Methyl groups reactivity

The regioselectivity for the hydrogen atom abstraction from each of two geminal methyl groups (twin or twix) in trisubstituted alkenes such as 34, 35, 39 and 122 (Table 17) was studied by specific deuterium labeling. Independent studies revealed that the cis effect selectivity found in solution no longer operates within the zeolite. As seen in Table 19, for the case of 124-127, the twin methyl group reactivity increases up to 14 times (see substrate 126) by zeolite confinement. 

The general principle of methyl group reactivity is also seen in the oxidation of 7,9,10-trimethylbenz[c]acridine to give the 7-formyl compound (68), the 9- and 10-methyl groups being unaffected (Scheme 62) (64JCS5622). 

A good example is in the comparison of methyl group reactivity in 538 the S-methyl group condenses with aldehydes easily, whereas the 3-methyl group does not. However, quaternization at nitrogen renders the 3-methyl group reactive. 

The reaction of 2-picoline with benzaldehyde in the presence of zinc chloride was probably the earliest observation of methyl group reactivity in the pyridine seriesS s. At 220°-225 , the reaction gave 2-stilbazole (2-styrylpyridine) in good yields 8 . Though the major product is trans-2-stilbazole, some of the m-isomer has been isolateds s. 4-Picoline reactsS786 but 3-picoline does nots sc. 

Unsymmetrically substituted dipyrromethanes are obtained from n-unsubstitued pyrroles and fl(-(bromomethyl)pyiToIes in hot acetic acid within a few minutes. These reaction conditions are relatively mild and the o-unsubstituted pyrrole may even bear an electron withdrawing carboxylic ester function. It is still sufficiently nucleophilic to substitute bromine or acetoxy groups on an a-pyrrolic methyl group. Hetero atoms in this position are extremely reactive leaving groups since the a-pyrrolylmethenium( = azafulvenium ) cation formed as an intermediate is highly resonance-stabilized. 

In conclusion, in terms of electrophilic reactivity a methyl group in the 2-position is equally reactive in the two categories of heterocycles (selenazole and thiazole). Of the two positions ortho to nitrogen, only the 2-position is activated. The 5-position is sensitive to electrophilic reagents and resembles more closely the para position of a benzene ring. 

Mills and Smith (504) were the first, in 1922, to develop a systematic study of the reactivity of methyl groups fixed on nitrogen-containing heterocycles. While in alkylpyridines the 2- (or 6) and 4-positions are activated, only the 2-position in thiazole corresponds to an enhanced reactivity of the methyl groups in condensation with aldehydes 4- and 5-methylthiazoles bear inert methyl groups. Quatemization of the thiazole nitrogen enhances still further the reactivity of the methyl in the 2-position (cf. Chapter IX), but it does not increase the reactivity of a methyl group in the 4-position (504). The authors invoke the possibility for 2- (and 6) methylpyridine and 2-methylthiazole to pass, to some extent, into the reactive enamine form (245), while 4-methylthiazole could adopt such a structure only with the participation of an unusual formula such as 247 (Scheme 112). 

In 1937, Kondo and Nagasawa confirmed the reactivity of the sole 2-methyl group in the condensation of 2,4-dimethylthiazole with benzal-dehyde (505) and in the cyclizafion to tbiazolopyrrole in the reaction with phenacyl bromide (506) (Scheme 113). 

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... 

The log(k/ko) value for 4-isopropyl-2,5-dimethylthiazole is twice that expected if the curve were linear, which implies a rate constant 6.5 times smaller than expected. This result can be explained by the existence of a privileged conformation, induced by the presence of the methyl group in the 5-position and that has a lower reactivity (258). This result also leads to a limitation in the use of Tafts Eg parameter to cases where the environment of a substituent does not induce particular conformation for this latter (258). 

Both compounds react by an S l mechanism and their relative rates reflect their acti vation energies for carbocation formation Because the allylic chloride is more reactive we reason that it ionizes more rapidly because it forms a more stable carbocation Struc turally the two carbocations differ m that the allylic carbocation has a vinyl substituent on Its positively charged carbon m place of one of the methyl groups of tert butyl cation... 

The ortho position between the two methyl groups is less reactive because it is more sterically hindered... 

The same reactivity pattern is observed with i9-methy1 anilides in which a carhanion-stahili ing substituent is attached to the methyl group. For Z = trimethylsilyl or triphenylphosphonio, elimination occurs with cyclization. 

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. 

Alkyl Isoquinolines. Coal tar contains small amounts of l-methylisoquinoline [1721-93-3] 3-methylisoquinoline [1125-80-0] and 1,3-dimetliylisoquinoline [1721-94-4J. The 1- and 3-methyl groups are more reactive than others in the isoquinoline nucleus and readily oxidize with selenium dioxide to form the corresponding isoquinoline aldehydes (174). These compounds can also be obtained by the hydrolysis of the dihalomethyl group. The 1- and 3-methyhsoquinolines condense with benzaldehyde in the presence of zinc chloride or acetic anhydride to produce 1- and 3-styryhsoquinolines. Radicals formed by decarboxylation of carboxyUc acids react to produce 1-aIkyhsoquinolines. 

Moisture-Curing Silicones. The formulation of moisture-curing sHicones includes a sHicone polymer, filler, a moisture-reactive cross-linker, and sometimes a catalyst. The most common sHicone polymer used in sealant formulations is an alternating sHicon—oxygen backbone with methyl groups attached to the sHicon such as the sHicone polymer (1). 

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