The effect of a strong cation•••π interaction on a weak selenium•••π interaction: A theoretical study

DFT calculation at B3LYP-D3/aug-cc-pVDZ computational level was applied to analyze intermolecular interactions in R2Se center dot center dot center dot C6H6 center dot center dot center dot M+ (M+ = Li+, Na+ and R = H, CH3) triads and their two considered conformers, which are connected via Se center dot center dot center dot pi and cation center dot center dot center dot pi interactions. The corresponding dyads were also studied to get better insight into the features of these systems. Molecular geometries and binding energies of dyads and triads were investigated at the B3LYP-D3/aug-cc-pVDZ computational level. To comprehend the nature of chalcogen center dot center dot center dot pi and cation center dot center dot center dot pi interaction, various analysis like synergetic energies, natural bond orbital and electron localization function analyses were performed. The data also showed that the cation center dot center dot center dot pi interaction in one side of pi system reduces the strength of Se center dot center dot center dot pi interaction in other side. As expected, triads with different cations show following order in stabilization energy: Li+ > Na+ (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.