10.1002/1099-0690(200107)2001:14<2639::aid-ejoc2639>3.0.co;2-0
This research investigates the synthesis and properties of homotropilidenes through a cycloaddition-cycloelimination pathway. The study aims to explore the effects of substituents on the Cope rearrangement rate and equilibrium positions of homotropilidenes. Key chemicals include 3,6-disubstituted 1,2,4,5-tetrazines and various cyclopropenes, which undergo [4+2] cycloadditions to form 3,4-diazanorcaradienes and subsequently tetracyclic azo compounds. Photolysis of these azo compounds yields homotropilidenes. The research concludes that substituents significantly influence the Cope rearrangement rate and equilibrium positions, with electronic and steric effects playing crucial roles. Symmetrical and unsymmetrical homotropilidenes were successfully synthesized, and their properties were characterized using techniques like NMR spectroscopy and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The findings provide valuable insights into the structure and reactivity of homotropilidenes, contributing to the understanding of pericyclic reactions and the development of new synthetic methods. In the research, homotropilidenes are described as a class of compounds with significant structural and mechanistic interest, particularly due to their involvement in the degenerate [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement.