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Published on: August 20, 2018
Fluorination effects on non-covalent binding forces: A rotational study on the 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid-water
Meng Li1, Yang Zheng2, Juncheng Lei2
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Daxuecheng South Rd. 55, 401331 Chongqing, China; Institut für Physikalische Chemie & Elektrochemie, Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz-Universität, Hannover, Callinstr. 3A, 30167 Hannover, Germany.
Abstract:
This study explores the effects of the -CF3 group on non-covalent interactions through a comprehensive rotational investigation of the 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid-water complex. Employing Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy complemented by quantum chemical calculations, two isomers, i.e., s-cis and s-trans structures, have been observed in the pulsed jet. Based on relative intensity measurements, the s-cis to the s-trans population ratio was experimentally estimated to be ∼ 1:1.2. Subsequently, a comparison of the non-covalent interactions was carried out between the three similar complexes, acrylic acid-water, methacrylic acid-water, and 2-(trifluoromethyl)acrylic acid-water, offering quantitative insights into fluorination affecting the strength of the formed hydrogen bonds important, e.g., in molecular recognition.
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