The influence of
isomerism and protonation on crystal packing patterns
of three isomeric heteroaryl-2-imidazoles and one related compound
was investigated by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and density
functional theory. The comparison of their crystal structures helped
unveil the details of the energetic balance controlling supramolecular
packing and an unprecedented supramolecular synthon. The neutral species
were featured by a whole crystal close packing like a herringbone
pattern, which was mainly favored by C–H···π
interactions. On the other hand, the crystal packing of the protonated
species was characterized by π-stacking layers being supported
by π···π and anion-π interactions.
Energy framework analysis revealed that both Coulombic interactions
between hydrogen bond chains and dispersion energies mainly contributed
to the stabilization of the herringbone pattern assembly, whereas
a predominant contribution from Coulombic energy frameworks to total
energy in protonated forms was observed. The different patterns displayed
pieces of evidence of not only the important participation of the
heteroaryl moieties in the supramolecular assembly but also the significant
contribution of protonation hampering the N–H···N
hydrogen bonding interactions in the imidazole group. A thorough characterization
of the compounds by means of thermogravimetric analysis, differential
scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, NMR,
and electrospray ionization-(+)-MS is also presented.