A new insight on the molecular mechanism of the reaction between (Z)-C,N-diphenylnitrone and 1,2-bismethylene-3,3,4,4,5,5-hexamethylcyclopentane

On the Question of Zwitterionic Intermediates in the [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions between Aryl Azides and Ethyl Propiolate

The molecular mechanism of the [3+2] cycloaddition reactions between aryl azides and ethyl propiolate was evaluated in the framework of the Molecular Electron Density Theory. It was found that independently of the nature of the substituent within the azide molecule, the cycloaddition process is realized via a polar but single-step mechanism. All attempts of localization as postulated earlier by Abu-Orabi and coworkers' zwitterionic intermediates were not successful. At the same time, the formation of zwitterions with an "extended" conformation is possible on parallel reaction paths. The ELF analysis shows that the studied cycloaddition reaction leading to the 1,4-triazole proceeds by a two-stage one-step mechanism. It also revealed that both zwitterions are created by the donation of the nitrogen atom's nonbonding electron densities to carbon atoms of ethyl propiolate.

A molecular electron density theory study on the Chichibabin reaction: The origin of regioselectivity

A Molecular Electron Density Theory (MEDT) study was performed on the nucleophilic amination of pyridine and benzene to elucidate the observed regioselectivity in the Chichibabin reaction. For this purpose, three possible reaction paths were considered between NaNH₂ and the 2-, 3- and 4-positions of pyridine. The reaction of NaNH₂ and benzene was also investigated. The results indicated that in each reaction, the first step involves the nucleophilic attack of the NH₂‾ ion toward the aromatic system to produce an anionic intermediate. The second step, proceeds via hydride elimination of the anionic intermediate to produce the corresponding aromatic amine. This step is more favourable both kinetically and thermodynamically for the reaction at the 2-position of pyridine relative to the 4-position. In contrast to the Parr functions analysis which indicates that the 4-position is activated more electrophilically in pyridine, the PES analysis reveals that the 2-position attack with the NH₂‾ ion is more favourable both thermodynamically and kinetically. The results for the reaction of sodium amide and benzene indicated that this reaction is not feasible due to the high activation barriers. In consistent with the experimental results, the ELF analysis indicated that in the first step of the reaction between pyridine and sodium amide, the formation of the C2-N bond takes place via a pseudoradical coupling between the C2 carbon atom of pyridine and the N atom of NaNH₂. These variations occur in the second-half of the first step of the reaction. NCI analysis on the reaction revealed that the more attractive forces between the fragments, make the transition states for the 2-position attack more stable relative to the others. Thus, the NCI analysis can satisfactorily describe the observed regioselectivity in the Chichibabin reaction.

Unveiling the intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of C,N-disubstituted nitrones from the molecular electron density theory perspective

The zwitterionic type intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of nitrones show remarkable substituent effects and varying reactivities in the cases of cyclic and acyclic alkenes.

Understanding the molecular mechanism of γ-elimination of nitrous acid in the framework of the molecular electron density theory

The reactions of γ-dehydronitration of furaxanenitrolic acids have been studied within the density functional theory using molecular electron density theory scheme at the MPWB1K(PCM)/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. The alteration of bonding along the course of the reaction is studied in the topology of the electron density functional within the bonding evolution theory perspective. The characteristics of electron density changes indicate that we can distinguish six different phases in the nitrous acid extrusion from furaxanenitrolic acid 1a. These different phases related to the intrinsic reaction coordinate path of the analyzed reaction denote the non-concerted nature of the molecular mechanism.

Regio- and stereoselectivity of the [3+2] cycloaddition of nitrones with methyl-acetophenone: A DFT investigation

A theoretical study of the regio- and stereoselectivities of the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of nitrones with substituted alkene (methyl acetophenone) is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) and carried out at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level. The reactivity of these cycloadditions is rationalized by FMO model, activation energy calculations, and philicity indexes. The electronic populations have been calculated from natural orbital, which based on charges by using NBO analysis, MK and CHelpG electrostatic population. The four possible pathways, fused and bridged regioisomeric modes, and the two stereoisomeric approaches endo and exo for the cycloaddition reactions are analyzed and discussed. Analysis of TS geometries and bond lengths demonstrate that these reactions follow a one-step mechanism with asynchronous transition states. The activation energy indicated a favored endo approach along the four reaction pathways.

