Valence Shell Charge Concentration Research Articles

Insight into the Bonding and Aggregation of Alkyllithiums by Experimental Charge Density Studies and Energy Decomposition Analyses.

In this Article, the organolithiums [((-)-sparteine)LitBu] (1), [(ABCO)LitBu]2 (2), and [(ABCO)2(LiiPr)4] (3) are investigated by means of experimental and theoretical charge density determination to elucidate the nature of the Li-C and Li-N bonds. Furthermore, the valence shell charge concentrations (VSCCs) in the nonbonding region of the deprotonated Cα-atom will provide some insight on the localization of the carbanionic lone pair. Analysis of the electron density (ρ(rBCP)), Laplacian (∇2ρ(rBCP)), and the energy decomposition (EDA) confirmed that the Li-C/N bond exhibits astonishingly similar characteristics, to reveal an increasingly polar contact with decreasing aggregate size. This explains former observations on the incorporation of halide salts in organolithium reagents. Furthermore, it could be shown that the bonding properties of the iPr group are similar to those of the tBu substituent. The accuracy of fit to all previously determined properties in organolithiums is remarkable.

Unmasking the Mechanism of Structural Para- to Ferroelectric Phase Transition in (NH4)2SO4.

New nontoxic and biocompatible ferroelectric materials are a subject undergoing intense study. One of the most promising research branches is focused on H-bonded organic or hybrid ferroelectrics. The engineering of these materials is based on mimicking the phase transition mechanisms of the well-known inorganic ferroelectrics. In our study, a coupled experimental and theoretical methodology was used for a precise investigation of the ferroelectric phase transition mechanism in ammonium sulfate (AS). A series of single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements were performed in the temperature range between 273 and 163 K. The detailed inspection of the obtained static structural data, in the above-mentioned temperature range, allowed us to reveal dynamical effects at the ferroelectric phase transition. Accurate analysis of all geometrical features within the obtained crystal structures was carried out. The results were discussed in the view of previously discovered physical properties. X-ray studies were complemented by the use of quantum theory of atoms in molecules calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis. Valence shell charge concentration analysis allowed us to find the subtle changes between charge density distribution within SO42- in para- and ferroelectric phases. H-bond interactions, geometrically classified in both AS phases, were all confirmed by the appropriate critical points. The interaction energies were estimated for the structures at 273, 233, 213, 183, and 163 K. Correlation between the geometrical approach and the results of theoretical calculations enabled us to discover the differences in interaction equilibrium between the AS phases. The mechanism of the phase transition originates from the disruption of the vibrational lattice mode between sulfate anions. Our studies resolved the problem, which was under discussion for more than 60 years.

Charge density analysis of metformin chloride, a biguanide anti-hyperglycemic agent

The experimental charge density analysis of the anti-hyperglycemic agent metformin chloride with high-resolution X-ray diffraction data at low temperature (100 K) has been performed and these experimental results were compared with that derived from the corresponding periodic theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G** level of theory. The experimental and theoretical multipolar charge-density analyses of metformin chloride have been accomplished in order to understand its structural and electronic properties. The C and N atoms of the molecular backbone adopt a near trigonal geometry due to the occurrence of extensive delocalization/resonance of C—N bonds, as confirmed by topological analysis and also found by Natural Resonance Theory calculations performed in the isolated metformin cation. The molecule contains six C—N bonds and the topological bond order analysis shows that four bonds have bond orders close to 4/3 and two bonds can be considered as single. The analysis of numerical parameters of the valence shell charge concentration reports that the N3 atom, which forms two bonds with C atoms, possesses one non-bonding valence-shell charge concentration (VSCC) in the direction of the electron lone pair. Among the intermolecular interactions of the chloride atom with the H—C and H—N atoms, eight have been found to be shorter than the sum of van der Waals radii. The analysis of contacts on the Hirshfeld surface reveals that the H—N...Cl hydrogen bonds are enriched (over-represented) and act as the driving force in the crystal packing formation. The metformin cations form favorable electrostatic interactions with the chloride anions which have globally a stronger energy than the unfavorable cation/cation interactions.

Synthesis and oxidation of phosphine cations.

