Strained hydrocarbons enhanced reactivity

This test uses specially constructed bacteria to detect reverse mutations. Each tester strain has enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for the classes of compounds it will pick up. Therefore, several tester strains are generally used to maximize the possibility of detecting a mutagenic compound. It is well known now that many compounds, for example polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, must undergo some kind of enzymatic or chemical modification before becoming reactive. Therefore, in many cases an enzyme preparation (commonly called S9) is added to the chemical in order to ensure conversion to a chemically-reactive species. 

The chemistry of the closest relative of hydrocarbon 1- methylenecyclopropane (2) - has recently been reviewed extensively [2]. The presence of the second three-membered ring in 1 strongly increases the total strain of this molecule, this enhances its chemical reactivity and leads to specific physical properties. The meanwhile large variety of experimental material obtained for compound 1, some of its derivatives and analogs prompted us to summarize the results in order to help set the stage for future developments. 

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