Woodward-Hoffmann transition states

The structures of the intriguing dications 156 and 158 were also computed by DFT calculations. The C NMR chemical shifts were also calculated using both GIAO and IGLO methods. Both dications 156 and 158 can also be characterized as 4c/2e a-bishomoaromatic rectangular cyclobutane dications as well as frozen Woodward Hoffmann transition state analogs. 

SO2CIF (eq 28). In these systems, separation of the two cation centers by at least two methylene groups is necessary for the ions to be observable. Aromatic dications are usually prepared by oxidizing the corresponding aromatic compounds with SbFs (eq 29). In the case of pagodane containing a planar cyclobutane ring, oxidation leads to the formation of cyclobutane dication which was characterized as a frozen two-electron Woodward-Hoffmann transition state model (eq 30). ... 

What do molecular orbitals and their nodes have to do with pericyclic reactions The answer is, everything. According to a series of rules formulated in the mid-1960s by JR. B. Woodward and Roald Hoffmann, a pericyclic reaction can take place only if the symmetries of the reactant MOs are the same as the symmetries of the product MOs. In other words, the lobes of reactant MOs must be of the correct algebraic sign for bonding to occur in the transition state leading to product. 

Preference for the chair transition state is a consequence of orbital-symmetry relationships Hoffmann, R. Woodward, R.B. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1965, 87, 4389 Fukui, K. Fujimoto, H. Tetrahedron Lett, 1966, 251. 

Theoretical considerations in the same fashion enable predication of the possible configuration of the transition state. Eq. (3.25 b) for the multicentre interaction is utilized. Hoffmann and Woodward 136> used such methods to explain the endo-exo selectivity of the Diels-Alder reaction (Fig. 7.28). The maximum overlapping criteria of the Alder rule is in this case valid. The prevalence of the endo-addition is experimentally known 137>. 

The aromatic-antiaromatic transition state rules are. another formulation of the Woodward-Hoffmann type rules (Table 8.3). 

In 1969 R.B. Woodward and R. Hoffmann developed a general theory of concerted reactions which proceed through a cyclic transition state process which they turned pericyclic. They used the concept of orbital symmetry to predict which types of cyclic transition state are energetically feasible. 

Variations to the cis addition have been found in the transtition state in some cases and a mixture of products has been reported. Two possible stereochemical variations have been reported because of endo and exo addition. Thus in the dimerisation of butadiene Hoffmann and Woodward have shown that besides the primary orbital interactions between C, and C4 of the diene and Cj and C2 of the dienophile, there are also secondary interactions (shown by dotted lines and also called endo addition) between C-2 of the dieno and C-3 of the dienophile. Such orientations are only possible in endo orientation and this will stabilize the transition state. 

In the transition state a boat like structure appears and there will be a suprafacial cis addition to the termini of the n bond. The ene reaction does not have a symmetrical transition state and it is a thermally allowed concerted reaction. Its transition state involves a suprafacial interaction of six electrons (4 from the k bonds and two from the o bond) So it is a Huckel system and transition state is aromatic. In the terminatlogy of Woodward and Hoffmann it can be regarded as o2s + n2s + 7t2s reaction. 

Cycloadditions of ketenes and alkenes have been shown to have synthetic utility for the preparation of cyclobutanones.101 The stereoselectivity of ketene-alkene cycloaddition can be analyzed in terms of the Woodward-Hoffmann rules.102 To be an allowed process, the [2n + 2n] cycloaddition must be suprafacial in one component and antarafacial in the other. An alternative description of the transition state is a [2ns + (2ns + 2ns)] addition.103 Figure 6.6 illustrates these transition states. The ketene, utilizing its low-lying LUMO, is the antarafacial component and interacts with the HOMO of the alkene. The stereoselectivity of ketene cycloadditions can be rationalized in terms of steric effects in this transition state. Minimization of interaction between the substituents R and R leads to a cyclobutanone in which these substituents are cis. This is the... 

The concerted mechanism is allowed by the Woodward-Hoffmann rules. The transition state involves the n electrons of the alkene and enophile and the cr electrons of the C—H bond. 

The formation of alicyclics by electrocyclic and cycloaddition reactions (Section 9.4) proceeds by one-step cyclic transition states having little or no ionic or free-radical character. Such pericyclic (ring closure) reactions are interpreted by the Woodward-Hoffmann rules in the reactions, the new a bonds of the ring are formed from the head-to-head overlap of p orbitals of the unsaturated reactants. 

The novel four-center two-electron delocalized o-bishomoaromatic species 593, 594,599,601a, and 603 are representatives of a new class of 2jt-aromatic pericyclic systems. These may be considered as the transition state of the Woodward-Hoffmann allowed cycloaddition of ethylene to ethylene dication or dimerization of two ethylene radical cations985 (Figure 3.25, 604). Delocalization takes place among the orbitals in the plane of the conjugated system, which is in sharp contrast to cyclobutadiene dication 605 having a conventional p-type delocalized electron structure (Figure 3.25). 

The Diels-Alder reaction is a concerted reaction in which four re-electrons from the diene and two re-electrons from the dienophile participate in the transition state. The Woodward-Hoffmann Rules provide a theoretical framework for these reactions.24 They suggest that those reactions are thermally allowed which have 4n + 2 pericyclic electrons, i.e. 6, 10, 14, etc. The Diels-Alder reaction is an example where n = 1, i.e. (4 + 2) re-electrons. 

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