Cuneanes –The Potential as Benzene Bioisosteres Having Chirality

Cuneane, a structural isomer of cubane, possesses C2v symmetry, unlike the Oh symmetry of cubane. It can exhibit chirality with even a single substituent, differentiating it from cubane. Consequently, cuneane is being explored as a potential benzene bioisostere in pharmaceutical molecules, adding complexity such as chirality through the isomerization of the cubane skeleton. Although there has been limited research on the synthesis of cuneane in the past, recent years have seen increased attention to this cage hydrocarbon. This discussion will cover the synthesis, utilization, and further transformation reactions of the cuneane framework into other cage hydrocarbons in recent years.