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Structure and conformation of dihydroaromatic compounds. 1-alkyl-1,4-dihydrobenzenes, 1-alkyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalenes, and 9-alkyl-9,10-dihydroanthracenes

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00374a025· OSTI ID:6301541

The molecular geometries of 1-alkyl-1,4-dihydrobenzenes, 1-alkyl-1,4-dihydronaphthalenes, and 9-alkyl-9,10-dihydroanthracenes have been evaluated by empirical force-field calculations. Unlike the parent dihydroaromatics, the alkyl-substituted hydrocarbons all exhibit optimum geometries that are nonplanar, and the distortion from planarity increases with the steric bulk of the substituent. In contrast to earlier suggestions of a boat-to-boat equilibrium, all of the 1,4-dihydrobenzenes studied have a single energy minimum in which the substituent occupies a pseudoaxial position. Several of the dihydronaphthalene and dihydroanthracene derivatives exhibit two distinct nonpolar energy minima, but the pseudoaxial conformation is much more stable than the pseudoequatorial form in each case. Consequently, even these compounds can be considered to exist in a single conformation.

Research Organization:
Univ. of South Florida, Tampa
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-79ER10339
OSTI ID:
6301541
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 104; ISSN JACSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English