Neutron Diffraction Study of Significant <i>sp</i><sup>3</sup> and <i>sp</i><sup>2</sup> C–H Bond Shortening in a Fluorinated Pyridinium Saccharinate
Norman Lu, Vijayanath Elakkat, Joseph S. Thrasher, Xiaoping Wang, Eskedar Tessema, Ka Long Chan, Rong-Jun Wei, Tarek Trabelsi, Joseph S. Francisco
Abstract
We have experimentally shown by neutron diffraction significant shortening of both sp3- and sp2-hybridized C–H bonds to 1.092(2) and 1.081(1) Å in a hydrogen-bonded crystal of a difluorinated compound, 4-((2,2-difluoroethoxy)methyl)pyridinium saccharinate. Both MP2 and DFT calculations affirmed the C–H bond shrinkages. Sanderson’s electronegativity equalization principle provides insight into the shortening of the C–H covalent bond lengths for both sp3- and sp2-hybridized carbon atoms. To the best of our knowledge, this neutron diffraction study has revealed the largest extents of sp3 and sp2 C–H bond shrinkages with a 3-sigma rule being satisfied.