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Group 16 chalcogen atoms may exhibit Lewis acidic σ-holes which are able to form attractive supramolecular interactions with Lewis bases via chalcogen bonds (ChB). Interest in ChB is increasing rapidly; however, the potential for anion binding has not been fully explored. Herein we report on the application of chemically robust and stable benzylic selenocynates (1 and 2) for halide ion recognition in the solid state and in solution. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis of various cocrystals reveals structurally important Se…X− (X = Cl, Br, I) chalcogen bonds. Changes in the 13C and 77Se chemical shifts via NMR spectroscopy show how halide ion recognition influences the local electronic environment of the selenium atoms in solution. Deviations of the interaction from the extension of the C–Se covalent bond are quantified and assessed with the aid of computational chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Iodoethynylpyridine and 2-iodoethynyl-1-methyl-imidazole self-assemble under halogen-bonding control into discrete macrocycles, viz. supramolecular triangles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halogen bonding has been shown to be a versatile interaction for crystal engineering purposes, with characteristics that parallel those of hydrogen bonding. Here, we explore the potential of a new halogen bond donor, 3-iodoethynylbenzoic acid (1), which is functionalized with both halogen bond donor and hydrogen bond donor groups. We explore its crystal engineering potential by cocrystallizing it with a series of nitrogen-containing heterocycles, namely 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, piperazine, and hexamethylenetetramine. In total, we report six new single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures, including those of 1 and five of its halogen-bonded cocrystals. The halogen-bonded cocrystals are further investigated using 13C magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy and the observed changes in chemical shifts are attributed to particular structural or crystallographic features. The 13C chemical shift of the ethynyl carbon bonded to the aromatic ring consistently decreased by several ppm upon halogen bond formation while that of the ethynyl carbon bonded to iodine increased. Furthermore, we show that these cocrystals are also readily prepared by mechanochemical ball milling, allowing for the rapid screening of cocrystal formation based on this halogen bond donor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]