title: Planar-Tetracoordinate Carbon in a Neutral Saturated Hydrocarbon: Theoretical Design and Characterization.
abstract: Exact planarity at the central carbon atom is achieved, according to molecular orbital calculations, in the strained polycyclic cage hydrocarbon dimethanospiro[2.2]octaplane (see structure). There are no glaringly long C-C bonds, which might have reflected inherent instability in this molecule that is yet to be synthesized.
authors.affiliation: Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200 (Australia).
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Radom