An aromatic dimetallapolycyclic complex with two rhenapyrylium rings.

Extension of the polycyclic benzo-rhenapyrylium structure by a fused metallaaromatic ring and a benzene unit are reported. The dirhena-aromatic complex 4 shows strong absorption in the visible region and a significant absorption in the near-infrared (NIR) region (λmax = 842 nm). DFT calculations are performed to understand its aromatic nature and electronic behavior.