X-Ray crystal and molecular structures of three 9,10-dihydroanthracenes

Abstract

The crystal and molecular structures have been determined for cis- and trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10-dipropylanthracene-9,10-diols and for cis-9,10-diethyl-9,10-dihydroanthracene. Both cis-isomers have the central ring in a boat conformation with the 9,10-dialkyl substituents in the pseudo-axial positions. The trans-9,10-dipropyl compound has a planar ring structure in which the n-propyl group is staggered with the hydrogens β to the 9- and 10-positions eclipsing the C–C bonds of the central ring. This conformation is the same as that deduced in solution by n.m.r. spectroscopy.