Photoelectron spectra of organic compounds—VI : Exocyclic methylene compounds

The photoelectron spectra of methylene and dimethylene derivatives of bridged and unbridged cyclohexane and cyclohexene were recorded and interpreted on the basis of an LCBO model. The conjugative interaction is found to be appreciably smaller for exocyclic cis-dienes than for the corresponding endocyclic cis-dienes, whereas the homoconjugative interaction between exocyclic and endocyclic double bonds and between two endocyclic double bonds is about the same.     

Tethered dithiacyclopropenones. syntheses and structural properties of tetrathiacyclopropenonophanes

The reaction of the cyclic tetrathiadiynes 4(m.n) (where m and n indicate the number of methylene groups between the dithiaacetylene units) with sodium trichloroacetate and subsequent hydrolysis of the gem-dichlorocyclopropenes afforded the mono- and biscyclopropenone derivatives 5(m.n) and 6(m.n) in moderate yields. Investigation of the X-ray crystal structures revealed small torsion angles between the CH(2)-S bond and the C-C double bond, indicating conjugation between the sulfur 3p lone pair and the cyclopropenone ring. The maintenance of the conjugation determines the secondary structure of both (5, 6) ring systems.     

13C chemical shifts of the β olefinic carbon in some heterocyclic vinyl ethers as a measure of p-π conjugation

¹³C NMR spectra of 5- and 6-membered heterocyclic vinyl ethers containing an endocyclic or exocyclic CC bond have been determined and the chemical shift of the β carbon of the vinyl group has been used as a measure of the extent of p-π conjugation in the vinyloxy system. The results show that in the 6-membered heterocyclic vinyl ethers with an exocyclic double bond, such as 2-methylenetetrahydropyran, p-π conjugation is essentially weaker than in the corresponding 5-membered heterocycles, such as 2- methylenetetrahydrofuran. In the respective endocyclic isomers, the difference in the extent of conjugation is considerably smaller, although the same relative order still applies. The spatial structures of these compounds are discussed on the basis of these findings.     

Recognition and assignment of meso and dl diastereomers: Dimethyl α,α′-Dibromopimelate and N-benzyl-2,6-dicarbomethoxypiperidine

The assignment of meso and dl diastereomers is carried out by NMR analysis of the signals due to the methylene protons in two simple cases, namely, dimethyl α,α′-dibromopimelate (as an acyclic compound) and N-benzyl-2,6-dicarbomethoxypiperidine (as a cyclic compound). In the case of the heterocyclic compound, an nσσ* hyperconjugative interaction between the CH bond α to the heteroatom and the lone pair of the heteroatom can be used, and leads to the same assignment.     

Adjacent Lone Pair (ALP) Effect: A Computational Approach for Its Origin

The adjacent lone pair (ALP) effect is an experimental phenomenon in certain nitrogenous heterocyclic systems exhibiting the preference of the products with lone pairs separated over other isomers with lone pairs adjacent. A theoretical elucidation of the ALP effect requires the decomposition of intramolecular energy terms and the isolation of lone pair–lone pair interactions. Here we used the block‐localized wavefunction (BLW) method within the ab initio valence bond (VB) theory to derive the strictly localized orbitals which are used to accommodate one‐atom centered lone pairs and two‐atom centered σ or π bonds. As such, interactions among electron pairs can be directly derived. Two‐electron integrals between adjacent lone pairs do not support the view that the lone pair–lone pair repulsion is responsible for the ALP effect. Instead, the disabling of π conjugation greatly diminishes the ALP effect, indicating that the reduction of π conjugation in deprotonated forms with two σ lone pairs adjacent is one of the major causes for the ALP effect. Further electrostatic potential analysis and intramolecular energy decomposition confirm that the other key factor is the favorable electrostatic attraction within the isomers with lone pairs separated.     

