The improvement in synthesis of cubane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid

This is the improved synthesis by N.B Chapman et al in England. Basically the improvement is such that the 2-bromocyclopentadienone could be made easily and undergoes spontaneous dimerization. The rest of the reaction is the same as the original one.

This synthesis now is scaled up and is conducted in small pilot plants by Flurochem in California and EniChem Synthesis in Milan.

The improvement in decarboxylation

This method is much more superior than the old method. It is introduced by Derek Barton et al and use the radical-induced decomposition of diester which can be prepared easily from cubane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid.