Ab initio computational studies have been carried out for three molecules that are commonly classed as antiaromatic: cyclobutadiene (1), 1,3-diazacyclobutadiene (7), and 1,4-dihydropyrazine (6). Their dinitro and diamino derivatives were also investigated. Stabilizing or destabilizing energetic effects were quantified by means of the isodesmic reaction procedure at the MP2/6-31G*//HF/3-21G level, and calculated molecular electrostatic potentials (HF/STO-5G//HF/3-21G) were used as a probe of electron delocalization. Our results do not show extensive delocalization in the π systems of any one of the three parent molecules. The destabilization found for 1 and 7 is attributed primarily to strain and to repulsion between the localized π electrons in the C=C and C=N bonds, respectively. However, 6 is significantly stabilized, presumably due to limited delocalization of the nitrogen lone pairs. NH2 groups are highly stabilizing, apparently because of lone pair delocalization. NO2 is neither uniformly stabilizing nor destabilizing.
INTEGRAL TRANSFORM TECHNIQUE FOR MESON WAVE FUNCTIONS