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Published on: February 7, 2019
Gamma-silyl cyclobutyl carbocations
Xavier Creary1, Elizabeth D Kochly
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA. creary.1@nd.edu
Gamma-silyl participation significantly enhances reactions in cyclobutyl trifluoroacetates. This effect, observed in solvolysis studies, stabilizes carbocations, with the secondary gamma-trimethylsilylcyclobutyl cation proving more stable than its beta-isomer.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Computational Chemistry
- Reaction Mechanisms
Background:
- Investigating the influence of silicon substituents on carbocation stability and reactivity.
- Understanding neighboring group participation in solvolysis reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the phenomenon of gamma-silyl participation in cyclobutyl systems.
- To quantify the rate enhancements associated with this effect.
- To elucidate the stereochemical outcomes and mechanistic pathways.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of 3-trimethylsilyl-1-substituted cyclobutyl trifluoroacetates.
- Solvolysis reactions conducted in CD(3)CO(2)D with rate data collection.
- Computational studies using B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory.
Main Results:
- Significant rate enhancements observed due to gamma-silyl participation, particularly for the unsubstituted cation (>10^10).
- Acetate substitution products formed with net retention of stereochemistry.
- Computational and experimental data support the involvement of carbocations stabilized by the rear lobe of the gamma-Si-C bond.
Conclusions:
- Gamma-silyl participation is a potent stabilizing effect in cyclobutyl systems.
- The secondary gamma-trimethylsilylcyclobutyl cation is more stable than the beta-isomer, indicating the gamma-silyl effect can outweigh the beta-silyl effect.
- Evidence for front-lobe stabilized cations is less compelling compared to rear-lobe interactions.
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