Cyclopropane

Last updated
Cyclopropane [1]
Cyclopropane - displayed formula Cyclopropane-stereo.svg
Cyclopropane - displayed formula
Cyclopropane - skeletal formula Regular triangle.svg
Cyclopropane - skeletal formula
Cyclopropane-3D-balls.png
Cyclopropane-3D-vdW.png
Liquid Cyclopropane.jpg
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Cyclopropane [2]
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.771 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
KEGG
PubChem CID
UNII
UN number 1027
  • InChI=1S/C3H6/c1-2-3-1/h1-3H2 Yes check.svgY
    Key: LVZWSLJZHVFIQJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Yes check.svgY
  • InChI=1/C3H6/c1-2-3-1/h1-3H2
    Key: LVZWSLJZHVFIQJ-UHFFFAOYAL
  • C1CC1
Properties
C3H6
Molar mass 42.08 g/mol
AppearanceColorless gas
Odor Sweet, ethereal
Density 1.879 g/L (1 atm, 0 °C)
680 g/L (liquid)
Melting point −128 °C (−198 °F; 145 K)
Boiling point −32.9 °C (−27.2 °F; 240.2 K)
502 mg/L
Vapor pressure 640 kPa (20 °C)
1350 kPa (50 °C)
Acidity (pKa)~46
-39.9·10−6 cm3/mol
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Highly flammable
Asphyxiant
GHS labelling:
GHS-pictogram-flamme.svg
Danger
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704.svgHealth 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g. turpentineFlammability 4: Will rapidly or completely vaporize at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature, or is readily dispersed in air and will burn readily. Flash point below 23 °C (73 °F). E.g. propaneInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazard SA: Simple asphyxiant gas. E.g. nitrogen, helium
1
4
0
SA
495 °C (923 °F; 768 K)
Explosive limits 2.4 % (lower)
10.4 % (upper)
Safety data sheet (SDS) Air Liquide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
X mark.svgN  verify  (what is  Yes check.svgYX mark.svgN ?)

Cyclopropane is the cycloalkane with the molecular formula (CH2)3, consisting of three methylene groups (CH2) linked to each other to form a triangular ring. The small size of the ring creates substantial ring strain in the structure. Cyclopropane itself is mainly of theoretical interest but many of its derivatives - cyclopropanes - are of commercial or biological significance. [3]

Contents

Cyclopropane was used as a clinical inhalational anesthetic from the 1930s through the 1980s. The substance's high flammability poses a risk of fire and explosions in operating rooms due to its tendency to accumulate in confined spaces, as its density is higher than that of air.

History

Cyclopropane was discovered in 1881 by August Freund, who also proposed the correct structure for the substance in his first paper. [4] Freund treated 1,3-dibromopropane with sodium, causing an intramolecular Wurtz reaction leading directly to cyclopropane. [5] The yield of the reaction was improved by Gustavson in 1887 with the use of zinc instead of sodium. [6] Cyclopropane had no commercial application until Henderson and Lucas discovered its anaesthetic properties in 1929; [7] industrial production had begun by 1936. [8] In modern anaesthetic practice, it has been superseded by other agents.

Anaesthesia

Cyclopropane was introduced into clinical use by the American anaesthetist Ralph Waters who used a closed system with carbon dioxide absorption to conserve this then-costly agent. Cyclopropane is a relatively potent, non-irritating and sweet smelling agent with a minimum alveolar concentration of 17.5% [9] and a blood/gas partition coefficient of 0.55. This meant induction of anaesthesia by inhalation of cyclopropane and oxygen was rapid and not unpleasant. However at the conclusion of prolonged anaesthesia patients could suffer a sudden decrease in blood pressure, potentially leading to cardiac dysrhythmia: a reaction known as "cyclopropane shock". [10] For this reason, as well as its high cost and its explosive nature, [11] it was latterly used only for the induction of anaesthesia, and has not been available for clinical use since the mid-1980s. Cylinders and flow meters were colored orange.

