Abstract

When (4n +2) ?-electrons are located in single planar ring, it conventionally qualifies as aromatic. According Hückel's rule, systems possessing ten ?-electrons should be aromatic. Herein we report a series of D5h Li6E5Li6 sandwich structures, representing the first global minima featuring ten ?-electrons E510? ring (E=Si?Pb). However, these ?-electrons localize as five ?-lone-pairs rather than delocalized orbitals. The high symmetry structure achieved is a direct consequence of ?-aromaticity, particularly favored in elements from Si to Pb, resulting in a pronounced diatropic ring current flow that contributes to the enhanced stability of these systems. © 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.