Transition states isomer

At any geometry g.], the gradient vector having components d EjJd Q. provides the forces (F. = -d Ej l d 2.) along each of the coordinates Q-. These forces are used in molecular dynamics simulations which solve the Newton F = ma equations and in molecular mechanics studies which are aimed at locating those geometries where the F vector vanishes (i.e. tire stable isomers and transition states discussed above). 

Figure 39. Benzene to benzvalene reaction, (a) Assuming that the prebenzvalene structure is a transition state. The two benzvalene isomers are anchors, (b) Assuming that prebenzvalene is an intermediate, A two-anchor loop results, compare Figure 12.

Under the usual conditions their ratio is kinetically controlled. Alder and Stein already discerned that there usually exists a preference for formation of the endo isomer (formulated as a tendency of maximum accumulation of unsaturation, the Alder-Stein rule). Indeed, there are only very few examples of Diels-Alder reactions where the exo isomer is the major product. The interactions underlying this behaviour have been subject of intensive research. Since the reactions leadirig to endo and exo product share the same initial state, the differences between the respective transition-state energies fully account for the observed selectivity. These differences are typically in the range of 10-15 kJ per mole. ... 

In acid solution, the other regio isomer would be formed because the transition state (163A) has a partial positive change on carbon stabilised by R ... 

Although both stereoisomers yield 4 tert butylcyclohexene as the only alkene they do so at quite different rates The cis isomer reacts over 500 times faster than the trans The difference in reaction rate results from different degrees of rr bond develop ment in the E2 transition state Since rr overlap of p orbitals requires their axes to be parallel rr bond formation is best achieved when the four atoms of the H—C—C—X unit he in the same plane at the transition state The two conformations that permit this are termed syn coplanar and anti coplanar... 

Mass transport selectivity is Ulustrated by a process for disproportionation of toluene catalyzed by HZSM-5 (86). The desired product is -xylene the other isomers are less valuable. The ortho and meta isomers are bulkier than the para isomer and diffuse less readily in the zeoHte pores. This transport restriction favors their conversion to the desired product in the catalyst pores the desired para isomer is formed in excess of the equUibrium concentration. Xylene isomerization is another reaction catalyzed by HZSM-5, and the catalyst is preferred because of restricted transition state selectivity (86). An undesired side reaction, the xylene disproportionation to give toluene and trimethylbenzenes, is suppressed because it is bimolecular and the bulky transition state caimot readily form. 

Manufacture. Cinnamaldehyde is routinely produced by the base-cataly2ed aldol addition of ben2aldehyde /7(9(9-with acetaldehyde [75-07-0], a procedure which was first estabUshed in the nineteenth century (31). Formation of the (H)-isomer is favored by the transition-state geometry associated with the elimination of water from the intermediate. The commercial process is carried out in the presence of a dilute sodium hydroxide solution (ca 0.5—2.0%) with at least two equivalents of ben2aldehyde and slow addition of the acetaldehyde over the reaction period (32). 

We have previously seen (Scheme 2.9, enby 6), that the dehydrohalogenation of alkyl halides is a stereospecific reaction involving an anti orientation of the proton and the halide leaving group in the transition state. The elimination reaction is also moderately stereoselective (Scheme 2.10, enby 1) in the sense that the more stable of the two alkene isomers is formed preferentially. Both isomers are formed by anti elimination processes, but these processes involve stereochemically distinct hydrogens. Base-catalyzed elimination of 2-iodobutane affords three times as much -2-butene as Z-2-butene. 

Because the product composition is kinetically controlled, the isomer ratio will be governed by the relative magnitudes of AG, AGI, and AG, the energies of activation for the ortho, meta, and para transition states, respectively. In Fig. 4.7 a qualitative comparison of these AG values is made. At the transition state, a positive charge is present on the benzene ring, primarily at positions 2, 4, and 6 in relation to the entering bromine. 

