Stereochemistry of planarchiral compounds,part XII: Absolute chiralities and X-ray crystal structures of 2,2′-Bi(1,6-methano[10]annulenyl)s

Summary The absolute chirality of the dextrorotatory main rotamer of 10,10-dibromo-2,2-bi(1,6-methano10]annulenyl) (1 b), obtained by low temperature chromatography or by crystallisation of the (+)-enantiomer of1 b, was established by observation of anomalous X-ray diffraction as (+)-(R) _p (R) _a (R) _p -1b. This result was confirmed by reduction of (+)-1 b to a dextrorotatory 2,2-bi(1,6-methano10]annulenyl) (1 a), which in turn was accessible by coupling of (–)-2-Bromo-1,6-methano10]annulene (3) of known chirality (S) _p and, moreover, by enantioselective chromatography of1 a on triacetyl cellulose in ethanol. This correlation determines also the chirality of (+)-1 a as (S) _p (S) _p .According to the X-ray analyses the main rotamer of (+)-1 b and the meso-form (2 b) adopt crystal structures in which the bromine atoms come close to the CH₂-bridges. The torsional angles around the 2,2-bonds vary between 33°, 53° and 65° for (+)-1 b, racem.1 b and the mesoform2 b, respectively.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. G. Snatzke (Bochum) with cordial wishes on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of his birthday