Mixed Chiral and Achiral Character in Substituted Ethane: A Next Generation QTAIM Perspective

Abstract

We use the newly introduced spanning stress tensor trajectory $U_{\sigma}$-space construction within next generation quantum theory of atoms in molecules (NG-QTAIM) for a chirality investigation of singly and doubly substituted ethane with halogen substituents: F, Cl, Br. A lack of achiral character in $U_{\sigma}$-space was discovered for singly substituted ethane. The resultant axial bond critical point (BCP) sliding responded more strongly to the increase in atomic number of the substituted halogen than the chirality. The presence of the very light F atom was found responsible for a very high degree of achiral character of the doubly substituted ethane.