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Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations were performed to investigate the pnicogen-bonded complexes F(4-n)H(n)P(+):N-base, for n = 0-3, each with a linear or nearly linear F-P···N alignment. The nitrogen bases include the sp(3) bases NH3, NClH2, NFH2, NCl2H, NCl3, NFCl2, NF2H, NF2Cl, and NF3 and the sp bases NCNH2, NCCH3, NP, NCOH, NCCl, NCH, NCF, NCCN, and N2. The binding energies vary between -20 and -180 kJ·mol(-1), while the P-N distances vary from 1.89 to 3.01 Å. In each series of complexes, binding energies decrease exponentially as the P-N distance increases, provided that complexes with sp(3) and sp hybridized bases are treated separately. Different patterns are observed for the change in the binding energies of complexes with a particular base as the number of F atoms in the acid changes. Thus, the particular acid-base pair is a factor in determining the binding energies of these complexes. Three different charge-transfer interactions stabilize these complexes. These arise from the nitrogen lone pair to the σ*P-F(ax), σ*P-F(eq), and σ*P-H(eq) orbitals. The dominant single charge-transfer energy in all complexes is N(lp) → σ*P-F(ax). However, since there are three N(lp) → σ*P-F(eq) charge-transfer interactions in complexes with F4P(+) and two in complexes with F3HP(+), the sum of the N(lp) → σ*P-F(eq) charge-transfer energies is greater than the N(lp) → σ*P-F(ax) charge-transfer energies in the former complexes, and similar to the N(lp) → σ*P-F(ax) energies in the latter. The total charge-transfer energies of all complexes decrease exponentially as the P-N distance increases. Coupling constants (1p)J(P-N) across the pnicogen bond vary with the P-N distance, but different patterns are observed for complexes with F4P(+) and complexes of the sp(3) bases with F3HP(+). These initially increase as the P-N distance decreases, reach a maximum, and then decrease with decreasing P-N distance as the P···N bond acquires increased covalent character. For the remaining complexes, (1p)J(P-N) increases with decreasing P-N distance. Complexation increases the P-F(ax) distance and (1)J(P-F(ax)) relative to the corresponding isolated ion. (1)J(P-F(ax)) correlates quadratically with the P-N distance.

The charge-assisted complexes between PH3X(+) and PH2X have been analyzed. MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations were performed and the results were supported by the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules approach and the Natural Bond Orbitals method. It was found that three different configurations could be formed, i.e. those linked through a P···P or a P···X pnicogen bond and those linked through a P-H···P hydrogen bond. The P···P configurations are the most stable ones corresponding to the strongest interactions; for all complexes the P···P configuration exists, while the P···X and P-H···P ones are present only for some of them. Different relations between the parameters were found, especially for the P···P interactions where there are correlations between the P···P distance and the electron density at the P···P bond critical point (ρPP) as well as between ρPP and the charge transfer energy.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been carried out on the pnicogen-bonded homodimers (PH2X)2 and the binary complexes H2XP:PYH2, for X, Y = F, Cl, OH, NC, CCH, CH3, CN, and H. The binding energies of these complexes are influenced by the nature of the X,Y pair, the intermolecular distance, the relative orientation of the interacting molecules, and the charge-transfer energies from the lone pair of one P to the σ-hole of the other. Binary complexes with X,Y = F, Cl, OH, and NC, as well as the homodimers, have a trans arrangement of the P-A and P-A' bonds with respect to the P···P bond, with A and A', the atoms of X and Y, respectively, bonded to the P atoms. The trendlines for the homodimers in plots of the binding energy versus the P-P distance, and the binding energy versus the total charge-transfer energy, exhibit better correlations than the trendlines for the binary complexes. The trendlines for the homodimers mark the boundary of the region in which points for the binary complexes appear. Pnicogen-bond radii for P in PH2X molecules have been determined from the P-P distances in the homodimers. The sum of these radii provides an excellent approximation to the P-P distance in the corresponding binary complex. EOM-CCSD spin-spin coupling constants (1p)J(P-P) have also been computed for all complexes. Coupling constants for the dimers and binary complexes exhibit a similar linear increase as the P-P distance decreases.