The effect of multiple substituents on sandwich and T-Shaped π-π interactions

Sandwich and T-shaped configurations of substituted benzene dimers were studied by second-order perturbation theory to determine how substituents tune pi-pi interactions. Remarkably, multiple substituents have an additive effect on the binding energy of sandwich dimers, except in some cases when substituents are aligned on top of each other. The energetics of substituted T-shaped configurations are more complex, but nevertheless a simple model that accounts for electrostatic and dispersion interactions (and direct contacts between substituents on one ring and hydrogen atoms on the other), provides a good match to the quantum mechanical results. These results provide insight into the manner by which substituents csan be utilized in supramolecular design.