Bergman cyclization of sterically hindered substrates and observation of phenyl-shifted products.

Heating 1,2-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene in the presence of 1,4-cyclohexadiene at temperatures ranging from 260 to 360 degrees C yielded the expected Bergman product, 2,3-diphenylnaphthalene, as only a minor product (<3%) under all reaction conditions studied. The major products, resulting from one or more phenyl shifts, were 1,3- and 1,4-diphenylnaphthalene which formed in up to 16% and 11% yield, respectively. Although somewhat less efficiently, 1-ethynyl-2-(phenylethynyl)benzene and (Z)-1,6-diphenylhex-3-ene-2,5-diyne also yielded products resulting from phenyl shifts.

Comparison of "polynaphthalenes" prepared by two mechanistically distinct routes.

The Bergman cyclization has long been known to produce polymers as side products. More recently, this attribute has been harnessed for the production of conjugated materials. However, the structures of these polymers have not been established.

Photochemistry of diethynyl sulfides: a cycloaromatization for the formation of five-membered rings.

The first five-membered ring cycloaromatization reaction has been demonstrated. Photoirradiation of bis(phenylethynyl) sulfide in hexanes/1,4-cyclohexadiene produces 3,4-diphenylthiophene through the presumed intermediacy of 2,5-didehydrothiophene. In addition, phenylacetylene is produced in this reaction consistent with competing direct carbon-sulfur cleavage.