Xylylene

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ortho-Xylylene O-xylylene.png
ortho-Xylylene
meta-Xylylene M-xylylene.png
meta-Xylylene
para-Xylylene P-xylylene.png
para-Xylylene

In organic chemistry, a xylylene (sometimes quinone-dimethide) is any of the constitutional isomers having the formula C6H4(CH2)2. These compounds are related to the corresponding quinones and quinone methides by replacement of the oxygen atoms by CH2 groups. ortho- and para-xylylene are best known, although neither is stable in solid or liquid form. The meta form is a diradical. Certain substituted derivatives of xylylenes are however highly stable, such as tetracyanoquinodimethane and the xylylene dichlorides.

Contents

p-Xylylene

p-Xylylene forms upon pyrolysis of p-xylene or, more readily, the α-substituted derivatives. p-Xylylene dimerizes with moderate efficiency to give p-cyclophane: [1]

Scheme 7. 2,2-paracyclophane synthesis 2,2-paracyclophane.png
Scheme 7. 2,2-paracyclophane synthesis

Further heating of the p-cyclophane gives poly(para-xylylene).

o-Xylylenes

o-Xylylenes (o-quinodimethanes) are often generated in situ, [2] e.g., by the pyrolysis of the corresponding sulfone. [3] Another method involves 1,4-elimination of ortho benzylic silanes. [4] or stannanes, [5] [6] [7]

in situ generation of o-quinodomethanes Quinodomethanes2.png
in situ generation of o-quinodomethanes

α,α'-ortho Xylene dibromides have been well developed for generating o-xylyenes. [8] For example, reaction of tetrabromo-o-xylene (C6H4(CHBr2)2) with sodium iodide affords α,α'-dibromo-o-xylylene, which can be trapped to give naphthylene derivatives. In the absence of trapping agents, the xylylene relaxes to α,α'-dibromobenzocyclobutane: [9]

C6H4(CHBr2)2 + 2 NaI → C6H4(=CHBr)2 + 2 NaBr + I2
C6H4(=CHBr)2 → C6H4(CHBr)2

Cycloadditions of these o-xylylenes provides a pathway to acenes. [10]

The diene unit formed by the two exocyclic alkene units of the ortho isomer can serve as a ligand in coordination complexes. For example, reaction of α,α'-dibromo-o-xylene with iron carbonyls affords low yields of the xylylene complex Fe(CO)34-C6H4(CH2)2]. This product is structurally analogous to Fe(CO)34-1,3-butadiene]. [11]

At high temperatures, benzocyclobutenes undergo electrocyclic ring-opening to form o-xylylenes. This and other syntheses of o-xylylenes, and their subsequent dimerization by [4+4] cycloaddition to form cycloctyl structures, were used repeatedly in the synthesis of superphane. [12]

Electronic structure

Despite the observed chemistry of para-xylylene (i.e. its rapid polymerization to poly-p-xylylene), which suggests the compound exists as a diradical, physical evidence unanimously concludes that the lowest electronic state of p-xylylene is a closed shell singlet. Additionally, several computational methods confirm this assignment. [13] Conversely, meta-xylylene is a non-Kekulé molecule that has a triplet ground-state. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ester</span> Compound derived from an acid

In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an acid in which the hydrogen atom (H) of at least one acidic hydroxyl group of that acid is replaced by an organyl group. Analogues derived from oxygen replaced by other chalcogens belong to the ester category as well. According to some authors, organyl derivatives of acidic hydrogen of other acids are esters as well, but not according to the IUPAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diels–Alder reaction</span> Chemical reaction

