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Putting Anion–π Interactions Into Perspective
Author(s) -
Frontera Antonio,
Gamez Patrick,
Mascal Mark,
Mooibroek Tiddo J.,
Reedijk Jan
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201100208
Subject(s) - solvophobic , supramolecular chemistry , non covalent interactions , chemistry , van der waals force , crystal engineering , hydrogen bond , halogen bond , chemical physics , computational chemistry , ion , intermolecular force , nanotechnology , molecule , organic chemistry , materials science
Supramolecular chemistry is a field of scientific exploration that probes the relationship between molecular structure and function. It is the chemistry of the noncovalent bond, which forms the basis of highly specific recognition, transport, and regulation events that actuate biological processes. The classic design principles of supramolecular chemistry include strong, directional interactions like hydrogen bonding, halogen bonding, and cation–π complexation, as well as less directional forces like ion pairing, π–π, solvophobic, and van der Waals potentials. In recent years, the anion–π interaction (an attractive force between an electron‐deficient aromatic π system and an anion) has been recognized as a hitherto unexplored noncovalent bond, the nature of which has been interpreted through both experimental and theoretical investigations. The design of selective anion receptors and channels based on this interaction represent important advances in the field of supramolecular chemistry. The objectives of this Review are 1) to discuss current thinking on the nature of this interaction, 2) to survey key experimental work in which anion–π bonding is demonstrated, and 3) to provide insights into the directional nature of anion–π contact in X‐ray crystal structures.