| Abstract: | The analysis of electrophilicity indexes and the results of potential energy surface (PES) simulations for the reaction pathways proved that the 2 + 3] cycloadditions of nitroallylic systems with nitrones should be considered nonpolar reactions. Our simulations proved that the reactions always proceed via a one‐step mechanism through a prereaction complex. Although the symmetry of respective transition states is quite varied, their polarity is low and does not change when a polar medium is introduced to the reaction environment. When the polarity of the reaction medium increases, the kinetic pathway preference does not change. The regiochemistry of the cycloadditions tested may, however, be controlled to some extent by steric effects. |
