Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

PhD

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Chemistry

Committee Chair

Kung K Wang

Abstract

The C2-C6 Schmittel cyclization reaction of the benzannulated enyne-allenes provides an efficient synthetic pathway for the construction of a variety of polycyclic aromatics. By starting from truxenone, the cascade cyclization reactions furnished several unusual and congested polycyclic compounds. The in situ generated enyne-allenes are key intermediates in these cyclization reactions.;A new synthetic approach to 2,2'-disubstituted 1,1'-binaphthyls and related compounds was also successfully developed by using the benzannulated enediynes as precursors. These 1,1'-binaphthyls derivatives can serve as potential BINOL type ligands. The assembly of the enediynyl precursors from three separate aromatic fragments allows the possibility of placing a variety of functional groups at various positions of the 1,1'-binaphthyl system.;A 12-step non-pyrolytic synthetic pathway employing the Schmittel cyclization reactions has been developed, leading to a bowl-shaped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) having a 54-carbon framework of the surface of C60 . Incorporating of sp3-carbons on the 54-carbon framework facilitates the connection of carbon atoms intramolecularly.

Share

COinS