Tricyclodecane (TCD) is an organic compound with the formula C₁₀H₁₆. It is classed as a hydrocarbon. It has two main

stereoisomer In stereochemistry, stereoisomerism, or spatial isomerism, is a form of isomerism in which molecules have the same molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms (constitution), but differ in the three-dimensional orientations of their atoms in ...

s–the ''endo'' and ''exo'' forms. Its primary use in the exo form is as a component of

jet fuel Jet fuel or aviation turbine fuel (ATF, also abbreviated avtur) is a type of aviation fuel designed for use in aircraft powered by Gas turbine, gas-turbine engines. It is colorless to straw-colored in appearance. The most commonly used fuels for ...

. It is used here primarily because of its high energy density. The exo isomer also has a low freezing point. Because of this, its properties have been studied extensively. It is often called tetrahydro

dicyclopentadiene Dicyclopentadiene, abbreviated DCPD, is a chemical compound with formula . At room temperature, it is a white brittle wax, although lower purity samples can be straw coloured liquids. The pure material smells somewhat of soy wax or camphor, with ...

Reactions

Its reactions with other materials have been studied, as have various production methods. The two isomers can interconvert in the presence of

aluminum chloride Aluminium chloride, also known as aluminium trichloride, is an inorganic compound with the formula . It forms a hexahydrate with the formula , containing six water molecules of hydration. Both the anhydrous form and the hexahydrate are col ...

as catalyst absorbed on substrates such as silicon dioxide or zeolites, with preference for forming the ''exo'' as the major product.

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Further reading