Fulvalene

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Structure of fulvalene
Structure of fulvalene

Fulvalene is an organic compound with the molecular formula C10H8. It is of theoretical interest as one of the simplest non-benzenoid conjugated hydrocarbons. Fulvalene is an unstable isomer of the more common benzenoid aromatic compounds naphthalene and azulene. It is also known as bicyclopentadienylidene.

Fulvalene consists of two 5-membered rings, each with two double bonds, joined by yet a fifth double bond. It has D2h symmetry. It was long sought until 1958 when it was synthesized at Yale University by E. A. Matzner, working under William von Eggers Doering.[1] An earlier attempt in 1951 by Pauson and Kealy resulted in the accidental discovery of ferrocene.[2]

Perchlorofulvalene C10Cl8 is quite stable in contrast to the hydrocarbon.[3]. Tetrathiafulvalene is an organic semiconductor.

[edit] Fulvalene as a ligand in organometallic chemistry

Fulvalene forms stable organometallic complexes that can be formally considered derivatives of the dianion C10H82−. [4] Some such fulvalene complexes undergo reversible C-C bond scission.[5]


[edit] References

  1. ^ Dissertation Abstracts Int'l 26-06 page 3270 6411876.
  2. ^ T. J. Kealy, P. L. Pauson (1951). "A New Type of Organo-Iron Compound". Nature 168: 1039. doi:10.1038/1681039b0. 
  3. ^ Mark, V. “Perchlorofulvalene” Organic Syntheses, Collected Volume 5, p.901 (1973).http://www.orgsyn.org/orgsyn/pdfs/CV5P0901.pdf
  4. ^ Capps, K. B.; Whitener, G. D.; Bauer, A.; Abboud, K. A.; Wasser, I. M.; Vollhardt, K. P. C. and Hoff, C. D., "Synthesis and Crystal Structures of (Fulvalene)W2(SH)2(CO)6, (Fulvalene)W2(μ-S2)(CO)6, and (Fulvalene)W2(μ-S)(CO)6: Low Valent Tungsten Carbonyl Sulfide and Disulfide Complexes Stabilized by the Bridging Fulvalene Ligand", Inorganic Chemistry, 2002, volume 41, pages 3212 -3217.
  5. ^ Boese, R. J.; Cammack, K.; Matzger, A. J.; Pflug, K.; Tolman,W. B.; Vollhardt, K. P. C.; Weidman, T. W. "Photochemistry of (Fulvalene)tetracarbonyldiruthenium and Its Derivatives: Efficient Light Energy Storage Devices" Journal of the American Chemistry Society 1997, volume 119, p. 6757-6773.
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