Carbonium ions theoretical calculations

It is interesting to compare this transition state in the solid with the one calculated from the HF-SbF5 system. In the liquid superacid, the ionic character is very strong and it is easier to connect the reactivity with the unusual activity of the proton even when solvated by the HF solvent. In contrast, on the solid the theoretical calculated transition state is further away from the carbonium ion type and in line with the much higher temperatures needed to activate the alkane with weaker acids. 

These schemes require that if either the alcohol or the olefin is labelled on the a or 13 carbon atoms with deuterium then exchange with the solvent should be observed during either the hydration or dehydration reaction, possibilities which have not been observed - . The concept of a 7r-complex has been challenged on theoretical grounds and quantum mechanical calculations show that a TT-complex should be much less stable than the carbonium ion- . 

Corma and co-workers152 have performed a detailed theoretical study (B3PW91/6-31G level) of the mechanism of the reactions between carbenium ions and alkanes (ethyl cation with ethane and propane and isopropyl cation with ethane, propane, and isopentane) including complete geometry optimization and characterization of the reactants, products, reaction intermediates, and transition states involved. Reaction enthalpies and activation energies for the various elemental steps and the equilibrium constants and reaction rate constants were also calculated. It was concluded that the interaction of a carbenium ion and an alkane always results in the formation of a carbonium cation, which is the intermediate not only in alkylation but also in other hydrocarbon transformations (hydride transfer, disproportionation, dehydrogenation). 

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