The symmetrical spiro -heptanediamine and its resolution into optically active components

Abstract

The experimental realization of the simplest possible types of molecular configuration which can show optical activity in the amorphous con­dition is important in connexion with stereochemical theory. Among optically active spiranes containing no asymmetric carbon atom such simple types are found in the d - and l -1-methyl- cyclo -hexylidene-4-acetic acids and the d - and 1-spiro- 5:5-dihydantoins, but no satisfactory case has hitherto been described of optical activity in substances of the constitution H —C—( CH 2 ) n —C—(CH 2 ) n —X X —C—( CH 2 ) n —C—(CH 2 ) n —H. One of the simplest conceivable examples of the latter kind should be found in the previously unknown symmetrical spiro -heptanediamine of the constitution— NH 2 —C—CH 2 —C—CH 2 —C—H H—C—CH 2 —C—CH 2 —C—NH 2 .