Planar Tetracoordinate Fluorine Atoms

Unlike other atoms, planar tetracoordinate fluorines are elusive. So far, there are no theoretical or experimental reports suggesting their existence. Herein, we introduce the first six combinations, whose global minima contain a planar tetracoordinate fluorine. All of them are surrounded exclusively by atoms of group 13. The bonding scheme shown by these species is entirely different from analogous systems with carbon, nitrogen, or oxygen atoms. The magnetic response characterizes these systems mostly σ-aromatic. The planar form is somewhat stabilized by subtle ionic interactions of the fluorine with the peripheral atoms, forming an adequately sized cavity.