Synthesis of adamantane by ionic liquid-promoted isomerization of tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane and H2SO4-mediated hydroisomerization of pentacyclo[4.4.0.02,4.03,7.08,10]decane

Adamantane was synthesized by skeletal isomerization of endo- and exo-tricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]-decanes in the presence of ionic liquid [Et3NH](+)[Al2Cl7](-)-CuSO4. A new method to synthesize adamantane in 75% yield by H2SO4-mediated hydroisomerization of its new precursor, pentacyclo[4.4.0.0(2,4).0(3,7).0(8,10)]decane, was developed.

Automated summary

This paper describes the synthesis of adamantane through skeletal isomerization and hydroisomerization methods. The new method showed a significant improvement in yield.