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The dihalomethanes CH2X2 (X=Cl, Br, I) were co‐crystallized with the isocyanide complexes trans‐[MXM2(CNC6H4‐4‐XC)2] (M=Pd, Pt; XM=Br, I; XC=F, Cl, Br) to give an extended series comprising 15 X‐ray structures of isostructural adducts featuring 1D metal‐involving hexagon‐like arrays. In these structures, CH2X2 behave as bent bifunctional XB/XB‐donating building blocks, whereas trans‐[MXM2(CNC6H4‐4‐XC)2] act as a linear XB/XB acceptors. Results of DFT calculations indicate that all XCH2–X⋅⋅⋅XM–M contacts are typical noncovalent interactions with estimated strengths in the range of 1.3–3.2 kcal mol−1. A CCDC search reveals that hexagon‐like arrays are rather common but previously overlooked structural motives for adducts of trans‐bis(halide) complexes and halomethanes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isocyanide complexes cis-[MCl2(CNC6H4-4-X)2] (M = Pd; X = Cl, Br; M = Pt; X = Br) form isomorphous crystal structures exhibiting the Cl/Br and Pd/Pt exchanges featuring 1D chains upon crystallisation. Crystal packing is supported by the C–X···X–C halogen bonds (HaBs), C–H···X–C hydrogen bonds (HB), X···M semicoordination, and C···C contacts between the C atoms of aryl isocyanide ligands. The results of DFT calculations and topological analysis indicate that all the above contact types belong to attractive noncovalent interactions. A projection of the electron localization function (ELF) and an inspection of the electron density (ED) and the electrostatic potential (ESP) reveal the amphiphilic nature of X atoms playing the role of HaB donors, HaB and HB acceptors, and a nucleophilic partner in X···M semicoordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]