Anisotropy of the van der Waals configuration of atoms in complex, condensed, and gas-phase molecules

Anisotropic van der Waals (vdW) radii of 5b-7b subgroup elements were determined from structures of gas-phase van der Waals complexes and crystal molecular compounds. The anisotropy of the van der Waals configuration of atoms was shown to decrease when going from isolated molecules to the condensed state. Variations in intermolecular distances, which are usually explained in terms of the formation of hydrogen bonds, are substantially governed by the anisotropic effect.