cyclooctatriene

Cyclooctatriene refers to any cyclic hydrocarbon containing eight carbon atoms and three double bonds within the ring structure. The most common isomer is 1,3,5-cyclooctatriene, which possesses a highly conjugated system of alternating single and double bonds. This conjugation makes it a relatively stable compound, although it is still reactive. 1,3,5-cyclooctatriene can exist in different stereoisomeric forms, including cis-cis-cis, cis-cis-trans, cis-trans-cis, and trans-trans-trans configurations, depending on the geometry around the double bonds.

Other isomers of cyclooctatriene exist, such as 1,3,6-cyclooctatriene, where the double bonds are not fully conjugated. These isomers exhibit different chemical properties and reactivity compared to the fully conjugated 1,3,5-isomer. Cyclooctatrienes are often synthesized through various organic reactions, including cycloaddition reactions and ring expansions. They find applications in organic synthesis as intermediates and building blocks for more complex molecules, particularly in the preparation of aromatic compounds and polymers. Their ability to undergo Diels-Alder reactions is a significant aspect of their chemical utility.