Ring currents and their origin in the modified all-metal aromatics, and

Ring-current maps for CAl 4 2 - and CGa 4 2 - are calculated, and the origin of the ring current in these systems is discussed and compared with those in Al 4 2 - and Ga 4 2 - . Differences between the systems can be rationalised by examining the changes in molecular orbitals, caused by adding the central carbon atom. The current is mainly dominated by the response of the four electrons in the B2g and B1g orbitals and as with those of the all metal systems, the currents from the π-electrons are negligible, classifying these clusters as σ aromatic, like their ‘empty’ analogues.