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Updated: Feb 22, 2026
06:44
From Molecules to Materials: Engineering New Ionic Liquid Crystals Through Halogen Bonding
Published on: March 24, 2018
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Fluoride ion chelation via pnictogen bonding using a distibora[1.1]ferrocenophane
Arunabha Thakur1,2, Brendan L Murphy1, You Jiang1
1Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. francois@tamu.edu.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|February 20, 2026
Summary
Researchers synthesized a neutral distibora[1.1]ferrocenophane, a bidentate Lewis acid capable of chelating fluoride anions. This discovery advances anion binding platforms with a high fluoride ion affinity of 346 kJ mol-1.
Area of Science:
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Anion binding platforms are crucial for various chemical applications.
- Ferrocenophanes are versatile organometallic compounds with unique structural properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel neutral distibora[1.1]ferrocenophane.
- To investigate its potential as an anion binding platform, specifically for fluoride anions.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of the neutral distibora[1.1]ferrocenophane.
- Structural elucidation using single crystal X-ray diffraction.
- Determination of fluoride ion affinity.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis and structural confirmation of the neutral distibora[1.1]ferrocenophane.
- Demonstration of its bidentate Lewis acid behavior through fluoride anion chelation.
- Quantification of a high fluoride ion affinity (346 kJ mol-1).
Conclusions:
- The neutral distibora[1.1]ferrocenophane acts as an effective bidentate Lewis acid for fluoride anion binding.
- This compound represents a significant advancement in the design of anion receptors.
- The high fluoride affinity highlights its potential in applications requiring selective anion recognition.
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