Anisotropy of atomic van der Waals radii in the gas-phase and condensed molecules

The anisotropic components of van der Weals radii for 5b, 6b and 7b Group elements were determined from the structures of gaseous van der Waals complexes and of crystalline molecular solids. The transition from the gaseous to the solid state reduces the anisotropy of a van der Waals atomic shape. This anisotropy is largely responsible for the changes of intermolecular distances, which are often misinterpreted as an effect of hydrogen bonds.