Spiro compound | EPFL Graph Search

Are you an EPFL student looking for a semester project?

Work with us on data science and visualisation projects, and deploy your project as an app on top of GraphSearch.

In organic chemistry, spiro compounds are compounds that have at least two molecular rings with only one common atom. The simplest spiro compounds are bicyclic (having just two rings), or have a bicyclic portion as part of the larger ring system, in either case with the two rings connected through the defining single common atom. The one common atom connecting the participating rings distinguishes spiro compounds from other bicyclics: from isolated ring compounds like biphenyl that have no connecting atoms, from fused ring compounds like decalin having two rings linked by two adjacent atoms, and from bridged ring compounds like norbornane with two rings linked by two non-adjacent atoms. Spiro compounds may be fully carbocyclic (all carbon) or heterocyclic (having one or more non-carbon atom). One common type of spiro compound encountered in educational settings is a heterocyclic one— the acetal formed by reaction of a diol with a cyclic ketone. The common atom that connects the two (or sometimes three) rings is called the spiro atom; in carbocyclic spiro compounds like spiro[5.5]undecane (see image at right), the spiro-atom is a quaternary carbon, and as the -ane ending implies, these are the types of molecules to which the name spirane was first applied (though it is now used general of all spiro compounds). Likewise, a tetravalent neutral silicon or positively charged quaternary nitrogen atom (ammonium cation) can be the spiro center in these compounds, and many of these have been prepared and described. The 2-3 rings being joined are most often different in nature, though they, on occasion, be identical [e.g., spiro[5.5]undecane, just shown, and spiropentadiene, at right]. Although sketches of organic structures makes spiro compounds appear planar, they are not; for instance, a spiro compound with a pair of three-membered cyclopropene rings connected in spiro fashion (image below) has been given the popular misnomer of being a bow tie structure, when it is not flat or planar like a bow tie.

About this result

This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Related publications (1)

Development of Catalytic Asymmetric C-H Functionalizations with Chiral Cyclopentadienyl Iridium(III) Complexes

Yun-Suk Jang

Cp*Ir(III) catalyzed C-H functionalization is a growing field, since it provides novel complementary reactivities, but enantioselective C-H functionalization reactions with this metal remain a niche.

EPFL2019

Related concepts (7)

Related courses (3)

CH-335: Asymmetric synthesis and retrosynthesis

La première partie du cours décrit les méthodes classiques de synthèse asymétrique. La seconde partie du cours traite des stratégies de rétrosynthèse basées sur l'approche par disconnection.

CH-604: Medicinal chemistry: concepts and case studies from the pharmaceutical industry

We will cover key concepts of Medicinal Chemistry, from identification of active chemical starting points to how they are optimized to deliver drug candidates. We will use real case studies from the p

CH-120: Advanced general chemistry II

Acquisition des notions fondamentales liées à la réactivité des molécules organiques, identification de la structure de petites molécules organiques au moyen des techniques de spectrométrie de masse,

Related lectures (31)

Ring (chemistry)

In chemistry, a ring is an ambiguous term referring either to a simple cycle of atoms and bonds in a molecule or to a connected set of atoms and bonds in which every atom and bond is a member of a cycle (also called a ring system). A ring system that is a simple cycle is called a monocycle or simple ring, and one that is not a simple cycle is called a polycycle or polycyclic ring system. A simple ring contains the same number of sigma bonds as atoms, and a polycyclic ring system contains more sigma bonds than atoms.

Spiro compound

Polycyclic compound

In the field of organic chemistry, a polycyclic compound is an organic compound featuring several closed rings of atoms, primarily carbon. These ring substructures include cycloalkanes, aromatics, and other ring types. They come in sizes of three atoms and upward, and in combinations of linkages that include tethering (such as in biaryls), fusing (edge-to-edge, such as in anthracene and steroids), links via a single atom (such as in spiro compounds), bridged compounds, and longifolene.

Strategies for Macrocyclic Compounds Synthesis CH-335: Asymmetric synthesis and retrosynthesis

Covers strategies for the synthesis of macrocyclic compounds, focusing on DC disconnections and oxidation of alkenes.

Retrosynthesis Principles of Carbocyclic Compounds CH-335: Asymmetric synthesis and retrosynthesis

Covers retrosynthesis principles for carbocyclic compounds and selective reactivity of carbonyls and enolization.

Aromatic Compounds: Retrosynthesis Principles CH-335: Asymmetric synthesis and retrosynthesis

Covers the retrosynthesis of aromatic compounds, focusing on basic principles and the synthesis route.