Addition of anions to perfluorinated 1,1 0 -biphenyl 1 or naphthalene 2 results in a shift of the 19 F NMR signals. However, any specific interaction cannot be assigned to this effect. In order to study the interaction in more detail, the salt derivatives 3 and 4 were prepared and studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction revealing weak anion-p interactions in the solid state.

The ability of multiple CF3 -substituted arenes to act as acceptors for anions is investigated. The results of quantum-chemical calculations show that a high degree of trifluoromethyl substitution at the aromatic ring results in a positive quadrupole moment. However, depending on the polarizability of the anion and on the substitution at the arene, three different modes of interaction, namely Meisenheimer complex, side-on hydrogen bonding, or anion-π interaction, can occur. Experimentally, the side-on as well as a η(2) -type π-complex are observed in the crystal, whereas in solution only side-on binding is found.

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