molecules-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Tetrel Bonds

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2019) | Viewed by 62065

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
Interests: H-bonds; noncovalent bonds; halogen bonds; pnicogen bonds; tetrel bonds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The replacement of the bridging H atom in H-bonds by a multitude of other, more electronegative, atoms has led to rapidly-increasing study of related noncovalent bonds, generally known as halogen, chalcogen, and pnicogen bonds. It has recently been recognized that elements of the tetrel family (C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) also engage in such bonds, wherein the tetrel atom serves as electron acceptor to an incoming Lewis base, and that these bonds can be quite strong. This Special Issue will delve into the many facets of tetrel bonds: The factors determining their strength, their geometrical requirements, various phenomena in which they play an outsized role, and the means by which they can be detected and measured.

Prof. Dr. Steve Scheiner
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • noncovalent bond
  • sigma-hole
  • charge transfer
  • molecular electrostatic potential

Published Papers (15 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

13 pages, 4171 KiB  
Article
Intermolecular Non-Covalent Carbon-Bonding Interactions with Methyl Groups: A CSD, PDB and DFT Study
by Tiddo J. Mooibroek
Molecules 2019, 24(18), 3370; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24183370 - 16 Sep 2019
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 3074
Abstract
A systematic evaluation of the CSD and the PDB in conjunction with DFT calculations reveal that non-covalent Carbon-bonding interactions with X–CH3 can be weakly directional in the solid state (P ≤ 1.5) when X = N or O. This is comparable [...] Read more.
A systematic evaluation of the CSD and the PDB in conjunction with DFT calculations reveal that non-covalent Carbon-bonding interactions with X–CH3 can be weakly directional in the solid state (P ≤ 1.5) when X = N or O. This is comparable to very weak CH hydrogen bonding interactions and is in line with the weak interaction energies calculated (≤ –1.5 kcal·mol−1) of typical charge neutral adducts such as [Me3N-CH3···OH2] (2a). The interaction energy is enhanced to ≤–5 kcal·mol−1 when X is more electron withdrawing such as in [O2N-CH3··O=Cdme] (20b) and to ≤18 kcal·mol−1 in cationic species like [Me3O+-CH3···OH2]+ (8a). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 1757 KiB  
Article
Tetrel Interactions from an Interacting Quantum Atoms Perspective
by José Luis Casals-Sainz, Aurora Costales Castro, Evelio Francisco and Ángel Martín Pendás
Molecules 2019, 24(12), 2204; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24122204 - 12 Jun 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2708
Abstract
Tetrel bonds, the purportedly non-covalent interaction between a molecule that contains an atom of group 14 and an anion or (more generally) an atom or molecule with lone electron pairs, are under intense scrutiny. In this work, we perform an interacting quantum atoms [...] Read more.
Tetrel bonds, the purportedly non-covalent interaction between a molecule that contains an atom of group 14 and an anion or (more generally) an atom or molecule with lone electron pairs, are under intense scrutiny. In this work, we perform an interacting quantum atoms (IQA) analysis of several simple complexes formed between an electrophilic fragment (A) (CH3F, CH4, CO2, CS2, SiO2, SiH3F, SiH4, GeH3F, GeO2, and GeH4) and an electron-pair-rich system (B) (NCH, NCO-, OCN-, F-, Br-, CN-, CO, CS, Kr, NC-, NH3, OC, OH2, SH-, and N3-) at the aug-cc-pvtz coupled cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) level of calculation. The binding energy ( E bind AB ) is separated into intrafragment and inter-fragment components, and the latter in turn split into classical and covalent contributions. It is shown that the three terms are important in determining E bind AB , with absolute values that increase in passing from electrophilic fragments containing C, Ge, and Si. The degree of covalency between A and B is measured through the real space bond order known as the delocalization index ( δ AB ). Finally, a good linear correlation is found between δ AB and E xc AB , the exchange correlation (xc) or covalent contribution to E bind AB . Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 4548 KiB  
Article
Identification of the Tetrel Bonds between Halide Anions and Carbon Atom of Methyl Groups Using Electronic Criterion
by Ekaterina Bartashevich, Yury Matveychuk and Vladimir Tsirelson
Molecules 2019, 24(6), 1083; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24061083 - 19 Mar 2019
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 2914
Abstract
The consideration of the disposition of minima of electron density and electrostatic potential along the line between non-covalently bound atoms in systems with Hal···CH3–Y (Hal = Cl, Br; Y = N, O) fragments allowed to prove that the [...] Read more.
