The synthesis of 2-ethoxy-6,11-dimethyl-7,9-bisdehydroaza[14]annulene and its benzannelated derivatives

Title azaannulenes were synthesized starting from annulenones, and the ¹H-NMR spectra are discussed in connection with tropicity of these annulenes.     

Tetrakisdehydro[16]annuleno[18]annulene

Tetrakisdehydro[16]annuleno consisting of trisdehydro[16]annulene and bisdehydro[18] annulene has been synthesized. Induction of para- and diamagnetic ring currents in 16- and 18-membered rings, respectively, was clearly recognized by the ¹H NMR spectroscopy. A marked suppresion of the diatropicity in the 18π moiety was observed in the same trend as observed in tetrakisdehydro[14]annuleno[16]annulene.     

Tetrakisdehydro[14]annuleno[16]annulene

Tetrakisdehydro[14]annuleno[16]annulene consisting of an aromatic bisdehydro[14]-annulene and an antiaromatic trisdehydro[16]annulene has been synthesized. The ¹H NMR parameters clearly indicate the strong paratropicity and diatropicity of the 16-membered and 14-membered rings, respectively.     

Tetrakisdehydro[18]annuleno[20]annulene

Tetrakisdehydro[18]annuleno[20]annulene has been synthesized. The ¹H NMR spectra clearly indicate the induction of dia- and paramagnetic ring currents in 18- and 20-rings, respectively. A marked suppression of the diatropicity in the 18π moiety was observed being in the same trend in other tetrakisdehydro[4n]annuleno[4n′+2]annulenes. The ¹H NMR spectroscopic behavior of the annulenoannulenes is consistent with theoretical conclusion.     

Tetrakisdehydro[14]annuleno[20]annulene

Tetrakisdehydro[14]annuleno[20]annulene consisting of an aromatic bisdehydro[14]annulene and an antiaromatic trisdehydro[20]annulene has been synthesized. The ¹H NHR spectra clearly indicate the induction of para- and diamagnetic ring currents in each of the [4n]- and [4n+2]-rings, respectively.     

Trisdehydro[14]annuleno[16]annulene

Trisdehydro[14]annuleno[16]annulene consisting of an aromatic bisdehydro[14]annulene and an antiaromatic bisdehydro[16]annulene has been synthesized. The strong paratropicity was observed in the [16]annulene moiety being comparable with that of extremely unstable parent bisdehydro[16]annulene.     

Duplicated ring enlargement of 4,9-methanothia[11]annulene to 6,11-methanothia[15]annulene

3,10-Dipyrrolidinyl-4,9-methanothia[11]annulene reacts with excess dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) in refluxing toluene to give ring-enlarged 6,11-methanothia[15]annulene. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the product shows two different cis,trans-dienyl parts in the ring system. Product formation possibly involves π-facial selective addition of the enamine with DMAD and torque-selective ring opening of the intermediate cyclobutenes.     

1,6:9,14-bismethano[16]annulene - a new bridged [4n]annulene

The molecular structure and dynamic behaviour of the bridged [4n] annulene 1,6:9,14-bismethano-[16]annulene is unravelled by NMR and X-ray investigations, combined with force field calculations.     

The [12]annulene global minimum

A new global minimum for [12]annulene has been computationally located. This mono-trans minimum 5 (CCCCCT) is computed to be 1.5 kcal/mol more stable (CCSD(T)/cc-pVDZ//BHHLYP/6-311+G**) than the known tri-trans isomer 1 (CTCTCT) and 2.4 kcal/mol lower than the di-trans isomer 4 (CCTCCT), for which there is indirect evidence. The barriers for several rearrangements of 5 were all computed to be above 15 kcal/mol, indicating that direct experimental characterization of 5 should be possible. The computed barriers for the dynamic processes (including conformational automerization) coupled with computed 1H NMR shift values should aid in the future characterization of this [12]annulene isomer.     

Syntheses of an isoannelated annulene,a bisdehydro[14]annuleno[c]furan and bisdehydro[14]annulene derivatives

A bisdehydro[14]annuleno[c]furan, an isoannelated diatropic annulene, has been synthesized. Cyclic glycol, a precursor of the annuleno[c]furan, could be converted into bisdehydro[14]annulene derivatives under mild acidic conditions.