Dimerization of pyramidalized 3,4,8,9-tetramethyltetracyclo [4.4.0.0(3,9).0(4,8)]dec-1(6)-ene to a hydrocarbon featuring four cyclohexane rings in boat conformations.

The synthesis, chemical trapping, and dimerization of a highly pyramidalized alkene is reported. Its dimer is a unique nonacycle featuring three planar cyclobutane rings, four cyclopentane rings, and four cyclohexane rings in boat conformations. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed a H-H distance between the flagpole hydrogen atoms of 1.999 angstrom and a separation of 2.619 angstrom between the two flagpole carbon atoms. The three cyclobutane rings of the dimer were thermally stable.