Generalized anomeric interpretation of the "high-energy" N-P bond in N-methyl-N'-phosphorylguanidine: importance of reinforcing stereoelectronic effects in "high-energy" phosphoester bonds

Electronic structure calculations have been performed on a model N-phosphorylguanidine, or phosphagen, to understand the stereoelectronic factors contributing to the lability of the "high-energy" N-P bond. The lability of the N-P bond is central to the physiological role of phosphagens involving phosphoryl transfer reactions important in cellular energy buffering and metabolism. Eight protonated forms of N-methyl-N'-phosphorylguanidine have been energy minimized at levels of theory ranging up to B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and MP2/6-311++G(d,p) to investigate the correlation between protonation state and N-P bond length. Selected forms have also been minimized using the CCSD/6-311++G(d,p) and QCISD/6-311++G(d,p) levels of theory. Bulk solvation energies using the polarized continuum model (PCM) with B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) test the influence of the surroundings on computed structures and energies. The N-P bond length depends on the overall protonation state where increased protonation at the phosphoryl group or deprotonation at the unsubstituted N' nitrogen results in shorter, stronger N-P bonds. Natural bond orbital analysis shows that the protonation state affects the N-P bond length by altering the magnitude of stabilizing n(O) --> sigma*(N-P) stereoelectronic interactions and to a lesser extent the sigma(N-P) --> sigma*(C-N') and sigma(N-P) --> sigma*(C-N) interactions. The computations do not provide evidence of a competition between the phosphoryl and guanidinium groups for the same lone pair on the bridging nitrogen, as previously suggested by opposing resonance theory. The computed n(O) --> sigma*(N-P) anomeric effect provides a novel explanation of "high-energy" N-P bond lability. This offers new mechanistic insight into phosphoryl transfer reactions involving both phosphagens and other biochemically important "high-energy" phosphoester bonds.     

Effect of benzannelation on the conformational flexibility of the rings in oxo, imino, and methylene derivatives of cyclohexa-1,4-diene

The effect of benzannelation on the equilibrium conformation and flexibility of the dihydrocycle in cyclohexa-1,4-dienone,para-quinone, and their imino and methylene analogs was studied by the semiempirical quantum-chemical AM1 method. The equilibrium conformations of the carbonyl derivatives are planar. In the imino- and methylene-substituted analogs, the dihydrocycle adopts a boat conformation due to repulsions between substituted analogs, the dihydrocycle adopts a boat conformation due to repulsions between the hydrogen atoms at the exocyclic double bond and in theperi positions of the benzene rings. Annelation of cyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-one andpara-quinone with benzene rings at the C=C double bonds causes an increase in the conformational flexibility of the partially hydrogenated ring owing to an increase in the bending strain in the first compound and a decrease in the conjugation between the carbonyl groups and the remaining part of the molecule in the second compound. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 388–390, March, 1998.     

Geminal interaction and “anomeric effect”

Quantum-chemical calculations by the methods of RHF/6-31G(d) and MP2/6-31+G(d) show equal ratio of the lengths of axial and equatorial bonds and electron density on the atoms forming them in cyclohexane and its mono derivatives and in six-membered heterocyclic molecules as well. This feature is due to the interaction of atoms in the chair form of these molecules regardless of the presence in them of a heteroatom. Introducing heteroatom to a cyclohexane ring leads only to increase in the difference between axial and equatorial bonds. This equation excludes the possibility to ascribe the elongation of axial bonds and increase in the electron density on atoms forming them in the heterocyclic molecules to the p,σ*-conjugation of the lone electron pair of the ring heteroatom with the antibonding orbital of the axial bond. Features of molecular geometry defined by the mutual influence of atoms in them, including inductive and non-inductive interaction of geminal atoms in triatomic groups Y-Z-M, result in energetic preference of gauche conformations of these molecules and “anomeric effect” in them.     

