10.1246/cl.1982.1473
The research investigates the syntheses and properties of (Z)-1-aryl-2-tropylium ethene perchlorates. The study aims to explore the thermal and photochemical Z,E isomerization of these olefins, which are of significant interest in organic and physical organic chemistry. The researchers synthesized and isolated the Z-isomers of 1-phenyl- and 1-naphthyl-2-tropylium ethene perchloroates, which readily isomerize to the E-isomers in acetonitrile at room temperature but are remarkably stable in trifluoroacetic acid, demonstrating a marked solvent effect. Light was also found to induce Z to E isomerization. The study utilized chemicals such as 1-phenyl-2-tropylium cation, Wittig reagent 4, (3-cycloheptatrienyl)methylenetriphenylphosphorane, and various aldehydes including benzaldehyde and 1-naphthaldehyde. The conclusions drawn from the research indicate that the Z-isomers are less stable than the E-isomers, with the stability and isomerization process being highly dependent on the solvent used, suggesting that the tightness of ion pairs in solutions plays a significant role in the solvent dependence of the Z to E isomerization.