We’re excited to share our latest research, a collaboration with Thomas Lectka, recently published in the Journal of Fluorine Chemistry. This study delves into the intriguing properties of a distinctive molecule that showcases a remarkable interaction between a CF2H group and a C-F group.
While CF2H groups are recognized in medicinal chemistry as weak hydrogen bond donors and C-F groups as weak H-bond acceptors, it’s rare to see them juxtaposed in a way that allows for an in-depth exploration of their combined attributes. Our findings reveal that these groups not only display a captivating hydrogen bonding interaction but also an anchoring n → σ* component. A combination of steric and hyperconjugative effects shifts this interaction, differentiating it from the previously reported dominant tetrel-type bonding seen in a CH2F and CF interaction, leading to a uniquely complex hybrid interaction.
Our approach was comprehensive, utilizing crystallographic, computational, and spectroscopic methodologies to provide insights into this complex.
🔗 For a detailed read and more insights, check out the full publication here.
