Abstract:
The advances achieved in recent years in the synthesis of polycyclic hydrocarbons, including those containing functional substituents, from norbornadiene and its derivatives using metal complex catalysts are surveyed. The homo- and codimerisation reactions of norbornadienes with olefins, dienes, and acetylenes, involving the [2π + 2π] -, [2π + 2π + 2π] -, and [4π + 4π] -addition under the influence of transition metal complexes are examined. Data on the synthesis of norbornadiene trimers as well as the physicochemical and spectroscopic characteristics of a whole series of unique hydrocarbons are presented. The mechanisms of the reactions indicated are discussed. The bibliography includes 173 references.