Wiley, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 12(53), p. 3210-3213, 2014
Wiley, Angewandte Chemie, 12(126), p. 3274-3277, 2014
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Cooperativity between weak hydrogen bonds can be revealed in molecular clusters isolated in the gas phase. Here we examine the structure, internal dynamics, and origin of the weak intermolecular forces between sevoflurane and a benzene molecule, using multi-isotopic broadband rotational spectra. This heterodimer is held together by a primary CH⋅⋅⋅π hydrogen bond, assisted by multiple weak CH⋅⋅⋅F interactions. The multiple nonbonding forces hinder the internal rotation of benzene around the isopropyl CH bond in sevoflurane, producing detectable quantum tunneling effects in the rotational spectrum.