Supramolecular assemblies involving triaryltelluronium cations: combining chalcogen bonding, hydrogen bonding and lone pair–π interactions

Abstract

In this manuscript, we report the synthesis and X-ray characterization of a series of solvates and co-crystals involving triaryltelluronium salts and different Lewis bases. In some cases, the triaryltelluronium cation is able to interact with acceptor atoms simultaneously through its three σ-holes and through a “pocket” formed by the three electron-deficient aromatic rings linked to tellurium. The latter interaction involves an acceptor atom that shows close contacts with both the ortho-hydrogens of two aromatic rings and the electron-deficient π-system of the third ring. Interestingly, the co-crystal formed between the triaryltelluronium cation and ditopic nitrile ligands provides three-dimentional supramolecular networks that combine Te⋯N chalcogen bonds, C_Ar–H⋯N hydrogen bonds and N lone pair⋯π interactions.