Annulene

Annulenes are monocyclic hydrocarbons that contain the maximum number of non-cumulated or conjugated double bonds ('mancude'). They have the general formula CnHn (when n is an even number) or CnHn+1 (when n is an odd number). The IUPAC accepts the use of 'annulene nomenclature' in naming carbocyclic ring systems with 7 or more carbon atoms, using the name '[n]annulene' for the mancude hydrocarbon with n carbon atoms in its ring,[1] though in certain contexts (e.g., discussions of aromaticity for different ring sizes), smaller rings (n = 3 to 6) can also be informally referred to as annulenes. Using this form of nomenclature 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene is [8]annulene and benzene is [6]annulene (and occasionally referred to as just 'annulene').[2][3]

Not to be confused with aniline.
Structure and AFM image of a hexadehydrotribenzo[12]annulene

The discovery that [18]annulene possesses a number of key properties associated with other aromatic molecules was an important development in the understanding of aromaticity as a chemical concept.

In the related annulynes, one double bond is replaced by a triple bond.

Aromaticity
Aromaticity of the even annulenes
n aromaticity
4 antiaromatic
6 aromatic
8 nonaromatic
10 nonaromatic
12 weakly antiaromatic
14 weakly aromatic
16 nonaromatic[4]
18 aromatic

Annulenes may be aromatic (benzene, [6]annulene and [18]annulene), non-aromatic ([8] and [10]annulene), or anti-aromatic (cyclobutadiene, [4]annulene). Cyclobutadiene is the only annulene with considerable antiaromaticity, since planarity is unavoidable. With [8]annulene, the molecule takes on a tub shape that allows it to avoid conjugation of double bonds. [10]Annulene is of the wrong size to achieve a planar structure: in a planar conformation, ring strain due to either steric hindrance of internal hydrogens (when some double bonds are trans) or bond angle distortion (when the double bonds are all cis) is unavoidable. Thus, it does not exhibit appreciable aromaticity.

When the annulene is large enough, [18]annulene for example, there is enough room internally to accommodate hydrogen atoms without significant distortion of bond angles. [18]Annulene possesses several properties that qualify it as aromatic.[5] However, none of the larger annulenes are as stable as benzene, as their reactivity more closely resembles a conjugated polyene than an aromatic hydrocarbon.

In general, charged annulene species of the form [C4n+2+qH4n+2+q]q (n = 0, 1, 2, ..., q = 0, ±1, ±2, 4n + 2 + q ≥ 3) are aromatic, provided a planar conformation can be achieved. For instance, C5H5–, C3H3+, and C8H82– are all known aromatic species.

See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Annulenes.

References
  1. IUPAC, Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book") (1997). Online corrected version: (2006–) "annulene". doi:10.1351/goldbook.A00368
  2. Ege, S. (1994) Organic Chemistry:Structure and Reactivity 3rd ed. D.C. Heath and Company
  3. Dublin City University Annulenes Archived April 7, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Johnson, Suzanne M.; Paul, Iain C.; King, G. S. D. (1970). "[16]Annulene: the crystal and molecular structure". Journal of the Chemical Society B: Physical Organic: 643–649. doi:10.1039/j29700000643. ISSN 0045-6470.
  5. Oth, Jean F. M.; Bünzli, Jean-Claude; De Julien De Zélicourt, Yves (1974-11-06). "The Stabilization Energy of [18] Annulene. A thermochemical determination". Helvetica Chimica Acta. 57 (7): 2276–2288. doi:10.1002/hlca.19740570745. ISSN 0018-019X.
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