Cationic phosphines of the form [(L)PPh2]+ are prepared by reaction of Ph2PCl with carbenes (L) including a chiral bis(oxazoline)-based carbene, a cyclic(alkyl)(amino) carbene (cAAC), and a 1,2,3-triazolium-derived carbene, affording the products, [(IBox-iPr2)PPh2][OSO2CF3] 1, [(cAAC)PPh2][OSO2CF3] 2 and [((TripCH2N2(NMe)C2Ph)PPh2)2(AgCl)2][Cl]23. Using PhPCl2, the related dication [CH2(NC3H2NDipp)2PPh]2+4 was also prepared. Crystallographically-determined metric parameters and computational data indicate that these species are best described as cationic phosphines rather than phosphenium cations. The oxidation of these cations with XeF2 afforded [(IBox-iPr2)PF2Ph2][OSO2CF3] 5, [(cAAC)PF2Ph2][OSO2CF3] 6 and [(TripCH2N2(NMe)C2Ph)PF2Ph2][Cl] 7; 4 was not oxidized. These observations are understood by a computational assessment of the average local ionisation potentials at valence shell charge concentrations identified via topological analysis of the electron density.

Roots of Acetate-Vanadium Linkage Isomerism: A QTAIM Study.

The possibility of linkage isomerism in a number of vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) complexes with acetate was surveyed using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Bader's Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM). The results show that vanadium-acetate linkages may be classified as bidentate symmetrical, bidentate asymmetrical, or monodentate, the latter being observed in about 40% of the cases. These latter ones correspond to situations where the two oxygen atoms of the acetate moiety are not equivalent. They are associated with an energy penalty of about 263 kJ·mol(-1), as determined by the distribution of the scaled kinetic energy of the atomic basins forming the acetate ligand. In the presence of bidentate symmetrical vanadium-acetate linkages, the inner valence-shell charge concentrations on the vanadium atom deviate from the traditional VSEPR-derived arrangement, with an energy penalty of about 780 kJ·mol(-1). A compromise situation is partially accomplished in the case of bidentate asymmetrical linkages, which allow a Gillespiean-like arrangement of the inner valence-shell charge concentrations. In this case, one of these local charge concentrations lies close to a V-OAcO bond, which slightly disrupts the equivalence between the two oxygen atoms in the acetate ligand.

Comparison of halogen bonds in M-X⋯N contacts (M = C, Si, Ge and X = Cl, Br).

The halogen bonds (XB) formed between some Si-X- and Ge-X- (X is Cl and Br) containing molecules and NCH (as a Lewis base) have been investigated and compared with C-X⋯N halogen bond. Although, in all cases, the existence of a positive electrostatic potential (σ-hole) along the extension of M-X was responsible for halogen bond formation, multipole expansion of electrostatic potential reveals that these positive potentials originate from different atomic multipole moments. Indeed, in addition to the monopole moment of M atoms, the quadrupole moment of X in C-X molecules, the dipole moment of the halogen in Si-X molecules and both the dipole and quadrupole moments of X in Ge-X molecules are mainly responsible for the existence of the σ-hole along the extension of the M-X bond. From a different point of view, the distribution of the Laplacian of electron density shows that all the studied M-X⋯N halogen bonds can be regarded as "lump-hole" interactions; a region of charge depletion (hole) in the valence shell charge concentration (VSCC) of the halogen atom interacts with a region of charge concentration (lump) in the VSCC of nitrogen and forms a halogen bond. On the other hand, interacting quantum atoms (IQA) analysis of atomic energies indicates that, in contrast to C-X⋯N contacts, in which the interaction between halogen and nitrogen is attractive, there is a net repulsive interaction between X and N in Si-X⋯N and Ge-X⋯N complexes. Indeed, the attraction between Si/Ge and nitrogen is mainly responsible for the formation of these halogen bonds.

Lewis acid behavior of SF4 : synthesis, characterization, and computational study of adducts of SF4 with pyridine and pyridine derivatives.

Sulfur tetrafluoride was shown to act as a Lewis acid towards organic nitrogen bases, such as pyridine, 2,6-dimethylpyridine, 4-methylpyridine, and 4-dimethylaminopyridine. The SF4 ⋅NC5 H5 , SF4 ⋅2,6-NC5 H3 (CH3 )2 , SF4 ⋅4-NC5 H4 (CH3 ), and SF4 ⋅4-NC5 H4 N(CH3 )2 adducts can be isolated as solids that are stable below -45 °C. The Lewis acid-base adducts were characterized by low-temperature Raman spectroscopy and the vibrational bands were fully assigned with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The electronic structures obtained from the DFT calculations were analyzed by the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM). The crystal structures of SF4 ⋅NC5 H5 , SF4 ⋅4-NC5 H4 (CH3 ), and SF4 ⋅4-NC5 H4 N(CH3 )2 revealed weak SN dative bonds with nitrogen coordinating in the equatorial position of SF4 . Based on the QTAIM analysis, the non-bonded valence shell charge concentration on sulfur, which represents the lone pair, is only slightly distorted by the weak dative SN bond. No evidence for adducts between quinoline or isoquinoline with SF4 was found by low-temperature Raman spectroscopy.

