Following the discussion here of Kekulé’s suggestion of what we now call a vibrational mode (and which in fact now bears his name), I thought I might apply the concept to a recent molecule known as [2.2]paracyclophane.
AbstractIn this contribution, the solid‐state low‐temperature phase structure of [2,2]‐paracyclophane is unambiguously characterised by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Additionally, a heat capacity measurement was undertaken, which proves the existence of a λ‐type phase transition at 45 K, a transition that is connected with the formation of a secondary Cp/T feature at 60 K. The low‐temperature phase (<45 K) crystallises in the lower symmetry space group P$\bar 4$n2, whereas the high‐temperature phase (>60 K) crystallises in space group P42/mnm. This proves what has been postulated both by experimental and theoretical chemists but has repeatedly been dismissed as speculation many times.