title: Characterization of fluorine-centred `F...O' σ-hole interactions in the solid state.
abstract: In the current study, the crystal structure of 1-(3-nitrophenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanone (A1) and (E)-4-((4-fluorophenyl) diazenyl)phenol (A2) has been analyzed for the characterization of the presence of a `unique' and `rare' intermolecular C(sp3/sp2)-F...O contact, which has been observed to play a significant role in the crystal packing. Theoretical charge-density calculations have been performed to study the nature and strength associated with the existence of this intermolecular F...O contact, wherein the F atom is attached to an sp3-hybridized C atom in the case of A1 and to an sp2hybridized carbon in the case of A2. The crystal packing of the former contains two `electronically different' Csp3-F...O contacts which are present across and in between the layers of molecules. In the latter case, it is characterized by the presence of a very `short' (2.708 Å) and `highly directional' (168° at ∠C4-F1...O1 and 174° at ∠C10-O1...F1) Csp2-F...O contact. According to the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) study, it is a rare example in molecular crystals. Topological features of F...O contacts in the solid state were compared with the gas-phase models. The two-dimensional and three-dimensional static deformation density obtained from theoretical multipole modeling confirm the presence of a charge depleted region on the F atoms. Minimization of the electrostatic repulsion between like charges are observed through subtle arrangements in the electronic environment in two of the short intermolecular F...O contacts. These contacts were investigated using inputs from pair energy decomposition analysis, Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), Hirshfeld surface analysis, delocalization index, reduced density gradient (RDG) plot, electrostatic potential surface and distributed atomic polarizability. The intermolecular energy decomposition (PIXEL) and RDG-NCI (non-covalent interaction) analysis of the F...O contacts establish the interaction to be dispersive in nature. The mutual polarization of an O atom by fluorine and vice versa provides real physical insights into the role of atomic polarizability in interacting atoms in molecules in crystals.
authors.affiliation: Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sirohiwal
authors.affiliation: Division of Physics, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8571, Japan.
authors.forename: Venkatesha R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Hathwar
authors.affiliation: Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Dhananjay
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dey
authors.affiliation: Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Roshni
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Regunathan
authors.affiliation: Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal, Bhopal 462066, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chopra
keywords: QTAIM; atomic polarizability; charge density; intermolecular interactions; organic fluorine