Novel C[sbnd]X⋯π halogen bonds in complexes of acetylene and its derivatives of Na and MPH3 (M = Cu, Ag, Au) with XCCF (X = Cl, Br, I)

Abstract

Ab initio calculations have been carried out for a variety of model systems with a T-shaped CX⋯π motif. The CX⋯π interaction of acetylene with the halogen donor molecule XCCF (X=Cl, Br, I) is invariably found to be weak with the interaction energy less than 11kJ/mol in magnitude. Substitution of the two protons in acetylene with more electron-donating sodium atoms increases the π electron density in the CC bond and leads to a substantial enhancement in its interaction with the halogen donor. The calculated interaction energies increase to as much as 73kJ/mol in the case of C2Na2-ICCF. The interaction of XCCF with a model coinage metal ethynide, H3PMCCMPH3 (M=Cu, Ag, Au), is intermediate between these two extremes, and the interaction energy is related to the nature of coinage metals. The CX⋯π halogen bonds have been analyzed with natural bond orbital, atoms in molecules, and energy decomposition.