Benzocyclobutadiene

Benzocyclobutadiene is the simplest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, being composed of a benzene ring fused to a cyclobutene ring. It has chemical formula carbon₈hydrogen₆ and CAS number CASREF|CAS=4026-23-7. It is antiaromatic, because it has 2n pi electrons. For this reason the compound is very reactive. It will easily dimerize or polymerize and reacts as the dienophile in Diels-Alder reactions [Carey, Francis A.; Sundberg, Richard J.; (1984). "Advanced Organic Chemistry Part A Structure and Mechanisms" (2nd ed.). New York N.Y.: Plenum Press. ISBN 0-306-41198-9.]

See also

*Pentalene

References