Propellane: von chemischen Kuriositäten zu “explosiven” Materialen und Naturstoffen

Propellanes are a unique class of compounds with well over 10000 members with an inverted tetrahedral configuration featuring a weak single bond between two carbon atoms linked by three additional bridge. Not only structurally interesting, these propella-type compounds exhibit unusual reactivities. In this review, we highlight their synthesis and applications in material sciences, natural product chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We feature the chemistry of [1.1.1]propellane like the synthesis of oligomeric and polymeric structures derived from it such as bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes and staffanes. A selected number of natural products are discussed in detail. Heteropropellanes and inorganic propellanes are also addressed. The historical background is given in brief showing the pioneering work of David Ginsburg, Gunther Snatzke, Gunter Szeimies, Kenneth Wiberg and others.