On the Importance of Pnictogen and Chalcogen Bonding Interactions in Supramolecular Catalysis

Abstract

In this review, several examples of the application of pnictogen (Pn) (group 15) and chalcogen (Ch) bonding (group 16) interactions in organocatalytic processes are gathered, backed up with Molecular Electrostatic Potential surfaces of model systems. Despite the fact that the use of catalysts based on pnictogen and chalcogen bonding interactions is taking its first steps, it should be considered and used by the scientific community as a novel, promising tool in the field of organocatalysis.

Keywords

• σ-hole interactions
• pnictogen bonding
• chalcogen bonding
• supramolecular chemistry
• catalysis