Molecular conformation of cyclenes: V. Cyclodecadienes

The strain energy of 1,3-, 1,4-, 1,5- and 1,6-cyclodecadienes has been calculated as a function of various geometric parameters. The relative stability of the minimum-energy forms is discussed and, where possible, compared with thermodynamic and electron diffraction data. In the 1,5- and 1,6-isomers agreement with experimental data is obtained if the transannular interaction between the double bonds is taken into account.