Mechanism of Addition Reactions

FIGURE 14.11 Mechanism of addition to a carbonyl group under basic conditions. 

we will consider mainly reactions in the presence of Bronsted acids, but in Chapter 23, we will look in more detail at the reactions that can be accomplished in the presence of Lewis acids. 

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When we explore the mechanisms of addition reactions, we will see why some reactions proceed through a Markovnikov addition while others proceed through an anti-Markovnikov addition. For now, let s make sure that we are comfortable using the terms. 

The distinction between electrophilic and electron-transfer mechanisms of addition reactions to vinyl double bonds of ArX—CH=CH2 (X = S, O, Se) has been achieved by studying substituent effects. Specifically, the effects of meta and para substituents on the rates of electrophilic additions correlated with Hammett radical cations correlates with statistical tests. The ofclcctrophilicj/o-1 (FT) dichotomy is in accord with the conventional paradigm for cr/cr+ correlations and further support has been found by ah initio calculations. Interestingly, the application of this criterion to the reactions of aryl vinyl sulfides and ethers with tetracyanoethylene indicates that cyclobutanes are formed via direct electrophilic addition to the electron-rich alkene rather than via an electron-transfer mechanism.12... 

The mechanism of substitution reactions at saturated silicon centers is well studied, regarding both kinetics and stereochemistry13,14. In contrast, addition reactions to unsaturated silicon centers, such as to disilenes and silenes, are relatively unexplored. The reason is clear suitable substrates for investigations of regio- and stereochemistry and reaction kinetics are not readily available due to inherent kinetic instability of disilenes and silenes. Kinetically stabilized disilenes and silenes are now available, but these are not always convenient for studying the precise mechanism of addition reactions. For example, stable disilenes are usually prepared by the dimerization of silylenes with bulky substituents. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to prepare unsymmetrically substituted disilenes necessary for regio- and/or stereochemical studies. 

In the early 1960s, seminal work by Jencks and coworkers demonstrated that formation and hydrolysis of C=N bonds were proceeding via a carbinolamine intermediate, thus leading to a more general mechanism of addition reactions on carbonyl groups [17-19]. The dynamic nature of the reaction of imine formation can be exploited to drive the equilibrium either forward or backwards. Since the reaction involves the loss of a molecule of water, adding or removing water from the reaction mixture proved an efficient way to shift the equilibrium in either direction. The responsive behavior of imines to external stimuli makes the reversible reaction of imine formation perfectly suited for DCC experiments [20], Thermodynamically controlled reactions based on imine chemistry include (1) imine condensation/hydrolysis, (2) transiminations, and (3) imine-metathesis reactions... 

In virtue of its parametrization, the method underestimates interaction of the atoms which lie at a noncovalent distance. This may result in distortions of the mechanism of addition reaction [58]. (Addition reactions are described in greater detail in Chap. 6). 

Bartlett and Tarbell, 1936] P. Bartlett and S. Tarbell. The Mechanism of Addition Reactions A Kinetic Study of the Addition of Methyl Hypobromite to Stilbene, Journal of the American Chemical. Society 58 466-474, 1936. 

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