Pharmacology

Cyclopropane is inactive at the GABAA and glycine receptors, and instead acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist. [12] [13] It also inhibits the AMPA receptor and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and activates certain K2P channels. [12] [13] [14]

Structure and bonding

Orbital overlap in the bent bonding model of cyclopropane Coulson Moffit Model.png
Orbital overlap in the bent bonding model of cyclopropane

The triangular structure of cyclopropane requires the bond angles between carbon-carbon covalent bonds to be 60°. The molecule has D3h molecular symmetry. The C-C distances are 151 pm versus 153-155 pm. [15] [16]

Despite their shortness, the C-C bonds in cyclopropane are weakened by 34 kcal/mol vs ordinary C-C bonds. In addition to ring strain, the molecule also has torsional strain due to the eclipsed conformation of its hydrogen atoms. The C-H bonds in cyclopropane are stronger than ordinary C-H bonds as reflected by NMR coupling constants.

Bonding between the carbon centres is generally described in terms of bent bonds. [17] In this model the carbon-carbon bonds are bent outwards so that the inter-orbital angle is 104°.

The unusual structural properties of cyclopropane have spawned many theoretical discussions. One theory invokes σ-aromaticity: the stabilization afforded by delocalization of the six electrons of cyclopropane's three C-C σ bonds to explain why the strain of cyclopropane is "only" 27.6 kcal/mol as compared to cyclobutane (26.2 kcal/mol) with cyclohexane as reference with Estr=0 kcal/mol, [18] [19] [20] in contrast to the usual π aromaticity, that, for example, has a highly stabilizing effect in benzene. Other studies do not support the role of σ-aromaticity in cyclopropane and the existence of an induced ring current; such studies provide an alternative explanation for the energetic stabilization and abnormal magnetic behaviour of cyclopropane. [21]

Synthesis

Cyclopropane was first produced via a Wurtz coupling, in which 1,3-dibromopropane was cyclised using sodium. [4] The yield of this reaction can be improved by the use of zinc as the dehalogenating agent and sodium iodide as a catalyst. [22]

BrCH2CH2CH2Br + 2 Na → (CH2)3 + 2 NaBr

The preparation of cyclopropane rings is referred to as cyclopropanation.

Reactions

Owing to the increased π-character of its C-C bonds, cyclopropane is often assumed to add bromine to give 1,3-dibromopropane, but this reaction proceeds poorly. [23] Hydrohalogenation with hydrohalic acids gives linear 1-halopropanes. Substituted cyclopropanes also react, following Markovnikov's rule. [24]

AdditionOfHBrtoCyclopropane.svg

Cyclopropane and its derivatives can oxidatively add to transition metals, in a process referred to as C–C activation.

Safety

Cyclopropane is highly flammable. However, despite its strain energy it does not exhibit explosive behavior substantially different from other alkanes.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allenes</span> Any organic compound containing a C=C=C group

In organic chemistry, allenes are organic compounds in which one carbon atom has double bonds with each of its two adjacent carbon atoms. Allenes are classified as cumulated dienes. The parent compound of this class is propadiene, which is itself also called allene. A group of the structure R2C=C=CR− is called allenyl, while a substituent attached to an allene is referred to as an allenic substituent. In analogy to allylic and propargylic, a substituent attached to a saturated carbon α to an allene is referred to as an allenylic substituent. While allenes have two consecutive ('cumulated') double bonds, compounds with three or more cumulated double bonds are called cumulenes.

Chloroform, or trichloromethane, is an organochloride with the formula CHCl3 and a common solvent. It is a volatile, colorless, sweet-smelling, dense liquid produced on a large scale as a precursor to refrigerants and PTFE. Chloroform was once used as an inhalational anesthetic between the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. It is miscible with many solvents but it is only very slightly soluble in water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conjugated system</span> System of connected p-orbitals with delocalized electrons in a molecule

In theoretical chemistry, a conjugated system is a system of connected p-orbitals with delocalized electrons in a molecule, which in general lowers the overall energy of the molecule and increases stability. It is conventionally represented as having alternating single and multiple bonds. Lone pairs, radicals or carbenium ions may be part of the system, which may be cyclic, acyclic, linear or mixed. The term "conjugated" was coined in 1899 by the German chemist Johannes Thiele.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alicyclic compound</span> Organic molecule with one or more non-aromatic all-carbon rings

In organic chemistry, an alicyclic compound contains one or more all-carbon rings which may be either saturated or unsaturated, but do not have aromatic character. Alicyclic compounds may have one or more aliphatic side chains attached.