Does Fluorine Participate in Halogen Bonding?

When R is sufficiently electron withdrawing, the fluorine in the R-F molecules could interact with electron donors (e.g., ammonia) and form a noncovalent bond (F⋅⋅⋅N). Although these interactions are usually categorized as halogen bonding, our studies show that there are fundamental differences between these interactions and halogen bonds. Although the anisotropic distribution of electronic charge around a halogen is responsible for halogen bond formations, the electronic charge around the fluorine in these molecules is spherical. According to source function analysis, F is the sink of electron density at the F⋅⋅⋅N BCP, whereas other halogens are the source. In contrast to halogen bonds, the F⋅⋅⋅N interactions cannot be regarded as lump-hole interactions; there is no hole in the valence shell charge concentration (VSCC) of fluorine. Although the quadruple moment of Cl and Br is mainly responsible for the existence of σ-holes, it is negligibly small in the fluorine. Here, the atomic dipole moment of F plays a stabilizing role in the formation of F⋅⋅⋅N bonds. Interacting quantum atoms (IQA) analysis indicates that the interaction between halogen and nitrogen in the halogen bonds is attractive, whereas it is repulsive in the F⋅⋅⋅N interactions. Virial-based atomic energies show that the fluorine, in contrast to Cl and Br, stabilize upon complex formation. According to these differences, it seems that the F⋅⋅⋅N interactions should be referred to as "fluorine bond" instead of halogen bond.

Quantum Topology of the Charge Density of Chemical Bonds. QTAIM Analysis of the C-Br and O-Br Bonds

The present study aims to explore the quantum topological features of the electron density and its Laplacian of the understudied molecular bromine species involved in ozone depletion events. The characteristics of the C-Br and O-Br bonds have been analyzed via quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis using the wave functions computed at the B3LYP/aug-cc-PVTZ level of theory. Quantum topology analysis reveal that the C-Br and O-Br bonds show depletion of charge density indicating the increased ionic character of these bonds. Contour plots and relief maps have been analyzed for regions of valence shell charge concentrations (VSCC) and depletions (VSCD) in the ground state.

Chemical bonding in a linear chromium metal string complex.

A combined experimental and theoretical electron density study of the shortest trichromium metal wire, Cr3(dpa)4Cl2·(C2H5OC2H5)(x)(CH2Cl2)(1-x) (1, dpa = bis(2-pyridyl)amido), is reported. High resolution X-ray diffraction data has been collected both at 100 K using a conventional X-ray source (DS1) and at 15 K using a synchrotron X-ray source (DS2). The linear chromium string is terminated by Cl(-) ions at both ends, and each Cr atom is also coordinated by four N atoms from bridging dpa ligands. The two Cr-Cr bond distances are unequal at 100 K (with d(Cr1-Cr2) being 0.029 Å shorter than d(Cr2-Cr3)) but at 15 K they are almost equal (0.002 Å difference). Analysis of the slightly elongated thermal ellipsoids of the Cr2 atom suggests that it is not due to disorder, but the presence of a shallow potential energy surface. Laplacian maps clearly show local valence shell charge concentration (VSCC) in the electron density along the bisector of the equatorial Cr-N bonds. Integration over the atomic basins indicates that Cr2 has smaller atomic charge and volume than Cr1 and Cr3. The topological characterization of the Cr-Cr bonds indicates partly covalent characters with electron density at the bond critical point of ∼0.3 e Å(-3) and negative total energy density. The delocalization index of Cr-Cr is 0.8 for Cr1-Cr2 and 0.08 for Cr1-Cr3. Second-order perturbation analysis shows high stabilization energy of the Cr-Cr bonds (E(2) ∼ 190 kcal mol(-1)). Delocalization indices and source function and natural bond orbital analyses are all indicative of localized Cr-Cr bonding interactions.

N···I halogen bonding interactions: influence of Lewis bases on their strength and characters.

