Quantitative analysis of weak non-covalent interactions in (Z)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-phenylacrylonitrile: insights from PIXEL and Hirshfeld surface analysis

Abstract

In the solid state, the title compound, C15H10ClN, is disordered over two orientations with a refined occupancy ratio of 0.86 (2):0.14 (2). The crystal structure is mainly stabilized by intermolecular C—H...N and C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds, and C—H...π interactions. The molecules pack in columns and adjacent columns are linked by weak C—H...Cl interactions. The PIXEL energy analysis suggests that the intermolecular C—H...π interactions form a strong dimer in the major component. Hirshfeld analysis reveals that H...C, H...H, H...Cl and H...N contacts are the most important contributors to the crystal packing.

Weak noncovalent interactions in two positional isomers of acrylonitrile derivatives: inputs from PIXEL energy, Hirshfeld surface and QTAIM analyses

“…There is a pair of red spots on the surface of molecule B of 2j corresponding to C–H⋅⋅⋅N interactions ( Figure 4G ). We also observed bright red spots in similar acrylonitrile derivatives near the cyano N atom that serves as an acceptor for intermolecular interactions ( Venkatesan et al, 2018 ; Udayakumar et al, 2019a , Udayakumar et al, 2019c , Udayakumar et al, 2019b , Udayakumar et al, 2020 ; Castillo et al, 202 3).…”