Co-crystal formation vs. boron coordination: fluorination in azopyridines regulates supramolecular competition

Abstract

Fluorination of azopyridine N-donors regulates the formation of either B ← N coordination adducts or a co-crystal with phenylboronic acid catechol ester. Specifically, the formation of B ← N adducts is promoted by azopyridines with up to four fluorines, while perfluorination affords a co-crystal via phenyl–perfluoropyridyl [π⋯π_F] contacts. Electrostatic potential maps showed supramolecular bonding competition outcomes to be primarily determined by modulation of electron-donating capacity and π surfaces of azopyridine N-donors using fluorination.