Halogen bonding (XB) as an emerging noncovalent interaction, due to its highly directional and devisable properties, has given rise to considerable interest for constructing supramolecular assemblies. In this work, the newly developed density functional M06-2X calculations and the quantum theory of "atoms in molecules" (QTAIM) studies were carried out on a series of N···I halogen bonding to investigate the influence of Lewis bases (XB acceptors) on the XB. For the Lewis base C6-nH6-nNn (n = 1, 2, 3), with the increasing number of nitrogen atom in the aromatic ring, the most negative electrostatic potentials (VS,min) outside the nitrogen atom becomes less negative and the XB becomes weaker. The positive cooperativity exists in the Y(-)-C6H5N···C6F5I, Y(-)-C4H4N2···C6F5I, and Y(-)-C3H3N3···C6F5I (Y(-) = Cl(-), Br(-), I(-)) termolecular complexes: the H bond or anion-π interactions have the ability to enhance the N···I halogen bond and vice versa. With the addition of halogen anions to the XB acceptor, the XB become more covalent, more electronic charge transfer from the XB acceptors to donors, the XB acceptors become more energetically stabilized and XB donors become more destabilized, and the atomic volume attraction of both the nitrogen and iodine atoms become more obvious. From the view of the Laplacian of electron density function, for the XB acceptor, the reactivity zone is the region of valence shell charge concentration (VSCC), where it is a (3, -3) critical point (CP) and referred to as a lump, thus the XB interaction can be classified as a lump-hole interaction. The more negative VS,min outside the nitrogen atom, the stronger the XB, resulting in the greater distance between the (3, -3) CP and the nitrogen nucleus.

Charge Density and Chemical Bonding in Inorganic Materials

Since the theoretical prediction and experimental verification of Charge Concentrations (CCs) in the valence shell of main group elements and transition metals several attempts have been undertaken to understand their origin and relevance in chemistry and physics. In pioneering studies we could demonstrate that these CCs not only influence the geometry of coordination compounds and solids but also serve as controlling parameters for important chemical reactions like the activation of chemical bonds in catalytic reactions [1]. Furthermore, in covalent solids such as transition metal oxides and carbides they appear to signal even subtle electron localization phenomena which might induce metal-to-insulator transitions or effect the onset of superconductivity [2]. The complex interplay between valence shell charge concentrations and chemical properties of molecules and solids will be the central topic of this contribution with the focus on (i) unusual bonding scenarios displayed by solid state compounds [3] and the (ii) control of geometry and bond activation processes in molecules.

Charge density study of the first mixed-valent tetraphosphete

The first λ3,λ5-tetraphosphete contains a 4π-electron four-membered ring as the central structural unit of a dispirocyclic system and can thus be classified as an analogue to diphosphetes and cyclodiphosphazenes. According to its crystal structure the central P4unit exhibits not only P–P bonds which are of equal length (P1–P2 2,139(1) Å, P1–P2A 2,142(1) Å), but also rhombic distortion (P1–P2–P1A 79,4(1)0, P2–P1–P2A 100,6(1)0).[1] Therefore its electronic structure cannot be described as 'Phosphacyclobutadiene' but either as a bis(ylide) or as a system with delocalized double bonds. After various quantum chemical calculations and an extensive examination of its reaction and coordination behavior failed to answer this question, we addressed the problem via a detailed analysis of its charge density distribution. The experimental charge density based on high resolution X-ray diffraction data collected at low temperature is determined by multipole least squares refinement using the program packageXD2006.[2] In a first step, the static deformation density exhibits charge density which is located mainly outside of the P4ring plane at the λ3-phosphorus atoms but simultaneously redistributed into the P–P bond area. In addition to that, a study of its topological properties and an inspection of the Laplacian of the electron density according to Bader's `Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules' (QTAIM)[3] further highlight the bonding features. They reveal polar Si–N, Si–C and P–N bonds with a decreasing amount of electrostatic contribution as well as four valence shell charge concentrations (thus sp3hybridization) at each of the phosphorus atoms. Finally supported by theoretical calculations, the results illustrate the unique bonding situation in the P4unit combining a high ylidic character with unusual not exclusively sigma-like P–P bonds.

Computational study on the vinyl azide decomposition.