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been carried out on the pnicogen-bonded complexes H(n)F(5-n)P:N-base, for n = 0-5 and nitrogen bases NC(-), NCLi, NP, NCH, and NCF. The structures of these complexes have either C(4v) or C(2v) symmetry with one exception. P-N distances and interaction energies vary dramatically in these complexes, while F(ax)-P-F(eq) angles in complexes with PF5 vary from 91° at short P-N distances to 100° at long distances. The value of this angle approaches the F(ax)-P-F(eq) angle of 102° computed for the Berry pseudorotation transition structure which interconverts axial and equatorial F atoms of PF5. The computed distances and F(ax)-P-F(eq) angles in complexes F5P:N-base are consistent with experimental CSD data. For a fixed acid, interaction energies decrease in the order NC(-) > NCLi > NP > NCH > NCF. In contrast, for a fixed base, there is no single pattern for the variations in distances and interaction energies as a function of the acid. This suggests that there are multiple factors that influence these properties. The dominant factor appears to be the number of F atoms in equatorial positions, and then a linear F(ax)-P···N rather than H(ax)-P···N alignment. The acids may be grouped into pairs (PF5, PHF4) with four equatorial F atoms, then (PH4F, PH2F3) with F(ax)-P···N linear, and then (PH3F2 and PH5) with H(ax)-P···N linear. The electron-donating ability of the base is also a factor in determining the structures and interaction energies of these complexes. Charge transfer from the N lone pair to the σ* P-A(ax) orbital stabilizes H(n)F(5-n)P:N-base complexes, with A(ax) either F(ax) or H(ax). The total charge-transfer energies correlate with the interaction energies of these complexes. Spin-spin coupling constants (1p)J(P-N) for (PF5, PHF4) complexes with nitrogen bases are negative with the strongest bases NC(-) and NCLi but positive for the remaining bases. Complexes of (PH4F, PH2F3) with these same two strong bases and H4FP:NP have positive (1p)J(P-N) values but negative values for the remaining bases. (PH5, PH3F2) have negative values of (1p)J(P-N) only for complexes with NC(-). Values of (1)J(P-F(ax)) and (1)J(P-H(ax)) correlate with the P-F(ax) and P-H(ax) distances, respectively.

A computational study of the intramolecular pnicogen bond in 1,8-bis-substituted naphthalene derivatives (ZXH and ZX2 with Z = P, As and X = H, F, Cl, and Br), structurally related to proton sponges, has been carried out. The aim of this paper is the study of their structural parameters, interaction energies and electronic properties such as electron density on the intramolecular interaction. The calculated geometrical parameters associated to the P···P interaction are in reasonably good agreement with the crystal structures found in a CSD search, in particular those of the halogen derivatives. Isodesmic reactions where the 1,8-bis-substituted derivatives are compared to monosubstituted derivatives have been calculated, indicating that the 1,8 derivatives are more stable than the monosubstituted ones for those cases with X-Z···Z-X and F-Z···Z-H alignments. Electron densities and Laplacians at the BCP on the pnicogen interactions suggest that they can be classified as pure closed shell interactions with a partial covalent character. Electron density shift maps are consistent with the results for intermolecular pnicogen interactions. Relationships between interatomic distance and electron density at the bond critical points and between interatomic distance and the orbital charge transfer stabilization energies have been found.