The π‐Tetrel Bond and its Influence on Hydrogen Bonding and Proton Transfer

The positive region that lies above the plane of F 2 TO (T=C and Si) interacts with malondialdehyde (MDA), which contains an intramolecular H‐bond. The T atom of F 2 TO can lie either in the MDA molecular plane, forming a T⋅⋅⋅O tetrel bond, or F 2 TO can stack directly above MDA in a parallel arrangement. The former structure is more stable than the latter, and in either case, F 2 SiO engages in a much stronger interaction than does F 2 CO, reaching nearly 200 kJ mol −1 . The π‐tetrel bond strengthens/weakens the MDA H‐bond when the bond is formed to the hydroxyl/carbonyl group of MDA, and causes an accompanying inhibition/promotion of proton transfer within this H‐bond; this effect is stronger for F 2 SiO. These same aspects can be tuned by substituents placed on any of the C atoms of MDA, although their effects are not fully correlated with the electron‐withdrawing or electron‐releasing properties of the substituent. A new type of π−π tetrel bond occurs when the π‐hole on the T atom of F 2 TO approaches the middle carbon atom of MDA from above, and a similar configuration is also found between F 2 TO and benzene. Evidence for extensive C⋅⋅⋅C π−π tetrel bonding in crystal materials is presented.