Methyl group electronics effects

For the methyl-substituted compounds (322) the increase in AG and AHf values relative to the unsubstituted thiazole is interpreted as being mainly due to polar effects. Electron-donating methyl groups are expected to stabilize the thiazolium ion, that is to decrease its acid strength. From Table 1-51 it may be seen that there is an increase in AG and AH by about 1 kcal mole for each methyl group. Similar effects have been observed for picolines and lutidines (325). 

Inductive or polar effects. These effects involve electron displacements that are transmitted along a chain of atoms without any reorganization of the formal chemical bonds in the molecule. For example, the introduction of a methyl group in a pyridine ring involves a displacement of electrons to the nitrogen atom from the methyl group. This effect falls off rapidly with separation distance. 

The study of lactonization via an intermediate phenonium ion has been further pursued for several methyl 4-aryl-5-tosylhexanoates (55) as substrates. The intermediate phenonium ion (56) has two possibilities for ring closure, yielding products (57) or (58). In all the substrates, Ar contained one or two methoxy groups and sometimes also a methyl group. The effects of reaction medium, temperature, and time on the product ratios were examined. It was concluded that substrates (55) give y-lactone (57) selectively under thermodynamic conditions, but 5-lactone (58) under kinetic conditions. Substituents in Ar influence the selectivity through their electronic effects. 

In a M.o. treatment of the electronic effect of the methyl group it was found necessary to take into account both inductive and hypercon-jugative effects. This treatment is commented on in 9.3 below. 

Reaction of various reagents (CH3I. CjHjI, PhCHO) on the organolithium products obtained by reaction of butyl-lithium with 2-methyl-4-phenylthiazole gives approximately 90% 5-substitution. The increased reactivity of the hydrogen in the 5-position can be explained by the fact that the -r J effect of a 4-methyl group would increase the electron... 

Methacryhc acid and its ester derivatives are Ctfjy -unsaturated carbonyl compounds and exhibit the reactivity typical of this class of compounds, ie, Michael and Michael-type conjugate addition reactions and a variety of cycloaddition and related reactions. Although less reactive than the corresponding acrylates as the result of the electron-donating effect and the steric hindrance of the a-methyl group, methacrylates readily undergo a wide variety of reactions and are valuable intermediates in many synthetic procedures. 

A tertiary carbonium ion is more stable than a secondary carbonium ion, which is in turn more stable than a primary carbonium ion. Therefore, the alkylation of ben2ene with isobutylene is much easier than is alkylation with ethylene. The reactivity of substituted aromatics for electrophilic substitution is affected by the inductive and resonance effects of a substituent. An electron-donating group, such as the hydroxyl and methyl groups, activates the alkylation and an electron-withdrawing group, such as chloride, deactivates it. 

The importance of steric effects in determining the oxidation state of the product can be illustrated by a thioether linkage, eg (57). If a methyl group is forced to be adjacent to the sulfur bond, the planarity required for efficient electron donation by unshared electrons is prevented and oxidation is not observed (48). Similar chemistry is observed in the addition of organic nitrogen and oxygen nucleophiles as well as inorganic anions. 

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