Aromaticity and Stability of Azaborines

The influence of the relative boron and nitrogen positions on aromaticity of the three isomeric 1,2‐, 1,3‐, and 1,4‐azaborines has been investigated by computing the extra cyclic resonance energy, NICS(0)_πzz index and by visualizing the π‐electron (de)shielding pattern as a response of the π system to a perpendicular magnetic field. The origin of the known stability trend, in which the 1,2‐/1,3‐isomer is the most/least stable, was examined by using an isomerization energy decomposition analysis. The 1,3‐arrangement of B and N atoms creates a charge separation in the π‐electron system, which was found to be responsible for the lowest stability of 1,3‐azaborine. This charge separation can, in turn, be considered as a driving force for the strongest cyclic π‐electron delocalization, making this same isomer the most aromatic. Despite the well‐known fact that the B?N bond attenuates electron delocalization due to large electronegativity difference between the atoms, the 1,4‐B,N relationship reduces aromaticity to a greater extent by making the π‐electron delocalization more one‐directional (from N to B) than cyclic. Thus, 1,4‐azaborine was found to be the least aromatic. Its lower stability with respect to the 1,2‐isomer was explained by the larger exchange repulsion.