Cyclophane

Structures of some fundamental cyclophanes: [n]-paracyclophanes (left), [n]-metacyclophanes, and [n.n]paracyclophanes (right).

In organic chemistry, a cyclophane is a hydrocarbon consisting of an aromatic unit (typically a benzene ring) and a chain that forms a bridge between two non-adjacent positions of the aromatic ring. More complex derivatives with multiple aromatic units and bridges forming cagelike structures are also known. Cyclophanes are well-studied examples of strained organic compounds.[1][2]

  1. ^ Smith, Michael B.; March, Jerry (2007), Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure (6th ed.), New York: Wiley-Interscience, ISBN 978-0-471-72091-1
  2. ^ Gleiter, Rolf; Hopf, Henning (2004). Modern Cyclophane Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. ISBN 3527603964.