Aromatic pathways in mono- and bisphosphorous singly Möbius twisted [28] and [30]hexaphyrins

Magnetically induced current densities and strengths of currents passing through selected bonds have been calculated for monophosphorous [28]hexaphyrin ((PO)[28]hp) and for bisphosphorous [30]hexaphyrin ((PO)(2)[30]hp) at the density functional theory level using our gauge-including magnetically induced current (GIMIC) approach. The current-density calculations yield quantitative information about electron-delocalization pathways and aromatic properties of singly M?bius twisted hexaphyrins. The calculations confirm that (PO)[28]hp sustains a strong diatropic ring current (susceptibility) of 15 nA T(-1) and can be considered aromatic, whereas (PO)(2)[30]hp is antiaromatic as it sustains a paratropic ring current of -10 nA T(-1). Numerical integration of the current density passing through selected bonds shows that the current is generally split at the pyrroles into an outer and an inner pathway. For the pyrrole with the NH moiety pointing outwards, the diatropic ring current of (PO)[28]hp takes the outer route across the NH unit, whereas for (PO)(2)[30]hp, the paratropic ring current passes through the inner C(β)=C(β) double bond. The main diatropic ring current of (PO)[28]hp generally prefers the outer routes at the pyrroles, whereas the paratropic ring current of (PO)(2)[30]hp prefers the inner ones. In some cases, the ring current is rather equally split along the two pathways at the pyrroles. The calculated ring-current pathways do not agree with those deduced from measured (1)H NMR chemical shifts.     

Unambiguous identification of Möbius aromaticity for meso-aryl-substituted [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1)

meso-Aryl-substituted [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) have been examined by (1)H, (13)C, and (19)F NMR spectroscopies, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All of these data consistently indicate that [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) in solution at 25 degrees C exist largely as an equilibrium among several rapidly interconverting twisted M?bius conformations with distinct aromaticities, with a small contribution from a planar rectangular conformation with antiaromatic character at slightly higher energy. In the solid state, [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) take either planar or M?bius-twisted conformations, depending upon the meso-aryl substituents and crystallization conditions, indicating a small energy difference between the two conformers. Importantly, when the temperature is decreased to -100 degrees C in THF, these rapid interconversions among M?bius conformations are frozen, allowing the detection of a single [28]hexaphyrin(1.1.1.1.1.1) species having a M?bius conformation. Detailed analyses of the solid-state M?bius structures of compounds 2b, 2c, and 2f showed that singly twisted structures are achieved without serious strain and that cyclic pi-conjugation is well-preserved, as needed for exhibiting strong diatropic ring currents. Actually, the harmonic-oscillator model for aromaticity (HOMA) values of these structures are significantly large (0.85, 0.69, and 0.71, respectively), confirming the first demonstration of stable M?bius aromatic systems consisting of free-base expanded porphyrins without the assistance of metal coordination.     

The aromaticity and Möbius characteristics of carbeno[8]heteroannulenes and triplet state annulenes

Two types of annulene which may show significant M?bius aromatic character and bond and twist delocalisation are proposed; triplet states with 4n + 2 occupancy of the p pi array of atomic orbitals and a novel 8-pi carbeno[8]heteroannulene ring system 1 where the Hückel highly antiaromatic nature as a planar system can be attenuated or even reversed by the C2 symmetric M?bius distortion.     

Möbius aromaticity in [12]annulene: cis-trans isomerization via twist-coupled bond shifting

Density functional and coupled cluster calculations show that facile thermal configuration change in [12]annulene occurs via a twist-coupled bond-shifting mechanism. The transition state for this process is highly aromatic with M?bius topology. At the CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//BH&HLYP/6-311+G** level, the isomerization of tri-trans-[12]annulene 1a (CTCTCT) to its di-trans isomer 2 (CCCTCT) via such a mechanism has a barrier of 18.0 kcal/mol, in good agreement with earlier experiments. Two other aromatic M?bius bond-shifting transition states were located that result in configuration change for other [12]annulene conformers. This mechanism contrasts sharply with diradical configuration change for acyclic polyenes and with planar bond-shifting mechanisms generally assumed for annulenes. This constitutes evidence that neutral M?bius aromatic annulenes play a role in the dynamic processes of neutral [4n]annulenes.     

Viability of möbius topologies in [26]- and [28]hexaphyrins

Recently, hexaphyrins have emerged as a promising class of π-conjugated molecules that display a range of interesting electronic, optical, and conformational properties, including the formation of stable M?bius aromatic systems. Besides the M?bius topology, hexaphyrins can adopt a variety of conformations with Hückel and twisted Hückel topologies, which can be interconverted under certain conditions. To determine the optimum conditions for viable M?bius topologies, the conformational preferences of [26]- and [28]hexaphyrins and the dynamic interconversion between the M?bius and Hückel topologies were investigated by density functional calculations. In the absence of meso?substituents, [26]hexaphyrin prefers a planar dumbbell conformation, strongly aromatic and relatively strain free. The M?bius topology is highly improbable: the most stable tautomer is 33?kcal?mol(-1) higher in energy than the global minimum. On the other hand, the M?bius conformer of [28]hexaphyrin is only 6.5?kcal?mol(-1) higher in energy than the most stable dumbbell conformation. This marked difference is due to aromatic stabilization in the M?bius 4n electron macrocycle as opposed to antiaromatic destabilization in the 4n+2 electron system, as revealed by several energetic, magnetic, structural, and reactivity indices of aromaticity. For [28]hexaphyrins, the computed activation barrier for interconversion between the M?bius aromatic and Hückel antiaromatic conformers ranges from 7.2 to 10.2?kcal?mol(-1) , in very good agreement with the available experimental data. The conformation of the hexaphyrin macrocycle is strongly dependent on oxidation state and solvent, and this feature creates a promising platform for the development of molecular switches.     

Figure eights, Möbius bands, and more: conformation and aromaticity of porphyrinoids

The aromatic character of porphyrins, which has significant chemical and biological consequences, can be substantially altered by judicious modifications of the parent ring system. Expansion of the macrocycle, which is achieved by introducing additional subunits, usually increases the so‐called free curvature of the ring, leading to larger angular strain. This strain is reduced by a variety of conformational changes, most notably by subunit inversion and π surface twisting. The latter effect creates a particularly convenient access to Möbius aromatic molecules, whose properties, predicted over 40 years ago, are of considerable theoretical importance. The conformational processes occurring in porphyrin analogues are often coupled to other chemical phenomena, and can thus be exploited as a means of constructing functional molecular devices. In this Review, the structural chemistry of porphyrinoids is discussed in the context of their conformational dynamics and π‐electron conjugation     

Aromaticity and Möbius antiaromaticity in monocyclic [11]annulenium cations

Monocyclic [11]annulenium cations, which are experimentally unknown, have been studied primarily via DFT methods but also with some CCSD(T) validation. We have located six minima: two doubly trans (26, 27), one triply trans (28), one singly trans (29), one quintuply trans (trannulene-type, 33), and one all-cis (31). The first three are aromatic, 33 is modestly aromatic, 29 is nonaromatic, and the last is a M?bius antiaromatic species. We also investigated the fusion of various numbers of three-membered rings (3MRs) to the central 11-membered ring (11MR). We found several planar, all-cis-[11]annulenium ion derivatives as well as another M?bius antiaromatic species (52b); for comparison, we also found planar, antiaromatic all-cis-[12]annulene (60) and [15]annulenium cation (61) derivatives. The (anti)aromatic characterization of these compounds is based mainly on calculated magnetic data for the ground singlet and vertical triplet states, although aromatic stabilization energies (ASE) are also considered. Data for optimized triplets, several of which are M?bius aromatic systems (31t, 52t, 63t, 64t), are also included. Several of these cations are reasonable synthetic targets.     

Aromaticity with a twist: Möbius [4n]annulenes

Aromatic M?bius [4n]annulenes with 4n pi electrons, originally conceived by Heilbronner, are characterized computationally. These (CH)(12), (CH)(16), and (CH)(20) minima have nearly equal C-C bond lengths, small twist angles around the rings, and magnetic properties (NICS, nucleus-independent chemical shifts--see above at various positions in [16]annulene--and magnetic susceptibility exaltations) indicating significantly diatropic ring currents. The M?bius forms are not the most stable isomers but may contribute significantly to the chemistry of these annulenes. [structure: see text]     

Dynamic processes in [16]annulene: Möbius bond-shifting routes to configuration change