The consideration of the disposition of minima of electron density and electrostatic potential along the line between non-covalently bound atoms in systems with Hal···CH3–Y (Hal = Cl, Br; Y = N, O) fragments allowed to prove that the carbon atom in methyl group serves as an electrophilic site provider. These interactions between halide anion and carbon in methyl group can be categorized as the typical tetrel bonds. Statistics of geometrical parameters for such tetrel bonds in CSD is analyzed. It is established that the binding energy in molecular complexes with tetrel bonds correlate with the potential acting on an electron in molecule (PAEM). The PAEM barriers for tetrel bonds show a similar behavior for both sets of complexes with Br and Cl electron donors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 2806 KiB  
Article
Calculation of VS,max and Its Use as a Descriptor for the Theoretical Calculation of pKa Values for Carboxylic Acids
by Guillermo Caballero-García, Gustavo Mondragón-Solórzano, Raúl Torres-Cadena, Marco Díaz-García, Jacinto Sandoval-Lira and Joaquín Barroso-Flores
Molecules 2019, 24(1), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24010079 - 26 Dec 2018
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5271
Abstract
The theoretical calculation of pKa values for Brønsted acids is a challenging task that involves sophisticated and time-consuming methods. Therefore, heuristic approaches are efficient and appealing methodologies to approximate these values. Herein, we used the maximum surface electrostatic potential (V [...] Read more.
The theoretical calculation of pKa values for Brønsted acids is a challenging task that involves sophisticated and time-consuming methods. Therefore, heuristic approaches are efficient and appealing methodologies to approximate these values. Herein, we used the maximum surface electrostatic potential (VS,max) on the acidic hydrogen atoms of carboxylic acids to describe the H-bond interaction with water (the same descriptor that is used to characterize σ-bonded complexes) and correlate the results with experimental pKa values to obtain a predictive model for other carboxylic acids. We benchmarked six different methods, all including an implicit solvation model (water): Five density functionals and the Møller–Plesset second order perturbation theory in combination with six different basis sets for a total of thirty-six levels of theory. The ωB97X-D/cc-pVDZ level of theory stood out as the best one for consistently reproducing the reported pKa values, with a predictive power of 98% correlation in a test set of ten other carboxylic acids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1665 KiB  
Article
Crystallographic and Computational Characterization of Methyl Tetrel Bonding in S-Adenosylmethionine-Dependent Methyltransferases
by Raymond C. Trievel and Steve Scheiner
Molecules 2018, 23(11), 2965; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23112965 - 13 Nov 2018
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 3731
Abstract
Tetrel bonds represent a category of non-bonding interaction wherein an electronegative atom donates a lone pair of electrons into the sigma antibonding orbital of an atom in the carbon group of the periodic table. Prior computational studies have implicated tetrel bonding in the [...] Read more.
Tetrel bonds represent a category of non-bonding interaction wherein an electronegative atom donates a lone pair of electrons into the sigma antibonding orbital of an atom in the carbon group of the periodic table. Prior computational studies have implicated tetrel bonding in the stabilization of a preliminary state that precedes the transition state in SN2 reactions, including methyl transfer. Notably, the angles between the tetrel bond donor and acceptor atoms coincide with the prerequisite geometry for the SN2 reaction. Prompted by these findings, we surveyed crystal structures of methyltransferases in the Protein Data Bank and discovered multiple instances of carbon tetrel bonding between the methyl group of the substrate S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) and electronegative atoms of small molecule inhibitors, ions, and solvent molecules. The majority of these interactions involve oxygen atoms as the Lewis base, with the exception of one structure in which a chlorine atom of an inhibitor functions as the electron donor. Quantum mechanical analyses of a representative subset of the methyltransferase structures from the survey revealed that the calculated interaction energies and spectral properties are consistent with the values for bona fide carbon tetrel bonds. The discovery of methyl tetrel bonding offers new insights into the mechanism underlying the SN2 reaction catalyzed by AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases. These findings highlight the potential of exploiting these interactions in developing new methyltransferase inhibitors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

21 pages, 8651 KiB  
Article
Quantitative Assessment of Tetrel Bonding Utilizing Vibrational Spectroscopy
by Daniel Sethio, Vytor Oliveira and Elfi Kraka
Molecules 2018, 23(11), 2763; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23112763 - 25 Oct 2018
Cited by 77 | Viewed by 3861
Abstract
A set of 35 representative neutral and charged tetrel complexes was investigated with the objective of finding the factors that influence the strength of tetrel bonding involving single bonded C, Si, and Ge donors and double bonded C or Si donors. For the [...] Read more.
