Long-range synthon Aufbau modules (LSAM) in crystal structures: systematic changes in C6H6−nFn (0 ≤ n ≤ 6) fluorobenzenes

Abstract

We discuss the assembly of a three-dimensional molecular crystal in terms of short-range supramolecular synthons that spontaneously organize themselves according to Aufbau principles into long-range geometries characteristic of the molecules themselves. For this purpose we have examined the systematic changes in the known crystal structures of a family of fluorobenzenes, C₆H_6−nF_n, where 0 ≤ n ≤ 6. Crystal assembly is initiated by forming long-range synthon Aufbau modules (LSAM) that carry the imprint of the synthons. For example, when 1 ≤ n ≤ 5 the short-range synthons use H⋯F interactions to form the LSAMs. In the n = 0 and n = 6 compounds, the synthons are H⋯C and F…C interactions, respectively. The LSAMs are usually one-dimensional. In this study we show that these 1D LSAMs assemble into 2D quasi-hexagonal close-packed layers. The 3D crystal structure is obtained from the various kinds of close-packing known for these 2D layers. The final stages of this 1D → 2D → 3D assembly seem to be more influenced by the packing of LSAMs than by any other factor. In these final stages, there may not be so much influence exerted by the stronger short-range synthons. We discuss the evolution of these fluorobenzene crystal structures in terms of putative LSAMs and the purely geometric relationships between the n and (6 − n) compounds that can thus be expected. Such particle–hole pairs show structural similarities. Our discussion is quantified by the interpretation of intermolecular distances in terms of atomic sizes and with qualitative predictions of magnetic model systems.