Triasteranes and octahedranes

The molecule ofp-plS joctahedrane (227) has the rare Du point group symmetry, and forms tetragonal crystals in space group R-3c. The structure of its 2,10-COOMe derivative (228) has also been determined342. The bond in the three-membered ring in 227 is 1.507 (4) A, while the bonds adjacent to the substituent in 228 are longer, 1.529 (1) A, the distal bonds shorter, 1.495 (1) A. 

The fascinating story of asteranes, the synthesis of the first members by Hans Musso, has been told by Hopf and in the fundamental paper by Traetteberg, Liittke and cowork-ers . The structure of triasterane, tetracyclo[3.3.1.0 0 Vonane (226), has been determined only recently by gas-phase based on experimental data from an earlier 

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