“…Radialenes (1, Scheme 1) are hydrocarbons consisting exclusively of semicyclic double bonds; [1] in addition to the linear oligoenes, the annulenes, the fulvenes, and the dendralenes [2] they form the fifth class of unsaturated compounds that can be generated from ethylene units. Whereas the parent systems [3]- (2), [4]- (3), and [6]radialene (5) have all been described in the chemical literature, [1] [5]radialene (4) is currently unknown, although several derivatives of this pentaene, for example the decamethyl derivative, have been reported. [3] None of the higher vinylogues of this series, beginning with [7]radialene (6), have so far been described, although some calculations on these hydrocarbons have appeared.…”