Tetrahedrane

Tetrahedrane ( tricyclo [ 1.1.0.02,4 ] butane ) is a hypothetical cycloalkane with the molecular formula C4H4, the carbon atoms are located at the corners of a tetrahedron. Since the tetrahedron is a Platonic solid, tetrahedrane is also called a platonic molecule and is one of the Platonic hydrocarbons. It also speaks of a cage compound, since it is a geometric object with an interior.

Tetrahedrane itself is not unbound before or does not exist naturally. In Tetrahedranmolekül namely come between the four carbon atoms bond angle of 60 ° before that deviate strongly from the ideal tetrahedral angle of 109.5 ° and for voltages in the molecule provide ( Baeyer strain ). So far, the synthesis of tetrahedrane has not yet succeeded.

Tert- butyl tetrahedrane

However, it was Gunther Maier and co-workers at the University of Marburg build the carbon skeleton with tert -butyl substituents. This spatially broader groups provide by a " corset effect " for additional stability.

For the synthesis of this Tetrahedranderivats tetra-tert- butylcyclopentadienon is exposed. The result is Tricyclopentanon, which eliminates carbon monoxide upon further exposure and cyclobutadiene forms. This can then be photoisomerized to tetrahedrane.