The decomposition mechanism of vinyl azide (CH2CHN3) has been studied by calculations of the electronic structure. In addition, a study based on the topology of the electron charge density distribution and its Laplacian function, within the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), has been carried out with the aim of comprehending the electron redistribution mechanisms that take place in the formation of vinyl nitrenes. The electronic structure calculations reveal that the decomposition of the s-cis conformer of vinyl azide leads to the formation of ketenimine through a single-step conversion, s-cis-CH2CHN3 → CH2CNH + N2, while the conversion of the s-trans conformer to acetonitrile occurs in two steps, s-trans-CH2CHN3 → cyc-CH2NCH + N2 → CH3CN + N2. The topological analysis of the L(r) function reveals that triplet vinyl nitrene has one lone pair on the valence shell charge concentration (VSCC) of nitrogen and thus could act as a monodentate Lewis base, while singlet vinyl nitrene has two lone pairs on the VSCC of nitrogen and thus could act as a bidentate Lewis base.

Charge Density Analysis and Bond Characterization of 3d‐Transition Metal Complexes

AbstractChemical bond, which makes molecules from independent atoms, is a very important concept in understanding the molecular behavior. Bond characterization is therefore becoming ever needed for predicting the physical and chemical properties of the molecule and the material. Combined experimental and molecular orbital calculation studies have been used for such purpose in terms of deformation density distribution, natural bond orbital analysis and the topological analysis on the total electron density. These analyses provide not only the distribution of density accumulation and density depletion, but also the information such as bond order, bond type etc. Atom domain in molecule or compound can be defined uniquely. Therefore the combined quantum mechanical calculation and high resolution X‐ray crystallography studies will be extremely useful for characterizing the chemical bond precisely. Bonding in 3d‐transition metal complexes is a major topic in coordination chemistry. The complexity of the 3d orbital splittings subjected in the ligand field is well known and this makes the bonding characterization more interesting and challenging. Charge density analysis on a series of Cr compounds, which contain a Cr‐L multiple bond, will be presented. Detail characterization of Cr‐nitrido, ‐oxo, ‐imido, ‐carbyne and ‐carbene bonds will be described. Metal squarates of late 3d transition elements have been investigated systematically. The valence shell charge concentration (VSCC) around metal ion will be demonstrated by the Laplacian topology, which provides the physical basis for the Lewis structure and valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR). The metal‐metal bond is extremely important for metal clusters; the metal‐metal quintuple bond is rare and a detail analysis will be described. Electronic configurations of the 3d metal ion play important role in coordination chemistry; taking the advantage of the x‐ray absorption spectroscopy available in synchrotron radiation facility, the exact electronic configuration can be monitored. The great recent improvements on both experiment and theory have made the charge density analysis more accessible to even more complicated system, for example, the excited state or the meta‐stable states.

Pnicogen Bonds: A Theoretical Study Based on the Laplacian of Electron Density

Although, most of the authors classify the pnicogen bonds as σ-hole bonding, there are some evidence that show they do not require any positive electrostatic potential around interacting molecules. In this work, the Laplacian of electron density is used to study pnicogen bonds in different dimer and trimer complexes. It is shown that the noncovalent P···P, P···N, and N···N bonds can be categorized as lump-hole interactions; a region of charge depletion and excess kinetics energy (hole) in the valence shell charge concentration (VSCC) of pnicogen atom combines with a region of charge concentration and excess potential energy (lump) in the VSCC of another molecule and form a pnicogen bond. In fact, since the full quantum potential (according to the local statement of virial theorem) has been used in the definition of the Laplacian, the lump-hole concept is more useful than the σ-hole in which the electrostatic part of potential is only considered. It is shown that the existence of hole in the VSCC of pnicogen atom is responsible for formation and (in the absence of other interactions) geometry of pnicogen bonded complexes. Because there is (at least) one hole in their VSCC, the pnicogen atoms in PH3, PH2F, H2C═PH, H2C═PF, and NH2F can engage in direct pnicogen-pnicogen interactions. However, the VSCC of nitrogen atom in the NH3 is devoid of hole and hence cannot act as an electron acceptor in pnicogen-bonded complexes.

Chemical Bond Characterization of a Mixed-Valence Tri-Cobalt Complex, Co3(μ-admtrz)4(μ-OH)2(CN)6·2H2O