Heterocyclic analogues of cyclohexene: theoretical studies of the molecular structures and ring-inversion processes

The equilibrium geometry, ring-inversion barrier, and pathway for heterocyclic analogues of cyclohexene have been studied using the MP2/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. It is concluded that the replacement of one methylene group in cyclohexene by heteroatom results in significant changes in the character of the potential-energy surface in comparison with cyclohexene. The equilibrium conformation of ring strongly depends on the position of the heteroatom due to the existence of the n-pi conjugation. However, the character of the ring-inversion process is determined by the nature of the heteroatom. In the case of sulfur- and selenium-containing rings, the boat or twist-boat conformation corresponds to an additional minimum on the potential-energy surface. Moreover, the barriers of the conformational transition from this conformer to two different half-chair forms are significantly different. Nitrogen-containing heterocycles possess two pairs of minima corresponding to the different configurations of the nitrogen atom. However, the transition between the two minima with the same configuration of the heteroatom proceeds only in two steps that include ring inversion and nitrogen inversion.     

Theoretical study of geometry and nucleophilicity of the exocyclic methylene in five-membered ring cyclic ketene acetals,neutral and protonated,containing pnictogen and chalcogen heteroatoms

A series of neutral and protonated five-membered ring cyclic ketene acetals have been examined computationally for any trends in nucleophilicity in the exocyclic methylene and for their ground state geometries. A total of 58 different species were examined, 29 neutral molecules and the corresponding 29 protonated species. The heteroatoms that were used in the heterocyclic ring were a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and arsenic from the pnictogen family and oxygen, sulfur, and selenium from the chalcogen family. All geometries were initially optimized at using density functional theory and all stationary points were confirmed to be either minima or transition states through vibrational analysis. All the geometries were consequentially optimized using Møller–Plesset second order perturbation theory with a polarized triple zeta basis set. The main focus of the study was the nucleophilicity of the exocyclic methylene carbon atom and its dependence on heteroatom substitution. As probes for nucleophilicity, the proton affinities of the neutral species, the bond lengths of the exocyclic double bond, and atomic charges were used. The study also resulted in some interesting molecular geometries.     

On the electronic structure of CNCl and NOCl

The ionization potentials and relative X-ray intensities were calculated for CNCl and NOCl by means of an ab initio LCAO SCF program. The data obtained are compared with the Cl Kβ spectra which were recorded using a high-resolution curved crystal spectrograph. The agreement between theory and experiment is satisfactory and allows for a reliable assignment of the prominent spectral features to the corresponding molecular X-ray transitions. A strong conjugation of the Cl lone pair electrons with the π bonds of the CN group has been found for CNCl. In the case of NOCl a corresponding conjugation of the Cl lone pair electrons with the double bonds of the NO group is absent.     

Inapplicability of the Antiperiplanar Lone Pair Hypothesis to C-P Bond Breaking and Formation in Some S-C-P(+) Systems

Both C(2)-P bond breaking and formation in the S-C-P(+) system do not occur according to the antiperiplanar lone pair hypothesis. Experiments using 2-phosphonio derivatives of 5-tert-butyl-1,3-dithiane and cis-4,6-dimethyl-1,3-dithiane are against the participation of higher-energy boat conformers as reactive intermediates. The results obtained support a possibility of conformational adjustment in the course of the reaction. Stereoelectronic control of the C(2)-P bond breaking and formation results from interplay of several factors. The role of the n(S)-sigma(C(2))(-)(P) and sigma(C(4,6))(-)(S)-sigma(C(2))(-)(P) hyperconjugation, as well as of the repulsive interactions between lone electron pairs pi(S) of endocyclic sulfur atoms and pi-electrons of the phenyl ring(s) connected with phosphorus, is discussed.     