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been carried out to investigate the pnicogen-bonded complexes H2YP:X(-), for X,Y = Cl, NC, F, CCH, and CH3. Of the 36 possible complexes, only 21 are unique equilibrium structures. All substituents form (H2XPX)(-) complexes with symmetric X-P-X bonds. The P-A ion-molecule pnicogen bonds in these and some additional complexes have partial covalent character, while some P-A' covalent bonds have partial ion-molecule character. A and A' are the atoms of X and Y, respectively, which are directly bonded to P. Complexes with these types of bonds include the symmetric complexes (H2XPX)(-), H2(CH3)P:F(-), H2(CCH)P:F(-), H2FP:NC(-), H2FP:Cl(-), H2FP:CN(-), and H2(NC)P:Cl(-). Charge transfer from A to the P-A' σ* orbital stabilizes H2YP:X(-) complexes and leads to a reduction of the negative charge on X. For fixed X, the smallest negative charge occurs in the symmetric complex. Then, for a given X, the order of decreasing negative charge with respect to Y is CH3 > CCH > CN (bonded through C) > F > NC (bonded through N) > Cl, which is also the order of decreasing P-A distance. EOM-CCSD spin-spin coupling constants (1p)J(P-A) differentiate between shorter ion-molecule pnicogen bonds with partial covalent character and longer P···A ion-molecule pnicogen bonds. Similarly, coupling constants (1)J(P-A') differentiate between longer covalent P-A' bonds with partial ion-molecule character and shorter P-A' covalent bonds.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been carried out in search of equilibrium structures with P···Cl pnicogen bonds or halogen bonds on the potential energy surfaces H2FP:ClY for Y = F, NC, Cl, CN, CCH, CH3, and H. Three different types of halogen-bonded complexes with traditional, chlorine-shared, and ion-pair bonds have been identified. Two different pnicogen-bonded complexes have also been found on these surfaces. The most electronegative substituents F and NC form only halogen-bonded complexes, while the most electropositive substituents CH3 and H form only pnicogen-bonded complexes. The halogen-bonded complexes involving the less electronegative groups Cl and CN are more stable than the corresponding pnicogen-bonded complexes, while the pnicogen-bonded complexes with CCH are more stable than the corresponding halogen-bonded complex. Traditional halogen-bonded complexes are stabilized by charge transfer from the P lone pair to the Cl-A σ* orbital, where A is the atom of Y directly bonded to Cl. Charge transfer from the Cl lone pair to the P-F σ* orbital stabilizes pnicogen-bonded complexes. As a result, the H2FP unit becomes positively charged in halogen-bonded complexes and negatively charged in pnicogen-bonded complexes. Spin-spin coupling constants (1X)J(P-Cl) for complexes with traditional halogen bonds increase with decreasing P-Cl distance, reach a maximum value for complexes with chlorine-shared halogen bonds, and then decrease and change sign when the bond is an ion-pair bond. (1p)J(P-Cl) coupling constants across pnicogen bonds tend to increase with decreasing P-Cl distance.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ searches of the potential surfaces of (H2C═PX)2 complexes, with X = F, Cl, OH, CN, NC, CCH, H, CH3, and BH2, have been carried out to identify and characterize the properties of complexes with P···P pnicogen bonds. All (H2C═PX)2 form equilibrium conformation A dimers with C(2h) symmetry in which A-P···P-A approaches a linear alignment, with A the atom of X directly bonded to P. Conformation A dimers containing the more electronegative substituents are stabilized by a P···P pnicogen bond, have shorter P-P distances, and have binding energies which correlate with the P-P distance. Dimers stabilized by a P···P pnicogen bond and two P···H(b) interactions consist of those with the more electropositive substituents, have shorter P-H(b) distances, and have binding energies which are too high for their P-P distances. Conformation A complexes with P···H(b) interactions in addition to the P···P bond are more stable than the corresponding (PH2X)2 complexes, while with only one exception, complexes stabilized by only a P···P bond are less stable than the corresponding (PH2X)2 complexes. In the region of the potential surfaces with C-P···P-C approaching linearity (conformation