Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure analysis of the first nickel bisoxazoline pincer complex

The reaction in toluene between 2-iodo-1,3-bis(4′,4′-dimethyl-2′-oxazolinyl)benzene and Ni(COD)₂ gave [2,6-bis(4′,4′-dimethyl-2′-oxazolinyl)phenyl-N,C¹,N′]iodonickle(II) isolated in 69% yield. The structure of this novel nickel bisoxazoline pincer complex was confirmed by a X-ray crystal structure analysis.     

Complexes of copper(II) with 3-(ortho-substituted phenylhydrazo)pentane-2,4-diones: syntheses, properties and catalytic activity for cyclohexane oxidation

Reactions of copper(II) with 3-phenylhydrazopentane-2,4-diones X-2-C(6)H(4)-NHN=C{C(=O)CH(3)}(2) bearing a substituent in the ortho-position [X = OH (H(2)L(1)) 1, AsO(3)H(2) (H(3)L(2)) 2, Cl (HL(3)) 3, SO(3)H (H(2)L(4)) 4, COOCH(3) (HL(5)) 5, COOH (H(2)L(6)) 6, NO(2) (HL(7)) 7 or H (HL(8)) 8] lead to a variety of complexes including the monomeric [CuL(4)(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O 10, [CuL(4)(H(2)O)(2)] 11 and [Cu(HL(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4)] 12, the dimeric [Cu(2)(H(2)O)(2)(μ-HL(2))(2)] 9 and the polymeric [Cu(μ-L(6))](n)] 13 ones, often bearing two fused six-membered metallacycles. Complexes 10-12 can interconvert, depending on pH and temperature, whereas the Cu(II) reactions with 4 in the presence of cyanoguanidine or imidazole (im) afford the monomeric compound [Cu(H(2)O)(4){NCNC(NH(2))(2)}(2)](HL(4))(2)·6H(2)O 14 and the heteroligand polymer [Cu(μ-L(4))(im)](n)15, respectively. The compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (complexes), electrochemical and thermogravimetric studies, as well as elemental analysis, IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopies (diones) and ESI-MS. The effects of the substituents in 1-8 on the HOMO-LUMO gap and the relative stability of the model compounds [Cu(OH)(L(8))(H(2)O)]·H(2)O, [Cu(L(1))(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O and [Cu(L(4))(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O are discussed on the basis of DFT calculations that show the stabilization follows the order: two fused 6-membered > two fused 6-membered/5-membered > one 6-membered metallacycles. Complexes 9, 10, 12 and 13 act as catalyst precursors for the peroxidative oxidation (with H(2)O(2)) of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, in MeCN/H(2)O (total yields of ca. 20% with TONs up to 566), under mild conditions.     

Original palladium pincer complexes deriving from 1,3-bis(thiophosphinoyl)indene proligands: C(sp3)-H versus C(sp2)-H bond activation

A series of original 2-indenylidene palladium pincer complexes {PdL[Ind(Ph(2)P==S)(2)]} (L = HNCy(2), PPh(3), Cl(-)) have been prepared by double C-H activation of a 1,3-bis(thiophosphinoyl)indene proligand. Crystallographic analyses and DFT calculations indicate that the bonding situation of the {Pd[Ind(Ph(2)P==S)(2)]} fragment is essentially governed by the conjugated and rigid nature of the dianionic pincer ligand, the nature of the coligand having little influence. The formation of the 2-indenylidene complexes involves either a 2-indenyl pincer or a four-membered cyclometalated complex as an intermediate, suggesting that C(sp(2))-H or C(sp(3))-H bond activation takes place. However, deuterium labelling experiences show that in all cases, C(sp(3))-H bond activation occurs followed eventually by a Pd/H exchange. Nevertheless, evidence for direct C(sp(2))-H bond activation under mild conditions is obtained when a methyl group is introduced at the indene proligand to prevent C(sp(3))-H bond activation. The ensuing dissymmetrical 2-indenyl palladium pincer complex has been fully characterized.     

An improved method for the synthesis of zirconium (CCC-N-heterocyclic carbene) pincer complexes and applications in hydroamination

Upon heating Zr(NMe(2))(4), 1,3-bis(N-butyl-imidazolium)benzene diiodide and toluene analytically pure Zr pincer complex was obtained, which was found to be an intramolecular hydroamination catalyst.     

