Highly Conjugated π‐Systems Arising from Cannibalistic Hexadehydro‐Diels–Alder Couplings: Cleavage of C−C Single and Triple Bonds

We have investigated the cannibalistic self‐trapping reaction of an ortho‐benzyne derivative generated from 1,11‐bis(p‐tolyl)undeca‐1,3,8,10‐tetrayne in an HDDA reaction. Without adding any specific trapping agent, the highly reactive benzyne is trapped by another bisdiyne molecule in at least three different modes. We have isolated and characterized the resulting products and performed high‐level calculations concerning the reaction mechanism. During the cannibalistic self‐trapping process, either a C≡C triple bond or an sp–sp(3) C−C single bond is cleaved. Up to seven rings and nine C−C bonds are formed starting from two 1,11‐bis(p‐tolyl)undeca‐1,3,8,10‐tetrayne molecules. Our experiments and calculations provide considerable insight into the variety of reaction pathways which the ortho‐benzyne derivative, generated from a bisdiyne, can take when reacting with another bisdiyne molecule.