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A General Base Condensation of Diynes to a Spirocyclopropenyl System
Jordan Holloway1, David L Cedeño, Richard C Reiter
1Department of Chemistry, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois 61790-4160.
This study reveals a novel spirocyclopropene synthesis from diynes using potassium tert-butoxide. The resulting compound is a stable organometallic eta2-olefin pentacarbonyl complex.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Organometallic Chemistry
Background:
- Cyclopropene compounds are strained cyclic molecules with unique reactivity.
- Spirocyclopropenes are a subclass of cyclopropenes featuring a spirocyclic structure.
- The synthesis of spirocyclopropenes is challenging, with few reported examples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a new synthetic route to spirocyclopropene compounds.
- To characterize the intermediate radical anion and the final spirocyclopropene product.
- To explore the reactivity of the synthesized spirocyclopropene with organometallic precursors.
Main Methods:
- Reaction of 1,6-heptadiyne with potassium tert-butoxide and 18-crown-6 in THF at low temperature.
- Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for radical anion characterization.
- Reduced pressure distillation for product isolation.
- Laser irradiation of tungsten hexacarbonyl with the spirocyclopropene.
Main Results:
- Formation of a green, EPR-active solution attributed to the anion radical of 7,14-di-trans-1,5-[14]annuldiyne.
- Color change to deep purple and loss of EPR activity upon warming.
- Isolation of spiro[2.6]nona-2,6,8-triene, a novel spirocyclopropene.
- Synthesis of a stable eta2-olefin pentacarbonyl complex via laser irradiation.
Conclusions:
- A general base condensation method for synthesizing spirocyclopropenyl systems from various diynes was established.
- The study reports the second known spirocyclopropene compound.
- The synthesized spirocyclopropene serves as a valuable precursor for stable organometallic complexes.
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