In the case of nitrobenzene, the electron-withdrawing nitro group is not able to stabilize the positive charge in the complex intermediate. In fact, it strongly destabilizes die intermediate. This destabilization is greatest in the o- and />-intermediates, which place positive charge on the nitrosubstituted caibon. The meta transition state is also destabilized relative to that for benzene, but not as much as the ortho and para transition states. As a result, nitrobenzene is less reactive than benzene, and the product is mainly the meta isomer. 

These reactions will be discussed in more detail under the topic of 3,3-sigmatropic rearrangements in Chapter 11. For the present we simply want to focus on the fact that the reaction is stereospecific-, the -isomer gives one diastereomeric product whereas the related Z-isomer gives a different one. The stereochemical relationship between reactants and products can be explained if the reaction occurs through a chairlike transition state in... 

Let us now return to the question of solvolysis and how it relates to the stracture under stable-ion conditions. To relate the structural data to solvolysis conditions, the primary issues that must be considered are the extent of solvent participation in the transition state and the nature of solvation of the cationic intermediate. The extent of solvent participation has been probed by comparison of solvolysis characteristics in trifluoroacetic acid with the solvolysis in acetic acid. The exo endo reactivity ratio in trifluoroacetic acid is 1120 1, compared to 280 1 in acetic acid. Whereas the endo isomer shows solvent sensitivity typical of normal secondary tosylates, the exx> isomer reveals a reduced sensitivity. This indicates that the transition state for solvolysis of the exo isomer possesses a greater degree of charge dispersal, which would be consistent with a bridged structure. This fact, along with the rate enhancement of the exo isomer, indicates that the c participation commences prior to the transition state being attained, so that it can be concluded that bridging is a characteristic of the solvolysis intermediate, as well as of the stable-ion structure. ... 

Another line of evidence that bridging is important in the transition state for solvolysis has to do with substituent effects for groups placed at C-4, C-5, C-6, and C-7 on the norbomyl system. The solvolysis rate is most strongly affected by C-6 substituents, and the exo isomer is more sensitive to these substituents than is the endo isomer. This implies that the transition state for solvolysis is especially sensitive to C-6 substituents, as would be ejqiected if the C(l)—C(6) bond participates in solvolysis. ... 

The regioselectivity of 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions can also be analyzed by MO calculations on transition-state models. For example, there are two possible regioisomers from the reaction of diazomethane and methyl vinyl ether, but only the 3-methoxy isomer is formed. 

Regioselectivity in opening of a-functionalized epoxides by treatment with trimethylamine dihydrofluoride has been observed. Thus, cw-isophorol epoxide gives exclusively 3-fluoro-l,2-diol, whereas from the trans isomer, 2-fluoro-l,3-diol is obtained as the main product together with 3-methylenecyclohexane-l,2-diol. This behavior has been discussed m terms of the influence of a-substituents on the transition state conformations [7 J] (equations 11 and 12). 

The formation of the less favored trisubstituted isomer (37) occurs by the usual intramolecular axial proton transfer from the 6 position, whereas that of the tetrasubstituted isomer (38) involves the intramolecular proton transfer of the stereoelectronically less favored equatorial proton either via a four-membered transition state (39) or a six-membered transition state (40). 

Risaliti et al. (2J) have also studied the addition of 2-nitropropene, which also lacks any substituent at the electrophilic carbon atom, to the morpholine enamine of cyclohexanone. The product, as expected, was the tetrasubstituted isomer, the formation of which may be envisioned via the transition state (42). 

The most general method for synthesis of cyclic enamines is the oxidation of tertiary amines with mercuric acetate, which has been investigated primarily by Leonard 111-116) and applied in numerous examples of structural investigation and in syntheses of alkaloids 102,117-121). The requirement of a tram-coplanar arrangement of an a proton and mercury complexed on nitrogen, in the optimum transition state, confers valuable selectivity to the reaction. It may thus be used as a kinetic probe for stereochemistry as well as for the formation of specific enamine isomers. 

Examples from preparative chemistry indicate the possible occurrence of special alpha-e ects in several other cases. The different reaction of 2- and 4-ethoxy quinolines with a thiol yielding carbostyril and a 4-arylthio derivative, respectively, may indicate the intervention of structures such as 17 in the transition state of the 2-isomer. 

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