Comparing London dispersion pnictogen-π interactions in naphthyl-substituted dipnictanes.

Using a combination of NMR, single crystal X-ray diffraction (sc-XRD) and quantum chemistry, the structure-directing role of London Dispersion (LD) is demonstrated for dibismuthane Bi 2 Naph 2 (1). 1 shows intermolecular Bi⋯π contacts in the solid-state, while π⋯π interactions as observed in the lighter homologues are missing. Comparison of the whole series of dipnictanes revealed the influence of the pnictogen atom on the strength of London dispersion and highlights its importance in heavy main group element chemistry.