Synthesis and structure of a novel molecular bowl with an all-carbon and acyclic framework

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)00511-4

A novel all-carbon molecular bowl 2 where the central functionality is surrounded by two rigid tetramethyl-m-terphenyl units was designed. Bromide 3 was readily synthesized by copper(I)-catalyzed coupling reaction between 4 and 5. X-ray crystallographic analysis established that 3 has a bowl-shaped structure although it is an acyclic molecule. Butyl sulfide 6 and thiol 8 were synthesized via lithiation of 3.