Synthesis of Dibarrelane, a Dibicyclo[2.2.2]octane Hydrocarbon.

The synthesis of a novel hydrocarbon, dibarrelane, has been accomplished in 11 steps via an intramolecular REDDA reaction of a masked o-benzoquinone, followed by Clemmensen reduction and Barton decarboxylation. The twisted structure of the tetracyclic dibarrelane skeleton was also clarified via X-ray crystallography. Finally, it was proposed that dibarrelane has C2 symmetry rather than C2v symmetry.