Evidence suggesting the occurrence of [2+3] cycloaddition products in the ion/molecule reactions of suitably substituted allyl cations and olefins

The ion/molecule reactions of allyl cations and 2-methoxyallyl cations with vinyl methyl ether, 1-chloro-2-ethoxyethene and 1,2-dimethoxyethene are discussed in terms of 2+3] cycloaddition reactions. Deuterium labelling of the cations has been used for the study of the reaction mechanisms. The appearance of various product ions in these ion/molecule reactions lead to the suggestion that in reactions of allyl cations with alkenes non-cyclic C₅H₅]⁺ product ions are formed preferentially, but that in reactions of 2-methoxyallyl cations with alkenes a significant part of the product ions are methoxycyclopentadienyl cations. These observations are ascribed to the stabilizing effect of the methoxy group with regard to the positive charge in the product ions.