Can strained hydrocarbons be “forced” to be stable?

Many strained hydrocarbons are prone to isomerization, dimerization, and trimerization under normal laboratory conditions. Here we investigate a method to stabilize angle-strained cycloalkynes by applying a mechanical pulling force to the carbon atoms adjacent to the triple bond, which partially lin...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Neudecker, Tim (Author) , Günther, Benjamin (Author) , Dreuw, Andreas (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: August 31, 2016
In: The journal of physical chemistry. A, Molecules, clusters, and aerosols
Year: 2016, Volume: 120, Issue: 36, Pages: 7198-7204
ISSN:1520-5215
DOI:10.1021/acs.jpca.6b05461
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpca.6b05461
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Author Notes:Tim Stauch, Benjamin Günther, and Andreas Dreuw
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Summary:Many strained hydrocarbons are prone to isomerization, dimerization, and trimerization under normal laboratory conditions. Here we investigate a method to stabilize angle-strained cycloalkynes by applying a mechanical pulling force to the carbon atoms adjacent to the triple bond, which partially linearizes the C≡C-C bond angles. We discuss various methods of applying such pulling forces, including photoswitches and incorporation into additional strained macrocycles. We use the computational JEDI (Judgement of Energy DIstribution) analysis to quantify the distribution of energy in strained cycloheptyne and judge the change in stability upon application of an external force via isodesmic and homodesmotic reactions. We find that cycloheptyne can indeed be stabilized by external forces. However, the force generated by photoswitches during isomerization is too low to lead to a significant stabilization of the molecule. Hence, stronger forces are needed, which can be achieved by incorporating cycloheptyne into a second strained macrocycle.
Item Description:Gesehen am 08.12.2017
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1520-5215
DOI:10.1021/acs.jpca.6b05461