Theoretical calculations on the cycloreversion of oxetane radical cations

The molecular mechanism for the cycloreversion of oxetane radical cations has been studied at the UB3LYP/6-31G* level. Calculations support that the cycloreversion takes place via a concerted but asynchronous process, where C-C bond breaking at the transition state is more advanced than O-C breaking. This allows a favorable rearrangement of the spin electron density from the oxetane radical cation (with the spin density located mainly on the oxygen atom) to the alkene radical cation which is one of the final products. Inclusion of solvent effects does not modify the gas-phase results.