A set of 35 representative neutral and charged tetrel complexes was investigated with the objective of finding the factors that influence the strength of tetrel bonding involving single bonded C, Si, and Ge donors and double bonded C or Si donors. For the first time, we introduced an intrinsic bond strength measure for tetrel bonding, derived from calculated vibrational spectroscopy data obtained at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory and used this measure to rationalize and order the tetrel bonds. Our study revealed that the strength of tetrel bonds is affected by several factors, such as the magnitude of the σ-hole in the tetrel atom, the negative electrostatic potential at the lone pair of the tetrel-acceptor, the positive charge at the peripheral hydrogen of the tetrel-donor, the exchange-repulsion between the lone pair orbitals of the peripheral atoms of the tetrel-donor and the heteroatom of the tetrel-acceptor, and the stabilization brought about by electron delocalization. Thus, focusing on just one or two of these factors, in particular, the σ-hole description can only lead to an incomplete picture. Tetrel bonding covers a range of −1.4 to −26 kcal/mol, which can be strengthened by substituting the peripheral ligands with electron-withdrawing substituents and by positively charged tetrel-donors or negatively charged tetrel-acceptors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

7 pages, 1664 KiB  
Communication
On the Power of Geometry over Tetrel Bonds
by Ephrath Solel and Sebastian Kozuch
Molecules 2018, 23(11), 2742; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23112742 - 24 Oct 2018
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2667
Abstract
Tetrel bonds are noncovalent interactions formed by tetrel atoms (as σ-hole carriers) with a Lewis base. Here, we present a computational and molecular orbital study on the effect of the geometry of the substituents around the tetrel atom on the σ-hole and on [...] Read more.
Tetrel bonds are noncovalent interactions formed by tetrel atoms (as σ-hole carriers) with a Lewis base. Here, we present a computational and molecular orbital study on the effect of the geometry of the substituents around the tetrel atom on the σ-hole and on the binding strengths. We show that changing the angles between substituents can dramatically increase bond strength. In addition, our findings suggest that the established Sn > Ge > Si order of binding strength can be changed in sufficiently distorted molecules due to the enhancement of the charge transfer component, making silicon the strongest tetrel donor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3288 KiB  
Article
Strong Tetrel Bonds: Theoretical Aspects and Experimental Evidence
by Mehdi D. Esrafili and Parisasadat Mousavian
Molecules 2018, 23(10), 2642; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23102642 - 15 Oct 2018
Cited by 43 | Viewed by 3814
Abstract
In recent years, noncovalent interactions involving group-14 elements of the periodic table acting as a Lewis acid center (or tetrel-bonding interactions) have attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications in supramolecular chemistry, material science and so on. The aim of the present [...] Read more.
