Synthesis and Structure of the Small Superelectrophile [C₂(OH)₂Me₂]²⁺

The synthesis of the small superelectrophile [C-2(OH)(2)Me-2](2+) turned out to be a challenging task since stabilizing it in convenient superacids was not possible. Quantum chemical calculations predict a reduced C-2 symmetry, yet experimental data confirms C-2h symmetry in the solid state. The origin of this finding is fathomed based on X-ray structure analysis together with quantum chemical calculations.