Sigmatropic rearrangements photochemically

Double-bond isomerization can also take place in other ways. Nucleophilic allylic rearrangements were discussed in Chapter 10 (p. 421). Electrocyclic and sigmatropic rearrangements are treated at 18-27-18-35. Double-bond migrations have also been accomplished photochemically, and by means of metallic ion (most often complex ions containing Pt, Rh, or Ru) or metal carbonyl catalysts. In the latter case there are at least two possible mechanisms. One of these, which requires external hydrogen, is called the nwtal hydride addition-elimination mechanism ... 

The conjugated diene dienoestrol (65) was irradiated at 254 nm in 90% aqueous methanol. Rotation and cis-trans photoisomerization gave (66) which underwent a photochemical [1, 5]sigmatropic rearrangement to give (67). Photocyclization followed by enol-keto tautomerism then gave the isolated dihydrophenanthrene dione (68) [56]. 

Sandmeyer reaction, 306 Sandwich compoimds, 275 Sawhorse projections, 7 Saytzev elimination, 249, 256 Schiff bases, 221 Schmidt rearrangement, 122 Selectivity, 156, 169, 326 a, 362 a, 370 372 aj,385 a bonds, 6 o complexes, 41,131 Sigmatropic rearrangements, 352-357 antarafacial, 353 carbon shifts, 354 hydrogen shifts, 352 orbital symmetry in, 352 photochemical, 354 suprafadal, 353 thermal, 353... 

A similar analysis of [1,5] sigmatropic rearrangements shows that in this case the thermal reaction must be suprafacial and the photochemical process antarafacial. For the general case, with odd-numbered /, we can say that [1,/] suprafacial migrations are allowed thermally when j is of the form 4n + 1, and photochemically when j has the form An - 1 the opposite is true for antarafacial migrations. 

Thus, as predicted by the orbital symmetry rules, this thermal suprafacial [1,3] sigmatropic reaction took place with complete inversion at C-7. Similar results have been obtained in a number of other cases.426 However, similar studies of the pyrolysis of the parent hydrocarbon of 103, labeled with D at C-6 and C-7, showed that while most of the product was formed with inversion at C-7, a significant fraction (11 to 29%) was formed with retention.427 Other cases of lack of complete inversion are also known.428 A diradical mechanism has been invoked to explain such cases.429 There is strong evidence for a radical mechanism for some [1,3] sigmatropic rearrangements.430 Photochemical suprafacial [1,3] migrations of carbon have been shown to proceed with retention, as predicted.431... 

The question of intermediates in thiophene substitutions may not always be so straightforward as portrayed so far. The sulfur atom itself can be the site of attack by an electrophile, i.e. (14) and also Section 3.13.2.4. One can postulate that selectivity in thiophenes could result from attack of an electrophile, for example a halonium ion, at sulfur followed by 1,5-sigmatropic rearrangement and deprotonation as shown in equation (6). A determination of the relative stabilities of (23) and (17) for different substituents X is needed for assessment of the validity of this possibility. Note that the rearrangement type represented by (23) to (17) is known in a photochemical variant (equation 7) (73TL3929). From ab initio calculations on thiophene it also appears that initial attack of an electrophile on sulfur is the pathway of higher electron density (72MI31302). 

In this primer, Ian Fleming leads you in a more or less continuous narrative from the simple characteristics of pericyclic reactions to a reasonably full appreciation of their stereochemical idiosyncrasies. He introduces pericyclic reactions and divides them into their four classes in Chapter 1. In Chapter 2 he covers the main features of the most important class, cycloadditions—their scope, reactivity, and stereochemistry. In the heart of the book, in Chapter 3, he explains these features, using molecular orbital theory, but without the mathematics. He also introduces there the two Woodward-Hoffmann rules that will enable you to predict the stereochemical outcome for any pericyclic reaction, one rule for thermal reactions and its opposite for photochemical reactions. The remaining chapters use this theoretical framework to show how the rules work with the other three classes—electrocyclic reactions, sigmatropic rearrangements and group transfer reactions. By the end of the book, you will be able to recognize any pericyclic reaction, and predict with confidence whether it is allowed and with what stereochemistry. 

For analysis of the photochemical reaction, the interaction of the hydrogen Is orbital with -tt3 of the allyl system is used. The interaction is bonding at both the migration origin and terminus, so the [ 1,3] sigmatropic rearrangement is photochemically allowed. 

The interaction of the nonbonding MO of one allyl radical with tt3 of the other must have one antibonding interaction, so the photochemical [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement is forbidden. 

Use orbital drawings to show that a [ 1,5] sigmatropic rearrangement is photochemically forbidden. 

Explain whether the sigmatropic rearrangements of problem 22.17 are allowed thermally or photochemically. 

Because they involve two electron pairs, [ 1,3] sigmatropic rearrangements are photochemically allowed and thermally forbidden. An example that occurs upon irradiation is shown in the following equation ... 

Classify these reactions as electrocyclic reactions, [x + y] cycloadditions, or [/,/] sigmatropic rearrangements and explain whether each is allowed thermally or photochemically. 

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