Generation and fate of strained, unsaturated, bicyclic hydrocarbons

摘要

The first paper in this dissertation is a study of the gas-phase generation of bicyclo(2.2.2)oct-l-ene 1 and the structural determination-of its dimers. The literature review gives a historical perspective of Bredt olefins in general and studies of the (2.2.2) system 1 in particular. Additionally, approaches to generating bicyclo(2.2.2)octa-1,2-diene, a ''Bredt allene'' are discussed. The second paper is a study of the reactions of bicyclic vinylidenes. The literature review is a survey of vinylidenes and their reactions. Ring contraction and ring expansion reactions are discussed in terms of ring strain. Synthetic approaches to alternative vinylidene precursors are discussed.