Resonance in compounds with multiple conjugated bonds

The resonance of the compounds buta-1,3-diyne (1), buta-1,3-diene (2), hexa-1,3,5-triyne (3), hexa-1,3,5-triene (4), hexa-3-en-1,5-diyne (5), and hexa-1,5-dien-3-yne (6) was analyzed. The molecular geometry, π molecular orbitals, and the electron density of these compounds were analyzed. The NBO, AIM, and NRT methods were used. By comparing the electronic structures of compounds 1 and 2 and by considering that the latter is a classic example of a π-conjugated compound (Org Lett 5:2373–2375, 2003; Org Lett 5:2373–2375, 2004), it was possible to conclude that the conjugation of compound 1 is larger than that of 2. Compounds 3 and 4 were also studied, in order to understand the effect of a longer conjugated chain, and it was found that the resonance also increases in the case of 3. In addition, the effect of changing the order of the central bond was investigated by comparison of compounds 5 and 6 with 3 and 4, respectively. The results indicated that changes produce small alterations in the properties of compounds 3 and 4.