The Radialenes

B-N 140pm. Structurally, this cyclohexaborane derivative resembles the radialenes, particularly the isoelectronic [Ce(=CHMe)6] in which the Ce ring likewise adopts the chair conformation. 

This comparison demonstrates that the exocyclic double bond length is little affected by the cyclic strain, which was also found for the radialenes see Section n.E. However, significant deviations were found for conjugated systems, and the same holds for the linear and branched dienes and polyenes. 

Which factors determine the conformation of the radialene rings ... 

These molecules also have large substituents, and it might seem surprising that the radialene rings avoid puckered conformations in these species. The nonbonded repulsions are, however, reduced in these molecules because of external ring closures (13) or because two of the exocylic CC double bonds involve cumulated double bond systems (14 and... 

If one were to call compounds 13 radialenes, one would have to include molecules such as 14 and 15 as well. Although this has been done in the chemical literature we prefer to regard these latter unsaturated ring systems as polyalkylidene heterocycles. One reason for this is that they are lacking the characteristic cross-conjugation encountered in the radialenes (see above). 

Since our earlier review1 appeared not so long ago, it makes no sense to repeat here all facets of the radialene family. Therefore, we focus here on the synthesis and chemical transformation of the radialenes, and we suggest the reader consult our earlier review for information on structural and spectroscopic data as well as the use of radialenes as building blocks for organic conductors and organic ferromagnets, as these topics will not... 

The parent [3]radialene 1 has been generated from variously functionalized cyclopropane precursors by classical -elimination reactions (Scheme l)2-6. All these reactions have been carried out as gas-phase reactions, and the radialene has been collected at —63 °C or below. At —78 °C, the pure compound is stable for several days, but polymerization occurs when the vapor is exposed to room temperature as well as in carbon tetrachloride at 273 K2, or in contact with oxygen3. 

Radialene 52 has been envisaged as a precursor to hexaethynyl[3]radialene, a potential building block for carbon networks. However, desilylation under very mild conditions led to an unstable product of so far unknown identity. In this context, it should be mentioned that according to thermochemical calculations, the still unknown hexaethynyl[3]radialene has an increased conjugation energy with respect to vinylacetylene, probably because of partial relief of strain in the radialene corc26b. A remarkable aspect of 52 is its color the crystals are deep-red and a hexane solution has a purple color. In this respect, 52 differs from the yellow radialenes 50 and 51 and resembles [3]radialenes such as 27 and 38, which have much more extended --systems. 

Radialenes represent the biggest and best known subset of the radialene family this is not surprising in view of the fact that more methods to prepare them exist than for any other class of radialenes. The major strategies are the transformation of appropriate cyclobutane derivatives, the thermal or Ni(0)-catalyzed cyclodimerization of butatrienes or higher cumulenes and the cyclotetramerization of (l-bromo-l-alkenyl)cuprates. 

We have already pointed out in the Introduction (see above) that the first review article on radialenes is only a few years old1. In this first summary we have enclosed a comprehensive survey and discussion of the structural and spectroscopic properties of the radialenes. Since progress in this latter area has not been very rapid in the last few years, we do not address here again these aspects of the radialenes. Furthermore, nothing new can be added to the statement that all radialenes are nonaromatic and that they have localized endocyclic single bonds and exocyclic double bonds1 (for recent discussions of ji-ji interaction in [5]- and [3]radialene, see elsewhere903 109). 

By connecting double and single bonds, formally five classes of hydrocarbons can be constructed which differ considerably from one another not only chemically and physically but also in terms of their practical significance [1] the linear polyenes 1, the annulenes 2, which consist exclusively of endocyclic double bonds , the radialenes 3, polyolefins which are characterized by semicyclic double bonds, the fulvenes 4, hybrids containing endo-and semicyclic double bonds, and finally, the dendralenes 5 [2] which are acyclic cross-conjugated polyenes... 

Increase of cyclic cross-conjugation Fig. 8. Comparison of the end-absorptions of TEE dimers and expanded radialenes reveals that the degree of cyclic cross-conjugation in the radialenes increases with increasing donor strength of the peripheral substituents [29d],... 

Trimethylenecyclopropane, [3]radialene (169), which is one of the benzene isomers and the smallest member of the radialene family, is characterized by a cyclic arrangement of cross-conjugated Ti-electron systems. The synthesis and properties of radialenes have been reviewed recently by Hopf and Maas The C—C and C=C bond lengths in 169,1.453 (3) and 1.343 (3) A, determined by are similar to those in its hexamethyl derivative... 

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