cyclenyne

Cyclenyne is a class of hypothetical organic compounds that contain a cyclic structure incorporating at least one alkyne (a carbon-carbon triple bond). The simplest example would be a cyclohexen-1-yne, a six-membered ring with one double bond and one triple bond. Due to the inherent strain and rigidity associated with incorporating a triple bond into a small ring, cyclenynes are generally unstable and difficult to synthesize and isolate. The linearity required for an alkyne clashes with the geometric constraints of a small ring, leading to significant ring strain. While simple cyclenynes are largely theoretical, more complex or substituted cyclenynes might exhibit greater stability. Research in this area often focuses on the theoretical prediction of their properties and the exploration of synthetic methodologies that might allow for their creation, even if transiently. The study of cyclenynes contributes to a broader understanding of strained organic molecules and the limits of chemical bonding.