The benzyne story

Abstract

The history of o-benzyne from its early beginnings as an unobservable reactive intermediate until its present status as a very well characterized but still theoretically challenging molecule with important applications in synthesis is reviewed. The m- and p-benzynes, tridehydrobenzenes, and benzdiynes are also known, and p-benzyne is a key intermediate in the action of a potent class of ene-diyne anti-tumour compounds. © 2010 CSIRO.