On the aromaticity of square planar Ga4(2-) and In4(2-) in gaseous NaGa4- and NaIn4- clusters

Group 13 five- and six-membered rings with rare 2π aromaticity

According to Hückel's rule, cyclic species are aromatic if they have 4n + 2 (n = 0, 1, 2, etc.) π electrons. However, large aromatic rings (atom number > 4) with minimum 2π electrons (i.e., n = 0) are rather rare because of the structural instability stemming from the deficient π electrons compared to the ring size. To date, the largest 2π-aromatic ring is a five-membered Ga5 core reported in a recent experiment. Herein, density functional theory calculations predicted seven inverse-sandwich Na2(MH)5 and half-sandwich Ca(MH)5 or Ca(MH)6 (M = Al, Ga or In) structures. They all have planar central five- or six-membered Al/Ga/In rings, rather negative binding energies and large HOMO-LUMO gaps. Their dianionic metal rings exhibit obvious aromatic characters and appreciable diatropic ring currents due to the good delocalization of 2π electrons donated by the Na/Ca metals. Interestingly, they also have novel collective bonding with the Na/Ca atoms interacting with both the metal ring and surrounding H atoms. These metalloaromatic rings not only greatly enrich the precious family of 2π aromatics, but also increase the maximum ring atom number from five to six, thus paving the way for Hückel-type 2π-aromatic large rings.

A Neutral Planar Four-Membered Si2B2 2π-Aromatic Ring

The synthesis of the first inorganic four-membered neutral 2π-aromatic compound 2 is reported. This unique ring has been synthesized from a simple and straightforward reaction of amidinato-silylene with dichlorophenylborane, followed by the reduction with KC8 in THF. Compound 2 has been fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The computational calculations reveal that the Si2B2 ring is a π-delocalized system resulting from the interaction of pπ orbital of B and Si-N σ* orbitals having pseudo π symmetry. Compound 2 is the first known example of a neutral planar inorganic analogue of cyclobutenyl dication.

Exact two-component theory becoming an efficient tool for NMR shieldings and shifts with spin-orbit coupling

We present a gauge-origin invariant exact two-component (X2C) approach within a modern density functional framework, supporting meta-generalized gradient approximations such as TPSS and range-separated hybrid functionals such as CAM-B3LYP. The complete exchange-correlation kernel is applied, including the direct contribution of the field-dependent basis functions and the reorthonormalization contribution from the perturbed overlap matrix. Additionally, the finite nucleus model is available for the electron-nucleus potential and the vector potential throughout. Efficiency is ensured by the diagonal local approximation to the unitary decoupling transformation in X2C as well as the (multipole-accelerated) resolution of the identity approximation for the Coulomb term (MARI-J, RI-J) and the seminumerical exchange approximation. Errors introduced by these approximations are assessed and found to be clearly negligible. The applicability of our implementation to large-scale calculations is demonstrated for a tin pincer-type system as well as low-valent tin and lead complexes. Here, the calculation of the Sn nuclear magnetic resonance shifts for the pincer-type ligand with about 2400 basis functions requires less than 1 h for hybrid density functionals. Further, the impact of spin-orbit coupling on the nucleus-independent chemical shifts and the corresponding ring currents of all-metal aromatic systems is studied.

φ-Aromaticity in prismatic {Bi6}-based clusters

The occurrence of aromaticity in organic molecules is widely accepted, but its occurrence in purely metallic systems is less widespread. Molecules comprising only metal atoms (M) are known to be able to exhibit aromatic behaviour, sustaining ring currents inside an external magnetic field along M-M connection axes (σ-aromaticity) or above and below the plane (π-aromaticity) for cyclic or cage-type compounds. However, all-metal compounds provide an extension of the electrons' mobility also in other directions. Here, we show that regular {Bi₆} prisms exhibit a non-localizable molecular orbital of f-type symmetry and generate a strong ring current that leads to a behaviour referred to as φ-aromaticity. The experimentally observed heterometallic cluster [{CpRu}₃Bi₆]^-, based on a regular prismatic {Bi₆} unit, displays aromatic behaviour; according to quantum chemical calculations, the corresponding hypothetical Bi₆^2- prism shows a similar behaviour. By contrast, [{(cod)Ir}₃Bi₆] features a distorted Bi₆ moiety that inhibits φ-aromaticity.

