Cyclopropyne is an extremely strained, unstable, and reactive cycloalkyne with the chemical formula C3H2.[1][2] As the smallest cycloalkyne, it features a three-carbon ring that includes a triple bond. The significant ring strain makes the compound challenging to produce and causes its high reactivity.[3]

Theoretical studies

Although cyclopropyne is inherently unstable, it has been extensively investigated through theoretical studies aimed at exploring its electronic structure, energy properties, and vibrational characteristics. A similar compound called silacyclopropyne, in which a silicon atom substitutes one of the carbon atoms in the ring, has been successfully synthesized and examined.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Dodziuk, Helena (30 March 2009). Strained Hydrocarbons: Beyond the van't Hoff and Le Bel Hypothesis. John Wiley & Sons. p. 376. ISBN 978-3-527-62714-1. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Cyclopropyne properties - SpringerMaterials". Springer. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  3. ^ Saxe, Paul & Schaefer, Henry F. III (1 April 1980). "Can cyclopropyne really be made?". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 102 (9): 3239–3240. Bibcode:1980JAChS.102.3239S. doi:10.1021/ja00529a057. ISSN 0002-7863. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  4. ^ Brandow, Christopher G.; Allen, Wesley D.; Henry F., Schaefer III (31 July 1996). "Cyclopropyne and Silacyclopropyne: A World of Difference". ACS Publications. 118 (30): 7158–7163. Bibcode:1996JAChS.118.7158S. doi:10.1021/ja960762n. Retrieved 19 May 2026.