Substituent effects in trans‐p,p′‐disubstituted azobenzenes: X‐ray structures at 100 K and DFT‐calculated structures

The crystal and molecular structures of two para‐substituted azobenzenes with π‐electron‐donating –NEt₂ and π‐electron‐withdrawing –COOEt groups are reported, along with the effects of the substituents on the aromaticity of the benzene ring. The deformation of the aromatic ring around the –NEt₂ group in N,N,N′,N′‐tetraethyl‐4,4′‐(diazenediyl)dianiline, C₂₀H₂₈N₄, (I), may be caused by steric hindrance and the π‐electron‐donating effects of the amine group. In this structure, one of the amine N atoms demonstrates clear sp²‐hybridization and the other is slightly shifted from the plane of the surrounding atoms. The molecule of the second azobenzene, diethyl 4,4′‐(diazenediyl)dibenzoate, C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₄, (II), lies on a crystallographic inversion centre. Its geometry is normal and comparable with homologous compounds. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to analyse the changes in the geometry of the studied compounds in the crystalline state and for the isolated molecules. The most significant changes are observed in the values of the N=N—C—C torsion angles, which for the isolated molecules are close to 0.0°. The HOMA (harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity) index, calculated for the benzene ring, demonstrates a slight decrease of the aromaticity in (I) and no substantial changes in (II).     

The influence of aza-substitution on azole aromaticity

A homogeneous set of values for the aromaticity indices ASE (Aromatic Stabilisation Energy), HOMA (Harmonic Oscillator Model of Aromaticity) and NICS(1) (Nucleus-Independent Chemical Shift) for azoles has been investigated using multiple linear regression analysis. Statistically-significant relationships were found between the aromaticity indices and the number of nitrogen atoms at positions 2/5 and 3/4 of the ring. Aza-derivatives of pyrrole, furan and thiophene all gave similar relationships. For all three indices aza-substitution at positions 2 and/or 5 increases aromaticity. However, aza-substitution at positions 3 and/or 4 decreases classical aromaticity (ASE and HOMA) but increases magnetic aromaticity (NICS(1)). These indices appear to be measuring different properties of the azoles. The influence of aza-substitution on these different aspects of aromaticity is tentatively rationalized in terms of either bond length equalization or uniformity of π electron distribution.     

Five-membered heterocycles. Part III. Aromaticity of 1,3-imidazole in 5+n hetero-bicyclic molecules

The aromaticity (in the form of HOMA index) of 1,3-imidazole ring and its bicyclic derivatives was studied on the basis of statistical data from Cambridge Structural Database and X-ray investigations performed by authors. As a starting point, aromaticity of the 1,3-imidazoles with exocyclic X substituent at C2 (XN, O or S) was calculated. Subsequently, the HOMA index was calculated for various 5+n bicyclic skeletons with N, O, and S as endocyclic heteroatoms in the second ring. For the isolated 1,3-imidazole ring, aromaticity depends on exocyclic substituent at C2 and decreases in sequence N, S, O. For bicyclic derivatives it was found that both rings are aromatic and coplanar in very few molecules (17% of investigated ones), and positive charge—located on endocyclic heteroatom—increases the aromaticity. For remaining compounds, presence of sp³ carbons excludes possibility of aromatic ring existence.     

What can the geometry tell about the charge distribution in the mesoionic heterocycles? A DFT study on the SCN4R2 system

This computational organic chemistry study was performed using the hybrid functional B3LYP. Many basis sets were evaluated and the basis set 6‐31G(d) was found to be the most practical in terms of time and accuracy. The study presents the first method in the chemical literature that allows estimation of submolecular charges in mesoionic compounds. The theory was built on a reference model structure for which the absolute value of charge of the aromatic p‐orbitals is known. This is the cornerstone, and by employing the harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) many parameters can be quantified. The electronic structure of the title compound was the subject of this approach. The study addressed the following points: geometries, infrared frequencies, NMR chemical shifts, calculated charges, a chemical reactivity, and the frontier orbitals. The calculations illustrate that the π‐system of the CN₄ segment includes considerable aromatic character and carries a positive charge while the overall charge is negative. This allows classifying it as a σ‐acceptor/π‐donor while the exocyclic counter anion, the sulfur atom, is a σ‐donor/π‐acceptor. The substituents (R groups) in this case are only σ‐donors. The approach may be applied to other mesoionic and mesoaromatic systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

1,3,4-oxadiazoles: evaluation of aromaticity and atomic charge distribution

The aromaticity and atomic charge distribution were investigated for the mono- and disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles. Using an electron density-based approach (B3LYP), the structures of the molecules were estimated, then the changes of π-electron delocalization of the heterocyclic ring were estimated based on geometric (HOMA) as well as magnetic properties (NICS). Aromaticity of the oxadiazole ring varies to some extend depending on the electron character of the substituent, however, the two methods do not correlate well. The HOMA approach suggests a non-aromatic character for the oxadiazole ring, while NICS predicts a relatively high aromaticity. Additionally, two computational methodologies were used for quantitative measures of atomic charges, i.e. AIM and GAPT. Results of these computations reveal accumulation of electron density inside the heterocyclic ring due to substitution by the aryl groups and its significant removal in the presence of the imino group. However, both procedures suggest different explanation of this fact.     

