Electronic Control of Ring Conformation

The conformation of alkylcyclohexanes is determined largely by steric repulsion (see Chapter 5, Problems 6 and 7). More polar substituents may show different conformational preferences due to a combination of steric and electronic factors. 

Compare energies for both diaxial and diequatorial chair conformers of trans-2-fluoromethyIcyclohexane (X = Me). Which conformer is preferred Examine a space-filling model of each conformer. Which group is largest methyl, fluorine, or hydrogen Which is smallest Does the preferred conformer minimize steric repulsion Explain. 

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The foregoing examples of differential reactivities of rotamers may be summarized by saying that the reactivity is controlled by the steric factor. The difference in the reactivities of rotamers of 9-(2-bromomethyl-6-methyl-phenyl)fluorene (56) in SN2 type reactions falls in the same category (176). However, the substituent effect is not limited to a steric one there can be conformation-dependent electronic effects of substituents as well. A pertinent example is found in the reactivity of the bromomethyl compound (56) when the rotamers are heated in a trifluoroacetic acid solution (Scheme 10). The ap form gives rise to a cyclized product, whereas the sp form remains intact (176). The former must be reacting by participation of the it system of the fluorene ring. 

Steric control elements are also important for the diastereoselectivity in alkylations of mono-cyclic cyclohexanone enolates. However, electronic control becomes more evident in these systems compared to monocyclic cyclopentanone enolates The flexibility of the six-membered ring system, and the large number of possible ring conformations, makes predictions of the diastereoselectivity difficult. In general, one may conclude that the diastereoselectivity in alkylations of enolates derived from monocyclic cyclohexanones is not as high as in alkylations of cyclopentanone enolates. The syntheses of compounds 21-27 demonstrate the effect of substitution in each position of the six-membered ring49,61 -7°. 

Fuji and co-workers have demonstrated the use of a PPY derivative that utilizes remote stereochemistry and an interesting induced fit process to control selectivity [21]. Upon acylation of catalyst 20, a conformational change occurs, stabilizing the intermediate N-acyliminium ion 21 (Fig. 2a,b). Chemical shifts in the XH NMR and nOes observed support a Jt-Jt interaction between the electron-rich naphthyl ring and the electron-deficient pyridinium ring. This blocks the top face of the catalyst and directs attack of the alcohol from the bottom face. Catalyst 20 effects resolutions of diol-monoesters and amino alcohol derivatives such as 22 and 23 with moderate to good selectivity factors (fcrei=4.7-21, see Fig. 2c) [22]. 

For the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, symmetry considerations similar to those applied above to the succinyldicholine binding sites allow the prediction that quasi-symmetrically disposed binding areas for aromatic rings may be present on the receptor surface (Figure 7), and if the conformational and electronic properties of the drug are compatible with the detailed topography, unproductive physical states may be readily induced in the receptor. The sequential control areas being quasi-symmetrically disposed, the basis of an explanation for the well-established... 

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