Search for aromatic anions in the P2E3− (E = N, P, As, Sb, Bi) series

Abstract

We report a systematic computational study focused on the global minimum and low-lying isomer search for the P₂E₃⁻ (E = N, P, As, Sb, Bi) series of anions. We found nine planar five-membered rings and proved their aromatic character by various quantum chemical techniques. The possible use of two different P₂N₃⁻ aromatic anions as ligands in a number of sandwich complexes was also studied.