Deciphering Stereoselectivity in Hurd-Claisen Rearrangements: A Comprehensive Study of Electrostatic Interactions from Shubin's Energy Decomposition Analysis

In this study, we explore the stereoselectivity of Hurd-Claisen Rearrangements, focusing on the influence of two electron-withdrawing groups and eight diverse substituents. Utilizing the Curtin-Hammett principle, we performed energy calculations for reactions, products, and transition states using the M062X/def2TZVPP compound model. Our analysis reveals that kinetic factors predominantly dictate the reaction equilibrium. A key aspect of our research is the application of Shubin's energy decomposition analysis to optimized transition states, highlighting the significant role of electrostatic interactions in determining stereoselectivity. We further dissected each transition state into four fragments: the electron-withdrawing groups (C O 2 E t ${CO_2 Et}$ ,C N ${CN}$ ), the Hurd group ( H ${H}$ ), various substituents (C H 3 ${CH_3 }$ ,E t ${Et}$ ,S P r o p ${SProp}$ ,T B u t ${TBut}$ ,I s o B u t ${IsoBut}$ ,N H 2 P h ${NH_2 Ph}$ ,N O 2 P h ${NO_2 Ph}$ ,P h ${Ph}$ ), and the central fragment. This fragmentation approach enabled an in-depth analysis of group dipole moments, providing insights into the electrostatic forces at play. Our findings shed light on the intricate mechanisms driving stereoselectivity in Hurd-Claisen Rearrangements and enhance the understanding of molecular interactions, offering valuable implications for organic synthesis.

Unprecedented E-stereoselectivity on the sigmatropic Hurd-Claisen rearrangement of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts: a joint experimental-theoretical study

Herein we report the first systematic investigation of the tandem mercury(ii) catalysed transvinylation/Hurd-Claisen rearrangement of MBH adducts derived from alkyl acrylates. This is the first report of E-selectivity for MBH adducts with alkyl side chains and is complementary to the previously reported Johnson-Claisen and Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangements. The rearrangement products were obtained in good yields and could be readily converted to 2-alkenyl δ-valerolactones. Combined DFT and F-SAPT studies demonstrate that reaction rates are primarily governed by non-covalent interactions dictating the relative stability of the transition states. Our F-SAPT calculations revealed that the hyperconjugative effects are not so significant, but that electrostatic interactions, instead, are the driving forces for the relative E : Z stereoselectivity.