Issue 21, 2023

A focus on aromaticity: fuzzier than ever before?

Abstract

The field of aromaticity has grown five-fold in the last two decades as revealed by Merino et al. in their Perspective “Aromaticity: Quo Vadis” where they ask where the field is heading (Chem. Sci., 2023, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2SC04998H). Numerous computational tools for aromaticity analysis have been introduced and novel classes of molecules that exhibit aromatic (or antiaromatic) features have been explored experimentally. Hence, the aromaticity concept is broader and possibly fuzzier than ever. Yet, earlier it also triggered vigorous debates after periods when new analysis tools emerged, and it survived. Today's debate reveals that the field is vital and that new knowledge is produced. Yet, as much as we ask where the field is moving, we should ask “Aromaticity: Cui Bono?”; who utilizes the aromaticity concept and who benefits from it? Especially, who benefits from it being overly fuzzy and who does the opposite? It is an exciting debate. We should get out of it with a better understanding of the chemical-bonding phenomenon labelled aromaticity.

Graphical abstract: A focus on aromaticity: fuzzier than ever before?

Article information

Article type
Commentary
First published
23 maj 2023
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 5542-5544

A focus on aromaticity: fuzzier than ever before?

H. Ottosson, Chem. Sci., 2023, 14, 5542 DOI: 10.1039/D3SC90075D

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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