Charge density study of a mixed-valence tri-cobalt compound, Co3(μ-admtrz)4(μ-OH)2(CN)6·2H2O (1) (admtrz = 3,5-dimethyl-4-amino-1,2,4-triazole), is investigated based on high resolution X-ray diffraction data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The molecular structure of this compound contains three cobalt atoms in a linear fashion, where two terminal ones are Co(III) at a low-spin (LS) state and a central one is Co(II) at a high-spin (HS) state with a total spin quantum number, S(total), of 3/2. It is centrosymmetric with the center of inversion located at the central Co atom (Co2). The Co2 ion is linked with each terminal cobalt (Co1) ion through two μ-admtrz ligands and a μ-OH ligand in a CoN4O2 coordination, where the Co1 is bonded additionally to three CN ligands with CoN2OC3 coordination. The combined experimental and theoretical charge density study identifies the different characters of two types of cobalt ions; more pronounced charge concentration and depletion features in the valence shell charge concentration (VSCC) are found in the Co(III) ion than in the Co(II) ion, and d-orbital populations also show the difference. According to topological properties associated with the bond critical point (BCP), the Co1-C(N) bond is the strongest among all the Co-ligand bonds in this compound; the Co-O is stronger than Co-N bond. Again Co1-O is stronger than Co2-O, so as the Co1-N being stronger than Co2-N bond. The electronic configuration of each type of Co atom is further characterized through magnetic measurement, Co-specific X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES), and X-ray emission spectra (XES).

On the Control Parameters of the Quasi‐One Dimensional Superconductivity in Sc3CoC4

AbstractWithin the series of ternary rare‐earth transition metal carbides Sc3TC4 (T = Fe, Co, Ni) only the Co congener displays a structural phase transition at 72 K and an onset of bulk superconductivity at 4.5 K. In this paper we present the results of a detailed analysis of the structural, electronic, and vibrational properties of the low‐temperature phase of Sc3CoC4 that represents one of the few well‐documented examples of a quasi one‐dimensional (1D) superconductor. Variable temperature neutron powder diffraction and low temperature X‐ray diffraction experiments were performed in order to confirm the subtle structural distortions during the phase transition. The results of periodic electronic structure calculations indicate, that the structural transition can clearly be identified as a Peierls‐type distortion and by a comparison with the isostructural carbide Sc3FeC4 we are able to identify the chemical, electronic, and the vibrational control parameters of the transition. Topological analyses of the electron density distribution and of the valence shell charge concentrations at the cobalt atom finally allow us to directly correlate the changes in the electronic structure due to the Peierls transition in reciprocal space with the according subtle changes in the real space properties of Sc3CoC4.

Heteroaromaticity approached by charge density investigations and electronic structure calculations

In this paper we present the results of a high-resolution single crystal X-ray diffraction experiment at 15 K on a benzothiazol-substituted phosphane and a subsequent charge density study based on multipole refinement and a topological analysis according to Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules. Although two valence shell charge concentrations (VSCCs) in the non-bonding region of each phosphorus and sulfur atom were found, the integration of both heteroatomic basins emphasizes charge depletion. Nevertheless they are attractive for C-H···P and C-H···S hydrogen bonding in the solid state. The nature of the P-C bonds and the question of aromaticity in the heterocycles were subject to our investigations. The ellipticities along the bonds were analysed to approach delocalization. The source function is employed to visualise atomic contributions to aromaticity. Theoretical calculations have been carried out to compute nuclear chemical shifts, induced ring currents and a variety of delocalization indices. All applied measures for delocalization point in the same direction: while heteroaromaticity is present in the benzothiazolyl substituents, the bridging P-C bonds are only involved marginally, almost preventing total conjugation of the phosphane. The charge density distributions around the phosphorus and the sulfur atoms have very similar features but turn out to be chemically very different from each other. Commonly used simplifying concepts have difficulties in providing a comprehensive view on the electronic situation in the molecule. Our results raise doubts on the validity of the common interpretation of VSCCs as one-to-one representations of Lewis lone pairs.

Charge Density Analysis and Topological Properties of Hal3-Synthons and Their Comparison with Competing Hydrogen Bonds

Trimers based on intermolecular halogen-bonding interactions (Hal3-synthons) have been studied in hexachlorobenzene, hexabromobenzene, pentachlorophenol, and pentabromophenol. Attention is paid to the comparison of Cl3- and Br3-synthons and to their competition with hydrogen bonds (HBs), based on the experimental and theoretical charge density analyses in crystal and gas phases. The main differences between Cl3- and Br3-synthons are established coming from the particular structure of the valence shell charge concentration region in Cl and Br atoms. Electrophilic–nucleophilic interactions take place within the intermolecular regions of Hal3-synthons by putting face-to-face charge depletion (CD) and charge concentration (CC) regions belonging to the valence shell of the halogen atoms. The electrostatic interaction follows the electrophilic and nucleophilic power of these regions and is monitored by the negative Laplacian values normalized to charge density unit (L/ρ) at the corresponding topological critica...