Molecular Topology of Di(9-Anthryl)Ethanedione (9,9'-Anthril) and Some Generically Related Cyclic 1,2-Diketones

Abstract

The molecular structures of di (9-anthryl) ethanedione (9,9′-anthril) and those of four 1,2-diketones derived from 9,9′-anthril by way of intramolecular cycloadditions were investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Two crystal modifications of 9,9′-anthril were available and found to differ in the dihedral angles (43.9 and 178.3°) about the 1,2-dicarbonyl moiety. The 1,2-dicarbonyl group of the cyclobutanedione moiety in the anthril 4π+4π cyclomer is associated with a dihedral angle of 2.6°. In the anthril isomer derived by 4π+2π cycloaddition, an exceptionally long single bond is indicative of molecular strain. The molecular structures of a keto enol and of a novel 1,2-diketo substituted triptycene, both obtained from the 4π+2π cyclomer by acid-catalysed rearrangement and dehydrogenation, respectively, were established. The topological and spectroscopic differences between the keto en01 and its 1,2-diketo precursor are discussed.