Comprehensive mechanistic study of ion pair SN2 reactions of lithium isocyanate and methyl halides

The anionic S_N2 reactions NCO^? + CH₃X and ion pair S_N2 reactions LiNCO + CH₃X (X = F, Cl, Br, and I) at saturated carbon with inversion and retention mechanisms were investigated at the level of MP2/6‐311+G(d,p). There are two possible reaction pathways in the anionic S_N2 reactions, but eight in the ion pair S_N2 reactions. Calculated results suggest that the previously reported T‐shaped isomer of lithium isocyanate does not exist. All the retention pathways are not favorable based on the analysis of transition structures. Two possible competitive reaction pathways proceed via two six‐member ring inversion transition structures. It is found that there are two steps in the most favorable pathway, in which less stable lithium cyanate should be formed through the isomerization of lithium isocyanate and nucleophilic site (N) subsequently attacks methyl halides from the backside. The thermodynamically and kinetically favorable methyl isocyanate is predicted as major product both in the gas phase anionic and the ion pair S_N2 reactions. In addition, good correlations between the overall barriers relative to separated reactants, ΔH , with geometrical looseness parameter %L^≠ and the heterolytic cleavage energies of the C? X and Li? N (or Li? O) bonds are observed for the anionic and ion pair S_N2 reactions. The trend of variation of the overall barriers predicts the leaving ability of X increase in the order: F < Cl < Br < I. The polarized continuum model (PCM) has been used to evaluate the solvent effects on the two inversion pathways with six‐member transition structures for the reactions of LiNCO + CH₃X. The calculations in solution indicate that solvent effects will retard the rate of reactions and the predicted product, methyl isocyanate, is same as the one in the gas phase. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006