Direct observation and thermal transformations of dications derived from dibenzotropylium ions

Abstract Carboxylic acid 1 and its derivatives 2 , 3 treated with triflic acid below −20°C afford the dications 1H 2+2- 3H 2+2. Cyclodehydration above 20°C (or in the gas-phase, CIMS of 3 ) leads to the diprotonated ketone 4H 2+2.