Tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) is organic compound with the formula C2(CN)4. It is a colorless solid, although samples are often off-white. It is an important member of the cyanocarbons.

Synthesis and reactions

TCNE is prepared by brominating malononitrile in the presence of potassium bromide to give the KBr-complex, and dehalogenating with copper. Oxidation of TCNE with hydrogen peroxide gives the corresponding epoxide, which has unusual properties. In the presence of base, TCNE reacts with malononitrile to give salts of pentacyanopropenide:

Redox chemistry

TCNE is an electron acceptor. Cyano groups have low energy π* orbitals, and the presence of four such groups, with their π systems (conjugated) to the central C\dC double bond, gives rise to an electrophilic alkene. TCNE is reduced at −0.27 V vs ferrocene/ferrocenium: Because of its ability to accept an electron, TCNE has been used to prepare numerous charge-transfer salts. The central C=C distance in TCNE is 135 pm. Upon reduction, this bond elongates to 141–145 pm, depending on the counterion.

Safety

TCNE hydrolyzes in moist air to give hydrogen cyanide and should be handled accordingly.