Stereoelectronic effects of substituent groups in the solid state. Crystal chemistry of some cubanecarboxylic and phenylpropiolic acids

Abstract

A series of 4-substituted cubanecarboxylic acids and phenylpropiolic acids have been studied with the aim of elucidating steric and electronic factors exerted by the 4-substituent in the formation of the dimer, or alternatively, the rare syn-anti catemer patterns in their respective crystal structures. It is shown that catemer formation depends critically on the ability of a proximal C-H group to form a supportive C-H···O bond. In turn, this means that the C-H group must be sufficiently activated toward hydrogen bond formation. Such activation is inherent to the cubyl group but must be present additionally from a suitable electron withdrawing group in the phenylpropiolic acids. In any event, while C-H activation is necessary for catemer formation it is not sufficient. The substituent group that is present in the 4-position must also be sufficiently bulky so as to form a close packed array that is compatible with the catemer geometry. These trends are justified by the crystal structures of the 12 acids in the two families wherein the 4-substituent group is H, F, Cl, Br, I, and CH₃. Our results indicate that electronic and steric effects of functional groups may be distinguished in the solid state, in that the formation of either a dimer or catemer may be rationalized on the basis of these effects.