Indirect influence of alkyl substituent on sigma-hole interactions: The case study of antimony(III) diphenyldithiophosphates with covalent Sb-S and non-covalent Sb⋯S pnictogen bonds

Involvement of Arsenic Atom of AsF3 in Five Pnicogen Bonds: Differences between X-ray Structure and Theoretical Models

Bonding within the AsF3 crystal is analyzed via quantum chemical methods so as to identify and quantify the pnicogen bonds that are present. The structure of a finite crystal segment containing nine molecules is compared with that of a fully optimized cluster of the same size. The geometries are qualitatively different, with a much larger binding energy within the optimized nonamer. Although the total interaction energy of a central unit with the remaining peripheral molecules is comparable for the two structures, the binding of the peripherals with one another is far larger in the optimized cluster. This distinction of much stronger total binding within the optimized cluster is not limited to the nonamer but repeats itself for smaller aggregates as well. The average binding energy of the cluster rises quickly with size, asymptotically approaching a value nearly triple that of the dimer.

An insight into triel bonds in O,O′-diarylphosphorodithioates of thallium(i): experimental and theoretical investigations

Two new thallium(i) compounds have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The existence of triel bonds in these compounds has been confirmed by HSA and DFT calculations using QTAIM and NCI plot index methods.

Insight into non-covalent interactions in two triamine-based mononuclear iron(iii) Schiff base complexes with special emphasis on the formation of Br⋯π halogen bonding

The nature and characteristics of noncovalent interactions that play important roles in the crystal packing of two iron(iii) complexes have been discussed.

Role of non-covalent interactions in the supramolecular architectures of mercury(ii) diphenyldithiophosphates: An experimental and theoretical investigation

The H-bond, spodium bond and CH⋯π interactions playing an important role in the supramolecular organization of two mercury(ii) diphenyldithiophosphate complexes have been discussed.

Coordination versus spodium bonds in dinuclear Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) complexes with a dithiophosphate ligand

Two new d10-metal dithiophosphate complexes have been synthesized in purely aqueous media and characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. DFT calculations, QTAIM and NCI Plot index methods are preformed to differentiate the coordination and spodium bonds in the complexes.

Tweaking the Charge Transfer: Bonding Analysis of Bismuth(III) Complexes with a Flexidentate Phosphane Ligand

To account for the charge transfer and covalent character in bonding between P and Bi centers, the electronic structures of [P(C6H4-o-CH2SCH3)3BiCln](3-n)+ (n = 0-3) model species have been investigated computationally. On the basis of this survey a synthetic target compound with a dative P→Bi bond has been selected. Consecutively, the highly reactive bismuth cage [P(C6H4-o-CH2SCH3)3Bi]3+ has been accessed experimentally and characterized. Importantly, our experiments (single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state NMR spectroscopy) and computations (NBO and AIM analysis) reveal that the P···Bi bonding in this trication can be described as a dative bond. Here we have shown that our accordion-like molecular framework allows for tuning of the interaction between P and Bi centers.

Coordination of a Central Atom by Multiple Intramolecular Pnicogen Bonds

A central pnicogen Z atom (Z = Sb, As) is covalently attached to the O atom of three -O(CH₂)_nX chains where X represents either an aldehyde or amine group. The chain can fold around so that the basic X group can engage in a noncovalent pnicogen bond with the central Z. The formation of up to three pnicogen bonds is energetically favored. The amine appears to engage in stronger pnicogen bonds than does the aldehyde, and bonds to Sb are favored over As, but there is little dependence on the length of the chain. The formation of each successive pnicogen bond reduces the magnitude of the σ-holes surrounding the Z atom, which tends to weaken the attraction for the basic end of the chain.

How Many Pnicogen Bonds can be Formed to a Central Atom Simultaneously?

A central ZF₃ molecule (Z = P, As, Sb, Bi) is allowed to interact with a number of nucleophiles exemplified by NCH, NH₃, and NC^– anion. The Z···N pnicogen bond (ZB) to a single base grows stronger for heavier Z atom: P < A < Sb < Bi and follows the NCH < NH₃ < NC^– order for the three bases. The maximum number of ZBs depends on both the nature of the base and pnicogen atom. PF₃ and AsF₃ can pnicogen bond with only a single CN^–; SbF₃ and BiF₃ can interact with two anions but only weakly. The weak NCH nucleophile can engage in a maximum of two ZBs, while three ZBs occur for NH₃. The latter NH₃ maximum can be extended to four ZBs but only for BiF₃. The fourth ZB is somewhat longer and weaker than the others, and the entire (H₃N)₄···BiF₃ complex relies partially on secondary interactions for its stability.