Pericyclic reactions orbital correlation theory

The actual rates of thermally-allowed pericyclic reactions vary vastly, and frontier-orbital theory (14, 15, 16) has proven to be the primary basis for quantitative understanding and correlation of the factors responsible. It is therefore of interest to find the dominant frontier orbital interactions for the group transfer reactions hypothesized to occur. 

The Woodward-Hoffmann pericyclic reaction theory has generated substantial interest in the pathways of forbidden reactions and of excited state processes, beginning with a paper by Longuet-Higgins and Abrahamson,54 which appeared simultaneously with Woodward and Hoffmann s first use of orbital correlation diagrams.55 We have noted in Section 11.3, p. 586, that the orbital correlation diagram predicts that if a forbidden process does take place by a concerted pericyclic mechanism,56 and if electrons were to remain in their original orbitals, an... 

Three levels of explanation have been advanced to account for the patterns of reactivity encompassed by the Woodward-Hoffmann rules. The first draws attention to the frequency with which pericyclic reactions have a transition structure with (An + 2) electrons in a cyclic conjugated system, which can be seen as being aromatic. The second makes the point that the interaction of the appropriate frontier orbitals matches the observed stereochemistry. The third is to use orbital and state correlation diagrams in a compellingly satisfying treatment for those cases with identifiable elements of symmetry. Molecular orbital theory is the basis for all these related explanations. 

This is a very powerful rule, and it is especially useful when there are several components to a pericyclic reaction. With several components it is often difficult to identify the appropriate HOMOs and LUMOs for an FMO analysis, and difficult to quickly write an orbital or state correlation diagram. In such cases, aromatic transition state theory, or the generalized orbital symmetry rule, are the easiest approaches for analyzing the reaction. It is your decision as to which works best for you. 

Discuss Frontier Molecular Orbital (F.M.O.) method for pericyclic reactions. What are electrocyclic reactions Drawing correlation diagram, describe the comrotatoiy and disrotatory interconversion of cyclobutene and butadiene. Discuss Frontier Molecular Orbital (F.M.O.) method of analysing electrocyclic reactions. Derive selection rules for electrocyclic reactions. What are electrocyclic reactions Drawing correlation diagram discuss disrotatory and conrotatory interconversion of cyclobutene and butadiene. Support the results of correlation diagram by F.M.O. theory. 

From the foregoing discussion it appears that the frontier orbital method is at once a simple, concise, and accurate method for assessing the stereochemical outcome of pericyclic reactions. Furthermore, it is a method that is equally applicable to symmetrical and to unsymmetrical systems. There are some disadvantages in the theory, however. Firstly, it is necessary to derive the general phase characteristics of the HOMO and LUMO levels. Hiickel molecular calculations can be used for tliis purpose, but there are available a number of approximate methods, for example the electron-in-a-box model, which are usually satisfactory even if they are more difficult to apply to more complex systems. Nevertheless, frontier orbital analysis is quicker and more simple than the formalized correlation diagram approach, and with a little practice one can intuitively arrive at the correct relative phase relationsliips in the HOMO and LUMO levels. 

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