The homotropenylium cation: A system with a pinched π ring current

The homotropenylium cation (1, C₈H₉ ⁺) is a key species in the discussion of homoaromaticity. Constrained optimisations around the minimum structure have been performed, varying the size of the gap spanned by the CH₂-bridge and optimising all other geometrical parameters. At each bridging distance, ab initio current-density maps have been calculated and plotted using the ipsocentric approach. Analysis of the maps, including decomposition into localised orbital contributions, gives a clear indication of a global diatropic ring current passing through the gap. The change in p_π-p_π interaction, from conventional π overlap around the conjugated seven-carbon perimeter to σ overlap (p _σ-p_σ) in the gap, results in a distinctive pinched topology, with two streams of current pinched down into one for part of the circuit. This ring current is diatropic and therefore the species 1 is aromatic on the magnetic criterion.