In organic chemistry, the Diels–Alder reaction is a chemical reaction between a conjugated diene and a substituted alkene, commonly termed the dienophile, to form a substituted cyclohexene derivative. It is the prototypical example of a pericyclic reaction with a concerted mechanism. More specifically, it is classified as a thermally-allowed [4+2] cycloaddition with Woodward–Hoffmann symbol [π4s + π2s]. It was first described by Otto Diels and Kurt Alder in 1928. For the discovery of this reaction, they were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1950. Through the simultaneous construction of two new carbon–carbon bonds, the Diels–Alder reaction provides a reliable way to form six-membered rings with good control over the regio- and stereochemical outcomes. Consequently, it has served as a powerful and widely applied tool for the introduction of chemical complexity in the synthesis of natural products and new materials. The underlying concept has also been applied to π-systems involving heteroatoms, such as carbonyls and imines, which furnish the corresponding heterocycles; this variant is known as the hetero-Diels–Alder reaction. The reaction has also been generalized to other ring sizes, although none of these generalizations have matched the formation of six-membered rings in terms of scope or versatility. Because of the negative values of ΔH° and ΔS° for a typical Diels–Alder reaction, the microscopic reverse of a Diels–Alder reaction becomes favorable at high temperatures, although this is of synthetic importance for only a limited range of Diels-Alder adducts, generally with some special structural features; this reverse reaction is known as the retro-Diels–Alder reaction.

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

Phthalic anhydride is the organic compound with the formula C6H4(CO)2O. It is the anhydride of phthalic acid. Phthalic anhydride is a principal commercial form of phthalic acid. It was the first anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid to be used commercially. This white solid is an important industrial chemical, especially for the large-scale production of plasticizers for plastics. In 2000, the worldwide production volume was estimated to be about 3 million tonnes per year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dicarbonyl</span> Molecule containing two adjacent C=O groups

In organic chemistry, a dicarbonyl is a molecule containing two carbonyl groups. Although this term could refer to any organic compound containing two carbonyl groups, it is used more specifically to describe molecules in which both carbonyls are in close enough proximity that their reactivity is changed, such as 1,2-, 1,3-, and 1,4-dicarbonyls. Their properties often differ from those of monocarbonyls, and so they are usually considered functional groups of their own. These compounds can have symmetrical or unsymmetrical substituents on each carbonyl, and may also be functionally symmetrical or unsymmetrical.

Arynes and benzynes are highly reactive species derived from an aromatic ring by removal of two substituents. Arynes are examples of didehydroarenes, although 1,3- and 1,4-didehydroarenes are also known. Arynes are examples of strained alkynes.

In organic chemistry, ozonolysis is an organic reaction where the unsaturated bonds are cleaved with ozone. Multiple carbon–carbon bond are replaced by carbonyl groups, such as aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. The reaction is predominantly applied to alkenes, but alkynes and azo compounds are also susceptible to cleavage. The outcome of the reaction depends on the type of multiple bond being oxidized and the work-up conditions.

An alkyne trimerisation is a [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction in which three alkyne units react to form a benzene ring. The reaction requires a metal catalyst. The process is of historic interest as well as being applicable to organic synthesis. Being a cycloaddition reaction, it has high atom economy. Many variations have been developed, including cyclisation of mixtures of alkynes and alkenes as well as alkynes and nitriles.

<i>o</i>-Xylene Chemical compound

o-Xylene (ortho-xylene) is an aromatic hydrocarbon with the formula C6H4(CH3)2, with two methyl substituents bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of a benzene ring (the ortho configuration). It is a constitutional isomer of m-xylene and p-xylene, the mixture being called xylene or xylenes. o-Xylene is a colourless slightly oily flammable liquid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1,4-Benzoquinone</span> Chemical compound

1,4-Benzoquinone, commonly known as para-quinone, is a chemical compound with the formula C6H4O2. In a pure state, it forms bright-yellow crystals with a characteristic irritating odor, resembling that of chlorine, bleach, and hot plastic or formaldehyde. This six-membered ring compound is the oxidized derivative of 1,4-hydroquinone. The molecule is multifunctional: it exhibits properties of a ketone, being able to form oximes; an oxidant, forming the dihydroxy derivative; and an alkene, undergoing addition reactions, especially those typical for α,β-unsaturated ketones. 1,4-Benzoquinone is sensitive toward both strong mineral acids and alkali, which cause condensation and decomposition of the compound.

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

The Favorskii rearrangement is principally a rearrangement of cyclopropanones and α-halo ketones that leads to carboxylic acid derivatives. In the case of cyclic α-halo ketones, the Favorskii rearrangement constitutes a ring contraction. This rearrangement takes place in the presence of a base, sometimes hydroxide, to yield a carboxylic acid but most of the time either an alkoxide base or an amine to yield an ester or an amide, respectively. α,α'-Dihaloketones eliminate HX under the reaction conditions to give α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds.

