Anion-pi interactions in cyanuric acids: a combined crystallographic and computational study

Area of Science:

• Computational chemistry
• Supramolecular chemistry
• Anion recognition

Background:

• Isocyanuric acid and its thio-derivatives are explored for their interaction with anions.
• Understanding anion-pi interactions is crucial for developing selective molecular receptors.
• High-level computational methods are essential for accurately modeling non-covalent interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compute and analyze the structures of pi complexes formed between isocyanuric acid derivatives and various anions.
• To investigate the nature of these anion-pi interactions using advanced computational techniques.
• To assess the potential of these molecules as building blocks for anion recognition receptors.

Main Methods:

• High-level ab initio calculations were employed to model the pi complexes.
• The method of molecular interaction potential with polarization (MIPp) was used to study interaction energies.
• Bader's theory of atoms-in-molecules (AIM) was applied to analyze charge distribution and bonding.

Main Results:

• Favorable complex formation was observed between isocyanuric acid derivatives and anions.
• The calculations revealed the significant role of pi-electron systems in binding anions.
• Anion-pi interactions were confirmed as the primary binding motif.

Conclusions:

• Isocyanuric acid and its thio-derivatives are effective in forming stable complexes with anions.
• These compounds show promise as versatile units for constructing receptors for molecular recognition of anions.
• Experimental validation, including X-ray crystallography, supports the computational findings on anion-pi interactions.