A Planar Five‐Membered Aromatic Ring Stabilized by Only Two π‐Electrons

Many chemicals known today are partially or fully aromatic, since a ring framework experiences additional stabilization through the delocalization of π‐electrons. While aromatic rings with equal numbers of π‐electrons and ring atoms such as benzene are particularly stable, those with the minimally required two π‐electrons are very rare and yet remain limited to three‐ and four‐membered rings if not stabilized in the coordination sphere of heavy metals. Here we report the facile synthesis of a dipotassium cyclopentagallene, a unique example of a five‐membered aromatic ring stabilized by only two π‐electrons. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed a planar Ga₅ ring with almost equal gallium–gallium bond lengths, which together with computational and spectroscopic data confirm its aromatic character. Our results prove that aromatic stabilization goes far beyond what has previously been assumed as minimum π‐electron count in a five‐atom ring fragment.

Occurrence of Double Bond in π-Aromatic Rings: An Easy Way to Design Doubly Aromatic Carbon-Metal Structures

A chemical bonding of several metallabenzenes and metallabenzynes was studied via an adaptive natural density partitioning (AdNDP) algorithm and the induced magnetic field analysis. A unique chemical bonding pattern was discovered where the M=C (M: Os, Re) double bond coexists with the delocalized 6c-2e π-bonding elements responsible for aromatic properties of the investigated complexes. In opposition to the previous description where 8 delocalized π-electrons were reported in metallabenzenes and metallabenzynes, we showed that only six delocalized π-electrons are present in those molecules. Thus, there is no deviation from Hückel's aromaticity rule for metallabenzynes/metallabenzenes complexes. Based on the discovered bonding pattern, we propose two thermodynamically stable novel molecules that possess not only π-delocalization but also retain six σ-delocalized electrons, rendering them as doubly aromatic species. As a result, our investigation gives a new direction for the search for carbon-metal doubly aromatic molecules.

Substantial π-aromaticity in the anionic heavy-metal cluster [Th@Bi12]4

The concept of aromaticity was originally defined as a property of unsaturated, cyclic planar organic molecules like benzene, which gain stability by the inherent delocalization of 4n + 2 π-electrons over the ring atoms. Since then, π-aromaticity has been observed for a large variety of organic and inorganic non-metal compounds, yet, for molecules consisting only of metal atoms, it has remained restricted to systems with three to five atoms. Here, we present the straightforward synthesis of a metal 12-ring that exhibits 2π-aromaticity and has a ring current much stronger than that of benzene (6π) and equivalent to that of porphine (26π), despite these organic molecules having (much) larger numbers of π-electrons. Highly reducing reaction conditions allowed access to the heterometallic anion [Th@Bi₁₂]^4-, with interstitial Th⁴⁺ stabilizing a Bi₁₂^8- moiety. Our results show that it is possible to design and generate substantial π-aromaticity in large metal rings, and we hope that such π-aromatic heavy-metal cycles will eventually find use in cluster-based reactions.

Aromaticity Criterion Is Not the Only Factor to Decide the Ring Stability of Boron Oxide Families: c-M2O2-/0 Clusters (M = B, Al, Ga, and In)

Generally, compared to conjugated chain molecules, aromaticity provides additional stability for the cyclic, planar, and conjugated molecules. Thus, the concept of aromaticity was undeniably utilized to explain the unique stability for extensive cyclic molecules (notably for benzene, recently reported boron rings, and all-metal multiply aromatic Al₄^2- salts) to guide chemical syntheses. However, can aromaticity alone describe the stability for all of those cyclic and planar clusters or molecules? In this regard, we observed the four-membered prototypical rings: c-M₂O₂^-/0 clusters (M = B, Al, Ga, and In) possessing unique rhombic (four-center, four-electron) π and σ o-bonds, which are considered to have 3-fold aromaticity. Moreover, we not only elucidated the key role of ring strain energy (RSE) to determine the stability of these rings but also unexpectedly revealed that the electrostatic interaction (ionicity) plays a fundamental role in the stability of Al₂O₂^-/0 clusters through systematically experimental and theoretical investigations into the isolated M₂O₂^-/0 clusters (M = B, Al, Ga, and In). Detailed geometries, molecular orbital, and chemical bonding nature were analyzed to unravel those influences. This work provides a clue in which RSE and the electrostatic effect should be carefully taken into account for the stability of diverse cyclic clusters or molecules compared to the expected stability factor from aromaticity.