拉伸诱导的自修复铂配合物薄膜的发光变化

通过接枝含醛基的铂配合物Pt(N^C^N)Cl(N^C^N=1,3-二吡啶基苯)到聚二甲基硅氧烷(PDMS)骨架上,制备了一种弹性橙红色薄膜(PDMS-PtL1)。PDMS-PtL1薄膜具有很好的拉伸性(高达1500%的应变),并表现出较好的室温自修复性能。此外,PDMSPt L1薄膜表现出有趣的拉伸诱导的发光变化,拉伸后可以检测到单分子态铂配合物的~3π-π*发射。该弹性薄膜有效避免了铂配合物发光淬灭的现象,并且实现了外力诱导的发射态转换。     

An alternative route to highly luminescent platinum(II) complexes: cyclometalation with N=C=N-coordinating dipyridylbenzene ligands

The remarkable luminescence properties of the platinum(II) complex of 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)benzene, acting as a terdentate N=C=N-coordinating ligand cyclometalated at C2 of the benzene ring ([PtL(1)Cl]), have been investigated, together with those of two new 5-substituted analogues [PtL(2)Cl] and [PtL(3)Cl] [HL(2) = methyl-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)benzoate; HL(3) = 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)toluene]. All three complexes are intense emitters in degassed solution at 298 K (lambda(max) 480-580 nm; phi(lum) = 0.60, 0.58, and 0.68 in CH(2)Cl(2)), displaying highly structured emission spectra in dilute solution, with lifetimes in the microsecond range (7.2, 8.0, and 7.8 micros). On the basis of the very small Stokes shift, the highly structured profiles, and the relatively long lifetimes, the emission is attributed to an excited state of primarily (3)pi-pi character. At concentrations >1 x 10(-)(5) M, structureless excimer emission centered at ca. 700 nm is observed. The X-ray crystal structure of [PtL(2)Cl] is also reported.     

A highly active two six-membered phosphinite palladium PCP pincer complex [PdCl{C6H3(CH2OPPr)2-2,6}]

The diphosphinite 1,3-bis[(di-isopropylphosphinite)methyl]benzene (2) has been synthesized and its complexation in palladium chemistry investigated. Complex 3 represents the first example of a two six-member PCP pincer bis(phosphinite) species. A catalytic study of 3 in the Heck reaction, revealed this specie to have an outstanding activity in the olefination of iodo-, bromo- and chloro-benzenes. When compared with other PCP pincer complexes, the results show that both by increasing the ring size from five to six-membered and using phosphinite instead of phosphine groups lead to a more active catalyst.     

Cyclopalladation compounds of the 2-pyridylhydrazone derivatives of p-substituted acetophenones and acetylthiophenes

Cyclopalladation occurs for 2-pyridylhydrazones(HL) of p-methyl-, p-methoxy-, p-chloro-, and p-nitro-acetophenone, and 3-acetyl- and 2-acetyl-thiophene with lithium tetrahalopalladate to give the complexes [PdXL] (X = Cl and Br) and some iodo complexes are prepared by metathesis of the chloro complexes with lithium iodide. These complexes are characterized spectroscopically. The hydrazones are coordinated to palladium through benzene or thiophene ortho-carbon, hydrazone-nitrogen, and pyridine ring-nitrogen atoms forming fused five-membered chelate rings.     

The effect of phenyl group on the electronic and phosphorescent properties of cyclometalated analogues of platinum(II) terpyridine complexes: a theoretical study

In this work, we theoretically investigate the effect of phenyl group on the electronic and phosphorescent properties of cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes, thereby designing an efficient blue emitting material. Three platinum(II) complexes Pt(N^N^N)Cl (N^N^N = terpyridine), Pt(N^C^N)Cl (N^C^N = 1,3-di(2-pyridyl)-benzene) and Pt(N^N^C)Cl (N^N^C = 6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridines) are chosen as the models. Their electronic and phosphorescent properties are investigated utilizing quantum theoretical calculations. The results reveal that the phenyl group significantly affects the molecular and electronic structures, charge distribution and phosphorescent properties. The coordination bond length trans to phenyl group is the longest among the same type of bonds owing to the trans influence of phenyl group. Moreover, the phenyl group largely restricts the geometry relaxation of cyclometalated ligand. The strong σ-donor ability of Pt–C bond makes more electrons center at Pt atom and the fragments trans to phenyl group. In comparison with Pt(N^N^N)Cl and Pt(N^N^C)Cl, the complex Pt(N^C^N)Cl has the smallest excited-state geometry relaxation and the biggest emission energy and spatial overlap between the transition orbitals in the emission process. As a result, Pt(N^C^N)Cl has the largest emission efficiency, which well agrees with the experimental observation. Based on these calculation results, a potentially efficient blue-emitting material is designed via replacing pyridine groups in Pt(N^C^N)Cl by 3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene.     

