Abstract: The ability of a series of 20 halogen-substituted aromatic di-, tri-, and tetracarboxylic acids and 14 halogenated derivatives of 4,4′-bipyridyl to form a halogen bond is estimated by quantum chemical calculations. The comparison of surface electrostatic potentials provides the rational selection of building blocks to obtain the respective porous materials, in particular, metal-organic frameworks and porous organic salts. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].