Structures,stabilities, and energies of isomerization of α-cyano and α-isocyano carbanions

Ab initio STO -3G calculations show that α-cyano- and α-isocyano-substitution on carbanions produce a significant approximately equal stabilization of these charged species. Evidence is presented which suggests that the mechanism of such stabilization is qualitatively different for the cyano and isocyano substituents. The former appears to act through an electron delocalization process while the latter may operate by an inductive effect.