A topological analysis of the interion interactions of tetraphenylphosphonium squarate

Abstract

The tetraphenylphosphonium squarate salt crystallizes with a number of diverse interactions, which all have the potential to be classified as hydrogen bonds. The squarate anions are found as dimers linked by O-H···O interactions. The multipole refinement of the tetraphenylphosphonium squarate was performed using the Hansen–Coppens model followed by topological analysis of its intermolecular interactions. A total of 28 interactions were found among the symmetry related molecules, which include a number of C-H···Cπ, C-H···O, and C-H···H-C interactions, along with the O-H···O interaction. With the criteria for hydrogen bonding proposed by Popelier and Koch, it is possible to determine which of these interactions are hydrogen bonds and which are van der Waals interactions. Both linear and exponentially dependent correlations can be seen for the properties of the bond critical points involving the intermolecular interactions that fulfill these criteria. All this leads to a better understanding of the role that hydrogen bonds play in the formation of small organic compounds.Key words: electron density, multiple refinement, hydrogen bonds.