Alkene steric strain

Cis alkenes are less stable than their trans isomers because of steric strain between the two larger substituents on the same side of the double bond. This is the same kind of steric interference that we saw previously in the axial conformation of methylcyclohexane (Section 4.7). 

Steric strain (Sections 3.7) The strain imposed on a molecule when two groups are too close together and try to occupy the same space. Steric strain is responsible both for the greater stability of trans versus cis alkenes and for the greater stability of equatorially substituted versus axially substituted cyclohexanes. 

There are few reports of the hydrostannation of simple alkenes with metal catalysts in homogeneous solution, but steric strain in the ring causes cyclopropenes to be reactive even at —78 °C, with addition of Sn-H to the less sterically hindered face (Equation (25)). Distannation with Me3SnSnMe3 and silastannation with Me3SiSnBu3 could similarly be achieved with Pd(OH)2 as catalyst.107... 

The availability of 18 in one synthetic step via direct oxidative functionalization of HCTD [19-21] allows exploration of this valuable compound s chemistry, for the first time. Thus, the reaction sequence shown in Scheme 9 has been utilized to prepare a novel polycyclic alkene, 30, whose s unmetry properties require that its central, tetrasubstituted C=C double bond be completely planar (in the isolated molecule). The constraints imposed by the polycarbocyclic cage framework cause the CCC bond angles about the central C=C double bond in 30 to deviate significantly from the preferred value of 120°, thereby introducing additional steric strain in this molecule beyond that which is associated with its framework alone. 

Cis alkenes are less stable than trans alkenes because of steric strain between double bond substituents. 

Heathcock has observed that secondary and tertiary alkyl azides are obtained in good yields from terminal alkenes, but that non-terminal alkenes are relatively unreactive, except where reactivity is enhanced by steric strain as in norbornene. The order of reactivity in this reaction is similar to that in hydroxymercuration. A correlation between the reactivity sequence for azidomercuration and the known order of alkene-Ag stability constants was also apparent zmd Heathcock therefore proposed a mechanism which entails a rapid equilibrium involving the ion 197 which affords the organomercury... 

The rare-earth metal-catalyzed cyclization of aminoalkenes, aminoalkynes and aminodienes generally produces exclusively the exocyclic hydroamination products. The only exception was found in the cyclization of homopropargylamines leading to the formation of the endocyclic enamine product via a 5-endo-dig hydroamination/cyclization (32) [142], most likely due to steric strain in a potential four-membered ring exocyclic hydroamination product. Interestingly, the 5-endo-dig cyclization is still preferred even in the presence of an alkene group that would lead to a 6-exo hydroamination product [142]. 

E2S.il (a) Ring opening alkene metathesis polymerization. ROMP can result in reduced steric strain, thereby providing a thermodynamic driving force for the reaction. 

Since more reactive alkenes, such as vinyl arenes or sterically strained polycycles, react more readily in the hydroamination reaction, several asymmetric hydroami nation reactions utilizing these substrates have been disclosed. Weakly basic anilines can react with vinyl arenes to give the Markovnikov addition products 6 and 7 with good yields and enantioselectivities in the presence ofa chiral phosphine ligand Pd complex as demonstrated by Hartwig (Eq. 11.3) [13] and later by Hii (Eq. 11.4) [14]. 

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