Synthesis and Properties of an 18π Aromatic Norcorrole P(V) Complex

[16]Norcorrole is an antiaromatic ring-contracted porphyrinoid. Here, we show that the phosphorus insertion of the free-base [16]norcorrole switches its antiaromaticity to aromaticity. The treatment of a free-base meso-dimesityl[16]norcorrole with phosphorus tribromide in pyridine afforded an [18]norcorrole P(V) complex, which exhibited porphyrin-like absorption and fluorescence spectra. The phosphorus center adopted a distorted tetragonal pyramidal coordination geometry. The distinct aromatic nature of the [18]norcorrole P(V) complex was corroborated both experimentally and theoretically.