Noncovalent Interactions of π Systems with Sulfur: The Atomic Chameleon of Molecular Recognition

2017/11/30 by William B. Motherwell, Rafael B. Moreno, Ilias Pavlakos +5
Chemistry · #Crystal structures of chemical compounds #Crystallography and molecular interactions #Molecular spectroscopy and chirality

paper · doi:10.1002/ange.201708485

openalex publication_date 2017/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Abstract The relative strength of noncovalent interactions between a thioether sulfur atom and various π systems in designed top pan molecular balances was determined by NMR spectroscopy. Compared to its oxygen counterpart, the sulfur atom displays a remarkable ability to interact with almost equal facility over the entire range of π systems studied, with the simple alkene emerging as the most powerful partner. With the exception of the O⋅⋅⋅heteroarene interaction, all noncovalent interactions of sulfur with π systems are favoured over oxygen.

Citations

• van der Waals Volumes and Radii

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