Zethrene

Zethrene
Names
IUPAC name
Dibenzo[de,mn]tetracene
Identifiers
214-63-1
ChemSpider 11562880
Jmol-3D images Image
Properties
Molecular formula
C24H14
Molar mass 302.37 g·mol−1
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Zethrene (dibenzo[de,mn]naphthacene) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon consisting of two phenalene units fused together. According to Clar's rule, the two exterior naphthalene units are truly aromatic and the two central double bonds are not aromatic at all. For this reason the compound is of some interest to academic research. Zethrene has a deep-red color and it is and light sensitive - complete decomposition under a sunlight lamp occurs within 12 hours. The melting point is 262 °C.

Synthesis

The compound was first synthesized by Erich Clar in 1955[1] from acenaphthene in one method and from chrysene in another. Mitchell and Sondheimer prepared the compound from a benzannulated [10]annulene.[2][3]

Zethrene synthesis 1968 Sondheimer

A sulfur extrusion method was reported by Kemp, Storie, and Tulloch.[4] Wu et al.[5] reported the synthesis of the compound in a coupling reaction / dimerization with in-situ desilylization.

Zethrene synthesis Wu 2010

A Heck variation was reported in 2013.[6]

Derivatives are also known.[7][8]

Structure

X-ray crystallography indicates that zethrene is a planar molecule.[5] The bond lengths in the central part of the molecule are consistent with distinct single and double bonds rather than aromatic components.

References

  1. Clar, Erich; Lang, Karl Friedrich; Schulz-Kiesow, Hans (1955). "Aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe, LXX. Mitteil.1): Zethren (1.12; 6.7-Dibenztetracen)". Chemische Berichte 88 (10): 1520. doi:10.1002/cber.19550881008.
  2. Mitchell, Reginald Harry; Sondheimer, Franz (1968). "A dinaphth[10]annulene". Journal of the American Chemical Society 90 (2): 530. doi:10.1021/ja01004a080.
  3. Mitchell, R.H.; Sondheimer, F. (1970). "The attempted synthesis of a dinaphth-1,6-bisdehydro[10]annulene". Tetrahedron 26 (9): 2141. doi:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)92792-9.
  4. Kemp, William; Storie, Iain T.; Tulloch, Charles D. (1980). "Synthesis of potentially basic hydrocarbons by sulphur extrusion and/or bis-Wittig reactions. Two syntheses of benz[5,6]indeno[2,1-a]phenalene and a new synthesis of dibenzo[de,mn]naphthacene (zethrene)". Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1: 2812. doi:10.1039/P19800002812.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Wu, Tsun-Cheng; Chen, Chia-Hua; Hibi, Daijiro; Shimizu, Akihiro; Tobe, Yoshito; Wu, Yao-Ting (2010). "Synthesis, Structure, and Photophysical Properties of Dibenzo[de,mn]naphthacenes". Angewandte Chemie International Edition 49 (39): 7059. doi:10.1002/anie.201001929.
  6. Shan, Liang; Liang, Zhixiong; Xu, Xiaomin; Tang, Qin; Miao, Qian (2013). "Revisiting zethrene: Synthesis, reactivity and semiconductor properties". Chemical Science 4 (8): 3294. doi:10.1039/C3SC51158H.
  7. Umeda, Rui; Hibi, Daijiro; Miki, Koji; Tobe, Yoshito (2009). "Tetradehydrodinaphtho[10]annulene: A Hitherto Unknown Dehydroannulene and a Viable Precursor to Stable Zethrene Derivatives". Organic Letters 11 (18): 4104. doi:10.1021/ol9015942.
  8. Sun, Zhe; Huang, Kuo-Wei; Wu, Jishan (2010). "Soluble and Stable Zethrenebis(dicarboximide) and Its Quinone". Organic Letters 12 (20): 100923111447081. doi:10.1021/ol102088j.