Role of tetrel bonds in the supramolecular architecture of tetranuclear Pb(ii)[LL′thiophene carboxylate] complexes – an experimental and computational study

Abstract

This work explores the synthesis and DFT study of five tetranuclear Pb(II) complexes and the role of tetrel bonding in their crystal engineering. Three synthesised Pb(II) complexes and two theoretical tetrameric Pb(II) complexes with halogenated thiophene carboxylate and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands are reported here. Their structural configurations, which feature chair-like repeating units connected via oxygen bridges, without Pb–Pb bonds, show two types of packing arrangements. Each Pb atoms form hemidirectional coordination creating space for the formation of tetrel bonds. The close packed arrangements are stabilised and guided by tetrel bonds. The Pb⋯Br tetrel bonds were found to contribute −4.38 kcal mol⁻¹ and Pb⋯Cl −3.37 kcal mol⁻¹ for the stability of the complexes. These tetrel bonds direct the packing arrangements within the crystal lattice. Additionally, open packed arrangements are stabilised by hydrogen bonds. These findings offer new insights into the design of lead-based metal organic frameworks and highlights the critical role of tetrel bonds in the crystal architecture.