Halogen Bonding: A Paradigm in Supramolecular Chemistry
Chem. Eur. J. 2001, 7, 2511
P. Metrangolo, G. Resnati
 Schematic diagram representing the formation of hydrogen bonded (a) and halogen bonded (b) networks. When the three components are present at the same time in the solution (c), the latter interaction prevails over the former in identifying the modules to be involved in the self-assembly process.
Schematic diagram representing the formation of hydrogen bonded (a) and halogen bonded (b) networks. When the three components are present at the same time in the solution (c), the latter interaction prevails over the former in identifying the modules to be involved in the self-assembly process.
ABSTRACT
The term halogen bonding describes the tendency of halogen atoms to attractively interact with lone pair possessing atoms. The binding features and structural properties of halogen bonding are discussed and applied to drive the intermolecular self-assembly of hydrocarbons and perfluorocarbons in chemo-, site-, and enantioselective supramolecular syntheses. The halogen bonding is thus an effective and reliable tool in crystal engineering at the disposal of the supramolecular chemist.