Halogen Bonding Propensity in Solution: Direct Observation and Computational Prediction

The Geometry and Nature of C─I···O─N Interactions in Perfluoroiodobenzene-Pyridine N-oxide Halogen-Bonded Complexes

The N─Oxide oxygen in the 111 C─I···⁻O─N+ halogen bond (XB) complexes, formed by five perfluoroiodobenzene XB donors and 32 pyridine N-oxides (PyNO) XB acceptors, exhibits three XB modes: bidentate, tridentate, and monodentate. Their C─I···O XB angles range from 148° to 180°, reflecting the iodine σ-hole's structure-guiding influence. The I···⁻O─N+ angles range from 87° to 152°. On the contrary, the I···⁻O─N+ angles have a narrower range from 107° to 125° in stronger monodentate N─I···⁻O─N+ XBs of N-iodoimides and PyNOs. The C─I···⁻O─N+ systems exhibit a larger variation in I···⁻O─N+ angles due to weaker XB donor perfluoroiodoaromatics forming weak I···O XBs, which allows wider access to electron-rich N-O group regions. Density Functional Theory analysis shows that I···O interactions are attractive even when the I···⁻O─N+ angle is ≈80°. Correlation analysis of structural parameters showed that weak I···O XBs in perfluoroiodobenzene-PyNO complexes affect the C─I bond via n(O)→σ*(C─I) donation less than the N─I bond via n(O)→σ*(N─I) donation in very strong I···O XBs of N-iodoimide-PyNO complexes. This implies that PyNOs' oxygen self-tunes its XB acceptor property, dependent on the XB donor σ-hole strength affecting the bonding denticity, geometry, and interaction energies.

Relation between Halogen Bond Strength and IR and NMR Spectroscopic Markers

The relationship between the strength of a halogen bond (XB) and various IR and NMR spectroscopic quantities is assessed through DFT calculations. Three different Lewis acids place a Br or I atom on a phenyl ring; each is paired with a collection of N and O bases of varying electron donor power. The weakest of the XBs display a C-X bond contraction coupled with a blue shift in the associated frequency, whereas the reverse trends occur for the stronger bonds. The best correlations with the XB interaction energy are observed with the NMR shielding of the C atom directly bonded to X and the coupling constants involving the C-X bond and the C-H/F bond that lies ortho to the X substituent, but these correlations are not accurate enough for the quantitative assessment of energy. These correlations tend to improve as the Lewis acid becomes more potent, which makes for a wider range of XB strengths.

Programmable and Self-Healable Liquid Crystal Elastomer Actuators Based on Halogen Bonding

Shape-changing polymeric materials have gained significant attention in the field of bioinspired soft robotics. However, challenges remain in versatilizing the shape-morphing process to suit different tasks and environments, and in designing systems that combine reversible actuation and self-healing ability. Here, we report halogen-bonded liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) that can be arbitrarily shape-programmed and that self-heal under mild thermal or photothermal stimulation. We incorporate halogen-bond-donating diiodotetrafluorobenzene molecules as dynamic supramolecular crosslinks into the LCEs and show that these relatively weak crosslinks are pertinent for their mechanical programming and self-healing. Utilizing the halogen-bonded LCEs, we demonstrate proof-of-concept soft robotic motions such as crawling and rolling with programmed velocities. Our results showcase halogen bonding as a promising, yet unexplored tool for the preparation of smart supramolecular constructs for the development of advanced soft actuators.

Factors contributing to halogen bond strength and stretch or contraction of internal covalent bond

The halogen bond formed by a series of Lewis acids TF₃X (T = C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb; X = Cl, Br, I) with NH₃ is studied by quantum chemical calculations. The interaction energy is closely mimicked by the depth of the σ-hole on the X atom as well as the full electrostatic energy. There is a first trend by which the hole is deepened if the T atom to which X is attached becomes more electron-withdrawing: C > Si > Ge > Sn > Pb. On the other hand, larger more polarizable T atoms are better able to transmit the electron-withdrawing power of the F substituents. The combination of these two opposing factors leaves PbF₃X forming the strongest XBs, followed by CF₃X, with SiF₃X engaging in the weakest bonds. The charge transfer from the NH₃ lone pair into the σ*(TX) antibonding orbital tends to elongate the covalent TX bond, and this force is largest for the heavier X and T atoms. On the other hand, the contraction of this bond deepens the σ-hole at the X atom, which would enhance both the electrostatic component and the full interaction energy. This bond-shortening effect is greatest for the lighter X atoms. The combination of these two opposing forces leaves the T-X bond contracting for X = Cl and Br, but lengthening for I.

Halogen-bonded shape memory polymers

Halogen bonding (XB), a non-covalent interaction between an electron-deficient halogen atom and a Lewis base, is widely adopted in organic synthesis and supramolecular crystal engineering. However, the roadmap towards materials applications is hindered by the challenges in harnessing this relatively weak intermolecular interaction to devise human-commanded stimuli-responsive soft materials. Here, we report a liquid crystalline network comprising permanent covalent crosslinks and dynamic halogen bond crosslinks, which possess reversible thermo-responsive shape memory behaviour. Our findings suggest that I···N halogen bond, a paradigmatic motif in crystal engineering studies, enables temporary shape fixation at room temperature and subsequent shape recovery in response to human body temperature. We demonstrate versatile shape programming of the halogen-bonded polymer networks through human-hand operation and propose a micro-robotic injection model for complex 1D to 3D shape morphing in aqueous media at 37 °C. Through systematic structure-property-performance studies, we show the necessity of the I···N crosslinks in driving the shape memory effect. The halogen-bonded shape memory polymers expand the toolbox for the preparation of smart supramolecular constructs with tailored mechanical properties and thermoresponsive behaviour, for the needs of, e.g., future medical devices.

An accurate vibrational signature in halogen bonded molecular crystals

The far infrared (FIR) and Raman fingerprints of the halogen bond in two representative 1D halogen bonded networks based on the recognition of TFIB, tetrafluorodiiodobenzene, with piperazine or azopyridine, have been accurately identified. It was demonstrated that the signature of the halogen bonding in the solid state, especially the N⋯I signal can be simply and directly evidenced in the far infrared region. The DFT theoretical calculations identified the N⋯I interaction in the molecular crystals and allowed estimation of the corresponding energies and distances of the involved halogen bonds, in accordance with the cristallographic data.

Influence of Substituents in the Benzene Ring on the Halogen Bond of Iodobenzene with Ammonia

The effects on the CI··N halogen bond between iodobenzene and NH3 of placing various substituents on the phenyl ring are monitored by quantum calculations. Substituents R = N(CH3)2, NH2, CH3, OCH3, COCH3, Cl, F, COH, CN, and NO2 were each placed ortho, meta, and para to the I. The depth of the σ-hole on I is deepened as R became more electron-withdrawing which is reflected in a strengthening of the halogen bond, which varied between 3.3 and 5.5 kcal/mol. In most cases, the ortho placement yields the largest perturbation, followed by meta and then para, but this trend is not universal. Parallel to these substituent effects is a progressive lengthening of the covalent C-I bond. Formation of the halogen bond reduces the NMR chemical shielding of all three nuclei directly involved in the C-I··N interaction. The deshielding of the electron donor N is most closely correlated with the strength of the bond, as is the coupling constant between I and N, so both have potential use as spectroscopic measures of halogen bond strength.