Interpreting Aromaticity and Antiaromaticity through Bifurcation Analysis of the Induced Magnetic Field

In all molecules, a current density is induced when the molecule is subjected to an external magnetic field. In turn, this current density creates a particular magnetic field. In this work, the bifurcation value of the induced magnetic field is analyzed in a representative set of aromatic, non-aromatic and antiaromatic monocycles, as well as a set of polycyclic hydrocarbons. The results show that the bifurcation value of the ring-shaped domain adequately classifies the studied molecules according to their aromatic character. For aromatic and nonaromatic molecules, it is possible to analyze two ring-shaped domains, one diatropic (inside the molecular ring) and one paratropic (outside the molecular ring). Meanwhile, for antiaromatic rings, only a diatropic ring-shaped domain (outside the molecular ring) is possible to analyze, since the paratropic domain (inside the molecular ring) is irreducible with the maximum value (attractor) at the center of the molecular ring. In some of the studied cases, i. e., in heteroatomic species, bifurcation values do not follow aromaticity trends and present some inconsistencies in comparison to ring currents strengths, showing that this approximation provides only a qualitative estimation about (anti)aromaticity.

A niobium-necked cluster [As3Nb(As3Sn3)]3− with aromatic Sn32−

A new Zintl cluster [As₃Nb(As₃Sn₃)]³⁻ was synthesized and characterized, in which an As₃ triangle and a bowl-type As₃Sn₃ ligand are bridged by a niobium atom. The Sn₃ ring is found to have σ-aromaticity featured by a delocalized Sn–Sn–Sn σ orbital.

Beyond organic chemistry: aromaticity in atomic clusters

We describe joint experimental and theoretical studies carried out collaboratively in the authors' labs for understanding the structures and chemical bonding of novel atomic clusters, which exhibit aromaticity.

An Aromaticity Scale Based on the Topological Analysis of the Electron Localization Function Including σ and π Contributions

In this work, the average bifurcation value of the electron localization function (ELF) of both σ (ELFσ) and π (ELFπ) contributions was used to construct an aromaticity scale for chemical compounds. We have validated the scale with a series of well-known molecules and then used it to evaluate global aromaticity on aluminum based clusters, which present σ aromaticity and π antiaromaticity. The proposed scaled predicts an overall antiaromatic character for the Al4(4)(-) moiety.

Ab initio and DFT studies on the structures, binding energies and nature of bonds in X2Y3 metal clusters (X+ = Li+, Na+ and K+; ${\rm Y}_{3}^{2-} = {\rm Zn}_{3}^{2-}, {\rm Cd}_{3}^{2-}$ and ${\rm Hg}_{3}^{2-}$)

A comprehensive theoretical study on the structure and stability of linear and triangular isomers of anionic clusters of zinc, cadmium and mercury [Formula: see text] and their binding with one and two alkali metal cations ( X + = Li +, Na +, K +) has been investigated at the density functional (BP86 and B3LYP) and ab initio (MP2, MP4 and coupled cluster single and double (CCSD)) methods. The results showed that in all cases, the triangular geometry with D3h symmetry is more stable than linear one. The calculated values of interaction energies (IE) between [Formula: see text] anions and two X+ cations, Wiberg bond indices (WBI) and the electron densities at bond critical points (BCP), ρ(BCP), for Y–X bonds show that among all complexes investigated here at all levels of theory Zn 3 Li 2 and Hg 3 K 2 have the largest and the smallest values of IE, WBI and ρ(BCP), respectively. The natural charges of the atoms and WBI involved in the bonding as well as the global value of the charge transfer ΔQ from [Formula: see text] to X+ cation in X2Y3 clusters, evaluated through natural population analysis, confirmed that covalent contribution in Y–X bond formation increases from K + to Li +. Also the energy decomposition analyses (EDA) were used to detect the nature of interaction in the complexes. The results confirmed that the contribution of electrostatic interactions in present complexes is almost more than 70%.

