Towards 3-(2-adamantylidene)diamantane derivatives through the McMurry cross coupling reaction

Diamondoid assemblies have a potential in nanoelectronics as the substrates for self-assembled monolayer formation. However, selective functionalization of such molecules is cumbersome. We demonstrate that the McMurry cross-coupling reaction is useful for the preparation of 3-(2-adamantylidene)diamantane derivatives with substituents at the tertiary and secondary positions of the diamantane moiety. This allows to create the surface attachment points in the diamondoid structure.