Base-catalyzed condensation of cyclopentadiene derivatives. Synthesis of fulvalene analogues: strong proaromatic electron acceptors

A series of proaromatic electron acceptors derived from fulvenes were synthesized from tetrachlorocyclopentadiene and previously unknown 1,4-dicyano- and 1,4-dialkoxycarbonyl-2,3-dimethoxy cyclopentadienes. Two reversible one-electron reductions steps observed for fulvalenes coalesce into one two-electron reduction step upon increasing the length of the conjugating bridge.