Dimerization of Pyramidalized 3,4,8,9‐Tetramethyltetracyclo [4.4.0.03,9.04,8]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 A and a separation of 2.619 A between the two flagpole carbon atoms. The three cyclobutane rings of the dimer were thermally stable.