Stabilization of 2,6-Diarylanilinum Cation by Through-Space Cation-π Interactions.

ABSTRACT: Energetically favorable cation-π interactions play important roles in numerous molecular recognition processes in chemistry and biology. Herein, we present synergistic experimental and computational physical-organic chemistry studies on 2,6-diarylanilines that contain flanking meta/para-substituted aromatic rings adjacent to the central anilinium ion. A combination of measurements of pK_a values, structural analyses of 2,6-diarylanilinium cations, and quantum chemical analyses based on the quantitative molecular orbital theory and a canonical energy decomposition analysis (EDA) scheme reveal that through-space cation-π interactions essentially contribute to observed trends in proton affinities and pK_a values of 2,6-diarylanilines.

SUBMITTER: Simo Padial J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5603827 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature