Dipolarophile molecular orbitals

The theoretical interpretation of the results was made (334) in terms of the molecular orbital perturbation theory, in particular, of the FMO theory (CNDO-2 method), using the model of the concerted formation of both new bonds through the cyclic transition state. In this study, the authors provided an explanation for the regioselectivity of the process and obtained a series of comparative reactivities of dipolarophiles (methyl acrylate > styrene), which is in agreement with the experimental data. However, in spite of similar tendencies, the experimental series of comparative reactivities of nitronates (249) toward methyl acrylate (250a) and styrene (250b) are not consistent with the calculated series (see Chart 3.17). This is attributed to the fact that calculation methods are insufficiently correct and the... 

Doyle et al. (39) expanded the rhodium-catalyzed generation of isomiinchnones from diazoacetacetamides and subsequent trapping with dipolarophiles (38). As shown in Scheme 10.12, in the case of diazoacetoacetyl urea (79) the derived isomtinchnone 80 reacts with methyl propiolate to give a 2 1 mixture of cycloadducts 81. The resulting regiochemistry is successfully rationalized using frontier molecular orbital (FMO) theory as being isomiinchnone-HOMO controlled. This result represents one of the few reactions in which the cycloadducts from isomiinchnones and alkynes are stable. 

The structural requirements of the mesomeric betaines described in Section III endow these molecules with reactive -electron systems whose orbital symmetries are suitable for participation in a variety of pericyclic reactions. In particular, many betaines undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions giving stable adducts. Since these reactions are moderately exothermic, the transition state can be expected to occur early in the reaction and the magnitude of the frontier orbital interactions, as 1,3-dipole and 1,3-dipolarophile approach, can be expected to influence the energy of the transition state—and therefore the reaction rate and the structure of the product. This is the essence of frontier molecular orbital (EMO) theory, several accounts of which have been published. 16.317 application of the FMO method to the pericyclic reactions of mesomeric betaines has met with considerable success. The following section describes how the reactivity, electroselectivity, and regioselectivity of these molecules have been rationalized. 

The mechanism of the reaction has generally been discussed in terms of a thermally allowed concerted 1,3-dipoIar cycloaddition process, in which control is realized by interaction between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the dipole (diazoalkane) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of the dipolarophile (alkyne).76 In some cases unequal bond formation has been indicated in the transition state, giving a degree of charge separation. Compelling evidence has also been presented for a two-step diradical mechanism for the cycloaddition77 but this issue has yet to be resolved. 

The presence of an aroyl fragment in azomethine ylides obtained from opening of three-membered rings in the case of dipolarophiles with high LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) energy or in the absence of an external dipolarophile can lead to the possibility of such unusual reactions as intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition [80]. Examples of such reactions are the thermal isomerization of aroyl aziridines 63 into a pyrrole derivative 64 [81, 82] or into 2,5-diphenyloxazole 65 (in the presence of diphenyliodonium iodide) [83] (Scheme 1.16). 

The molecular geometries and the frontier orbital energies of heterophospholes 28-31 were obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-311- -G, level. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactivity of these heterophospholes in reactions with diazo compounds was evaluated from frontier molecular orbital (FMO) theory. Among the different types of heterophospholes considered, the 2-acyl-l,2,3-diazaphosphole 28, 377-1,2,3,4-triazaphosphole 30, and 1,3,4-thiazaphosphole 31 were predicted to have the highest dipolarophilic reactivities. These conclusions are in qualitative agreement with available experimental results <2003JP0504>. 

This acid, used in catalytic amounts, easily generates azomethine ylids (this route is sometimes referred to as Achiwa s procedure ). Excellent to complete regioselectivity has been established when both ylid and ethylenic dipolarophile are dissymmetrical, but stereochemical control is not so strong. From these data, ab initio calculations have been made and frontier molecular orbital theory used to explain the origin of these selectivities.390... 

The regioselectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azides to alkenes is usually difficult to predict due to the similar energies for the transition states which involve either the HOMO (dipole) or the LUMO (dipole). The results of a study which utilized 5-alkoxy-3-pyrrolin-2-ones as dipolar-ophiles in reactions with a variety of aryl azides seemed to reflect this problem the results suggested that the low regioselectivity observed was due to the frontier molecular orbital interactions between dipole and dipolarophile, and not any steric hindrance offered by the 5-alkoxy function <84H(22)2363>. 

Exceptions do exist, however, and one must be particularly alert to substituent-induced changes in the direction of polarization, as well as to their affect upon the energy of the frontier molecular orbitals. For example, nitrone cycloaddition regiochemistry is generally LU controlled, leading to the production of C-S substituted isoxazolines in excellent yield. However, as the ionization potential of the nitrone decreases or the electron affinity of the dipolarophile increases, there exists an increased propensity for formation of the C-4 regioisomer. Eventually, a switch from LU to HO control occurs and substantial amounts of the C-4 isomer are produced (equation 14). 

According to the frontier molecular orbital theory (FMO theory), the reactivity of a 1,3-dipole is inversely proportional to the energy difference between the frontier orbitals of a 1,3-dipole and a dipolarophile. The frontier orbital energies of the parent azomethine ylide 110 are calculated by a CNDO/2 method to be highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) =... 

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