Gallepins. Neutral Gallium Analogues of the Tropylium Ion: Synthesis, Structure, and Aromaticity

The synthesis of the first gallepin derivative, the neutral gallium-based analogue of the tropylium ion, is described. The title compound, containing two gallepin moieties linked by a TMEDA unit, was characterized by 1H NMR, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, computations provide insight into the nature of the bonding and aromaticity of this novel compound.