Fulvalenes

Fulvalene (bicyclopentadienylidene) is the member of the fulvalene family with the molecular formula C10H8. It is of theoretical interest as one of the simplest non-benzenoid conjugated hydrocarbons. Fulvalene is an unstable isomer of the more common benzenoid aromatic compounds naphthalene and azulene. Fulvalene consists of two 5-membered rings, each with two double bonds, joined by yet a fifth double bond. It has D2h symmetry.

right|FulvalenesA fulvalene is a hydrocarbon obtained by formally cross-conjugating two rings through a common exocyclic double bond. The name is derived from the similarly structured fulvenes which lack one ring. Pentafulvalene (2) is also called simply fulvalene, the parent structure of this class. Triapentafulvalene (3) is also known as calicene from the words calix or chalice because of its wine-glass appearance.

Calicene or triapentafulvalene is a hydrocarbon of the fulvalene class with chemical formula C8H6, composed of a cyclopentadiene ring and a cyclopropene ring linked by a double bond. Its name is derived from the Latin calix meaning "goblet", from its shape.