Crystal structures of a series of 6-aryl-1,3-diphenylfulvenes

The synthesis and crystal structures of a series of 6-arylfuvlenes (fulvene is 5-methylidenecyclopenta-1,3-diene) with varying methylation patterns on the 6-phenyl substituent are reported, namely 6-(3-methylphenyl)-1,3-diphenylfulvene (C25H20), 6-(4-methylphenyl)-1,3-diphenylfulvene (C25H20), 6-mesityl-3-diphenylfulvene (C27H24) and 6-(2,3,4,5,6-pentamethylphenyl)-1,3-diphenylfulvene (C29H28). The bond lengths are typical of those observed in related fulvenes. A network of C—H...π ring interactions consolidates the packing in each structure.