B), the only planar equilibrium complex is (H2C═POH)2, which is stabilized primarily by two O-H···P hydrogen bonds. The remaining (H2C═PX)2 complexes are not stabilized by pnicogen bonds, but by π interactions between the two H2C═PX monomers which are in parallel planes. When A-P···P-C approaches linearity, two types of equilibrium structures with P···P bonds exist. Of the conformation C dimers, (H2C═POH)2 is planar and the most stable, with a P···P pnicogen bond and an O-H···P hydrogen bond. (H2C═PH)2 and (H2C═PCH3)2 are also planar, and stabilized by a P···P pnicogen bond and a P···H(b) interaction. The absence of a P···H(b) interaction results in nonplanar C' conformations with structures in which the monomers essentially retain their symmetry plane, but the plane of one molecule is rotated about the P···P bond relative to the other. C and C' dimers are less stable than the corresponding A dimers, except for (H2C═PCH3)2. (31)P chemical shielding patterns are consistent with the changing nature of the interactions which stabilize (H2C═PX)2 complexes. EOM-CCSD (31)P-(31)P spin-spin coupling constants increase quadratically as the P-P distance decreases.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been carried out to determine the structures and binding energies of cyclic trimers (PH2X)3 with X = F, Cl, OH, NC, CN, CH3, H, and BH2. Except for [PH2(CH3)]3, these complexes have C3h symmetry and binding energies between -17 and -63 kJ mol(-1). Many-body interaction energy analyses indicate that the two-body terms are dominant, accounting for 97-103% of the total binding energy. Except for the trimer [PH2(OH)]3, the three-body terms are stabilizing. Charge transfer from the lone pair on one P atom to an antibonding σ* orbital of the P atom adjacent to the lone pair plays a very significant role in stabilization. The charge-transfer energies correlate linearly with the trimer binding energies. NBO, AIM, and ELF analyses have been used to characterize bonds, lone pairs, and the degree of covalency of the P···P pnicogen bonds. The NMR properties of chemical shielding and (31)P-(31)P coupling constants have also been evaluated. Although the (31)P chemical shieldings in the five most strongly bound trimers increase relative to the corresponding isolated monomers, there is no correlation between the chemical shieldings and the charges on the P atoms. EOM-CCSD (31)P-(31)P spin-spin coupling constants computed for four (PH2X)3 trimers fit nicely onto a plot of (1p)J(P-P) versus the P-P distance for (PH2X)2 dimers. A coupling constant versus distance plot for the four trimers has a second-order trendline which has been used to predict the values of (1p)J(P-P) for the remaining trimers.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been performed to investigate the structures and energies of binary complexes LA:PH2F and LA:PH3 and of ternary complexes LA:H2FP:NFH2 and LA:H3P:NH3 in which the pnicogen-bonded P atom also acts as an electron-pair donor to a Lewis acid (LA), for LA = BH3, NCH, ClH, FH, FCl, and HLi. Hydrogen bonds, halogen bonds, and dative covalent bonds are found at P in some cases, depending on the nature of the Lewis acid. HLi forms a lithium bond with P only in the binary complex HLi:PH3. The binding energies of ternary complexes exhibit a classical synergistic effect, although the computed cooperativity may be overestimated due to neglect of the interaction of the Lewis acid with NH2F or NH3 in some cases. The hydrogen-bonding Lewis acids appear to have little effect on the strength of the P···N bond, while the remaining Lewis acids strengthen the pnicogen bond. (31)P absolute chemical shieldings increase in LA:H2FP:NFH2 complexes relative to the corresponding LA:PH2F complexes as the positive charge on P decreases, while chemical shieldings decrease in LA:H3P:NH3 relative to the corresponding LA:PH3 complexes as the positive charge increases. Absolute values of (1p)J(P-N) spin-spin coupling constants in complexes LA:H2FP:NFH2 decrease as the P-N distance decreases. It appears that this behavior is associated with the presence of a second intermolecular interaction, whether electron-donation by P or hydrogen bond formation at P-F.

An ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ study has been carried out to identify local minima on the (NH(2)F)(2), H(2)FP:NFH(2), and (PH(2)F)(2) potential surfaces, to characterize the types of interactions which stabilize the complexes found at these minima, and to evaluate their binding energies. With one exception, (NH(2)F)(2) complexes are stabilized by N-H···N or N-H···F hydrogen bonds. Only one complex, that with the smallest binding energy, has a pnicogen N···N bond. In contrast, (PH(2)F)(2) complexes are stabilized by P···P or P···F pnicogen bonds or by an antiparallel alignment of the dipole moment vectors of the two monomers, but not by hydrogen bonds. The most stable complex has an F-P···P-F alignment which approaches linearity. Both hydrogen-bonded and pnicogen-bonded complexes exist on the H(2)FP:NFH(2) surface, with the most stable being the pnicogen-bonded complex with F-P···N-F approaching a linear arrangement. Charge transfer transitions from a lone pair on a P, N, or F atom in one molecule to an antibonding σ* orbital of the other stabilize these complexes. These transitions are most important for complexes with pnicogen bonds. Although net charge transfer occurs in complexes in which the two monomers are inequivalent, charges on N and P do not correlate with N and P absolute chemical shieldings. Rather, these shieldings also reflect charge distributions and overall bonding patterns. EOM-CCSD two-bond spin-spin coupling constants (2h)J(X-Y) across X-H···Y hydrogen bonds tend to be small, due in part to the nonlinearity of many of the hydrogen bonds. (1p)J values across a particular kind of pnicogen bond are relatively large and vary significantly but do not correlate with corresponding distances.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been carried out to investigate the influence of F-H···F hydrogen bonds on the P···N pnicogen bond in complexes nFH:(H2FP:NFH2) for n = 1-2, and a selected complex with n = 3. The NBO analysis indicates that the N(lp) → P-Fσ* charge-transfer transition has a much greater stabilizing effect than the P(lp) → N-Fσ* transition. When hydrogen bonding occurs at P-F, charge transfer associated with the pnicogen bond and the hydrogen bond are in the same direction but are in opposite directions when hydrogen bonding occurs at N-F. As a result, the formation of F-H···F hydrogen bonds at P-F leads to shorter P···N distances, increased strength of P···N bonds, and synergistic energetic effects; hydrogen bonding at N-F has opposite effects. (31)P and (15)N chemical shieldings do not correlate with charges on P and N, respectively, but (31)P shieldings correlate quadratically with the P-N distance. (1p)J(P-N) coupling constants do not correlate with the intermolecular P-N distance. However, when hydrogen bonding occurs only at P-F, (1p)J(P-N) decreases in absolute value as the P-N distance decreases, thereby approaching (1)J(P-N) for H2P-NH2. However, the P···N bond in 3FH:(H2FP:NFH2) has little covalent character, unlike the P···P bond in the corresponding complex 3FH:(PH2F)2.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been carried out to determine the structures and binding energies of homodimers (PHFX)(2) for X = F, Cl, CN, CH(3), and NC. Geometric isomers of these complexes with C(i) symmetry exist, which are differentiated in terms of the nature of the atoms (F-P···P-F, H-P···P-H, or A-P···P-A, with A being the atom of X directly bonded to P), which approach a nearly linear alignment. Of these, isomers having F-P···P-F linear are the most stable. Binding energies, intermolecular distances, and EOM-CCSD spin-spin coupling constants are sensitive to both the nature of X and the atoms that assume the linear alignment., (© 2012 American Chemical Society)

MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been performed to investigate the halogen-bonded complexes FCl:PCX, for X = NC, CN, F, H, CCH, CCF, CH(3), Li, and Na. Although stable complexes with a F-Cl···P halogen bond exist that form through the lone pair at P (configuration I), except for FCl:PCCN, the more stable complexes are those in which FCl interacts with the C≡P triple bond through a perturbed π system (configuration II). In complexes I, the nature of the halogen bond changes from traditional to chlorine-shared and the interaction energies increase, as the electron-donating ability of X increases. The anionic complex FCl:PC(-) has a chlorine-transferred halogen bond. SAPT analyses indicate that configuration I complexes with traditional halogen bonds are stabilized primarily by the dispersion interaction. The electrostatic interaction is the most important for configuration I complexes with chlorine-shared halogen bonds and for configuration II complexes except for FCl:PCNa for which the induction term is most important. The F-Cl stretching frequency is red-shifted upon complexation. EOM-CCSD/(qzp,qz2p) spin-spin coupling constants have been obtained for all FCl:PCX complexes with configuration I. (1)J(F-Cl) decreases upon complexation. (2X)J(F-P) values are quadratically dependent upon the F-P distance and are very sensitive to halogen-bond type. (1X)J(Cl-P) tends to increase as the Cl-P distance decreases but then decreases dramatically in the chlorine-transferred complex FCl:PC(-) as the Cl-P interaction approaches that of a covalent Cl-P bond. Values of (1)J(F-Cl) for configuration II are reduced relative to configuration I, reflecting the longer F-Cl distances in II compared to those of the neutral complexes of I. Although the F-P and Cl-P distances in configuration II complexes are shorter than these distances in the corresponding configuration I complexes, (2X)J(F-P) and (1X)J(Cl-P) values are significantly reduced, indicating that coupling through the perturbed C-P π bond is less efficient. The nature of F-P coupling for configuration II is also significantly different, as evidenced by the relative importance of PSO, FC, and SD components.

