Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026
08:07
A Micropatterning Assay for Measuring Cell Chirality
Published on: March 11, 2022
2.7K
Non covalent interactions stabilizing the chiral dimer of CH2ClF: a rotational study
Laura B Favero1, Assimo Maris, Sonia Melandri
1Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati (ISMN), Sezione di Bologna CNR, via Gobetti 101, I-40129 Bologna, Italy.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|January 18, 2019
Summary
We studied the chlorofluoromethane dimer, revealing a chiral structure stabilized by hydrogen and halogen bonds. This research provides insights into the bonding and structure of this molecule.
Area of Science:
- Physical Chemistry
- Molecular Spectroscopy
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Chlorofluoromethane (CH2ClF) is a molecule with industrial and environmental relevance.
- Understanding intermolecular interactions in dimers is crucial for predicting bulk properties.
- Rotational spectroscopy provides high-resolution data on molecular structure and dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure and bonding of the chlorofluoromethane dimer using rotational spectroscopy.
- To characterize the hydrogen and halogen bonding interactions within the dimer.
- To determine the precise structural parameters and energetic properties of the dimer.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution rotational spectroscopy was employed to study three isotopologues of the chlorofluoromethane dimer.
- Analysis of rotational transitions and hyperfine structures due to chlorine nuclear quadrupole coupling.
- Determination of molecular geometry, including atomic positions and bond parameters.
Main Results:
- The most stable conformer of the chlorofluoromethane dimer was identified as chiral (C1 symmetry).
- A complex network of weak C-HCl-C and C-HF-C hydrogen bonds, along with a ClF halogen bond, was observed.
- Accurate determination of quadrupole coupling constants for 35Cl and 37Cl isotopes, providing information on chlorine atom positions.
- Estimation of the dimer's dissociation energy at 5.9 kJ mol-1.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the intricate intermolecular interactions governing the structure of the chlorofluoromethane dimer.
- Rotational spectroscopy proves effective in characterizing chiral complexes and weak bonding interactions.
- The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of halogenated organic compound behavior in the condensed phase.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Covalent Bonds
162.1K
Overview
162.1K
01:08Covalent Bonds
10.8K
Overview
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells, they create a covalent bond. An atom's electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally,...
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells, they create a covalent bond. An atom's electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally,...
10.8K
02:18Network Covalent Solids
16.2K
Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
16.2K
02:04Covalently Linked Protein Regulators
9.6K
Proteins can undergo many types of post-translational modifications, often in response to changes in their environment. These modifications play an important role in the function and stability of these proteins. Covalently linked molecules include functional groups, such as methyl, acetyl, and phosphate groups, and also small proteins, such as ubiquitin. There are around 200 different types of covalent regulators that have been identified.
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
These groups modify specific amino acids in a protein....
9.6K
02:46Covalent Bonding and Lewis Structures
61.3K
Compared to ionic bonds, which results from the transfer of electrons between metallic and nonmetallic atoms, covalent bonds result from the mutual attraction of atoms for a “shared” pair of electrons.
61.3K
02:25Chirality
29.5K
Chirality is a term that describes the lack of mirror symmetry in an object. In other words, chiral objects cannot be superposed on their mirror images. For example, our feet are chiral, as the mirror image of the left foot, the right foot, cannot be superposed on the left foot.
Chiral objects exhibit a sense of handedness when they interact with another chiral object. For example, our left foot can only fit in the left shoe and not in the right shoe. Achiral objects — objects that have...
Chiral objects exhibit a sense of handedness when they interact with another chiral object. For example, our left foot can only fit in the left shoe and not in the right shoe. Achiral objects — objects that have...
29.5K