The close relation between cyclic delocalization, energy effects of cycles and aromaticity

Abstract

New evidence questioning the multidimensionality of the aromaticity phenomenon exemplified in what is called orthogonality between the classical (structural and energetic) and magnetic aromaticity indices and measures is reported. For this purpose, the recently proposed methodologies for the quantitative characterization of the energy benefits associated with the cyclic arrangement of mobile π-electrons in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are compared with the indices characterizing the extent of cyclic delocalization in the corresponding conjugated circuits. The reported close correlation between both types of indices implies that no discrepancies between classical and magnetic aromaticity measures exist provided the comparison is based on the indices of inherently local nature and/or the interfering contributions of contaminating conjugated circuits is properly taken into account in the description of aromaticity measures like topological resonance energy (TRE) or nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS).