Effect of double-hyperconjugation on the apparent donor ability of sigma-bonds: insights from the relative stability of delta-substituted cyclohexyl cations

A combination of electronic, structural, and energetic analyses shows that a somewhat larger intrinsic donor ability of the C-H bonds compared to that of C-C bonds can be overshadowed by cooperative hyperconjugative interactions with participation of remote substituents (double hyperconjugation or through-bond interaction). The importance of double hyperconjugation was investigated computationally using two independent criteria: (a) relative total energies and geometries of two conformers ("hyperconjomers") of delta-substituted cyclohexyl cations (b) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of electronic structure and orbital interactions in these molecules. Both criteria clearly show that the apparent donor ability of C-C bonds can vary over a wide range, and the relative order of donor ability of C-H and C-C bonds can be easily inverted depending on molecular connectivity and environment. In general, relative donor abilities of sigma bonds can be changed by their through-bond communication with remote substituents and by greater polarizability of C-X bonds toward heavier elements. These computational results can be confirmed by experimental studies of conformational equilibrium of delta-substituted cyclohexyl cations.