An experimental and computational approach to defining structure/reactivity relationships for intramolecular addition reactions to bicyclic epoxonium ions

J Am Chem Soc. 2007 Jun 27;129(25):7915-23. doi: 10.1021/ja0709674. Epub 2007 Jun 5.

Abstract

In this manuscript we report that oxidative cleavage reactions can be used to form oxocarbenium ions that react with pendent epoxides to form bicyclic epoxonium ions as an entry to the formation of cyclic oligoether compounds. Bicyclic epoxonium ion structure was shown to have a dramatic impact on the ratio of exo- to endo-cyclization reactions, with bicyclo[4.1.0] intermediates showing a strong preference for endo-closures and bicyclo[3.1.0] intermediates showing a preference for exo-closures. Computational studies on the structures and energetics of the transition states using the B3LYP/6-31G(d) method provide substantial insight into the origins of this selectivity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation*
  • Epoxy Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • Epoxy Compounds