Recent advances in metallabenzene chemistry

Area of Science:

• Organometallic Chemistry
• Aromatic Compounds
• Heterocyclic Chemistry

Background:

• Research on aromatic metallacycles has a long history but has accelerated significantly since the year 2000.
• The field has expanded to include a broader range of metal centers and synthetic methodologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the recent advancements in the synthesis, chemistry, and physical properties of aromatic metallacycles.
• To highlight the emergence of new metallabenzene structures and isomers.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of research published over the last quarter century, with a focus on post-2000 developments.
• Synthesis and characterization of novel aromatic metallacycle topologies and isomers.

Main Results:

• A wide variety of new metallabenzenes, utilizing diverse synthetic approaches and metal centers, are now accessible.
• Novel aromatic metallacycle topologies, such as iridanaphthalene and osmabenzynes, have been successfully isolated and characterized.
• The first known metallabenzene valence isomers (iridabenzvalenes, rhodabenzvalenes) and constitutional isomers (isoosmabenzenes) have been reported.

Conclusions:

• Aromatic metallacycles represent a dynamic and expanding area of organometallic chemistry.
• Recent synthetic innovations have greatly increased the diversity and accessibility of these intriguing compounds.
• Further exploration of their synthesis, chemistry, and properties promises exciting future discoveries.