In organic chemistry, a carbene is a molecule containing a neutral carbon atom with a valence of two and two unshared valence electrons. The general formula is R−:C−R' or R=C: where the R represents substituents or hydrogen atoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inhalational anesthetic</span> Volatile or gaseous anesthetic compound delivered by inhalation

An inhalational anesthetic is a chemical compound possessing general anesthetic properties that is delivered via inhalation. They are administered through a face mask, laryngeal mask airway or tracheal tube connected to an anesthetic vaporiser and an anesthetic delivery system. Agents of significant contemporary clinical interest include volatile anesthetic agents such as isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane, as well as certain anesthetic gases such as nitrous oxide and xenon.

The Cope rearrangement is an extensively studied organic reaction involving the [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of 1,5-dienes. It was developed by Arthur C. Cope and Elizabeth Hardy. For example, 3-methyl-hexa-1,5-diene heated to 300 °C yields hepta-1,5-diene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ring strain</span> Instability in molecules with bonds at unnatural angles

In organic chemistry, ring strain is a type of instability that exists when bonds in a molecule form angles that are abnormal. Strain is most commonly discussed for small rings such as cyclopropanes and cyclobutanes, whose internal angles are substantially smaller than the idealized value of approximately 109°. Because of their high strain, the heat of combustion for these small rings is elevated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prismane</span> Chemical compound

Prismane or 'Ladenburg benzene' is a polycyclic hydrocarbon with the formula C6H6. It is an isomer of benzene, specifically a valence isomer. Prismane is far less stable than benzene. The carbon (and hydrogen) atoms of the prismane molecule are arranged in the shape of a six-atom triangular prism—this compound is the parent and simplest member of the prismanes class of molecules. Albert Ladenburg proposed this structure for the compound now known as benzene. The compound was not synthesized until 1973.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyperconjugation</span> Concept in organic chemistry

In organic chemistry, hyperconjugation refers to the delocalization of electrons with the participation of bonds of primarily σ-character. Usually, hyperconjugation involves the interaction of the electrons in a sigma (σ) orbital with an adjacent unpopulated non-bonding p or antibonding σ* or π* orbitals to give a pair of extended molecular orbitals. However, sometimes, low-lying antibonding σ* orbitals may also interact with filled orbitals of lone pair character (n) in what is termed negative hyperconjugation. Increased electron delocalization associated with hyperconjugation increases the stability of the system. In particular, the new orbital with bonding character is stabilized, resulting in an overall stabilization of the molecule. Only electrons in bonds that are in the β position can have this sort of direct stabilizing effect — donating from a sigma bond on an atom to an orbital in another atom directly attached to it. However, extended versions of hyperconjugation can be important as well. The Baker–Nathan effect, sometimes used synonymously for hyperconjugation, is a specific application of it to certain chemical reactions or types of structures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bingel reaction</span> Chemical reaction

The Bingel reaction in fullerene chemistry is a fullerene cyclopropanation reaction to a methanofullerene first discovered by C. Bingel in 1993 with the bromo derivative of diethyl malonate in the presence of a base such as sodium hydride or DBU. The preferred double bonds for this reaction on the fullerene surface are the shorter bonds at the junctions of two hexagons and the driving force is relief of steric strain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbenium ion</span> Class of ions

A carbenium ion is a positive ion with the structure RR′R″C+, that is, a chemical species with carbon atom having three covalent bonds, and it bears a +1 formal charge. Carbenium ions are a major subset of carbocations, which is a general term for diamagnetic carbon-based cations. In parallel with carbenium ions is another subset of carbocations, the carbonium ions with the formula R5+. In carbenium ions charge is localized. They are isoelectronic with monoboranes such as B(CH3)3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homoaromaticity</span> Organic molecular structure

Homoaromaticity, in organic chemistry, refers to a special case of aromaticity in which conjugation is interrupted by a single sp3 hybridized carbon atom. Although this sp3 center disrupts the continuous overlap of p-orbitals, traditionally thought to be a requirement for aromaticity, considerable thermodynamic stability and many of the spectroscopic, magnetic, and chemical properties associated with aromatic compounds are still observed for such compounds. This formal discontinuity is apparently bridged by p-orbital overlap, maintaining a contiguous cycle of π electrons that is responsible for this preserved chemical stability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclopropanation</span> Chemical process which generates cyclopropane rings

In organic chemistry, cyclopropanation refers to any chemical process which generates cyclopropane rings. It is an important process in modern chemistry as many useful compounds bear this motif; for example pyrethroid insecticides and a number of quinolone antibiotics. However, the high ring strain present in cyclopropanes makes them challenging to produce and generally requires the use of highly reactive species, such as carbenes, ylids and carbanions. Many of the reactions proceed in a cheletropic manner.

