Spiropentadiene

Spiropentadiene
Names
IUPAC name
Spiro[2.2]penta-1,4-diene
Other names
Bowtiediene; Spiropenta-1,4-diene
Identifiers
1727-65-7
Jmol-3D images Image
Properties
Molecular formula
C5H4
Molar mass 64.09 g·mol−1
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
 Yes verify (what is: Yes/?)
Infobox references

Spiropentadiene, or bowtiediene, is a hydrocarbon with formula C5H4. The simplest spiro-connected cycloalkene, it is very unstabledecomposing even below 100 °Cdue to its high bond strain and does not occur in nature. It was successfully synthesized in 1991 in the laboratory.[1][2]

Synthesis

Spiropentadiene was synthesised from bistrimethylsilylpropynone 1 by reaction with p-toluenesulfonylhydrazide to tosylhydrazone 2 followed by treatment with sodium cyanoborohydride to allene 3 and followed by two successive reactions with chlorocarbene generated from methyllithium and dichloromethane to spiro compound 5. Spiropentadiene was trapped in a liquid nitrogen trap after reaction with TBAF in a double elimination reaction.

Derivatives

The derivative dichlorospiropentadiene has been reported.[3] An all-silicon derivative (Si5 frame, (tBuMe2Si)3Si side groups) is also known.[4] In contrast to the carbon parent this compound is stable with a melting point of 216 to 218 °C. The angle between the two rings as measured by X-ray single-crystal analysis is 78°.

References

  1. Billups, W. E.; Haley, M. M. (1991). "Spiropentadiene". Journal of the American Chemical Society 113 (13): 5084. doi:10.1021/ja00013a067.
  2. Elusive bowtie pinned down - synthesis of spiropentadiene, a carbonaceous compound nicknamed bowtiediene because it is shaped like a bowtie, Science News, July 13, 1991.
  3. Saini, R.; Litosh, V.; Daniels, A.; Billups, W. (1999). "Synthesis and characterization of 1,4-dichlorospiropentadiene". Tetrahedron Letters 40 (34): 6157. doi:10.1016/S0040-4039(99)01293-9.
  4. Iwamoto, T.; Tamura, M.; Kabuto, C.; Kira, M. (2000). "A Stable Bicyclic Compound with Two Si&cjs0811;Si Double Bonds". Science 290 (5491): 504–506. Bibcode:2000Sci...290..504I. doi:10.1126/science.290.5491.504. PMID 11039928.