Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Competitive Halide Binding By Halogen Versus Hydrogen Bonding: Bis-Triazole Pyridinium, Binod Nepal, Steve Scheiner

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The binding of F-, Cl-, Br-, and I- anions by bis‐triazole‐pyridine (BTP) was examined by quantum chemical calculations. There is one H atom on each of the two triazole rings that chelate the halide via H bonds. These H atoms were replaced by halogens Cl, Br, and I, thus substituting H bonds by halogen bonds. I substitution strongly enhances the binding; Br has a smaller effect, and Cl weakens the interaction. The strength of the interaction is sensitive to the overall charge on the BTP, rising as the binding agent becomes singly and then doubly positively charged. The strongest preference …