetylenic bonds to retention were estimated.     

Hydrogen bonding: How much anharmonicity?

In moderately strong hydrogen bonds, hydrogen bond formation increases the anharmonicity constant of the high frequency stretching vibration, significantly but not dramatically. This increase tends to increase with the strength of the hydrogen bond. The main cause of the fine structure and breadth of this band is, however, coupling with both the low frequency stretching and bending vibrations of the bridge, despite the smallness of the coupling constants. Second–order perturbation theory is sufficient to interpret the observed frequencies in the case of moderately strong hydrogen bonds. HCNHF, O–H:O, O–H:N, and N–H:N hydrogen bonds are considered.