Heteromolecular C–I···π(CC)
and C–I···(LEP)NN (LEP lone electron
pair) have been observed for the first time in cocrystals of diphenylacetylene
(tolan, Ph2C2) and azobenzene (Ph2N2) with halogen bond donor, diiodoacetylene (C2I2). Computational analysis (density functional theory
(DFT), molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), quantum theory of
atoms in molecules (QTAIM)) indicates that C–I···π(CC)
and C–I···(LEP)NN interactions are stronger
than I···π(Ph),
which is also possible between iodo-XB donors and Ph2C2 or Ph2N2. However, cocrystallization
of Ph2C2 and Ph2N2 with
isomeric series of o-, m-, p-diiodotetrafluorobenzenes (1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-DITFB) and
pentafluoroiodobenzene (C6F5I) afforded the
cocrystals stabilized predominantly by the relatively weaker I···π(Ph)
interactions, while 1,3-DITFB featured both I···π(CC)
and I···π(Ph) halogen bonds. Analysis of the
interplay of intermolecular interactions and energetic, molecular
symmetry, and packing factors in cocrystals revealed a complex structural
landscape and suggested the lowering of molecular symmetry to achieve
the desired [C–I···π(CC)] and
[C–I···(LEP)NN] for diiodotetrafluorobenzene
coformers. Besides these promising structural motifs, we discuss here
the formation of chiral cocrystal structures from achiral coformers
and high-Z′ structure Ph2N2 1,2-DITFB
(2:3).