We report a facile desymmetrization of 1,4-diethynylbicyclo[2.2.2]octane. One of the acetylene termini was protected by TMS and the desired product was purified by sublimation.
It is stable but reactive, as shown by the synthesis of a complex pyridine-terminated molecular rod containing both a bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane and a bicyclo[2.2.2]octane cage. Six crystal structures of key intermediates are presented.