The measurement of a deuterium equilibrium
isotope effect (EIE)
for the aryl CH···Cl– interaction
of anion receptor 1H/1D is reported. Computations corroborate
the results of solution measurements for a small, normal EIE in the
full complex (KaH/KaD = 1.019 ± 0.010). Interestingly,
isotope effects involving fragments of the anion receptor (urea, aryl
ring, etc.) are predicted to produce an inverse effect. This points
to an unusual and subtle structural organization effect of the anion
receptor complex that changes the nature of the combined interactions
to a normal isotope effect. The reversal of EIE values suggests that
overall architecture of the anion receptor can dramatically impact
the nature of bonding in these complexes.