Benzonorcorrole NiII Complexes: Enhancement of Paratropic Ring Current and Singlet Diradical Character by Benzo-Fusion.

Fused benzene rings to antiaromatic compounds generally improve their stability but attenuate their antiaromaticity. The opposite case is now reported. NiII benzonorcorroles were synthesized and the effect of benzo-fusion on the antiaromaticity was elucidated. The benzo-fusion resulted in significant decrease of the HOMO-LUMO gaps and enhancement of the paratropic ring current effect. Furthermore, the introduction of the benzo groups induced singlet diradical character in the antiaromatic porphyrinoid.