Recent developments and future prospects of all-metal aromatic compounds

The usefulness of aromaticity/antiaromaticity concepts to foresee structural stability patterns and salient features of the electronic structure of small inorganic and all-metal rings has been put forward. A critical revision of the advances made in the theoretical methods to assess the aromaticity/antiaromaticity of these compounds has also been made. In particular, the performance of local versus non-local indices has been reviewed. Finally, the passivation of these rings has been put forward as a key issue in order to prevent them from collapsing into larger aggregates and to provide them protection against the environment.

Introducing “carborazine” as a novel heterocyclic aromatic species

Aromatic carborazine is a heterocyclic ring consisting of C, B and N atoms at opposite faces.

Direct Characterization of Metal-Metal Bonds between Nuclei with Strong Quadrupolar Interactions via NMR Spectroscopy

Metal-metal bonds can be difficult to characterize directly. We demonstrate that J couplings between metal nuclei experiencing strong quadrupolar interactions can be easily measured from well-defined splittings in NMR spectra of powdered samples. Using (69/71)Ga NMR, it is shown that homonuclear J coupling, which is four orders of magnitude smaller than the quadrupolar coupling in a series of compounds featuring gallium-gallium bonds, can be extracted with a 2-D NMR experiment. The dependence of the multiplets on crystal symmetry reveals information on the structures of two Ga-Ga-bonded compounds for which diffraction data are unavailable. Interpretation of the data in a molecular orbital framework provides insight into the nature of the metal-metal bond.

Probing the structure and aromaticity in coinage Rhenium trimer ${\rm Re}_{3}^{+}$ and its all-metal compounds Re3Li2+, Re3X3+ (X = Be, Mg and Ca) and Re3Y (Y = Al and Ga)

The extensive search for the global minimum structure of [Formula: see text] at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of the theory revealed that [Formula: see text] is the ground state. Molecular orbital (MO) analysis reveal that delocalized partial σ and δ bonding in [Formula: see text] makes partial (σ- and δ-) aromaticity. The multiple d-orbital aromaticities are responsible for a three-center metal–metal bond of the triangular Re 3. We also search the pyramidal Re 3 Li 2+, Re 3X3+ ( X = Be , Mg and Ca ) and Re 3 Y ( Y = Al and Ga ) clusters containing [Formula: see text] to reveal that the [Formula: see text] was preserved perfectly in all-metal compounds, which also possess partially σ- and δ-multiple aromatic characters.

PtZnH5(-), A σ-Aromatic Cluster

We report a joint photoelectron spectroscopic and theoretical study of the PtZnH5(-) cluster anion. This cluster exhibited an unprecedented planar pentagonal coordination for Pt and an unusual stability and high intensity in the mass spectrum. Both are due to the σ-aromaticity found in the H5-cycle supported by the 5d orbitals on the Pt atom. σ-Aromaticity in all-H systems has been predicted in the past but never found in experimentally observed species. Besides fundamental importance, mixed transition-metal hydrides can be found as intermediates in catalytic processes, and thus, the unexpected stability facilitated by σ-aromaticity can be appreciated also in practical applications.

18-Electron rule inspired Zintl-like ions composed of all transition metals

The 18-electron rule is applied to design a new class of all transition metal based Zintl-like ions.

Nucleus-independent chemical shifts and aromaticity in hexanuclear cluster complexes [Mo6X8]n- (X = S, Se, and Te; n = 0 and 4) of Chevrel phases

Molecular diamagnetism and multicentered X-Mo-Mo and Mo-Mo-Mo interactions in hexanuclear cluster complexes [Mo(6)X(8)](n-) (X = S, Se, and Te; n = 0 and 4) are studied using calculations of nuclear independent chemical shifts (NICS) and the methods "atoms in molecules" and electron localization function. It is shown that [Mo(6)X(8)](4-) complexes are characterized by large negative NICSs related to the aromaticity of Mo-Mo bondings and to diatropic currents in Mo(6) metallic core of the cuboctahedral clusters. The calculated currents can participate in the mechanism of nucleation of the vortex lattice of macroscopic Abrikosov's electronic whirls responsible for the magnetic high-field stability of the superconducting currents in type II superconductors.

