Theoretical studies of [n]paracyclophanes and their valence isomers

Summary The valence isomerisations of benzene, 6]- and 7]paracyclophane to their Dewar benzene and prismane isomers are studied with the MNDO method using the unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) and the configuration interaction (C.I.) approximations. The enthalpy of the reaction Dewar benzene benzene is H° _r =–68.9 kcal/mol and the activation enthalpy is H°=27.9 kcal/mol (with C.I.). The reaction path hasC _2v symmetry.The determination of several points of the lowest potential energy surface of 6]- and 7]paracyclophanes leads to a minimum reaction path having the same topology as for the potential energy surface of the nonbridged benzene. The only difference is a quantitative change in the energy values of the aromatic isomers due to the deformation introduced by the alkyl chain. For 6]paracyclophane, the activation enthalpy is H°=24.6 kcal/mol and the activation entropy is S ⁰=0.6 cal K^–1 mol^–1 calculated with C.I.The enthalpy of the reaction prismane Dewar benzene is H° _r –32 kcal/mol and the activation enthalpy is H°19 kcal/mol. The highest molecular symmetry group common to both molecules isC _2v , whereas the symmetry group of the reaction path is lowered toC _s . Along this reaction path is located a biradicaloid intermediate, separated by low activation barriers from the products. No significant changes of the potential energy surfaces are found for the bridged n]prismanes and the n]Dewar benzenes.All the calculated values, reaction enthalpies, activation enthalpies and entropies, are in a good agreement with literature experimental data.This article is dedicated to Professor A. Pullman