A series of new triazolopyridine-based phosphines has been prepared. These compounds revealed unexpected spectroscopic patterns. In particular, the NMR spectra are highly dependent on the relative conformational preference of the phosphine substituent at C7. Here, we report on their complete NMR analysis, X-ray structures and DFT calculations that confirm the particular arrangement of the phosphorus lone pair orbital related to the substituent pattern of the chosen phosphine.

Ab initio calculations at the MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ level have been carried out to investigate the structures and binding energies of cationic complexes involving protonated sp, sp2, and sp3 phosphorus bases as proton donor ions and the sp-hybridized phosphorus bases H-C[triple bond]P and H3C-C[triple bond]P as proton acceptors. These proton-bound complexes exhibit a variety of structural motifs, but all are stabilized by interactions that occur through the pi cloud of the acceptor base. The binding energies of these complexes range from 6 to 15 kcal/mol. Corresponding complexes with H3C-C[triple bond]P as the proton acceptor are more stable than those with H-C[triple bond]P as the acceptor, a reflection of the greater basicity of H3C-C[triple bond]P. In most complexes with sp2- or sp3-hybridized P-H donor ions, the P-H bond lengthens and the P-H stretching frequency is red-shifted relative to the corresponding monomers. Complex formation also leads to a lengthening of the C[triple bond]P bond and a red shift of the C[triple bond]P stretching vibration. The two-bond coupling constants 2pihJ(P-P) and 2pihJ(P-C) are significantly smaller than 2hJ(P-P) and 2hJ(P-C) for complexes in which hydrogen bonding occurs through lone pairs of electrons on P or C. This reflects the absence of significant s electron density in the hydrogen-bonding regions of these pi complexes.

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been performed to determine the structures and binding energies of 22 open and 3 cyclic complexes formed from the sp2 [H(2)C=PH and HP=PH (cis and trans)] and sp3 [PH2(CH3) and PH3] hybridized phosphorus bases and their corresponding protonated ions. EOM-CCSD calculations have been carried out to obtain (31)P-(31)P and (31)P-(1)H coupling constants across P-H+-P hydrogen bonds. Two equilibrium structures with essentially linear hydrogen bonds have been found along the proton-transfer coordinate, except for complexes with P(CH3)H3+ as the proton donor to the sp2 bases. Although the isomer having the conjugate acid of the stronger base as the proton donor lies lower on the potential energy surface, it has a smaller binding energy relative to the corresponding isolated monomers than the isomer with the conjugate acid of the weaker base as the donor. The hydrogen bond of the latter has increased proton-shared character. All of the complexes are stabilized by traditional hydrogen bonds, as indicated by positive values of the reduced coupling constants (2h)K(P-P) and (1)K(P-H), and negative values of (1h)K(H-P). (2h)J(P-P) correlates with the P-P distance, a correlation determined primarily by the nature of the proton donor. For open complexes, (1)J(P-H) always increases relative to the isolated monomer, while (1h)J(H-P) is relatively small and negative. (2h)J(P-P) values are quite large in open complexes, but are much smaller in cyclic complexes in which the P-H+-P hydrogen bonds are nonlinear. Thus, experimental measurements of (2h)J(P-P) should be able to differentiate between open and cyclic complexes.