A theoretical investigation on the regioselectivity of the [3+2] cycloaddition of nitrile oxide and N-vinylpyrrole

Theoretical calculations were performed on the 3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction of nitrile oxide and N-vinylpyrrole. The regiochemistry of the reaction has been studied based on potential energy surface analysis and global and local reactivity indices of the reactants. The global electron density transfer (GEDT) calculations at the possible transition states revealed that this cycloaddition has a nearly non-polar character. The ELF topological analyses of the selected structures involved in the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) of TS1a suggests that this 32CA reaction takes place through a two-stage one-step mechanism.