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Updated: May 30, 2026

Analysis of Complex Molecules and Their Reactions on Surfaces by Means of Cluster-Induced Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Published on: March 1, 2020
A density functional theory study of the Nef-isocyanide reaction: mechanism, influence of parameters and scope
Nicolas Chéron1, Laurent El Kaïm, Laurence Grimaud
1Université de Lyon , École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Laboratoire de Chimie, UMR 5182, 46, allée d'Italie, F-69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France.
Abstract:
The Nef reaction between isocyanides and acyl chlorides is studied at the M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory in toluene. After proving that the reaction follows a concerted mechanism instead of an addition-elimination path, we study the influences of the solvent, the isocyanide, the acyl moiety and the leaving group on the energy profile of the reaction. The calculated data can be rationalized with the pK(a) of the leaving group, or more generally with the population of the oxygen lone pairs of the acyl moiety.
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