Classical understanding of aromaticity has been challenged by its emergence in rings featuring only metal atoms. Now, diuranium and dithorium inverse sandwich complexes featuring a central cyclo-Bi33− unit have been synthesized. These tribismuth rings exhibit exalted diamagnetism and are σ-aromatic, in contrast to the π-aromaticity in analogous tricarbon rings, providing benchmark data for comparisons between organic and inorganic aromaticity.
- Junru Ding
- John A. Seed
- Stephen T. Liddle
