The aim of this study is to describe and compare the supramolecular interactions, in the solid state, of chloro-, bromo-, and iodobenzothiophene diols. The compounds were obtained through organo-catalyzed reactions starting from 3-substituted halobenzothiophene carbaldehydes. Energies of the noncovalent interactions were obtained by density functional theory calculations. Bond distances and angles were found to be in accordance with those determined by X-ray structure analysis. anti-Bromobenzothiophene derivatives showed strong halogen⋅⋅⋅π interactions between bromine and the heterocyclic phenyl ring, corresponding to an energy of 7.5 kcal mol(-1). syn-Bromo and syn-iodo derivatives appeared to be isostructural, showing X⋅⋅⋅O (carbonyl) interactions, π stacking, and formation of extended hydrogen bonding networks. In contrast, the chloro derivatives displayed no halogen bonding interactions.
Keywords: ab initio calculations; benzothiophenes; crystal structures; halogen bonding; hydrogen bonding.