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Title: Competition Between the Two σ‐Holes in the Formation of a Chalcogen Bond
Abstract

A chalcogen atom Y contains two separate σ‐holes when in a R1YR2molecular bonding pattern. Quantum chemical calculations consider competition between these two σ‐holes to engage in a chalcogen bond (ChB) with a NH3base. R groups considered include F, Br, I, and tert‐butyl (tBu). Also examined is the situation where the Y lies within a chalcogenazole ring, where its neighbors are C and N. Both electron‐withdrawing substituents R1and R2act cooperatively to deepen the two σ‐holes, but the deeper of the two holes consistently lies opposite to the more electron‐withdrawing group, and is also favored to form a stronger ChB. The formation of two simultaneous ChBs in a triad requires the Y atom to act as double electron acceptor, and so anti‐cooperativity weakens each bond relative to the simple dyad. This effect is such that some of the shallower σ‐holes are unable to form a ChB at all when a base occupies the other site.

 
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Award ID(s):
1954310
NSF-PAR ID:
10419305
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
ChemPhysChem
Volume:
24
Issue:
9
ISSN:
1439-4235
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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