Selected AB4(2-/-) (A = C, Si, Ge; B = Al, Ga, In) ions: a battle between covalency and aromaticity, and prediction of square planar Si in SiIn4(2-/-)

CAl(4)(2-/-) (D(4h), (1)A(1g)) is a cluster ion that has been established to be planar, aromatic, and contain a tetracoordinate planar C atom. Valence isoelectronic substitution of C with Si and Ge in this cluster leads to a radical change of structure toward distorted pentagonal species. We find that this structural change goes together with the cluster acquiring partial covalency of bonding between Si/Ge and Al(4), facilitated by hybridization of the atomic orbitals (AOs). Counter intuitively, for the AAl(4)(2-/-) (A = C, Si, Ge) clusters, hybridization in the dopant atom is strengthened from C, to Si, and to Ge, even though typically AOs are more likely to hybridize if they are closer in energy (i.e. in earlier elements in the Periodic Table). The trend is explained by the better overlap of the hybrids of the heavier dopants with the orbitals of Al(4). From the thus understood trend, it is inferred that covalency in such clusters can be switched off, by varying the relative sizes of the AOs of the main element and the dopant. Using this mechanism, we then successfully killed covalency in Si, and predicted a new aromatic cluster ion containing a tetracoordinate square planar Si, SiIn(4)(2-/-).

Double σ-Aromaticity in a Surface-Deposited Cluster: Pd4 on TiO2 (110)

We report double σ-aromaticity in a surface-deposited cluster, Pd4, on the TiO2 (110) surface. In the gas phase, Pd4 adopts a tetrahedral structure. However, surface binding promotes a flat, σ-aromatic cluster. This is the first time aromaticity has been found in surface-deposited clusters. The concept of aromaticity is expected to become instrumental in predicting and interpreting properties of such systems, much like it is for isolated molecules and clusters.

The induced magnetic field

Aromaticity is indispensable for explaining a variety of chemical behaviors, including reactivity, structural features, relative energetic stabilities, and spectroscopic properties. When interpreted as the spatial delocalization of π-electrons, it represents the driving force for the stabilization of many planar molecular structures. A delocalized electron system is sensitive to an external magnetic field; it responds with an induced magnetic field having a particularly long range. The shape of the induced magnetic field reflects the size and strength of the system of delocalized electrons and can have a large influence on neighboring molecules. In 2004, we proposed using the induced magnetic field as a means of estimating the degree of electron delocalization and aromaticity in planar as well as in nonplanar molecules. We have since tested the method on aromatic, antiaromatic, and nonaromatic compounds, and a refinement now allows the individual treatment of core-, σ-, and π-electrons. In this Account, we describe the use of the induced magnetic field as an analytical probe for electron delocalization and its application to a large series of uncommon molecules. The compounds include borazine; all-metal aromatic systems Al(4)(n-); molecular stars Si(5)Li(n)(6-n); electronically stabilized planar tetracoordinate carbon; planar hypercoordinate atoms inside boron wheels; and planar boron wheels with fluxional internal boron cluster moieties. In all cases, we have observed that planar structures show a high degree of electron delocalization in the π-electrons and, in some examples, also in the σ-framework. Quantitatively, the induced magnetic field has contributions from the entire electronic system of a molecule, but at long range the contributions arising from the delocalized electronic π-system dominate. The induced magnetic field can only indirectly be confirmed by experiment, for example, through intermolecular contributions to NMR chemical shifts. We show that calculating the induced field is a useful method for understanding any planar organic or inorganic system, as it corresponds to the intuitive Pople model for explaining the anomalous proton chemical shifts in aromatic molecules. Indeed, aromatic, antiaromatic, and nonaromatic molecules show differing responses to an external field; that is, they reduce, augment, or do not affect the external field at long range. The induced field can be dissected into different orbital contributions, in the same way that the nucleus-independent chemical shift or the shielding function can be separated into component contributions. The result is a versatile tool that is particularly useful in the analysis of planar, densely packed systems with strong orbital contributions directly atop individual atoms.