Cyclobutyne (C
4H
4) is a
hydrocarbon
In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons are examples of group 14 hydrides. Hydrocarbons are generally colourless and hydrophobic, and their odors are usually weak or ...
molecule
A molecule is a group of two or more atoms held together by attractive forces known as chemical bonds; depending on context, the term may or may not include ions which satisfy this criterion. In quantum physics, organic chemistry, and b ...
containing a
triple bond
A triple bond in chemistry is a chemical bond between two atoms involving six bonding electrons instead of the usual two in a covalent single bond. Triple bonds are stronger than the equivalent single bonds or double bonds, with a bond order o ...
within a four
carbon atom ring. This
cycloalkyne
In organic chemistry, a cycloalkyne is the cyclic analog of an alkyne (). A cycloalkyne consists of a closed ring of carbon atoms containing one or more triple bonds. Cycloalkynes have a general formula Because of the linear nature of the alk ...
is very unstable due to its high
ring strain
In organic chemistry, ring strain is a type of instability that exists when bonds in a molecule form angles that are abnormal. Strain is most commonly discussed for small rings such as cyclopropanes and cyclobutanes, whose internal angles are ...
and has not been isolated in the pure state. However,
osmium
Osmium (from Greek grc, ὀσμή, osme, smell, label=none) is a chemical element with the symbol Os and atomic number 76. It is a hard, brittle, bluish-white transition metal in the platinum group that is found as a trace element in alloys, ...
coordination complex
A coordination complex consists of a central atom or ion, which is usually metallic and is called the ''coordination centre'', and a surrounding array of bound molecules or ions, that are in turn known as '' ligands'' or complexing agents. M ...
es containing cyclobutyne have been synthesized.
See also
*
Cyclobutene
Cyclobutene is a cycloalkene. It is of interest in research but currently has no practical applications. It is a colorless easily condensed gas. A modern synthesis involves the 2-step dehydration of cyclobutanol. The compound was first prepared ...
References
Alkynes
Four-membered rings
{{hydrocarbon-stub