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

Parylene is the common name of a polymer whose backbone consists of para-benzenediyl rings –C
6
H
4
– connected by 1,2-ethanediyl bridges –CH
2
CH
2
–. It can be obtained by polymerization of para-xylyleneH
2
C
=C
6
H
4
=CH
2
.

The Wulff–Dötz reaction (also known as the Dötz reaction or the benzannulation reaction of the Fischer carbene complexes) is the chemical reaction of an aromatic or vinylic alkoxy pentacarbonyl chromium carbene complex with an alkyne and carbon monoxide to give a Cr(CO)3-coordinated substituted phenol. Several reviews have been published. It is named after the German chemist Karl Heinz Dötz (b. 1943) and the American chemist William D. Wulff (b. 1949) at Michigan State University. The reaction was first discovered by Karl Dötz and was extensively developed by his group and W. Wulff's group. They subsequently share the name of the reaction.

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

Phthalaldehyde (sometimes also o-phthalaldehyde or ortho-phthalaldehyde, OPA) is the chemical compound with the formula C6H4(CHO)2. It is one of three isomers of benzene dicarbaldehyde, related to phthalic acid. This pale yellow solid is a building block in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds and a reagent in the analysis of amino acids. OPA dissolves in water solution at pH < 11.5. Its solutions degrade upon UV illumination and exposure to air.

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

Superphane is a 6-fold bridged cyclophane with all arene positions in the benzene dimer taken up by ethylene spacers. The compound has been of some scientific interest as a model for testing aromaticity and was first synthesised by Virgil Boekelheide in 1979. Superphane is the base compound for a large group of derivatives with structural variations. The analogs with 2 to 5 bridges are also known compounds. The benzene rings have been replaced by other aromatic units, such as those based on ferrocene or stabilized cyclobutadiene. Numerous derivatives are known with variations in the type and length of the bridging units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transition-metal allyl complex</span>

Transition-metal allyl complexes are coordination complexes with allyl and its derivatives as ligands. Allyl is the radical with the connectivity CH2CHCH2, although as a ligand it is usually viewed as an allyl anion CH2=CH−CH2, which is usually described as two equivalent resonance structures.

The chemical compound xylylene dichloride (C6H4(CH2Cl)2) is a white to light yellow sandlike solid. This compound can be classified as a benzyl halide. Xylylene dichloride is used as a vulcanizing agent to harden rubbers. It catalyzes the crosslinking of phenolic resins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1,1-Bis(chloromethyl)ethylene</span> Chemical compound

1,1-Bis(chloromethyl)ethylene is the organic compound with the formula CH2=C(CH2Cl)2. It is a colorless liquid. Featuring two allylic chloride substituents, it is dialkylating agent.

Tetrabromo-<i>o</i>-xylene Chemical compound

α,α,α',α'-Tetrabromo-o-xylene is an organobromine compound with the formula C6H4(CHBr2)2. Three isomers of α,α,α',α'-Tetrabromoxylene exist, but the ortho derivative is most widely studied. It is an off-white solid. The compound is prepared by the photochemical reaction of o-xylene with elemental bromine:

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

Xylylene dibromide is an organic compound with the formula C6H4(CH2Br)2. It is an off-white solid that, like other benzyl halides, a strong lachrymator. It is a useful reagent owing to the convenient reactivity of the two C-Br bonds. Two other isomers are known, para- and meta-xylylene dibromide.

In 1956, Longuet-Higgins and Orgel predicted the existence of transition-metal cyclobutadiene complexes, in which the degenerate eg orbital of cyclobutadiene has the correct symmetry for π interaction with the dxz and dyz orbitals of the proper metal. The compound was synthesized three years after the prediction and it serves as a beautiful case of theory before experiment. This successful attempt opens the door for the formation of novel compounds containing other organic ligands which in their free state are highly reactive molecules. Of all those reactive molecules, trimethylenemethane (TMM) has the most natural derivation from the cyclobutadiene complexes and in 1966, Emerson and co-workers reported the first trimethylenemethane (TMM) transition metal complex, (CO)3FeC(CH2)3, which became the starting point of the legends of trimethylenemethane complexes. Some good reviews on this aspect could be served as further resources for this topic.

References

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