Strict Correlation of HOMO Topology and Magnetic Aromaticity Indices in d-Block Metalloaromatics.

Magnetic aromaticity and antiaromaticity of closed shell metalloaromatics with 4d transition metals (Nb, Tc, Rh) is strictly correlated with the orbital topology (Möbius or Hückel) of their π-HOMO, investigated computationally with DFT methods. A surprisingly simple rule emerged: the metallacycle is aromatic (antiaromatic) when the number of π MOs is even and the π-HOMO is of Möbius (Hückel) topology-and vice versa when the number of π MOs is odd.