Halogen bonding influences perylene-core twists in non-core substituted perylene tetraesters

Halogen bonding has emerged as a popular synthon in supramolecular architectures. Its effects on supramolecular perylene systems however have been under investigated. We report X⋯O halogen bonding of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic tetra esters. This templates a twisted perylene core which affects its spectral properties. We show this interaction exists in both the solution and solid state through spectroscopy studies and single crystal analysis.