In recent years, noncovalent interactions involving group-14 elements of the periodic table acting as a Lewis acid center (or tetrel-bonding interactions) have attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications in supramolecular chemistry, material science and so on. The aim of the present study is to characterize the geometry, strength and bonding properties of strong tetrel-bond interactions in some charge-assisted tetrel-bonded complexes. Ab initio calculations are performed, and the results are supported by the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) approaches. The interaction energies of the anionic tetrel-bonded complexes formed between XF3M molecule (X=F, CN; M=Si, Ge and Sn) and A anions (A=F, Cl, Br, CN, NC and N3) vary between −16.35 and −96.30 kcal/mol. The M atom in these complexes is generally characterized by pentavalency, i.e., is hypervalent. Moreover, the QTAIM analysis confirms that the anionic tetrel-bonding interaction in these systems could be classified as a strong interaction with some covalent character. On the other hand, it is found that the tetrel-bond interactions in cationic tetrel-bonded [p-NH3(C6H4)MH3]+···Z and [p-NH3(C6F4)MH3]+···Z complexes (M=Si, Ge, Sn and Z=NH3, NH2CH3, NH2OH and NH2NH2) are characterized by a strong orbital interaction between the filled lone-pair orbital of the Lewis base and empty BD*M-C orbital of the Lewis base. The substitution of the F atoms in the benzene ring provides a strong orbital interaction, and hence improved tetrel-bond interaction. For all charge-assisted tetrel-bonded complexes, it is seen that the formation of tetrel-bond interaction is accompanied bysignificant electron density redistribution over the interacting subunits. Finally, we provide some experimental evidence for the existence of such charge-assisted tetrel-bond interactions in crystalline phase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 2496 KiB  
Article
An Ab Initio Investigation of the Geometries and Binding Strengths of Tetrel-, Pnictogen-, and Chalcogen-Bonded Complexes of CO2, N2O, and CS2 with Simple Lewis Bases: Some Generalizations
by Ibon Alkorta and Anthony C. Legon
Molecules 2018, 23(9), 2250; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23092250 - 04 Sep 2018
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 3985
Abstract
Geometries, equilibrium dissociation energies (De), and intermolecular stretching, quadratic force constants (kσ) are presented for the complexes B⋯CO2, B⋯N2O, and B⋯CS2, where B is one of the following Lewis bases: CO, [...] Read more.
Geometries, equilibrium dissociation energies (De), and intermolecular stretching, quadratic force constants (kσ) are presented for the complexes B⋯CO2, B⋯N2O, and B⋯CS2, where B is one of the following Lewis bases: CO, HCCH, H2S, HCN, H2O, PH3, and NH3. The geometries and force constants were calculated at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory, while generation of De employed the CCSD(T)/CBS complete basis-set extrapolation. The non-covalent, intermolecular bond in the B⋯CO2 complexes involves the interaction of the electrophilic region around the C atom of CO2 (as revealed by the molecular electrostatic surface potential (MESP) of CO2) with non-bonding or π-bonding electron pairs of B. The conclusions for the B⋯N2O series are similar, but with small geometrical distortions that can be rationalized in terms of secondary interactions. The B⋯CS2 series exhibits a different type of geometry that can be interpreted in terms of the interaction of the electrophilic region near one of the S atoms and centered on the C axis of CS2 (as revealed by the MESP) with the n-pairs or π-pairs of B. The tetrel, pnictogen, and chalcogen bonds so established in B⋯CO2, B⋯N2O, and B⋯CS2, respectively, are rationalized in terms of some simple, electrostatically based rules previously enunciated for hydrogen- and halogen-bonded complexes, B⋯HX and B⋯XY. It is also shown that the dissociation energy De is directly proportional to the force constant kσ, with a constant of proportionality identical within experimental error to that found previously for many B⋯HX and B⋯XY complexes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

11 pages, 2473 KiB  
Article
Tetrel Bonding Interactions in Perchlorinated Cyclopenta- and Cyclohexatetrelanes: A Combined DFT and CSD Study
by Antonio Bauzá and Antonio Frontera
Molecules 2018, 23(7), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23071770 - 19 Jul 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3215
Abstract
In this manuscript, we combined DFT calculations (PBE0-D3/def2-TZVP level of theory) and a Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) survey to evaluate the ability of perchlorinated cyclopenta- and cyclohexatetrelanes in establishing tetrel bonding interactions. For this purpose, we used Tr5Cl10 and Tr [...] Read more.
In this manuscript, we combined DFT calculations (PBE0-D3/def2-TZVP level of theory) and a Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) survey to evaluate the ability of perchlorinated cyclopenta- and cyclohexatetrelanes in establishing tetrel bonding interactions. For this purpose, we used Tr5Cl10 and Tr6Cl12 (Tr = Si and Ge) and HCN, HF, OH and Cl as electron donor entities. Furthermore, we performed an Atoms in Molecules (AIM) analysis to further describe and characterize the interactions studied herein. A survey of crystal structures in the CSD reveals that close contacts between Si and lone-pair-possessing atoms are quite common and oriented along the extension of the covalent bond formed by the silicon with the halogen atom. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 1916 KiB  
Article
Comparative Strengths of Tetrel, Pnicogen, Chalcogen, and Halogen Bonds and Contributing Factors
by Wenbo Dong, Qingzhong Li and Steve Scheiner
Molecules 2018, 23(7), 1681; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23071681 - 10 Jul 2018
Cited by 66 | Viewed by 6312
Abstract
Ab initio calculations are employed to assess the relative strengths of various noncovalent bonds. Tetrel, pnicogen, chalcogen, and halogen atoms are represented by third-row atoms Ge, As, Se, and Br, respectively. Each atom was placed in a series of molecular bonding situations, beginning [...] Read more.
