1,4-Addition of benzene to a dihydrocyclopent[a]indene diradical: synthesis and DFT study

J Org Chem. 2005 Mar 4;70(5):1881-4. doi: 10.1021/jo0485132.

Abstract

Photochemical cyclization of compound 1, a homoenediyne (-CCC=CCH2CC-) bearing two ethynylanthracene chromophores, yields two isomeric dihydrocyclopent[a]indene ring systems, spiro-fused to the 9-position of a 9,10-dihydroanthracene moiety. Evidence of a photochemically initiated diradical cyclization pathway is proposed on the basis of (i) hydrogen abstraction from reaction with 1,4-cyclohexadiene (1,4-CHD) and (ii) the observation of 1,4-addition of benzene (solvent). The reaction was further analyzed by a complete density functional theory (DFT) study, using an unrestricted approach (UBLYP) with a 6-31G* basis set for the open-shell triplet states of the reactants, products, and diradical intermediates to model the photochemical nature of observed transformation. A mechanism detailing the observed cyclization/addition reaction is proposed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Benzene* / chemical synthesis
  • Benzene* / chemistry
  • Free Radicals / chemical synthesis
  • Free Radicals / chemistry
  • Indenes* / chemical synthesis
  • Indenes* / chemistry
  • Models, Chemical
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • Free Radicals
  • Indenes
  • Benzene