DFT study on the molecular mechanism of the [4 + 2] cycloaddition between thiobenzophenone and arylalkenes via radical cations

The mechanistic aspects of the radical cationic version of the [4 + 2] cycloaddition between thiobenzophenone 1 and three aryl-substituted alkenes 2a-c have been studied using DFT methods at the UB3LYP/6-31G level of theory. In the ground state, the Diels-Alder reaction follows an asynchronous conce...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Heredia, Luis Domingo, Pérez-Ruiz, Raul, Argüello, Juan Elias, Miranda, Hernán Miguel
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2009
Country:Argentina
Institution:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
Repository:CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/82615
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11336/82615
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Dft
Ion-Molecule Complex
Radical Cation
Reactivity
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.4
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
Description
Summary:The mechanistic aspects of the radical cationic version of the [4 + 2] cycloaddition between thiobenzophenone 1 and three aryl-substituted alkenes 2a-c have been studied using DFT methods at the UB3LYP/6-31G level of theory. In the ground state, the Diels-Alder reaction follows an asynchronous concerted mechanism; the large activation energy associated with bond formation prevents this process. After generation of the radical cation (RC), formation of a molecular complex (MC) between 1 and 2a-c initiates a stepwise mechanism, with attack of the sulfur atom of 1 to the aryl-conjugated position of 2a-c. Subsequent ring closure is the rate-determining step of these cycloadditions. Methoxy or dimethylamino substitution at the aryl group, while stabilizing the corresponding RC, results in a less exothermic formation of MC and a significant increase of the cycloaddition barrier.