Tetraphenylethene (TPE) is an
organic chemical compound with the formula Ph
2C=CPh
2, where Ph =
phenyl (C
6H
5). Samples have been described as a yellow solid, but the compound iscolorless. The molecule is crowded such that all four phenyl groups are twisted out of the plane defined by the center six carbon atoms. Tetraphenylethylene is used as a precursor to other organic compounds, often in the area of
supramolecular chemistry
Supramolecular chemistry refers to the branch of chemistry concerning Chemical species, chemical systems composed of a integer, discrete number of molecules. The strength of the forces responsible for spatial organization of the system range from w ...
.
Synthesis
Tetraphenylethylene can be
synthesized from
diphenyldichloromethane using copper as a halide acceptor:
:
Nickel can be used in place of copper.
References
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Aromatic hydrocarbons