Syntheses, structures, and properties of copper(II) complexes of bis(2-pyridylmethyl) derivatives of o-, m-, and p-phenylenediamine and aniline

Copper(II) complexes of the ligand 1,n-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]benzene with n = 2-4 (1,n-tpbd) and its mononuclear derivative bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aniline (phbpa) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Magnetic measurements and DFT calculations were performed on [CuCl2(phbpa)], [Cu2Cl4(1,3-tpbd)], [(Cu2Cl2(ClO4)(1,3-tpbd))Cl(Cu2Cl2(OH2)(1,3-tpbd))](ClO4)2, and [Cu2(OH2)2(S2O6)(1,3-tpbd)]S2O6, and the exchange-polarization mechanism was successfully demonstrated.     

Synthesis, structure, and electrochemical properties of a family of 2-(arylazo)phenolate complexes of ruthenium with unusual C-C coupling and N=N cleavage

Reaction of 2-(4'-R-phenylazo)-4-methylphenols (R = OCH3, CH3, H, Cl, and NO2) with [Ru(dmso)(4)Cl2]affords a family of five ruthenium(III) complexes, containing a 2-(arylazo)phenolate ligand forming a six-membered chelate ring and a tetradentate ligand formed from two 2-(arylazo)phenols via an unusual C-C coupling linking the two ortho carbons of the phenyl rings in the arylazo fragment. A similar reaction with 2-(2'-methylphenylazo)-4-methylphenol with [Ru(dmso)(4)Cl2] has afforded a similar complex, in which one 2-(2'-methylphenylazo)-4-methylphenolate ligand is coordinated forming a six-membered chelate ring, and the other two ligands have undergone the C-C coupling reaction, and the coupled species is coordinated as a tetradentate ligand forming a five-membered N,O-chelate ring, a nine-membered N,N-chelate ring, and another five-membered chelate ring. Reaction of 2-(2',6'-dimethylphenylazo)-4-methylphenol with [Ru(dmso)(4)Cl2] has afforded a complex in which two 2-(2',6'-dimethylphenylazo)-4-methylphenols are coordinated as bidentate N,O-donors forming five- and six-membered chelate rings, while the third one has undergone cleavage across the N=N bond, and the phenolate fragment, thus generated, remains coordinated to the metal center in the iminosemiquinonate form. Structures of four selected complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The first six complexes are one-electron paramagnetic and show rhombic ESR spectra. The last complex is diamagnetic and shows characteristic 1H NMR signals. All the complexes show intense charge-transfer transitions in the visible region and a Ru(III)-Ru(IV) oxidation on the positive side of SCE and a Ru(III)-Ru(II) reduction on the negative side.     

Versatile chemical transformations of benzoxazole based ligands on complexation with 3d-metal ions

Two benzoxazoles derivative ligands were synthesized from the condensation of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone (DTBBQ) with ethanolamine or 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane in methanol. Condensation of DTBBQ with ethanolamine gives the expected 5,7-di-tert-butyl-2-methylenhydroxylbenzoxazole (HL1) while with 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane it gives (2-hydroxyethyl-2-{2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1-phenol-6 amino}-2{5,7-di-tert-butyl-benzoxazole}) (H(2)L2) with only one benzoxazole ring instead of the symmetric bis-benzoxazole derivative. The structure of HL1 and H(2)L2 were confirmed by NMR-spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction on a single crystal for HL1. The reaction of HL1 with CuCl(2) gives a mononuclear [Cu(II)(HL1)(2)Cl(2)] (1) complex for which the crystal structure shows that HL1 is preserved. In contrast, upon reaction with nickel(II), cobalt(II), and manganese(II) H(2)L2 is further oxidized and transformed in new ligands HL3 in mononuclear complexes [M(II)(L3)(2)] (M = Ni(II) (2); M = Co(II) (3)) and H(2)L4 in tetranuclear complex [Mn(II)(4)(HL4)(4)Cl(4)] (4) as found from the crystal structures of complexes 2-4. Electrochemical studies for complexes 2 and 3 evidence complicated redox properties. [Mn(II)(4)(HL4)(4)Cl(4)] (4) has a cubane-like structure with a "4 + 2" fashion The magnetic susceptibility of 4 is well fitted considering one Mn---Mn interaction J(a)(Mn(II)-Mn(II)) = -0.50(1) cm(-1) with g = 2.00(7).     

Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of Di- and Trinuclear Palladium Complexes with PCP-Pincer Ligands

Linear and branched conjugated pincer ligands having Ph₂P groups were synthesized: 3,3',5,5'- tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)diphenylacetylene, 3,3',5,5'-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)diphenyldi- acetylene, 1,3,5-tris[3,5-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylethynyl]benzene, and hexakis[3,5-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylethynyl]benzene. Palladation of these ligands by heating with Pd(BF₄)₂(MeCN)₄ in boiling acetonitrile gave the corresponding di- and trinuclear ionic pincer palladium complexes. No individual complex was obtained from hexakis[3,5-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylethynyl]benzene. The ionic com- plexes were converted into the corresponding chloride complexes by treatment with sodium chloride in a mixture of water with methylene chloride. The structure of the ionic palladium complex with 3,3',5,5'-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)diphenylacetylene was established by X-ray analysis. The obtained palladium complexes exhibited a considerable catalytic activity in the Heck reaction of iodobenzene with ethyl acrylate and in the Michael addition of ethyl cyanoacetate with methyl vinyl ketone. The catalytic activity per palladium atom decreases as the number of palladium atoms in the complex increases.     

Synthesis and characterization of a free phenylene bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) and its di-Rh complex: Catalytic activity of the di-Rh and CCC–NHC Rh pincer complexes in intermolecular hydrosilylation of alkynes

1,3-Bis(3-butylimidazolium-1-yl)benzene diiodide (1) was reacted with Li(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine) yielding the free bis-carbene, 1,3-bis(3-butylimidazol-2-ylidene-1-yl)benzene (3), which has been spectroscopically characterized. Combining the free bis-carbene with [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ yielded the corresponding di-Rh bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) complex (4) that was structurally characterized. The di-Rh bis-carbene complex was found to exhibit complex solution ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectra that have been assigned as a mixture of diastereomers. The crystal structure of the di-Rh bis-carbene compound 4 was composed of a pair of enantiomeric atropisomers. The diastereomeric atropisomers were assigned as the source of the spectral complexities. The di-Rh di-carbene complex 4 and the CCC–NHC Rh pincer complex 2 were applied as catalysts in hydrosilylation reactions of terminal and internal alkynes. Both catalysts are highly active, regioselective, stereoselective, and chemoselective: terminal alkynes give predominantly the β-(Z) isomer and internal alkynes afford the β-(E) isomer in chloroform or benzene. One of the strongest attributes of the catalyst systems is that the results were achieved without exclusion of air and without purification of commercially available reagents.     

Synthesis, characterization and DFT studies of the cobalt(III) complex of a tetrapodal pentadentate N4S donor ligand

The synthesis of the pentadentate ligand 2,6-bis(3,3-dimethyl-2,4-dioxocyclohexanyl)-4-thiaheptane (N4Samp) is described. The synthetic pathway involves the coupling of two 1,3-(dimethylenedioxy)-2-methyl-2-(methylene-p-toluenesulfonyl)propane moieties with sodium sulfide and subsequent synthetic elaboration to prepare the final N4S donor system. The cobalt(III) complex [Co(N4Samp)Cl]2+ has been prepared and subsequently crystallized as the tetrachlorozincate salt. The X-ray structure analysis confirms the pentadentate nature of the ligand and shows the thioether donor occupying one apex with four equivalent amine donors effectively occupying the equatorial plane of the molecule. The sixth coordination site is occupied by a chloro ligand. The electronic absorption and 13C NMR spectra have been studied. DFT calculations have been employed to explore structural and mechanistic comparisons between [Co(N4Samp)Cl]2+ and an analogous pentaaamine complex.     

Pincer‐Type Platinum(II) Complexes Containing N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Ligand: Structures,Photophysical and Anion‐Binding Properties,and Anticancer Activities

Two classes of pincer‐type Pt^II complexes containing tridentate N‐donor ligands ( 1 – 8 ) or C‐deprotonated N^C^N ligands derived from 1,3‐di(2‐pyridyl)benzene ( 10 – 13 ) and auxiliary N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand were synthesized. [Pt(trpy)(NHC)]²⁺ complexes 1 – 5 display green phosphorescence in CH₂Cl₂ (Φ: 1.1–5.3 %; τ: 0.3–1.0 μs) at room temperature. Moderate‐to‐intense emissions are observed for 1 – 7 in glassy solutions at 77 K and for 1 – 6 in the solid state. The [Pt(N^C^N)(NHC)]⁺ complexes 10 – 13 display strong green phosphorescence with quantum yields up to 65 % in CHCl₃. The reactions of 1 with a wide variety of anions were examined in various solvents. The tridentate N‐donor ligand of 1 undergoes displacement reaction with CN^? in protic solvents. Similar displacement of the N^C^N ligand by CN^? has been observed for 10 , leading to a luminescence “switch‐off” response. The water‐soluble 7 containing anthracenyl‐functionalized NHC ligand acts as a light “switch‐on” sensor for the detection of CN^? ion with high selectivity. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the Pt^II complexes towards HeLa cells has been evaluated. Complex 12 showed high cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ value of 0.46 μM , whereas 1 – 4 and 6 – 8 are less cytotoxic. The cellular localization of the strongly luminescent complex 12 traced by using emission microscopy revealed that it mainly localizes in the cytoplasmic structures rather than in the nucleus. This complex can induce mitochondria dysfunction and subsequent cell death.     

Gold(I)-dithioether supramolecular polymers: synthesis, characterization, and luminescence

A series of discrete compounds and supramolecular polymers were synthesized by self-assembly of dithioether building blocks and HAuCl4.3H2O. In complexes 1 {[AuL(1-Me)Cl], where L(1-Me) is bis(methylthio)methane} and 2 {[Au2L(2-Ph)Cl2], where L(2-Ph) is 1,2-bis(phenylthio)ethane}, adjacent units are connected via aurophilic interactions. Complex 1, a one-dimensional (1D) supramolecular polymer, and complex 2, a two-dimensional supramolecular network, both feature nearly linear [Au-Au-](infinity) chains. Complexes 4a, 4b, and 4c, all of which contain 1,3-bis(phenylthio)propane (L(3-Ph)), are polymorphs having the composition [Au2L(3-Ph)Cl2]. Complex 3 {[Au2L(1-Ph)Cl2], where L(1-Ph) is bis(phenylthio)methane}and complexes 4a and 4b consist of nearly identical 1D supramolecular polymers formed through Au-Au interactions. The third polymorph, 4c, is a molecular complex, as it does not have metal-metal interactions. Complex 5 {[Au2L(4-Ph)Cl2], where L(4-Ph) is 1,4-bis(phenylthio)butane} is also molecular. UV-vis spectra showed that the absorption bands of these complexes are allowed ligand-centered transitions between 230 and 260 nm. Complexes 1, 2, and 6 {[AuL(3-Me)Cl], where L(3-Me) is 1,3-bis(methylthio)propane} exhibited solid-state luminescence at 5 K with vibronic progressions and band maxima at approximately 570 nm. It is suggested that complex 6 contains [Au-Au-](infinity) chains.     

Preparation and characterization of mixed-ligand cobalt(III) complexes containing (3-aminopropyl)dimethylphosphine (pdmp). Conformation of the six-membered pdmp chelate ring

