Periodoannulenes: A Generalized Annulene-within-an-Annulene Paradigm for Combined σ and π Ring Currents

Periodoannulene molecules and ions C x I x q in planar geometry offer examples of systems with the potential for outer σ and inner π ring-current double aromaticity, given a sufficient overlap of tangential pσ-orbital manifolds on the large atoms of the outer cycle. Previous theoretical work indicated concentric diatropic currents in the dication C6I6 2+. Ab initio ipsocentric calculations support an account in terms of frontier-orbital selection rules for current contributions in C6I6 2+ (and radical C6I6 +, implicated in recent experimental work on the oxidation of periodobenzene). A σ/π analogue of the annulene-within-an-annulene model is applied here to periodo systems based on cyclooctatetraene. Model species C8I8 q with charges q = 0, +1, +2, +4, −2 and structures constrained to a planar D 4h symmetry exhibit maps with all combinations of σ/π con- and counter-rotation, comprising global σ ring currents on the iodine perimeter and central π ring currents on the carbocycle. All can be rationalized by the separate application of the tropicity selection rules to the two subsystems, whether in singlet or triplet states.