Carbon Nets: “Dutch Diamond”

Abstract

An ideal (hypothetical) threedimensional diamond-like network derived from the (elusive) monomer tetraethynyl methane, C9H4, is entitled “Dutch Diamond”. This network is an example of a class of polymeric all-carbon compounds,defined here as “carbon nets”. The theoretical and empirical state of the art in this field is reviewed. The facile auto-polymerization of a silylated CH-monomer, 1,1-diethynyl ethene,is reported as a first example of a practical approach to a carbon net. Selective polymerisation of the central triple bond in silylated 1,3,5-hexatriyne is projected and a convenient synthetic route to this monomer is reported.