Solid state halogen bonded networks vs. dynamic assemblies in solution: explaining N⋯X interactions of multivalent building blocks

Abstract

Tetrapyridine functionalized resorcinarene macrocycles were used as multivalent building blocks for the construction of halogen bonded networks with aryl halide linkers. In the solid state, resorcinarene macrocycles and aryl halide linker molecules assembled into interpenetrated, multidimensional halogen bonded networks with porous structure caused by the 3D block scaffold of the resorcinarenes. ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy proved halogen bond formation also in solution, as either upfield or downfield shifts were observed depending on the bivalent or monovalent halogen bond binding mode. The binding mode in solution was explained by density functional theory computations.