
%0 Journal Article
%A Adeney, M 
%A Brown, RFC 
%A Coulston, KJ 
%A Eastwood, FW 
%A James, IW 
%T Flash Vacuum Pyrolysis of Phenanthrene-3,4-dicarboxylic Anhydride and of Cyclobuta[c]-phenanthrene-1,2-dione: Products of Ring Contraction, Insertion and Ring Cleavage
%J Australian Journal of Chemistry
%D 1991/07/01
%V 44
%N 7
%P 967-980
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/CH9910967
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/CH9910967 
%X Flash vacuum pyrolysis of phenanthrene-3,4-dicarboxylic anhydride and of cyclobuta [c]phenanthrene-1,2-dione (860-70&#176;/0.02-0.04 mm) gave a pyrolysate containing 1-ethynylacenaphthylene, 3-ethynylacenaphthylene and phenanthrene. The identity of the two ethynes was confirmed by synthesis. The results are interpreted in terms of a reaction sequence involving aryne formation, ring contraction, carbene insertion and ring cleavage of a highly strained intermediate. 
