Discovery and Computational Rationalization of Diminishing Alternation in [n]Dendralenes

J Am Chem Soc. 2016 Jan 27;138(3):1022-32. doi: 10.1021/jacs.5b11889. Epub 2016 Jan 14.

Abstract

The [n]dendralenes are a family of acyclic hydrocarbons which, by virtue of their ability to rapidly generate structural complexity, have attracted significant recent synthetic attention. [3]Dendralene through [8]dendralene have been previously prepared but no higher member of the family has been reported to date. Here, we describe the first chemical syntheses of the "higher" dendralenes, [9]dendralene through [12]dendralene. We also report a detailed investigation into the spectroscopic properties and chemical reactivity of the complete family of fundamental hydrocarbons, [3]dendralene to [12]dendralene. These studies reveal the first case of diminishing alternation in behavior in a series of related structures. We also report a comprehensive series of computational studies, which trace this dampening oscillatory effect in both spectroscopic measurements and chemical reactivity to conformational preferences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkenes / chemical synthesis
  • Alkenes / chemistry*
  • Cycloaddition Reaction
  • Molecular Conformation

Substances

  • 3,4,5-trimethylenehepta-1,6-diene
  • Alkenes