Several new cobalt(III) complexes containing (3-aminopropyl)dimethylphosphine (pdmp) have been prepared, and their molecular structures have been determined. A dichloro complex of trans(Cl,Cl)-cis(P,P)-[CoCl(2)(pdmp)(2)]PF(6) (1) was prepared from trans-[CoCl(2)(py)(4)]Cl.6H(2)O and pdmp. X-Ray crystallography confirmed the (C(2))-chair(2) conformation of two six-membered pdmp chelate rings in 1, while the analogous 1,3-bis(dimethylphosphino)propane (dmpp) complex trans-[CoCl(2)(dmpp)(2)]ClO(4) (3) exhibited the (D(2d))-twist(2) conformation. Substitution reactions of 1 for ethane-1,2-diamine (en), pentane-2,4-dionate (acac), and N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate (dtc) gave the mixed-ligand tris(chelate)-type complexes of [Co(en)(2)(pdmp)]Cl(2)(PF(6)) (5), [Co(acac)(pdmp)(2)](PF(6))(2) (7), and [Co(dtc)(3-n)(pdmp)(n)](PF(6))(n) [n = 1 (9) or 2 (10)], respectively. The conformer of the complex cation in 5 was assigned as lel.ob.chair by X-ray analysis. In the case of the acac complex 7, both trans(P,N) (7a) and trans(N,N) (7b) isomers were isolated, and the complex cations were characterized as syn-chair(2) and anti-chair(2) conformers, respectively, with respect to the six-membered pdmp chelate rings. These conformers coincide with the most stable ones anticipated by the DFT optimum geometry calculations. In the crystal structure of trans(P,N)-[Co(dtc)(pdmp)(2)](BPh(4))(2) (10') one of the pdmp chelate rings adopted a skew-boat (twist) conformation, which reduced the intramolecular steric ring-ring interaction effectively. The DFT optimized geometries for several isomers and/or conformers of [CoCl(2)(pdmp)(2)](+) were compared.     

Synthesis of thionato(trimethylphosphine)gold(I) complexes

Summary New compounds of formula [AuL(PMe₃)]Cl [L = imidazolidine-2-thione (Imt), 1,3-diazinane-2-thione (Diaz), 1,3-diazepine-2-thione (Diap) and their derivatives] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, and i.r., ¹³C- and ³¹P-n.m.r. spectroscopies. The Diap ligand, which incorporates the thione in a seven-membered heterocyclic ring, binds more strongly to Au^I compared to its Diaz (six-membered ring) and Imt (five-membered ring) analogues.     

Cyclopentadiene annulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: investigations of electron affinities

The adiabatic electron affinities of cyclopentadiene and 10 associated benzannelated derivatives have been predicted with both density functional and Hartree-Fock theory. These systems can also be regarded as benzenoid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) augmented with five-membered rings. Like the PAHs, the electron affinities of the present systems generally increase with the number of rings. To unequivocally bind an electron, cyclopentadiene must have at least two conventionally fused benzene rings. 1H-Benz[f]indene, a naphthalene-annulated cyclopentadiene, is predicted to have a zero-point energy corrected adiabatic electron affinity of 0.13 eV. Since the experimental E(A) of naphthalene is negative (-0.19 eV), the five-membered ring appendage contributes to the stability of the naphthalene-derived 1H-benz[f]indene radical anion significantly. The key to binding the electron is a contiguous sequence of fused benzenes, since fluorene, the isomer of 1H-benz[f]indene, with separated six-membered rings, has an electron affinity of -0.07 eV. Each additional benzene ring in the sequence fused to cyclopentadiene increases the electron affinity by 0.15-0.65 eV: the most reliable predictions are cyclopentadiene (-0.63 eV), indene (-0.49 eV), fluorene (-0.07 eV), 1H-benz[f]indene (0.13 eV), 1,2-benzofluorene (0.25 eV), 2,3-benzofluorene (0.26 eV), 12H-dibenzo[b,h]fluorene (0.65 eV), 13H-indeno[1,2-b]anthracene (0.82 eV), and 1H-cyclopenta[b]naphthacene (1.10 eV). In contrast, if the six-membered ring-fusion is across the C(2)-C(3) cyclopentadiene single bond, only a single benzene is needed to bind an electron. The theoretical electron affinity of the resulting molecule, isoindene, is 0.49 eV, and this increases to 1.22 eV for 2H-benz[f]indene. The degree of aromaticity is responsible for this behavior. While the radical anions are stabilized by conjugation, which increases with the size of the system, the regular indenes, like PAHs in general, suffer from the loss of aromatic stabilization in forming their radical anions. While indene is 21 kcal mol(-1) more stable than isoindene, the corresponding radical anion isomers have almost the same energy. Nucleus-independent chemical shift calculations show that the highly aromatic molecules lose almost all aromaticity when an extra electron is present. The radical anions of cyclopentadiene and all of its annulated derivatives have remarkably low C-H bond dissociation energies (only 18-34 kcal mol(-1) for the mono-, bi-, and tricyclics considered). Hydrogen atom loss leads to the restoration of aromaticity in the highly stabilized cyclopentadienyl anion congeners.