1,3-Dibromopropane is an organobromine compound with the formula (CH2)3Br2. It is a colorless liquid with sweet odor. It is used in organic synthesis to form C3-bridged compounds such as through C-N coupling reactions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Borirene</span> Chemical compound

Borirenes are a unique class of three-membered heterocyclic compounds characterized by an unsaturated boron atom within their ring structure. First computationally predicted by John Pople and Paul von Rague Schleyer in 1981, the simplest borirene, (CH)2BH, is isoelectronic with the cyclopropenium cation and exhibits Hückel aromaticity. Borirenes undergo ring-opening reactions with polar reagents and form Lewis adducts, due to the significant ring strain in its three-membered structure and the presence of an empty p orbital on the boron atom. The balance of these two properties leads to unique properties as a ligand for transition metals, in addition to observation of photochemical rearrangement and ring expansion. While borirenes were first discovered in the 1980s, new derivatives such as benzoborirenes have led to renewed interest in the field, with their potential applications yet to be fully explored.

Organobromine chemistry is the study of the synthesis and properties of organobromine compounds, also called organobromides, which are organic compounds that contain carbon bonded to bromine. The most pervasive is the naturally produced bromomethane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">August Freund</span> Austrian chemist

August Freund was an Austrian chemist who in 1881 first synthesised cyclopropane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Activation of cyclopropanes by transition metals</span>

In organometallic chemistry, the activation of cyclopropanes by transition metals is a research theme with implications for organic synthesis and homogeneous catalysis. Being highly strained, cyclopropanes are prone to oxidative addition to transition metal complexes. The resulting metallacycles are susceptible to a variety of reactions. These reactions are rare examples of C-C bond activation. The rarity of C-C activation processes has been attributed to Steric effects that protect C-C bonds. Furthermore, the directionality of C-C bonds as compared to C-H bonds makes orbital interaction with transition metals less favorable. Thermodynamically, C-C bond activation is more favored than C-H bond activation as the strength of a typical C-C bond is around 90 kcal per mole while the strength of a typical unactivated C-H bond is around 104 kcal per mole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carbones</span> Class of molecules

Carbones are a class of molecules containing a carbon atom in the 1D excited state with a formal oxidation state of zero where all four valence electrons exist as unbonded lone pairs. These carbon-based compounds are of the formula CL2 where L is a strongly σ-donating ligand, typically a phosphine (carbodiphosphoranes) or a N-heterocyclic carbene/NHC (carbodicarbenes), that stabilises the central carbon atom through donor-acceptor bonds. Carbones possess high-energy orbitals with both σ- and π-symmetry, making them strong Lewis bases and strong π-backdonor substituents. Carbones possess high proton affinities and are strong nucleophiles which allows them to function as ligands in a variety of main group and transition metal complexes. Carbone-coordinated elements also exhibit a variety of different reactivities and catalyse various organic and main group reactions.  

