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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
Published on: January 9, 2014
Molecular rearrangements of superelectrophiles
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Il 60115.
Abstract:
Superelectrophiles are multiply charged cationic species (dications, trications, etc.) which are characterized by their reactions with weak nucleophiles. These reactive intermediates may also undergo a wide variety of rearrangement-type reactions. Superelectrophilic rearrangements are often driven by charge-charge repulsive effects, as these densely charged ions react so as to maximize the distances between charge centers. These rearrangements involve reaction steps similar to monocationic rearrangements, such as alkyl group shifts, Wagner-Meerwein shifts, hydride shifts, ring opening reactions, and other skeletal rearrangements. This review will describe these types of superelectrophilic reactions.
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