Synthesis and characterization of rhena-phenalenyl complexes

Abstract

Metallaaromatics are attractive due to their special structures and properties. In this work, the first metalla-phenalenyl complexes containing CReC units were obtained from ReCl₃(PMePh₂)₃ and 1,8-diethynylnaphthalene compounds. The delocalized rhenaphenalenyl structure exhibits good planarity. DFT studies show that the 3MR rhenacyclopropene units are σ-aromatic, while the 6MR rhenacycle is nonaromatic. Though the rhenapolycycle is stable, it can be oxidized with one 3MR broken, resulting in another rhenaphenalenyl structure.