Five-membered heterocycles. Part III. Aromaticity of 1,3-imidazole in 5+ n hetero-bicyclic molecules

Abstract

The aromaticity (in the form of HOMA index) of 1,3-imidazole ring and its bicyclic derivatives was studied on the basis of statistical data from Cambridge Structural Database and X-ray investigations performed by authors. As a starting point, aromaticity of the 1,3-imidazoles with exocyclic X substituent at C2 (XN, O or S) was calculated. Subsequently, the HOMA index was calculated for various 5+ n bicyclic skeletons with N, O, and S as endocyclic heteroatoms in the second ring. For the isolated 1,3-imidazole ring, aromaticity depends on exocyclic substituent at C2 and decreases in sequence N, S, O. For bicyclic derivatives it was found that both rings are aromatic and coplanar in very few molecules (17% of investigated ones), and positive charge—located on endocyclic heteroatom—increases the aromaticity. For remaining compounds, presence of sp 3 carbons excludes possibility of aromatic ring existence.