Macrocyclization equilibria in polycycloolefins

Macrocyclization equilibrium data from metathesis reactions of cycloolefins (cyclobutene, cyclooctene, and cyclododecene) are compared with predictions of a novel, simple rotational isomeric state (RIS) scheme for polyalkenes with at least three single bonds between adjacent double bonds. The predictions agree with experiment within the combined experimental errors, supporting the conformational models and confirming that macrocyclization equilibrium has indeed been established in the metathesis reactions.