Density functional and ab initio methods have been used to study the mechanisms for key dynamic processes of the experimentally known S4-symmetric [16]annulene (1a). Using BH&HLYP/6-311+G** and B3LYP/6-311+G**, we located two viable stepwise pathways with computed energy barriers (Ea = 8-10 kcal/mol) for conformational automerization of 1a, in agreement with experimental data. The transition states connecting these conformational minima have M?bius topology and serve as starting points for non-degenerate pi-bond shifting (configuration change) via M?bius aromatic transition states. The key transition state, TS1-2, that connects the two isomers of [16]annulene (CTCTCTCT, 1 --> CTCTTCTT, 2) has an energy, relative to the S4 isomer, that ranged from 6.9 kcal/mol (B3LYP/6-311+G**) to 16.7 kcal/mol (BH&HLYP/6-311+G**), bracketing the experimental barrier. At our best level of theory, CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ(est), this barrier is 13.7 kcal/mol. Several other M?bius bond-shifting transition states, as well as M?bius topology conformational minima, were found with BH&HLYP energies within 22 kcal/mol of 1a, indicating that many possibilities exist for facile thermal configuration change in [16]annulene. This bond-shifting mechanism and the corresponding low barriers contrast sharply with those observed for cis/trans isomerization in acyclic polyenes, which occurs via singlet diradical transition states. All M?bius bond-shifting transition states located in [16]- and [12]annulene were found to have RHF --> UHF instabilities with the BH&HLYP method but not with B3LYP. This result appears to be an artifact of the BH&HLYP method. These findings support the idea that facile thermal configuration change in [4n]annulenes can be accounted for by mechanisms involving twist-coupled bond shifting.     

Iodide-bridged dinuclear copper(I) complex with cyanopyrazine and its conversion into bis(tetrazolato)copper(II) complex via [3 + 2] cycloaddition: synthesis,structure and self-assembly

A copper(I) complex [Cu(L¹)₂I]₂ (1) [L¹ = 2-cyanopyrazine] has been prepared by the reduction of copper(II) with iodide in the presence of L¹. This complex is made to undergo [2 + 3] cycloaddition with sodium azide to prepare a copper(II) complex, [Cu(L²)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (2) [HL² = 5-pyrazinyltetrazole]. Both the complexes have been characterized by elemental and spectral analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Copper(I) centre has tetrahedral geometry in complex 1, whereas copper(II) centre assumes octahedral geometry in complex 2. Supramolecular interactions in both complexes were also explored.     

Mössbauer spectroscopic studies of molecule-based magnets: NBu4[Fe(II) x Mn(II)1-x Cr(III)(ox)3] and NBu4[Fe(II) x Ni(II)1-x Fe(III)(ox)3]

The internal magnetic field (H _n ) at⁵⁷Fe nucleus was investigated for the mixed crystals, NBu₄[Fe(II) _x Mn(II)_1-x Cr(III) (ox)₃] (x=0.03?1) and NBu₄[Fe(II) _x Ni(II)_1-x Fe(III)(ox)₃]) (x=0?1) using Mössbauer spectroscopy, where NBu₄/⁺=tetra(n-butyl)ammonium ion and ox^2?=oxalate ion. With the decrease ofx, the direction ofH _n at Fe(II) in NBu₄[Fe(II) _x Mn(II)_1-x Cr(III)(ox)₃] changed gradually from parallel to perpendicular, to the honeycomb layers consisting of an alternate array of the bivalent and tervalent ions through ox^2? ligands. A variation of ca. 50° in direction was observed for theH _n at Fe(III) in NBu₄[Fe(II) _x Ni(II)_1-x Fe(III)(ox)₃].     

Disclosure of Ground-State Zimmerman-Möbius Aromaticity in the Radical Anion of [6]Helicene and Evidence for 4π Periodic Aromatic Ring Currents in a Molecular “Metallic” Möbius Strip

In 1966, Zimmerman proposed a type of Möbius aromaticity that involves through-space electron delocalization; it has since been widely applied to explain reactivity in pericyclic reactions, but is considered to be limited to transition-state structures. Although the easily accessible hexahelicene radical anion has been known for more than half a century, it was overlooked that it exhibits a ground-state minimum and robust Zimmerman-Möbius aromaticity in its central noose-like opening, becoming, hence, the oldest existing Möbius aromatic system and with smallest Möbius cycle known. Despite its overall aromatic stabilization energy of 13.6 kcal mol⁻¹ (at B3LYP/6-311+G**), the radical also features a strong, globally induced paramagnetic ring current along its outer edge. Exclusive global paramagnetic currents can also be found in other fully delocalized radical anions of 4N+2 π-electron aromatic polycyclic benzenoid hydrocarbons (PAH), thus questioning the established magnetic criterion of antiaromaticity. As an example of a PAH with nontrivial topology, we studied a novel Möbius[16]cyclacene that has a non-orientable surface manifold and a stable closed-shell singlet ground state at several density functional theory levels. Its metallic monoanion radical (0.0095 eV band gap at HSE06/6-31G* level) is also wave-function stable and displays an unusual 4π-periodic, magnetically induced ring current (reminiscent of the transformation behaviour of spinors under spatial rotation), thus indicating the existence of a new, Hückel-rule-evading type of aromaticity.