Halogen bonding in crystal engineering

Abstract

The term halogen bonding encompasses any non-covalent interaction involving halogens as electrophilic species. High strength and directionality are the remarkable features of halogen bonding that fully justify its use as a primary intermolecular interaction to dictate molecular self-assembly processes. This chapter will outline the use of halogen bonding in crystal engineering and will highlight the obtainment of heteromeric crystal structures with complex topologies. Even though the use of halogen bonding is still in its infancy, the growing interest in the field shown by the crystal engineering community promises major advances in the future.