Directionality of P⋯O pnicogen bonding in light of geometry corrected statistical analysis

Abstract

Statistical analysis, after cone correction, on X₃P⋯O and X₄P⋯O pnicogen bonds suggests that the ∠X–P⋯O prefers linearity and the linearity is more prominent in the case of X₃P⋯O. With an increase in the electronegativity of X, the preference for linearity also increases.