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Self-Assembly of Complementary Components Using a Tripodal Bismuth Compound: Pnictogen Bonding or Coordination
Shiva Moaven1, Brandon T Watson1, Thomas J Polaske2
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University, 1204 Boston Avenue, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1061, United States.
Inorganic Chemistry
|July 21, 2021
Summary
Bismuth atoms can form triple pnictogen bonds (PnBs), a unique interaction. This study shows bismuth forms stronger PnBs than antimony, with potential applications in molecular recognition and crystal engineering.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Triple pnictogen bonding (PnB) is a recently identified supramolecular interaction.
- This phenomenon involves a pnictogen atom forming three simultaneous PnBs with a complementary partner.
- Pnictogen bonding offers unique strategies for molecular assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate bismuth's capability to participate in triple pnictogen bonding.
- To compare the strength of bismuth-based PnBs with analogous antimony systems.
- To investigate the structural and electronic properties of bismuth-mediated triple PnBs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of novel bismuth-containing supramolecular compounds.
- X-ray crystallography for structural determination.
- Analysis of electron density along bond paths.
- Pulsed Field Gradient Spin Echo (PFGSE) NMR spectroscopy to study solution behavior.
Main Results:
- Bismuth successfully participates in triple pnictogen bonding.
- The bismuth system exhibits stronger PnBs compared to the analogous antimony system.
- Electron density analysis reveals distinct bonding characteristics differentiating PnBs from coordination bonds.
- Synthesized supramolecules remain intact in solution as confirmed by PFGSE NMR.
Conclusions:
- Bismuth is an effective element for achieving triple pnictogen bonding.
- Triple pnictogen bonding involving bismuth offers advantages over antimony-based systems.
- These findings provide insights for designing molecules for molecular recognition and crystal engineering.
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