Cocrystallization of the dithiocarbamate complexes [M(S 2CNEt 2) 2] (M = Ni 1, Pd 2, Pt 3) and X-substituted perfluoroarenes (X = I, Br; 1,2-dibromoperfluorobenzene FBrB and 1,2-diiodoperfluorobenzene FIB) gives isomorphous cocrystals of (1-3)·2(FBrB) and 1·2(FIB), correspondingly, whose structures were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The crystal structures demonstrate similar intermolecular contact types: short arene MS 4⋯π-hole stacking contacts, X⋯S halogen bonds, C-H⋯X (X = Br, I) bonds and C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds. In these structures, the {d z 2 -M IIS 4} moiety functions as an integrated five-center acceptor (that includes a metal d z 2 -orbital, even for a poorly d z 2 -nucleophilic Ni II center) toward the π-hole of an X-substituted perfluoroarene. This interaction provides stacking of inorganic and organic units furnishing the reverse sandwich structures. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations, in combination with quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules (QTAIM) and noncovalent interaction plot (NCIplot) analyses, supported the structure-defining role of the {MS 4}⋯π-hole contacts. The nucleophilicity of the {MS 4} cores toward electron deficient π-holes was verified from the molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEP) and electron density/electrostatic potential (ED/ESP) profiles, and atoms-in-molecules (AIM) charge analysis. The relatively strong {MS 4}⋯π-hole contact strength (interaction energies for an {MS 4}⋯π-hole 1 : 1 adduct range from −12.1 to −13.5 kcal mol −1) is probably due to the large overlap between the electron deficient π-cloud and the integrated {MS 4} nucleophilic core. The 1 : 1 adduct based on 3 demonstrates the largest strength (13.5 kcal mol −1) in the series and this strength agrees well with the higher d z 2 -nucleophilicity of the Pt II center revealed by the MEP analysis (−33.6 kcal mol −1).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2869-2879
Number of pages11
JournalInorganic Chemistry Frontiers
Volume9
Issue number12
Early online date19 Apr 2022
DOIs
StatePublished - 19 Apr 2022

    Scopus subject areas

  • Inorganic Chemistry

ID: 94492960