Anomeric-Schleyer hyperconjugative interaction as a convenient avenue for aromaticity enhancement of phospholes

Due to the insufficient interaction of the phosphorus lone pair with the butadiene moiety, the aromaticity of the phosphole ring is lower than that of its counterpart's pyrrole, furan, and thiophene. Considering the high importance of phosphole core in organic chemistry, increasing its stability through reinforcement its aromaticity can be very valuable. In the present work, the aromaticity of the phosphole on the anomeric carbon in both the axial and equatorial conformers of the unsaturated six-membered heterocycles, using structural, electronic, energetic, and magnetic indices were investigated by the DFT-B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) computational method. Electron pumping through anomeric and then Schleyer hyperconjugative interaction increase the aromaticity of the phosphole ring in axial conformer of compounds 1–11 . Based on various types of aromaticity indices, the results showed that the phosphole ring in the axial position has far higher aromaticity than the equatorial position. The phosphole ring containing cyano groups shows an efficient anomeric effect and, as a result, higher aromaticity. Excellent correlations were observed between aromaticity indices with different backgrounds.     

Aromatization of triafulvene and its exocyclic Si,Ge, and Sn derivations by complexation with halogen atoms

The geometries of triafulvene (TF) and its exocyclic Si, Ge, and Sn analogues complexes with F, Cl, Br, and I halogen atoms (TF(X)···Y, X═C, Si, Ge, and Sn; Y═F, Cl, Br, and I) were studied. The complexes were optimized at DFT(B3LYP)/6–311+G(d,p) level of theory. To assess the aromaticity of the considered complexes the geometry-based (HOMA), magnetism-based (NICS), and recently introduced electronic-based (electric field gradient (EFG(0); Shannon aromaticity (SA)) aromaticity indices were employed. The increasing tendency of aromaticity in each complex species was noted as the series of TF(X)···F > TF(X)···Cl > TF(X)···Br > TF((X)···I. Then, the binding energies corrected by basis set super position error (BSSE) were calculated by single point energy calculations at M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p) level. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis confirmed that the charge transfer takes place from TF(X) to the halogen atoms. Some topological parameters, within the framework of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), were also calculated to estimate the aromaticity of the complexes. It was seen that there are some important correlations between the topological parameters and aromaticity indices. In addition the most striking finding was that all the TF(X) molecules are connected with the halogen atoms through Y···C1═C2 (π) noncovalent interaction. This interaction was also investigated through noncovalent interaction (NCI) analysis.     

CTED: the new aromaticity index based on corrected total electron density at bond critical points

In this work, the corrected total electron density based on ellipticity (ε) at C–C bond critical points in a given ring and bond length alternations was introduced to estimate π‐electron density distributions in the ring. Then, to evaluate aromaticity of rings with any number of members, the was normalized relative to a system assumed as a full aromatic, which is named as the corrected total electron density (CTED) aromaticity index. For a wide range of aromatic, nonaromatic and antiaromatic compounds, we have compared CTED index with the other commonly used aromatic indices, such as HOMA, PDI, FLU, NICS and recently introduced EL. CTED index was seen to be in agreement with the defined indices, and with general expectations. Hence, as similar to the other indices except from PDI, we have proposed that CTED index could be applied to study the aromaticity of rings without any restriction in the number of members of rings and used to analyze both the local and global aromatic character of rings as a new aromaticity index. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Critical evaluation of HOMA and MBL as local aromaticity indices

The harmonic oscillator model of aromaticity (HOMA) index is an excellent structural indicator of aromaticity. We found that HOMA values for internal benzene rings in large pericondensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are often overestimated because of the local aromaticity of adjacent benzene rings. The occurrence of this phenomenon was confirmed by comparing the HOMA with the corresponding SSE(LA) values; SSE(LA) is a graph‐theoretical index of local aromaticity not disturbed by the aromaticity of the adjacent benzene rings. Mean bond length values were likewise assessed by comparing them with the corresponding HOMA and SSE(LA) values.