1.3- Dioxanes, conformation

A number of cis/trans 4,6-dialkyl-2,2-dimethyl-l,3-dioxanes were studied by C NMR spectroscopy (93JOC5251). The C NMR shifts of C -Me groups (Scheme 8) were found to be very sensitive to the 1,3-dioxane conformation [chair form Me(ax) ca. 19 ppm and Me(eq) ca. 30 ppm— pure 30.89 ppm in the twist-boat form both methyl carbons resonate at ca. 25 ppm (pure 24.70 ppm)]. With these values, AG° of the chair to twist-boat equilibrium was calculated (Table IV). For 13a (nitrile), 13b (alkyne), and 13e (methyl ester) (Scheme 8) in CH2CI2, the temperature dependence of the AG° values was determined. Depending on the substituent, small negative or positive entropy terms were found generally the enthalpy term dominates the -AG° value. In the tram isomers 13, the cyano and alkyne substituents favor the chair conformation, but CHO, ester, alkene, and alkyl substituents, respectively, clearly favor the twist-boat conforma-... 

---