Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
![Solid-phase Synthesis of [4.4] Spirocyclic Oximes](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F58508.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Solid-phase Synthesis of [4.4] Spirocyclic Oximes
Published on: February 6, 2019
Theoretical investigations of substituent effects in dimethyldioxirane epoxidation reactions
Alexander Düfert1, Daniel B Werz
1Institut für Organische and Biomolekulare Chemie, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Tammannstrasse 2, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
Abstract:
A detailed theoretical study of dimethyldioxirane-mediated epoxidations with a variety of differently substituted alkenes 3-21 is presented. Transition structures and activation barriers were determined in the gas phase and in acetone as solvent with the B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level of theory. Substituent effects were elucidated by frontier orbital analyses of the reacting species as well as by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of the transition structures. Epoxidations with alkenes carrying electron-donating groups such as OMe or NHAc commonly tend to have low activation energies and early transitions states, whereas using alkenes with electron-withdrawing moieties such as CN, SO2Me, CO2Me, CF3, CHO, and Cl higher activation barriers and late transition states are observed. In all cases a net charge transfer (CT) from the alkene to the dioxirane was observed substantiating the electrophilic character of dimethyldioxirane.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation of Alkenes: Anti Dihydroxylation with Peroxy Acids
Acid-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides
Preparation of Epoxides
Epoxides result from alkene oxidation, which can be achieved by a) air, b) peroxy acids, c) hypochlorous acids, and d) halohydrin cyclization.
Epoxidation with Peroxy Acids
Epoxidation of alkenes via oxidation with peroxy acids involves the conversion of a carbon–carbon double bond to an epoxide using the oxidizing agent meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, commonly known as MCPBA. Since the O–O bond of peroxy acids is very weak, the addition of electrophilic oxygen of peroxy acids to...
Sharpless Epoxidation
Regioselectivity of Electrophilic Additions-Peroxide Effect
Base-Catalyzed Ring-Opening of Epoxides