Ab initio calculations are employed to assess the relative strengths of various noncovalent bonds. Tetrel, pnicogen, chalcogen, and halogen atoms are represented by third-row atoms Ge, As, Se, and Br, respectively. Each atom was placed in a series of molecular bonding situations, beginning with all H atoms, then progressing to methyl substitutions, and F substituents placed in various locations around the central atom. Each Lewis acid was allowed to engage in a complex with NH3 as a common nucleophile, and the strength and other aspects of the dimer were assessed. In the context of fully hydrogenated acids, the strengths of the various bonds varied in the pattern of chalcogen > halogen > pnicogen ≈ tetrel. Methyl substitution weakened all bonds, but not in a uniform manner, resulting in a greatly weakened halogen bond. Fluorosubstitution strengthened the interactions, increasing its effect as the number of F atoms rises. The effect was strongest when the F atom lay directly opposite the base, resulting in a halogen > chalcogen > pnicogen > tetrel order of bond strength. Replacing third-row atoms by their second-row counterparts weakened the bonds, but not uniformly. Tetrel bonds were weakest for the fully hydrogenated acids and surpassed pnicogen bonds when F had been added to the acid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 1520 KiB  
Article
Comparison between Tetrel Bonded Complexes Stabilized by σ and π Hole Interactions
by Wiktor Zierkiewicz, Mariusz Michalczyk and Steve Scheiner
Molecules 2018, 23(6), 1416; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23061416 - 11 Jun 2018
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 4268
Abstract
The σ-hole tetrel bonds formed by a tetravalent molecule are compared with those involving a π-hole above the tetrel atom in a trivalent bonding situation. The former are modeled by TH4, TH3F, and TH2F2 (T = [...] Read more.
The σ-hole tetrel bonds formed by a tetravalent molecule are compared with those involving a π-hole above the tetrel atom in a trivalent bonding situation. The former are modeled by TH4, TH3F, and TH2F2 (T = Si, Ge, Sn) and the latter by TH2=CH2, THF=CH2, and TF2=CH2, all paired with NH3 as Lewis base. The latter π-bonded complexes are considerably more strongly bound, despite the near equivalence of the σ and π-hole intensities. The larger binding energies of the π-dimers are attributed to greater electrostatic attraction and orbital interaction. Each progressive replacement of H by F increases the strength of the tetrel bond, whether σ or π. The magnitudes of the maxima of the molecular electrostatic potential in the two types of systems are not good indicators of either the interaction energy or even the full Coulombic energy. The geometry of the Lewis acid is significantly distorted by the formation of the dimer, more so in the case of the σ-bonded complexes, and this deformation intensifies the σ and π holes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 2317 KiB  
Article
Tetrel Bonds with π-Electrons Acting as Lewis Bases—Theoretical Results and Experimental Evidences
by Sławomir J. Grabowski
Molecules 2018, 23(5), 1183; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23051183 - 15 May 2018
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 3825
Abstract
MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations were carried out for the ZFH3-B complexes (Z = C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb; B = C2H2, C2H4, C6H6 and C5H5-; relativistic [...] Read more.
MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations were carried out for the ZFH3-B complexes (Z = C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb; B = C2H2, C2H4, C6H6 and C5H5-; relativistic effects were taken into account for Ge, Sn and Pb elements). These calculations are supported by other approaches; the decomposition of the energy of interaction, Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) method. The results show that tetrel bonds with π-electrons as Lewis bases are classified as Z···C links between single centers (C is an atom of the π-electron system) or as Z···π interactions where F‒Z bond is directed to the mid-point (or nearly so) of the CC bond of the Lewis base. The analogous systems with Z···C/π interactions were found in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). It was found that the strength of interaction increases with the increase of the atomic number of the tetrel element and that for heavier tetrel elements the ZFH3 tetrahedral structure is more deformed towards the structure with the planar ZH3 fragment. The results of calculations show that the tetrel bond is sometimes accompanied by the Z-H···C hydrogen bond or even sometimes the ZFH3-B complexes are linked only by the hydrogen bond interaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1562 KiB  
Article
Tetrel Bonding as a Vehicle for Strong and Selective Anion Binding
by Steve Scheiner
Molecules 2018, 23(5), 1147; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23051147 - 11 May 2018
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 4367
Abstract
Tetrel atoms T (T = Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb) can engage in very strong noncovalent interactions with nucleophiles, which are commonly referred to as tetrel bonds. The ability of such bonds to bind various anions is assessed with a goal of designing [...] Read more.
Tetrel atoms T (T = Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb) can engage in very strong noncovalent interactions with nucleophiles, which are commonly referred to as tetrel bonds. The ability of such bonds to bind various anions is assessed with a goal of designing an optimal receptor. The Sn atom seems to form the strongest bonds within the tetrel family. It is most effective in the context of a -SnF3 group and a further enhancement is observed when a positive charge is placed on the receptor. Connection of the -SnF3 group to either an imidazolium or triazolium provides a strong halide receptor, which can be improved if its point of attachment is changed from the C to an N atom of either ring. Aromaticity of the ring offers no advantage nor is a cyclic system superior to a simple alkyl amine of any chain length. Placing a pair of -SnF3 groups on a single molecule to form a bipodal dicationic receptor with two tetrel bonds enhances the binding, but falls short of a simple doubling. These two tetrel groups can be placed on opposite ends of an alkyl diamine chain of any length although SnF3+NH2(CH2)nNH2SnF3+ with n between 2 and 4 seems to offer the strongest halide binding. Of the various anions tested, OH binds most strongly: OH > F > Cl > Br > I. The binding energy of the larger NO3 and HCO3 anions is more dependent upon the charge of the receptor. This pattern translates into very strong selectivity of binding one anion over another. The tetrel-bonding receptors bind far more strongly to each anion than an equivalent number of K+ counterions, which leads to equilibrium ratios in favor of the former of many orders of magnitude. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 15105 KiB  
Article
Complexes of CO2 with the Azoles: Tetrel Bonds, Hydrogen Bonds and Other Secondary Interactions
by Janet E. Del Bene, José Elguero and Ibon Alkorta
Molecules 2018, 23(4), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040906 - 14 Apr 2018
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4866
Abstract
Ab initio MP2/aug’-cc-pVTZ calculations have been performed to investigate the complexes of CO2 with the azoles pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazole, tetrazole and pentazole. Three types of complexes have been found on the CO2:azole potential surfaces. These include ten [...] Read more.
Ab initio MP2/aug’-cc-pVTZ calculations have been performed to investigate the complexes of CO2 with the azoles pyrrole, pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazole, tetrazole and pentazole. Three types of complexes have been found on the CO2:azole potential surfaces. These include ten complexes stabilized by tetrel bonds that have the azole molecule in the symmetry plane of the complex; seven tetrel-bonded complexes in which the CO2 molecule is perpendicular to the symmetry plane; and four hydrogen-bonded complexes. Eight of the planar complexes are stabilized by Nx···C tetrel bonds and by a secondary interaction involving an adjacent Ny-H bond and an O atom of CO2. The seven perpendicular CO2:azole complexes form between CO2 and two adjacent N atoms of the ring, both of which are electron-pair donors. In three of the four hydrogen-bonded complexes, the proton-donor Nz-H bond of the ring is bonded to two C-H bonds, thereby precluding the planar and perpendicular complexes. The fourth hydrogen-bonded complex forms with the strongest acid pentazole. Binding energies, charge-transfer energies and changes in CO2 stretching and bending frequencies upon complex formation provide consistent descriptions of these complexes. Coupling constants across tetrel bonds are negligibly small, but 2hJ(Ny-C) across Nz-H···C hydrogen bonds are larger and increase as the number of N atoms in the ring increases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tetrel Bonds)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop