Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of ClF in Water: Halogen Bonding Interaction in Liquid

Does the halogen bonding interaction co-exist in liquid when it competes with the hydrogen bonding interaction? The classical molecular dynamics simulations for the solvation properties of ClF molecule in water are performed with the Lennard-Jones plus Coulomb electrostatic potential parameters that are optimized with ab initio interaction energy calculations for the pre-reactive H₂O…ClF complex. We find that the halogen bonding interactions occur between O and Cl atoms and have the comparable strength and population with respect to the hydrogen bonding interactions of Cl…H.