[Doom91]

does anyone know the structure of cubane
and by the way, does anyone know synthesize it from octane
can pls provide mechanism to the ans
I think i can understand stuff better this way

[macman104]

You really need to start learning how to google, this is part of the forum rules.  You don't just ask questions and have people answer.  Either show your work, or explain what you don't understand so far about the problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubane


Also, I think synthesizing cubane from octane would be annoying and unrealistic (I haven't actually sat down to look at it carefully however).

[Doom91]

what do u mean by annoying and unrealistic

[macman104]

what do u mean by annoying and unrealistic

I mean, I think it would not be an simple synthesis to draw/devise.  I say that because octane has no functional groups in it, and it will be hard to functionalize properly to make cubane.

[Doom91]

So what can u synthesize from to obtain cubane and must it require high pressure to exist ?

[macman104]

Read the wikipedia article!

[alphahydroxy]

There are actually a rather large number of cubane (and derivatives therof) syntheses in the literature - I think its interesting structure (as one of the "platonic solids") has inspired many people.

And yes, a very quick google search will probably answer a lot of your questions...

Another point of interest, I seem to remember reading something in the popular science press a few years ago about its potential as an explosive, when the vertices are functionalised with nitro groups or the like.

[nj_bartel]

Yeah, octanitrocubane is pretty much the most potent nonnuclear explosive that's been synthesized (but it hasn't yet been made in large quantities I don't believe).

[Doom91]

can i ask why octanitrocubane is most powerful non nuclear explosive ?

[macman104]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octanitrocubane

[Doom91]

Dear macman104
is wikipedia so reliable such that you always refer to wikipedia

[macman104]

Dear macman104
is wikipedia so reliable such that you always refer to wikipedia

No, but it has the answers you were looking for.  I could have reasoned the same ideas....high bond strain, decomposition to a high volume of molecules (lots of CO2 and N2, which make a good explosive), but why re-explain that when I can point you to a site that already has that info?

You would not have known any different if I had copy-pasted the info, or simply reworded it...

Also, we encourage people to do their own research then come here for help.  By pointing to a website, it reinforces this idea.  Like Borek says:  Google first, literature/library second, forums third.

[Borek]

is wikipedia so reliable such that you always refer to wikipedia

In my experience for most questions asked on the forums wiki is reliable.

[Arkcon]

To reinforce what Borek: and macman104: have said, there are very few wikipedia edit wars over:  chemical structure, solubility, chemical nomenclature, definition of "acid", and the like.  Yeah, wikipedia goes into edit wars with people who think Bleach should link to the anime first, instead of the household kind, but ACS has gone on notice that they're watching for spurious edits.

[trevorwilliams]

Cubane is really a pointless molecule, i'm pretty sure that they've been able to make antimatter explosions bigger than they have with cubane explosive.