Vapor deposition polymerization of heteroatom-bridged [2.2]paracyclophanes: 1,9-dithia[2.2]paracyclophane and 1,9-dithia[2.2]paracyclophane-1,1,9,9-tetroxide

1,9-Dithia[2.2]paracyclophane-1,1,9,9-tetroxide ( 3 ) was synthesized as white needles in a high yield from 1,9-dithia[2.2]paracyclophane ( 2 ) by oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid, and its molecular structure was determined with single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Vapor deposition polymerizations of 2 and 3 gave amorphous and brittle polymer films along with considerable amounts of nonpolymeric byproducts. A polymer film from 2 was a copolymer of p-(phenylene-methylenesulfide) with p-(phenylene-methylene) units, and a polymer film from 3 was a homopolymer of p-(phenylene-methylene) units with head-to-tail, head-to-head, and tail-to-tail placements. The elimination of sulfur atoms in 2 and sulfone units in 3 took place during their pyrolysis reactions. Plausible mechanisms for vapor deposition polymerizations of both cyclophanes are proposed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1892–1900, 2001     

A computational study of [2.2]cyclophanes

A computational study of isomeric [2.2]cyclophanes, namely [2.2]paracyclophane 1, [2.2]metacyclophane 2, and [2.2]metaparacyclophane 3, has been carried out. For 1, geometry optimizations performed by various methods at different basis sets showed that MP2/6-31+G(d,p) and B3PW91/6-31+G(d,p) provide the best results in comparison to the X-ray data. Compound 1 has D(2) symmetry with distorted bridges. A conformational search was performed for [2.2]cyclophanes 2 and 3. Each cyclophane exists in two conformations which have different energies in the case of 3 but are degenerate in the case of 2. Relative energies and strain energies at the bridges follow the same order, indicating that the relief of bridge tension and repulsion between pi clouds are determining factors for the stability of [2.2]cyclophanes. Through a decomposition of strain energy, it can be concluded that both the rings or the bridges can absorb strain, but it depends on the conformer of butane that is considered in the calculation of SE(br). Changes in aromaticity of these compounds were evaluated by NICS and HOMA and were compared with benzene and xylenes dimers as models. Despite distortions from planarity and shortening and lengthening of the C-C bonds relative to the mean, the phenyl rings are aromatic. NICS suggests a concentration of electronic density between the rings as a result of bridging process. Computed MK, NPA, and GAPT charges were compared for the isomeric cyclophanes. The GIAO chemical shifts were calculated and indicate that 1 has a larger diamagnetic anisotropy than the other isomers.     

Regiodirected substitution of [2.2]paracyclophanedienes and [2.2]paracyclophanes through tricarbonylchronium complexation

4,7-dialkoxy[2.2]paracyclophanes and the corresponding 1,9-dienes are shown to undergo selective conplexation with Cr(CO)₃L₃-reagent on their less substituted benzene moiety. Lithiation/silytion of these complexes leads to arene- or bridge-substitution, respectively. An analagous behaviour is observed for the tricarbonylchromium[2.2]paracyclophane and its 1,9-diene.     

A computational study of tetrafluoro-[2.2]cyclophanes

A computational study of the isomers of tetrafluorinated [2.2]cyclophanes persubstituted in one ring, namely F4-[2.2]paracyclophane (4), F4-anti-[2.2]metacyclophane (5a), F4-syn-[2.2]metacyclophane (5b), and F4-[2.2]metaparacyclophane (6a and 6b), was carried out. The effects of fluorination on the geometries, relative energies, local and global aromaticity, and strain energies of the bridges and rings were investigated. An analysis of the electron density by B3PW91/6-31+G(d,p), B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p), and MP2/6-31+G(d,p) was carried out using the natural bond orbitals (NBO), natural steric analysis (NSA), and atoms in molecules (AIM) methods. The analysis of frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) was also employed. The results indicated that the molecular structure of [2.2]paracyclophane is the most affected by the fluorination. Isodesmic reactions showed that the fluorinated rings are more strained than the nonfluorinated ones. The NICS, HOMA, and PDI criteria evidenced that the fluorination affects the aromaticity of both the fluorinated and the nonfluorinated rings. The NBO and NSA analyses gave an indication that the fluorination increases not only the number of through-space interactions but also their magnitude. The AIM analysis suggested that the through-space interactions are restricted to the F4-[2.2]metacyclophanes. In addition, the atomic properties, computed over the atomic basins, gave evidence that not only the substitution, but also the position of the bridges could affect the atomic charges, the first atomic moments, and the atomic volumes.     

BIRCH-Reduktion von [2.2] Metacyclophan

Metal-ammonia-reduction of [2.2] metacyclophan led to 5, 8, 13, 16-tetrahydro-[2.2] metacyclophan (II). The structure of this new ring system was confirmed by UV.-, NMR.-and mass spectra analyses. The NMR.-spectrum of II in solution shows an AA′ BB′-system for the -CH₂CH₂-groups. This part of the spectrum is temperature dependant. It collapses and coalesces to a broad singlet at approximately 145°C. A chair-like conformation and conformational changes of II are discussed.     

A preparative microwave method for the isomerisation of 4,16-dibromo[2.2]paracyclophane into 4,12-dibromo[2.2]paracyclophane

4,16-Dibromo[2.2]paracyclophane (4) is isomerised to 4,12-dibromo[2.2]paracyclophane (1) by the application of microwaves in DMF solution.     

Synthesis of anti -[2.2] (2,6) benzothiazolophane: The first example of [2.2]benzofused heterophane

Synthesis of the first [2.2] benzofused heterophane 8 is described via photodecarboxylation of bislactone 7. Dynamic ¹H NMR studies suggest that 8 is conformationally rigid whereas 7 is conformationally mobile on the NMR time scale.