Heptacene

The final step is a photochemical decarbonylization with a 1,2-dione bridge extruded as carbon monoxide. In solution heptacene is not formed because it is very unstable being a reactive DA diene and quickly reacts with oxygen or forms dimers. When on the other hand the dione precursor is dissolved in a PMMA matrix first, heptacene can be studied by spectroscopy.

References

1. ^ Photogeneration of Heptacene in a Polymer Matrix Rajib Mondal, Bipin K. Shah, and Douglas C. Neckers J. Am. Chem. Soc.; 2006; 128(30) pp 9612 - 9613; (Communication) doi:10.1021/ja063823i
2. ^ a| Diels-Alder reaction of dibromonaphthalene forming a naphthyne and bicyclo[2,2,2]oct-2,3,5,6,7-pentaene with n-butyllithium in toluene 3 hours at -50 to -60°C 53% chemical yield b| organic oxidation with P-chloranil in toluene 2 hours reflux and 81% yield c] Bishydroxylation with N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide and osmium tetroxide in acetone and t-butanol at room temperature for 48 hours, 83% yield d] Swern oxidation with trifluoroacetic acid in dimethyl sulfoxide and dichloromethane at -78°C, 51% yield e] photochemical decarbonylization in a PMMA matrix at 395 nm