Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Facile Preparation of 2Z,4E-Dienamides by the Olefination of Electron-deficient Alkenes with Allyl Acetate
Published on: June 21, 2017
Different Strategies for the Stabilization of Acenes and Acene Analogues
1Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543.
Abstract:
Acenes, a type of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon containing linearly fused benzene rings, have received much attention from organic chemists, physical chemists, and materials scientists, due to their intriguing properties and potential applications in organic electronics. Without doubt, acene chemistry has been one of the hottest topics among the π-conjugated systems. However, poor stability of acenes is the prominent issue that limits their applications. In this personal account, we summarize different strategies developed in our group to construct and stabilize acenes and acene analogues. In addition, the unique properties and applications of some molecules will be discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Alkynes: Alkylation Reaction
Alkylation of terminal alkynes with primary alkyl halides in the presence of a strong base like sodium amide is one of the common methods for the synthesis of longer carbon-chain alkynes. For example, treatment of 1-propyne with sodium amide followed by reaction with ethyl bromide yields 2-pentyne.
Acidity of 1-Alkynes
The acidic strength of hydrocarbons follows the order: Alkynes > Alkenes > Alkanes. The strength of an acid is commonly expressed in units of pKa — the lower the pKa, the stronger the acid. Among the hydrocarbons, terminal alkynes have lower pKa values and are, therefore, more acidic. For example, the pKa values for ethane, ethene, and acetylene are 51, 44, and 25, respectively, as shown here.
Alkylation of β-Ketoester Enolates: Acetoacetic Ester Synthesis
Structure and Physical Properties of Alkynes
In nature, compounds containing both carbon and hydrogen are known as "hydrocarbons". Aliphatic hydrocarbons are compounds whose molecules contain saturated single bonds (i.e., alkanes) or unsaturated double or triple bonds. Alkenes contain carbon–carbon double bonds and have a structural formula CnH2n. Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing carbon–carbon triple bonds are called "alkynes" and are structurally represented by the formula CnH2n-2.
The...
Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...
α-Hydroxy Ketones via Reductive Coupling of Esters: Acyloin Condensation Overview

