The characterization of and the evolution of molecular hydrogen by the μ-hydrido-bridged cyclodecyl cation. Relevance to the question of hydrocarbon protonation by superacids
The observablecyclodecylcation is established as having a 1,5-μ-hydrido-bridged structure and most probably exists as a mixture of conformational isomers. This solution carbocation is unique in organic chemistry in that it evolves molecular H2 at temperatures below -100°C to give the 9-decalyl cation. The mechanism of this reaction is postulated to involve a pentacoordinated carbocation intermediate