References

  1. Merck Index, 11th Edition, 2755.
  2. "Front Matter". Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry : IUPAC Recommendations and Preferred Names 2013 (Blue Book). Cambridge: The Royal Society of Chemistry. 2014. p. 137. doi:10.1039/9781849733069-FP001. ISBN   978-0-85404-182-4.
  3. Faust, Rüdiger (2001). "Fascinating Natural and Artificial Cyclopropane Architectures". Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 40 (12): 2251–2253. doi:10.1002/1521-3773(20010618)40:12<2251::AID-ANIE2251>3.0.CO;2-R. PMID   11433485.
  4. 1 2 August Freund (1881). "Über Trimethylen" [On trimethylene]. Journal für Praktische Chemie. 26 (1): 367–377. doi:10.1002/prac.18820260125.
  5. August Freund (1882). "Über Trimethylen" [On trimethylene]. Monatshefte für Chemie. 3 (1): 625–635. doi:10.1007/BF01516828. S2CID   197767176.
  6. G. Gustavson (1887). "Ueber eine neue Darstellungsmethode des Trimethylens" [On a new method of preparing trimethylene]. Journal für Praktische Chemie. 36: 300–305. doi:10.1002/prac.18870360127.
  7. G. H. W. Lucas; V. E. Henderson (1 August 1929). "A New Anesthetic: Cyclopropane : A Preliminary Report". Can Med Assoc J. 21 (2): 173–5. PMC   1710967 . PMID   20317448.
  8. H. B. Hass; E. T. McBee; G. E. Hinds (1936). "Synthesis of Cyclopropane". Industrial & Engineering Chemistry. 28 (10): 1178–81. doi:10.1021/ie50322a013.
  9. Eger, Edmond I.; Brandstater, Bernard; Saidman, Lawrence J.; Regan, Michael J.; Severinghaus, John W.; Munson, Edwin S. (1965). "Equipotent Alveolar Concentrations of Methoxyflurane, Halothane, Diethyl Ether, Fluroxene, Cyclopropane, Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in the Dog". Anesthesiology. 26 (6): 771–777. doi: 10.1097/00000542-196511000-00012 . PMID   4378907.
  10. JOHNSTONE, M; Alberts, JR (July 1950). "Cyclopropane anesthesia and ventricular arrhythmias". British Heart Journal. 12 (3): 239–44. doi:10.1136/hrt.12.3.239. PMC   479392 . PMID   15426685.
  11. MacDonald, AG (June 1994). "A short history of fires and explosions caused by anaesthetic agents". British Journal of Anaesthesia. 72 (6): 710–22. doi: 10.1093/bja/72.6.710 . PMID   8024925.
  12. 1 2 Hugh C. Hemmings; Philip M. Hopkins (2006). Foundations of Anesthesia: Basic Sciences for Clinical Practice. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 292–. ISBN   978-0-323-03707-5.
  13. 1 2 Hemmings, Hugh C. (2009). "Molecular Targets of General Anesthetics in the Nervous System". Suppressing the Mind. Contemporary Clinical Neuroscience. pp. 11–31. doi:10.1007/978-1-60761-462-3_2. ISBN   978-1-60761-463-0.
  14. Hara K, Eger EI, Laster MJ, Harris RA (December 2002). "Nonhalogenated alkanes cyclopropane and butane affect neurotransmitter-gated ion channel and G-protein-coupled receptors: differential actions on GABAA and glycine receptors". Anesthesiology. 97 (6): 1512–20. doi: 10.1097/00000542-200212000-00025 . PMID   12459679. S2CID   21160239.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. Allen, Frank H.; Kennard, Olga; Watson, David G.; Brammer, Lee; Orpen, A. Guy; Taylor, Robin (1987). "Tables of bond lengths determined by X-ray and neutron diffraction. Part 1. Bond lengths in organic compounds". Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 2 (12): S1–S19. doi:10.1039/P298700000S1.
  16. Boulatov, Roman, ed. (2015). Polymer Mechanochemistry. Springer. p. 9. ISBN   978-3-319-22824-2.
  17. Eric V. Anslyn and Dennis A. Dougherty. Modern Physical Organic Chemistry. 2006. pages 850-852
  18. S. W. Benson, Thermochemical Kinetics, S. 273, J. Wiley & Sons, New York, London, Sydney, Toronto 1976
  19. Dewar, M. J. (1984). "Chemical Implications of σ Conjugation". J. Am. Chem. Soc. 106 (3): 669–682. doi:10.1021/ja00315a036.
  20. Cremer, D. (1988). "Pros and Cons of σ-Aromaticity". Tetrahedron. 44 (2): 7427–7454. doi:10.1016/s0040-4020(01)86238-4.
  21. Wu, Wei; Ma, Ben; Wu, Judy I-Chia; von Ragué, Schleyer; Mo, Yirong (2009). "Is Cyclopropane Really the σ-Aromatic Paradigm?". Chemistry: A European Journal. 15 (38): 9730–9736. doi: 10.1002/chem.200900586 . PMID   19562784.
  22. Wollweber, Hartmund (2000). "Anesthetics, General". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry . Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a02_289. ISBN   978-3527306732.
  23. Gordon, Arnold J. (1967). "Halogenation and olefinic nature of cyclopropane". Journal of Chemical Education. 44 (8): 461. doi:10.1021/ed044p461.
  24. Advanced organic Chemistry, Reactions, mechanisms and structure 3ed. Jerry March ISBN   0-471-85472-7