The intramolecular hydrogen bonded-halogen bond: a new strategy for preorganization and enhanced binding

Natural and synthetic molecules use weak noncovalent forces to preorganize structure and enable remarkable function. Herein, we introduce the intramolecular hydrogen bonded-halogen bond (HB-XB) as a novel method to preorganize halogen bonding (XBing) molecules, while generating a polarization-enhanced XB. Positioning a fluoroaniline between two iodopyridinium XB donors engendered intramolecular hydrogen bonding (HBing) to the electron-rich belt of both XB donors. NMR solution studies established the efficacy of the HB-XB. The receptor with HB-XBs (G2XB) displayed a nearly 9-fold increase in halide binding over control receptors. Gas-phase density functional theory conformational analysis indicated that the amine stabilizes the bidentate conformation. Furthermore, gas-phase interaction energies showed that the bidentate HB-XBs of G2XBme2+ are more than 3.2 kcal mol-1 stronger than the XBs in a control without the intramolecular HB. Additionally, crystal structures confirm that HB-XBs form tighter contacts with I- and Br- and produce receptors that are more planar. Collectively the results establish the intramolecular HB-XB as a tractable strategy to preorganize XB molecules and regulate XB strength.

Cooperative and substitution effects in enhancing the strength of fluorine bonds by anion−π interactions

In this work, the cooperative effects between anion−π and fluorine bond interactions are studied by ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-311++G** level. Cooperative effects are observed in complexes in which anion−π and fluorine bond interactions coexist. For each complex, the shortening of the binding distance in the fluorine bond is more prominent than that in the anion−π bond. Favorable cooperativity energies are found with values that range between –0.51 and –0.76 kcal/mol. The atoms in molecules and molecular electrostatic potential analyses are carried out for these complexes to understand the nature of anion−π and fluorine bond interactions and the origin of the cooperativity.

Synergistic and diminutive effects between halogen bond and lithium bond in complexes involving aromatic compounds

Quantum chemical calculations have been performed to study the interplay between halogen bond and lithium bond in the ternary systems FX-C6H5CN-LiF, FLi-C6H5CN-XF, and FLi-C6H5X-NH3 (X = Cl, Br, and I) involving aromatic compounds. This effect was studied in terms of interaction energy, electron density, charge transfer, and orbital interaction. The results showed that both FX-C6H5CN-LiF and FLi-C6H5CN-XF exhibit diminutive effects with the weakening of halogen bond and lithium bond, while FLi-C6H5X-NH3 displays synergistic effects with the strengthening of halogen bond and lithium bond. The nature of halogen bond and lithium bond in the corresponding binary complexes has been unveiled by the quantum theory of atoms in molecules methodology and energy decomposition analysis.

Cooperative interaction between hydrogen bond and N···Y interactions (Y = H, Li, F, Cl, and Br): a comparative study

A comparative ab initio study is performed to investigate the cooperativity between the N···H hydrogen bond and the N···Y interactions in XCN···HCN···YCN complexes, where X = H, F, and Y = H, Li, F, Cl, and Br. To understand the properties of the systems better, the corresponding dimers are also studied. It is found that the lithium bond has a larger influence on the hydrogen bond than vice versa. The shortening of the N···H distances in the trimers is dependent on the strength of the H···Y interactions and they become larger in the order lithium bond > hydrogen bond > halogen bond. The estimated values of cooperative energy Ecoop are all negative with much larger Ecoop in absolute value for the systems including lithium.

Halogen bond interactions enhanced by sodium bonds — Theoretical evidence for cooperative and substitution effects in NCX···NCNa···NCY complexes (X = F, Cl, Br, I; Y = H, F, OH)

Quantum chemical calculations are performed to study cooperativity and substituent effects between halogen bond and sodium bond interactions in NCX···NCNa···NCY complexes, where X = F, Cl, Br, I and Y = H, F, OH. These effects are studied in terms of equilibrium geometry, interaction energy, 15N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters, and electron density analysis of the complexes at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level. The X···N and Na···N bond lengths in the ternary systems are always shorter than those in the corresponding dyads. In each triad, the decrease in the halogen bond length is far greater than that of the sodium bond. In all triads studied, a favorable cooperativity is found with values that range between –0.30 and –1.72 kcal/mol. It is revealed that NMR parameters at the site of the nitrogen atom of the NCNa molecule can be regarded as a good description to quantify the degree of cooperative effects in the NCX···NCNa···NCY systems. The nature of halogen bond and sodium bond interactions of the complexes is analyzed using parameters derived from the quantum theory of atoms in molecules methodology and energy decomposition analysis.

Hydrogen and halogen bonds are ruled by the same mechanisms

Hydrogen and halogen bonds are compared on the basis of ab initio calculations performed for complexes linked through these interactions. The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and the Natural Bond Orbitals (NBO) method are applied for a deeper understanding of the nature of interactions. Both interactions are ruled by the same effects of hyperconjugation and rehybridization. In general for both kinds of interactions the same processes of the electron charge redistribution being the result of complexation are observed. As a consequence similar characteristics are also observed for the hydrogen and halogen bonds for example the increase of the positive charge of the atom being in contact with the Lewis base (hydrogen and chlorine or bromine for complexes analyzed here) and the decrease of its volume as a result of the complex formation. The halogen bond is enhanced by the charge assistance, similarly to the hydrogen bond.