N-isopropenylazoles: III. Quantum-chemical analysis of the reaction of azoles with allene and propyne in the gas phase

Reactions of pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, and 1,2,4-triazole with allene and propyne in the gas phase with formation of the corresponding N-isopropenylazoles were simulated at the RHF/6-31G**, B3LYP/6-31G**, and MP2(full)/6-31G** levels. Dissociation of the N-H bond to give azolate ion is the main constituent of the reaction coordinate. All the examined azoles react preferentially with allene rather than with propyne; their reactivity decreases in the series pyrrole > imidazole > pyrazole > 1,2,4-triazole due to participation of the pyridine type nitrogen atoms in the prototropic propyne-allene rearrangement.