High energy derivatives of Cubane

Physical Properties of Cubane!

Properties	Value
C-C distance	1.5727 ± 0.0019 Å
C-H distance	1.118 ± 0.008 Å
Colour	transparent
Toxicity	nontoxic
Stability	inert to light, water, air
Decomposition	>220°C
Density	1.29 g cm^-3
Vapor pressure	1.1mm(25°C)
Boiling point	133°C
Melting point	130-131°C
Solubility	18 weight%(hexane)
Heat of formation	+144kcalmol^-1
Strain energy	166kcalmol^-1

Cubane, which CA index name is Pentacyclo[4.2.0.02,5.03,8.04,7]octane (7CI,8CI,9CI), has exceptional structure, strain and symmetry and it is a benchmark in organic chemistry. It has been studied extensively and much of its properties has been published. Some of the physical properties are given at right hand table.

The C-C bond length is a bit longer than obtained in the original X-ray structure determination by Fleischer in 1964. There is not much difference between this bond length and the C-C bond length in a simple cyclobutane.