Mechanism of 1,2-shift through π-complex transition state

A systematic calculation of the potential curves or surfaces for 1,2-shift has been realized by using MNDO or other models in MOPAC programs. By referring to the previous authors' viewpoints, the 1,2-shift can be divided into two categories. 1,2-electron-deficient shift is that the electronic configuration of the atom which accepts the migrating group is a cation or an electron-deficient atom, and 1,2-anion shift is the one that the accepted atom of the migration group is a negative ion. In terms of the experimental facts and the calculation of the potential surfaces, in electron-deficient shift such as Beckmann or Baeyer-Villiger rearrangement, the migration occurs through a transition complex formed between the 7i-bond and the cation or electron-deficient migrating group, but in anion shift such as Wittig or Stevens rearrangement, the electron pair in it-orbit excites at first to π* orbit, and then the migration occurs through the new formed complex between the anion migration group and the vacant rc