Analysis of the possibility and molecular mechanism of carbon dioxide consumption in the Diels-Alder processes

The large and significant increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the Earth’s atmosphere is a serious problem for humanity. The amount of CO2 is increasing steadily which causes a harmful greenhouse effect that damages the Earth’s climate. Therefore, one of the current trends in modern chemistry and chemical technology are issues related to its utilization. This work includes the analysis of the possibility of chemical consumption of CO2 in Diels-Alder processes under non-catalytic and catalytic conditions after prior activation of the C=O bond. In addition to the obvious benefits associated with CO2 utilization, such processes open up the possibility of universal synthesis of a wide range of internal carboxylates. These studies have been performed in the framework of Molecular Electron Density Theory as a modern view of the chemical reactivity. It has been found, that explored DA reactions catalyzed by Lewis acids with the boron core, proceeds via unique stepwise mechanism with the zwitterionic intermediate. Bonding Evolution Theory (BET) analysis of the molecular mechanism associated with the DA reaction between cyclopentadiene and carbon dioxide indicates that it takes place thorough a two-stage one-step mechanism, which is initialized by formation of C–C single bond. In turn, the DA reaction between cyclopentadiene and carbon dioxide catalysed by BH3 extends in the environment of DCM, indicates that it takes place through a two-step mechanism. First path of catalysed DA reaction is characterized by 10 different phases, while the second by eight topologically different phases.

Application of β-Phosphorylated Nitroethenes in [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions Involving Benzonitrile N-Oxide in the Light of a DFT Computational Study

The regiochemistry of [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) processes between benzonitrile N-oxide 1 and β-phosphorylated analogues of nitroethenes 2a–c has been studied using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) at the M062X/6-31+G(d) theory level. The obtained results of reactivity indices show that benzonitrile N-oxide 1 can be classified both as a moderate electrophile and moderate nucleophile, while β-phosphorylated analogues of nitroethenes 2a–c can be classified as strong electrophiles and marginal nucleophiles. Moreover, the analysis of CDFT shows that for [3+2] cycloadditions with the participation of β-phosphorylatednitroethene 2a and β-phosphorylated α-cyanonitroethene 2b, the more favored reaction path forms 4-nitro-substituted Δ2-isoxazolines 3a–b, while for a reaction with β-phosphorylated β-cyanonitroethene 2c, the more favored path forms 5-nitro-substituted Δ2-isoxazoline 4c. This is due to the presence of a cyano group in the alkene. The CDFT study correlates well with the analysis of the kinetic description of the considered reaction channels. Moreover, DFT calculations have proven the clearly polar nature of all analyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions according to the polar one-step mechanism.

Synthesis of spirocyclic Δ4-isoxazolines via [3 + 2] cycloaddition of indanone-derived ketonitrones with alkynes

A [3 + 2] cycloaddition of indanone-derived nitrones and alkynes under mild conditions is developed, allowing facile synthesis of spirocyclicindenyl isoxazolines with structural diversity. The sequential protocol of generated in situ ketonitrone from unsaturated ketones and N-alkylhydroxylamines is also achieved successfully, affording the desired products in considerable yield with moderate to good diastereoselectivity. Moreover, the spirocyclic product can be conveniently transformed into indenyl-based allylic alcohol and enamide.

A [3 + 2] cycloaddition of indanone-derived nitrones with alkynes under mild conditions has been developed. It is a highly efficient and straightforward method for the synthesis of diverse spirocyclicindenyl isoxazolines.

On the Question of Zwitterionic Intermediates in the [3+2] Cycloaddition Reactions: A Critical Review

New discoveries require a fundamental revision of the view on the mechanism of the 32CAreaction (according to the older nomenclature defined as 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions). The view of the one-step, “concerted” mechanism of such processes developed in the 20-century is very popular today, both in academic literature and among organic chemists who do not specialize in such transformations. Meanwhile, more and more reports bring examples of reactions that clearly cannot be treated as processes without intermediates. However, these examples are documented very differently. In addition to comprehensive studies using many complementary research techniques, there are also reports in which the presence of intermediates in the cycloaddition environment is postulated on the basis of very unreliable premises. This review is an attempt at a critical analysis and systematization of data in the presented area.

Unravelling the regio- and stereoselective synthesis of bicyclic N,O-nucleoside analogues within the molecular electron density theory perspective

The [3 + 2] cycloaddition (32CA) reactions of 1-pyrroline-1-oxide with N-vinyl nucleobases leading to bicyclic N,O nucleoside analogues have been studied within the molecular electron density theory (MEDT) at the MPWB1K/6-311G(d,p) computational level. These non-polar zwitterionic type 32CA reactions take place through a one-step mechanism with minimal global electron density transfer (GEDT) at the TSs and the exo/ortho approach mode as the energetically favoured reaction path. The 32CA reactions of N-vinyl nucleobases with thymine and cytosine substituents respectively show the activation enthalpies of 15.2 and 12.5 kcal mol⁻¹ in toluene. The reactions are irreversible due to strong exothermic character of − 35.4–− 26.4 kcal mol⁻¹ in toluene. The bonding evolution theory (BET) study suggests that these 32CA reactions take place through the coupling of pseudoradical centres with earlier C–C bond formation and the formation of new C–C and C–O covalent bonds has not been started in the TSs. Non-covalent interactions (NCI) are predicted at the TSs from the visualization of NCI gradient isosurfaces.