The host–guest inclusion complex of p-chlorophenol inside α-cyclodextrin: An atoms in molecules study

We report a study of the inclusion complex of p-chlorophenol inside α-cyclodextrin (α-CD) by the theory of atoms in molecules (AIM). We use a quantitative comparison of some AIM properties of isolated p-chlorophenol (PCP) and the inclusion complex (PCP-CD) and we characterize some weak interactions within the host–guest complex. Furthermore, we compare the electrophilic aromatic substitution on the p-chlorophenol in the isolated state and inside α-CD. The analysis of the bond critical points of PCP shows that there is no trend in the effect on the AIM properties of PCP due to inclusion in the α-CD.