DFT study of "all-metal" aromatic compounds

An overview of recent quantum chemical studies on all-metal aromatic compounds is presented. Novel classes of inorganic molecules containing bonds that are characterized by a common ring-shaped electron density are reviewed. The mechanistic insight gained for the aromatic character of all-metal aromatic molecules is discussed and the predictive nature of the electronic structure calculation methods particularly those based on density functional theory (DFT) is highlighted. The indicators of aromaticity (aromaticity criteria) - structural, magnetic, energetic and reactivity-based measures - many of which are accessible through quantum chemical calculations are also outlined herein. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.