Polycyclic systems, cycloalkanes

An attempt is made in this chapter to document, as exhaustively as possible, the monomers that fit the above definition of a cycloalkane ROP. In order to summarize the key information, a thorough examination of the literature was made, and a tabular arrangement used to summarize the results (see Tables 13.1 to 13.7), with the monomers placed in categories (cyclopropanes, cyclobutanes, bicyclobutanes, propellanes), then into several subcategories when needed (coordination/ cationic, anionic, free-radical, etc.). When known, the C—C bond being broken was indicated for polycyclic systems. 

The aerobic degradation of cycloalkanes has been examined in both monocyclic and polycyclic snb-strates. In all of them, monooxygenation is the first step and this is sometimes accomplished by cytochrome P450 systems. Reviews of the degradation of alicyclic componnds inclnding monoterpenes... 

Alternate to part of Rule A-23.1)—The names of ort/io-fused polycyclic hydrocarbons which have (a) less than the maximum number of non-cumulative double bonds, (b) at least one terminal unit which is most conveniently named as an unsaturated cycloalkane derivative, and (c) a double bond at the positions where rings are fused together, may be derived by joining the name of the terminal unit to that of the other component by means of a letter o with elision of a terminal e . The abbreviations for fused aromatic systems laid down in Rule A-21.4 are used, and the exceptions of Rule A-23.1 apply. 

Although Hantzsch-Widman system works satisfactorily (if you can remember the rules) for monocyclic compounds, it is cumbersome for polycyclic compounds. In the case of oxiranes it is simplest for conversational purposes to name them as oxides of the cycloalkenes or epoxy derivatives of the corresponding cycloalkanes. The oxabicycloalkane names seem preferable for indexing purposes, particularly because the word oxide is used in many other connections. 

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