Oxabicyclic alkenes have been the focus of many synthetic studies as they are versatile compounds which act as synthetic intermediates to produce a variety of useful heterocyclic, carbocyclic and acyclic products. The nucleophilic ring opening reaction of oxabenzonorbornadiene was studied. Methanol was the primary nucleophile used throughout the investigation, however various other alcohol nucleophiles were also tested for their efficacy. The effects of substitution were explored, providing ring opened products in yields of up to 81%. The [2+2] cyclodimerization reaction of oxanorbornadienes was also examined providing the first examples of dimers of this kind. The scope was expanded to include other 2,3-diester oxanorbornadienes as well as various C1 substitutions. Changing the ester moiety did not affect the reaction, however the addition of a C1 alkyl substituent did result in lower yields. Moderate yields of up to 66% were obtained. Additionally, a new ruthenium complex was discovered in the process.

The synthesis of 1,2-bis(5-isobenzofuranyl)ethene by two routes is described. The first route involved generation of 1,2-bis(5-isobenzofuranyl)ethene from a bis(acetal) precursor under basic conditions. However, the synthesis was lengthy with low-yielding steps, which led to it being abandoned. The second route involved generation of 1,2-bis(5-isobenzofuranyl)ethene from a bis(oxabicyclic) precursor with 3,6-di(2'-pyridyl)-s-tetrazine. Napththo[1,2-c:5,6-c] difuran and 1,2-bis(5isobenzofuranyl)ethene were used to construct novel cyclophanes by double Diels-Alder reactions with bis(maleimide)s. NMR, AM1 modeling, and X-ray studies of the cyclophanes are discused. Attempts to prepare phenanthro[2,3-c:6,7-c] difuran and its cyclophanes are discussed. None was successful, and investigations were hampered by the inability to obtain sufficient quantities of starting materials. Finally, several suggestions are given for improving the syntheses of 1,2-bis(5- isobenzofuranyl)ethene, phenanthro[2,3-c:6,7-c]difuran, and their cyclophanes. Future directions, such as the functionalization of the double bond of 1,2-bis(5-isobenzofuranyl)ethene, aromatization of the oxabicyclic rings of the cyclophanes, and further X-ray studies are discussed. / x, 122 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.

Access to abstract restricted until 12/14/2015. / Access to thesis restricted until 12/14/2015. / Department of Chemistry

Thesis (M.M.S.E.)--University of Delaware, 2008 / Principal faculty advisor: Robert L. Opila, Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering Includes bibliographical references.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2006. / Härtill 7 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Chemistry. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Riverside, 2009. / Includes abstract. Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Title from first page of PDF file (viewed March 10, 2010). Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2007. / "Graduate Program in Chemistry and Chemical Biology." Includes bibliographical references.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2009. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.