Cyclooctadecanonaene

Notably, [18]annulene is the first annulene after benzene ([6]annulene) to be fully aromatic: its π-system contains 4n + 2 electrons (n = 4), and it is large enough to comfortably accommodate six hydrogen atoms in its interior, allowing it to adopt a planar shape, thus satisfying Hückel's rule. The discovery of aromatic stabilization for [18]annulene is historically significant for confirming earlier theoretical predictions based on molecular orbital theory, since simple versions of valence bond theory did not readily explain the 4n + 2 rule.

The ¹H NMR of this compound exhibits the hallmarks of a system with an aromatic ring current, with the 12H signal of the exterior hydrogens at 9.25 ppm, while the 6H signal of the interior hydrogens resonates at a remarkable −2.9 ppm in THF-d₈ at −60 °C. On the other hand, a single signal at 5.45 ppm (the weighted average of the two individual signals) is observed at 120 °C. This is consistent with rapid exchange of the exterior and interior hydrogens at that temperature. The bond lengths in [18]annulene are in between those of single and double carbon–carbon bond, with two bond lengths observed crystallographically: 138.9 pm (concave edges) and 140.7 pm (convex edges). These bond lengths are indicative of significant delocalization. The favorability of delocalization is, in turn, interpreted as evidence for aromaticity. For comparison, these values are close to the bond length of benzene (140 pm).[1]

The bond lengths of [18]annulene are around 139 to 141 pm, indicating delocalization and a bond order between 1 and 2. In general, carbon-carbon single bonds and double bonds are 154 pm and 134 pm, respectively, while benzene, with a bond order of 1.5, the bond-length is 140 pm.

Based on the enthalpy of hydrogenation, the overall resonance energy has been estimated to be 37 kcal/mol.[2] This is about the same as that of benzene; however, this energy is spread out over 18 atoms instead of 6, so [18]annulene experiences a weaker stabilization than benzene. In terms of reactivity, it is somewhat more air- and light-stable than [14]annulene and [10]annulene, which are, respectively, weakly aromatic and nonaromatic due to transannular interactions. Nevertheless, it rapidly undergoes electrophilic additions, much like other polyenes, and attempts to effect Friedel-Crafts-type reactions on [18]annulene failed.[3]

Despite the usual interpretation of [18]annulene as an 18-electron aromatic system, a 2014 theoretical study suggested that [18]annulene may be thought of as having only three completely delocalized π bonds associated with its aromaticity, while the other six π bonds represent conjugated three-center-two-electron ("3c-2e") π bonds on the periphery of the molecule.[4]

The compound was first synthesised by Franz Sondheimer.[5] The original synthesis started by the Eglinton reaction of the di-alkyne 1,5-hexadiyne with copper(II) acetate in pyridine to give the trimer, followed by deprotonation and isomerization with potassium tert-butoxide in tert-butanol and was concluded with hydrogen organic reduction with the Lindlar catalyst.[6]

• Superbenzene