Hetero-π-Systeme, 7. Silabenzol

Recent progress in the chemistry of heavy aromatics

The aromaticity and synthetic application of "heavy benzenes", i.e., benzenes containing a heavier Group 14 element (Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb) in place of skeletal carbon, have been the targets of many theoretical and synthetic studies. Although the introduction of a sterically demanding substituent enabled us to synthesize and isolate heavy aromatic species as a stable compound by suppressing their high reactivity and tendency to polymerize, the existence of a protection group is an obstruction to the development of functional materials based on heavy aromatics. This review will delineate the most recent topics in the chemistry of heavy aromatics, i.e., the chemistry of "metallabenzenyl anions", which are the heavier Group 14 element analogs of phenyl anions stabilized by taking advantage of charge repulsion instead of steric protection.

The excited state antiaromatic benzene ring: a molecular Mr Hyde?

The antiaromatic character of benzene in its first ππ* excited triplet state (T1) was deduced more than four decades ago by Baird using perturbation molecular orbital (PMO) theory [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1972, 94, 4941], and since then it has been confirmed through a range of high-level quantum chemical calculations. With focus on benzene we now first review theoretical and computational studies that examine and confirm Baird's rule on reversal in the electron count for aromaticity and antiaromaticity of annulenes in their lowest triplet states as compared to Hückel's rule for the ground state (S0). We also note that the rule according to quantum chemical calculations can be extended to the lowest singlet excited state (S1) of benzene. Importantly, Baird, as well as Aihara [Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1978, 51, 1788], early put forth that the destabilization and excited state antiaromaticity of the benzene ring should be reflected in its photochemical reactivity, yet, today these conclusions are often overlooked. Thus, in the second part of the article we review photochemical reactions of a series of benzene derivatives that to various extents should stem from the excited state antiaromatic character of the benzene ring. We argue that benzene can be viewed as a molecular "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" with its largely unknown excited state antiaromaticity representing its "Mr Hyde" character. The recognition of the "Jekyll and Hyde" split personality feature of the benzene ring can likely be useful in a range of different areas.

Synthesis and properties of the first stable germabenzene

The first stable germabenzene (1a) bearing an efficient steric protection group, 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl, was successfully synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding chlorogermane (4) with lithium diisopropylamide in THF. The molecular structure and aromaticity of 1a were discussed on the basis of its NMR, UV-vis, and Raman spectra, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and theoretical calculations. All (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of the germabenzene ring of 1a were in good agreement with those calculated. UV-vis and Raman spectra of 1a showed patterns similar to those of benzene, suggesting the structural similarity between germabenzene and benzene. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 1a revealed that the germabenzene ring was almost planar, indicating the delocalization of pi-electrons. Theoretical calculations (NICS(1) and ASE(isom)) also indicated the ring current effects and aromatic stabilization of the germabenzene. While germabenzene 1a reacted as a Ge[bond]C double-bond compound (germene) with mesitonitrile oxide and 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 1a also reacted as a 1-germabuta-1,3-diene with C[bond]C double- and triple-bond compounds. Furthermore, 1a reacted with water and MeOH to give both 1, 2- and 1, 4-adducts.