Planar Tetracoordinate Fluorine Atoms

Abstract

Unlike other atoms, planar tetracoordinate fluorines are elusive. So far, there are no theoretical or experimental reports suggesting their existence. Herein, we introduce the first six combinations, whose global minima contain a planar tetracoordinate fluorine. All of them are surrounded exclusively by atoms of group 13. The bonding scheme shown by these species is entirely different from analogous systems with carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen atoms. The magnetic response characterizes these systems mostly σ-aromatic. The planar form is somewhat stabilized by subtle ionic interactions of the fluorine with the peripheral atoms, forming an adequately sized cavity. <br>

Planar Pentacoordinate Zinc Group Elements Stabilized by Multicentric Bonds

“…26−28 The mature electronic design principle has also led to the computational report of a hypercoordinate fluorine atom, the most electronegative element. 29 The concept of σ aromaticity, first proposed to rationalize the apparent stability of cyclopropane, 30 has been particularly valuable to understand the bonding and stability of all-metal aromatic and antiaromatic systems. 31−39 Even the dual σ + π aromaticity has been found to be responsible for the high stability of transition-metal-centered borometallic molecular wheels.…”