Hybrid [5]Radialenes with Bispyrroloheteroles: New Electron‐Donating Units

Bispyrroloheteroles have been synthesized to address their intrinsic structural, optical, and electrochemical properties. The X‐ray crystal structures and calculated natural bond orbital (NBO) bond orders unambiguously demonstrated the existence of a two pyrrole‐fused five‐membered ring with short exocyclic C?C double bonds and long endocyclic C?C single bonds, supporting that the bispyrroloheteroles are rare examples of structurally characterized hybrid [5]radialenes. The bispyrroloheteroles were found to act as an electron‐donating unit, which would be fascinating for the rational design of new charge‐transporting and donor–acceptor photovoltaic materials as well as versatile charge‐transfer complexes.     

Ruthenium-catalyzed cycloaddition of 1,6-diynes and nitriles under mild conditions: role of the coordinating group of nitriles

In the presence of a catalytic amount of [Cp*RuCl(cod)] (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene), 1,6-diynes were allowed to react chemo- and regioselectively with nitriles bearing a coordinating group, such as dicyanides or alpha-halonitriles, at ambient temperature to afford bicyclic pyridines. Careful screening of nitrile components revealed that a C[triple chemical bond]C triple bond or heteroatom substituents, such as methoxy and methylthio groups, proved to act as the coordinating groups, whereas C==C or C==O double bonds and amino groups failed to promote cycloaddition. This suggests that coordinating groups with multiple pi-bonds or lone pairs are essential for the nitrile components.     

Anomeric effects in the symmetrical and asymmetrical structures of triethylamine. Blue-shifts of the C-h stretching vibrations in complexed and protonated triethylamine

Quantum mechanical calculations using density functional theory with the hybrid B3LYP functional and the 6-31++G(d,p) basis set are performed on isolated triethylamine (TEA), its hydrogen-bond complex with phenol, and protonated TEA. The calculations include the optimized geometries and the results of a natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis (occupation of sigma* orbitals, hyperconjugative energies, and atomic charges). The harmonic frequencies of the C-H stretching vibrations of TEA are predicted at the same level of theory. Two stable structures are found for isolated TEA. In the most stable symmetrical structure (TEA-S), the three C-C bond lengths are equal and one of the C-H bond of each of the three CH2 groups is more elongated than the three other ones. In the asymmetrical structure (TEA-AS), one of the C-C bonds and two C-H bonds of two different CH2 groups are more elongated than the other ones. These structures result from the hyperconjugation of the N lone pair to the considered sigma*(C-H) orbitals (TEA-S) or to the sigma*(C-C) and sigma*(C-H) orbitals of the CH2 groups (TEA-AS). The formation of a OH...N hydrogen bond with phenol results in a decrease of the hyperconjugation, a contraction of the C-H bonds, and blue-shifts of 28-33 cm-1 (TEA-S) or 40-48 cm-1 (TEA-AS) of the nus(CH2) vibrations. The nu(CH3) vibrations are found to shift to a lesser extent. Cancellation of the lone pair reorganization in protonated TEA-S and TEA-AS results in large blue-shifts of the nu(CH2) vibrations, between 170 and 190 cm-1. Most importantly, in contrast with the blue-shifting hydrogen bonds involving C-H groups, the blue-shifts occurring at C-H groups not participating in hydrogen bond formation is mainly due to a reduction of the hyperconjugation and the resulting decrease in the occupation of the corresponding sigma*(C-H) orbitals. A linear correlation is established between the C-H distances and the occupation of the corresponding sigma*(C-H) orbitals in the CH2 groups.     

Blue shifts of the C-H stretching vibrations in hydrogen-bonded and protonated trimethylamine. Effect of hyperconjugation on bond properties

The optimized geometry of isolated trimethylamine (TMA), its hydrogen bond complexes with phenol derivatives and protonated TMA is calculated at the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level. A natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis on these systems is carried out at the same level of theory. In isolated TMA, one of the C-H bond in each of the three CH(3) groups is more elongated than the two other ones. As revealed by the NBO data, this results from a hyperconjugative interaction from the N lone pair to the sigma*(C-H) orbitals of the C-H bonds being in a transoid position with respect to the N lone pair. The formation of an intermolecular OH...N hydrogen bond with phenols results in a decrease of the lone pair effect. A linear correlation is found between the decrease in occupation of the sigma*(C-H) orbitals and the decrease in the hyperconjugative interaction energy in the complexes and isolated TMA. Complex formation with phenols results in a blue shift of 55-74 cm(-1) of the C-H stretching vibrations involved in the lone pair effect. Smaller blue shifts between 14 and 23 cm(-1) are predicted for the other C-H bonds. In these complexes, a linear correlation is found between the frequency shifts and the elongation of the C-H bonds. Protonation of TMA results in a nearly equalization of all the C-H distances and a blue shift of 180 cm(-1) of the C-H bonds involved in hyperconjugation with the N lone pair.     

Alkenyl selenols and selenocyanates: synthesis, spectroscopic characterization by photoelectron spectroscopy, and quantum chemical study

Vinyl, allyl, and homoallyl selenols were easily prepared by a chemoselective reduction of the corresponding selenocyanates with aluminum hydrides. Two stable vinyl and five stable allyl conformers of both series were predicted on the potential-energy surface. The interaction of SeH or SeCN groups with the vinyl group has been investigated with UV photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations, using the MP2/cc-pVTZ and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels. In the vinyl derivatives, a surprisingly strong direct conjugation of the selenium lone electron pair and the C=C double bond was observed. On the other hand, in allyl position the selenium lone pair is independent on the C=C double bond, and the hyperconjugation between the Se-C bond and the double bond is the ruling effect. Thus is clarified the type and extent of the interaction between the SeH or SeCN group and the unsaturated moiety.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Ring Expansion of Alkynyl Heterocycles through 1,2‐Migration of an Endocyclic Carbon–Heteroatom Bond

A mild and efficient gold‐catalyzed oxidative ring‐expansion of a series of alkynyl heterocycles using pyridine‐N‐oxide as the oxidant has been developed, which affords highly valuable six‐ or seven‐membered heterocycles with wide functional group toleration. The reaction consists of a regioselective oxidation and a chemoselective migration of an endocyclic carbon–heteroatom bond (favored over C?H migration) with the order of migratory aptitude for carbon–heteroatom bonds being C?S>C?N>C?O. In the absence of an oxidant, polycyclic products are readily constructed through a ring‐expansion/Nazarov cyclization reaction sequence.     

Migration of the exocyclic double bond in terpenoid coumarins of the iresane series

In terpenoid coumarins of the iresane series with an exocyclic double bond, migration of the double bond into the ring with the retention of the configuration of the substituent in position 1 is observed in an acid medium. The reaction has been performed in CF₃COOH and has been monitored by the PMR method. Badrakemin has yielded conferol, badrakemone has yielded conferone, badrakemin acetate has yielded conferol acetate, colladonin has yielded moschatol, and farnesiferol A and gummosin have yielded the corresponding isomers with endocyclic double bonds. The rate of the reaction is affected by the nature of the substituent at C-6. The presence of a keto group increases the time of isomerization to 1.5 h as compared with the 5–10 min for compounds with an OH group at C-6. The increase in the time of the reaction leads to the formation of byproducts. The reaction does not take place in CH₃COOH.     

Electron depleted bis(methylene)cyclobutenes: sulfinyl and sulfonyl substitution

Double [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangements of bis(propargyl sulfenates) to bis(allenic sulfoxides) and of bis(propargyl sulfinates) to bis(allenic sulfones) are shown to be a convenient and effective method for the preparation of conjugated diallene systems bearing two electron withdrawing trihalomethyl sulfoxide or sulfone substituents either on C-1 and C-6, or on C-3 and C-4. Such substituents are further shown to facilitate cyclization to bis(methylene)cyclobutenes, and to stabilize the latter. The electron withdrawing group substitution on the exocyclic methylene extremities proved more effective than similar substitution on the endocyclic double bond.