[IdiotsOpposite]

Can one synthesize 1,3-Cyclobutadiyne? If so, has it been done? And if so, does anyone have any data?

The thing seems to me like there might just be too much angle strain. After all, you have triple bonds, which normally form bond angles of 180 degrees, forced into bond angles half of that. Could this be the reason why I cannot find data on 1,3-Cyclobutadiyne?

[nj_bartel]

impossible angular strain.

[sjb]

Indeed, I think the smallest stable cycloalkyne at room temperature is cycloheptyne, but may be wrong here. (for some value of stable, that is)