Pericyclic reactions selection rules, theory

Having described by means of correlation diagrams the nature of forbidden and allowed reactions of two particular pericyclic types, we wish to develop a notation that will permit us to state a generalized selection rule summarizing the conclusions of the pericyclic theory. 

Nevertheless, frontier orbital theory, for all that it works, does not explain why the barrier to forbidden reactions is so high. Perturbation theory uses the sum of all filled-with-filled and filled-with-unfilled interactions (Chapter 3), with the frontier orbitals making only one contribution to this sum. Frontier orbital interactions cannot explain why, whenever it has been measured, the transition structure for the forbidden pathway is as much as 40 kJ mol 1 or more above that for the allowed pathway. Frontier orbital theory is much better at dealing with small differences in reactivity. We shall return later in this chapter to frontier orbital theory to explain the much weaker elements of selectivity, like the effect of substituents on the rates and regioselectivity, and the endo rule, but we must look for something better to explain why pericyclic reactions conform to the Woodward-Hoffmann rules with such dedication. 

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. 

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