Halogen- and chalcogen-based σ-hole interactions have recently received increased interest in non-covalent organocatalysis. However, the closely related pnictogen bonds have been neglected. In this study, we introduce conceptually simple, neutral, and monodentate pnictogen-bonding catalysts. Solution and in silico binding studies, together with high catalytic activity in chloride abstraction reactions, yield compelling evidence for operational pnictogen bonds. The depth of the σ holes is easily varied with different substituents. Comparison with homologous halogen- and chalcogen-bonding catalysts shows an increase in activity from main group VII to V and from row 3 to 5 in the periodic table. Pnictogen bonds from antimony thus emerged as by far the best among the elements covered, a finding that provides most intriguing perspectives for future applications in catalysis and beyond.

中文翻译：

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光气，硫属元素和卤素键的催化作用。

基于卤素和硫族元素的σ-孔相互作用最近对非共价有机催化越来越感兴趣。但是，紧密相关的光原键已被忽略。在这项研究中，我们介绍了概念上简单，中性和单齿的光原键合催化剂。溶液和计算机键合研究以及在氯化物提取反应中的高催化活性，为有效的光子原键提供了令人信服的证据。σ孔的深度容易随不同的取代基而变化。与同源的卤素和硫族元素键合催化剂的比较显示，从周期表中的第VII主族到V以及从第3行到第5行活性增加。因此，锑产生的光子键是目前所涵盖元素中最好的，