Planar-Tetracoordinate Carbon in a Neutral Saturated Hydrocarbon: Theoretical Design and Characterization

Exact planarity at the central carbon atom is achieved, according to molecular orbital calculations, in the strained polycyclic cage hydrocarbon dimethanospiro[2.2]octaplane (see structure). There are no glaringly long C-C bonds, which might have reflected inherent instability in this molecule that is yet to be synthesized.