The Hellmann-Feynman theorem assures us that the forces felt by the nuclei in a molecule or complex are purely classically electrostatic. Nevertheless, it is often claimed (incorrectly) that electrostatic considerations are not sufficient to explain non-covalent interactions. Such assertions arise largely from neglecting the polarisation that is inherently part of the electrostatic interaction,...

It has been well established that long range secondary electrostatic interactions (SEIs) have a significant effect on the stability of supramolecular complexes. However, general rules for exploiting SEIs in the rational design of diverse supramolecular complexes have been difficult to obtain. In this work, we outline a quantum chemical approach for understanding the strength of electrostatic in...