(trialkylsilyl)acetylene is like a giant umbrella-shaped protecting group

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An example of simile used to explain science:

"For Haley's indacene-type antiaromatics, the key step forward was to attach a bulky (trialkylsilyl)acetylene (TIPS) side group to each of the molecule's two five-membered rings. 'TIPS acetylene is like a giant umbrella-shaped protecting group that stabilises the antiaromatic core, and that's what allowed us to be able to isolate these molecules,' Haley says. 'Anything smaller than TIPS acetylene, then the molecule doesn't survive.'"

Chemistry World

Prof. Michael Haley, Richard M. & Patricia H. Noyes Professor, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Oregon, reported in:

Mitchell Crow, J. (2024). Illuminating antiaromaticity. Chemistry World, 21(5), 42-47. https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/illuminating-antiaromaticity/4019362.article

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Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.