Carbo-mer of Barrelene: A Rigid 3D-Carbon-Expanded Molecular Barrel

After extensive studies of 1D and 2D skeletal carbo-mers based on C₈ π-conjugating dialkynylbutatriene units (DABs: ∼C≡C−(R)C=C=C=C(R)−C≡C∼) bridging sp or sp² centers in carbo-butene, carbo-xylylene or carbo-benzene derivatives, 3D versions are envisaged through carbo-barrelenes and partially reduced derivatives thereof where two or three DAB blades span a bridge between sp³ carbinol vertices or ether thereof. For R=Ph, stable representatives were synthesized through a pivotal [6]pericyclynedione, and extensively characterized by spectroscopic, electrochemical and crystallographic methods. Density functional theory calculations allow detailed analysis of structural and electronic features of the 7 Å high C₂₆ barrel-shaped molecules, and show that they can behave as cages for ionic species. Beyond aesthetical concerns, the results could open prospects of applications in host-guest supramolecular chemistry and single molecule charge transport.