Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.125, No.1, 308-316, 2021
Competition between a Tetrel and Halogen Bond to a Common Lewis Acid
The T and X atoms of TF3X (T = C, Si, Ge, Sn; X = CI, Br, I) can engage in a tetrel or halogen bond, respectively, with an approaching NH3 base. With the exception of T = C, the tetrel bonds are considerably stronger than the halogen bond regardless of the nature of T or X. Because both bonds involve electron acceptance by the central TF3X Lewis acid, there is a negative cooperativity between these two bonds when both are present. The halogen bond is weakened much more than is the tetrel bond and is in fact completely disrupted in some cases. Replacement of the three F substituents on TF3X by H attenuates the sigma-holes on both T and X atoms, weakens and stretches both bonds, and eliminates any halogen bonds involving Cl. Even in those cases where a halogen bond does occur in the dimer, this bond cannot withstand the presence of a simultaneous tetrel bond and so disappears.