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Updated: May 28, 2026

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Methylenecyclopropene (c-C 3 $_3$ H 2 $_2$ CH 2 $_2$ ) as a Precursor in Gas-Phase Formation of the Known
Taylor A Cole1, Athena R Flint1, Rebecca A Firth1
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA.
None:
Barrierless additions of the ethynyl radical (C H) and diatomic carbon (C ) to methylenecyclopropene (MCP, -C H CH ) elucidate potential astrochemical formation pathways toward polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their possible precursors, notably -benzyne ( -C H ). High-level coupled-cluster calculations at the CCSD(T)-F12b/cc-pVTZ-F12 level map multiple interconnected reaction networks under cold molecular-cloud conditions typical of the interstellar medium. These pathways are energetically viable, form cyclic intermediates, and access aromatic species relevant to PAHs. With -benzyne already detected in various interstellar environments, MCP-initiated chemistry broadens interstellar synthesis routes, yields theoretical targets and energetics to guide future observational searches, and contributes a deeper understanding of complex hydrocarbon chemistry.
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