Theoretical study on structures and aromaticities of P5(-) anion, [Ti (eta(5)-P5)]- and sandwich complex [Ti(eta(5)-P5)2]2-

Structure and Stability of Aromatic Nitrogen Heterocycles Used in the Field of Energetic Materials

Understanding the stabilization of nitrogen heterocycles is critical in the field of energetic materials and calls for innovative knowledge of nitrogen aromatics. Herewith, we report for the first time that nitrogen lone pair electron (NLPE) delocalization in five-membered nitrogen heterocycles creates a second σ-aromaticity in addition to the prototypical π-aromaticity. The NLPE delocalization and the attendant dual-aromaticity are enhanced as more carbon atoms in the ring are substituted by unsaturated nitrogen atoms. The presence of adjacent nitrogen atoms in the ring can enhance the aromaticity of the nitrogen heterocycles and improve in-crystal intermolecular binding strength but will decrease the firmness of the individual molecular architecture. Notably, such σ-aromaticity is not present in six-membered nitrogen heterocycles, probably due to the longer bonds and broader regions of their rings; therefore, six-membered heterocycles present overall lower aromaticity than five-membered heterocycles. This work brings new knowledge to nitrogen aromatics and is expected to inspire broad interest in the chemistry community.

Stabilization of the Dual-Aromatic cyclo-N5- Anion by Acidic Entrapment

Pentazole anion, the best candidate for full-nitrogen energetic materials, can be isolated only from acidic solution for unclear reasons, which hinders the high-yield realization of a full-nitrogen substance with higher energy density. Herein, we report for the first time the discovery of the dual aromaticity (π and σ) of cyclo-N₅^-, which makes the anion unstable in nature but confers additional stability in acidic surroundings. In addition to the usual π-aromaticity, similar to that of the prototypical benzene, five lone pairs are delocalized in the equatorial plane of cyclo-N₅^-, forming additional σ-aromaticity. It is the compatible coexistence of the inter-lone-pair repulsion and inter-lone-pair attraction within the σ-aromatic system that makes the naked cyclo-N₅^- highly reactive to electrophiles and easily broken. Only in sufficiently acid solution can the cyclo-N₅^- become unsusceptible to the electrophilic attack and gain extra stability through the formation of hydrogen-bonded complex from surrounding electrophiles; otherwise, the cyclo-N₅^- cannot be productively isolated. The dual aromaticity discovered in cyclo-N₅^- is expected to be universal for pnictogen five-membered ring systems.

Bond Length Equalization with molecular aromaticity-A new measurement of aromaticity

A new method to measure the amount of aromaticity is presented through the process of Bond Length Equalization (BLE). Degree of Aromaticity (DOA), a two-dimensional intensive quantity including geometric and energetic factors, as a new measurement of aromaticity is proposed. The unique characteristic of DOA and the formation of DOA will be displayed. The calculation of the geometrical optimization, DOA, Nucleus Independent Chemical Shifts (NICS) and Ring Stretching Vibration Raman Spectroscopy Frequency (RSVRSF) for the aromatic ring molecules - G_nH_n^m(G = C, Si, Ge, n = 3, 5-8, m = +1, -1, 0, +1, +2) were calculated using the method of Density Functional Theory (DFT). The correlation between radius angle and molecular energy is absolute quadratic in the process of BLE. As the increasing of the number of ring atoms, the value of DOA decreasing gradually, the aromaticity decreased gradually, which was a same conclusion as NICS and RSVRSF concluded.

A new aromatic probe - The ring stretching vibration Raman spectroscopy frequency

A new aromatic criterion is presented to determine the aromatic degree of the high symmetric molecules. Group theory is used to explain the correlation between the aromatic degree and the value of Ring Stretching Vibration Raman Spectroscopic Frequency (RSVRSF). The calculations of the geometrical optimization, nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) and values of the Raman Spectroscopy for the aromatic molecules-LnHn (L=C, Si, Ge, n=3, 5-8) were performed using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) Method, as well as the correlations between the values of their RSVRSF and NICS values by Statistic Package for Social Science (SPSS17.0). There are high positive correlations between the theoretical calculated the NICS values and the value of the RSVRSF (A1g/A1') of the LnHn (L=C, Si, Ge, n=3, 5-8). The bigger the aromatic degree, the bigger the RSVRSF is. The value of the RSVRSF is a new probe of aromaticity. Expectedly, it is predicted that the experimental determination of the aromatic degree can be achieved by the determination of the ring stretching vibration (A1g/A1') Raman spectrum frequencies for the aromatic target molecules.

THEORETICAL STUDY OF SANDWICH COMPLEXES [Fe(η4 - E4)2]2- (E = N, P, As, Sb, AND Bi)

The equilibrium geometries, energies, harmonic vibrational frequencies, stability, and aromaticities for the [Formula: see text], E 4 Fe , and [ Fe (η4 - E 4)2]2- ( E = N, P, As, Sb, and Bi ) species are studied using density functional theory (DFT). The ground states of the E 4 Fe and [ Fe (η4 - E 4)2]2- systems are predicted to be Cs and D4d structures, respectively. Orbital analysis indicates that the orbital interactions between the π orbitals of the ligands and the atomic orbitals of the d 6 iron center are the main bonding scheme for these [ Fe (η4 - E 4)2]2- (D4d) complexes. The stability of the [ Fe (η4 - E 4)2]2- complexes exhibits the order P > As > Sb > Bi > N for E. On the basis of comparison with the known ferrocene, the NICS analysis confirms that the [ Fe (η4 - E 4)2]2- (D4d) as well as ferrocene are aromatic. The dissected NICS reveals that the aromaticities of the [ Fe (η4 - E 4)2]2- (D4d) are primarily attributed to the effects of their E–E π bonds and Fe lone pairs.