Issue 22, 2020

Recognition and applications of anion–anion dimers based on anti-electrostatic hydrogen bonds (AEHBs)

Abstract

Based on Coulomb's Law alone, electrostatic repulsion between two anions is expected to prevent their dimerization. Contrary to that idea, this Tutorial Review will present evidence showing that anion–anion dimers of protic hydroxyanions can form readily, and describe conditions that facilitate their formation. From X-ray crystal structures, we learn that hydroxyanions dimerize and oligomerize by overcoming long-range electrostatic opposition. Common examples are hydroxyanions of phosphate, sulfate, and carbonate, often in partnership with charged and neutral receptors. Short-range hydrogen bonds between anionic donors and acceptors are defined as anti-electrostatic hydrogen bonds (AEHBs) with insight from theoretical studies. While anion dimers are difficult to identify unequivocally in solution, these solution dimers have recently been definitively identified. The development of the supramolecular chemistry of anion–anion dimers has led to applications in hierarchical assemblies, such as supramolecular polymers and hydrogen bonded organic frameworks.

Graphical abstract: Recognition and applications of anion–anion dimers based on anti-electrostatic hydrogen bonds (AEHBs)

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
04 מאי 2020
First published
17 יול 2020

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2020,49, 7893-7906

Author version available

Recognition and applications of anion–anion dimers based on anti-electrostatic hydrogen bonds (AEHBs)

W. Zhao, A. H. Flood and N. G. White, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2020, 49, 7893 DOI: 10.1039/D0CS00486C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements