Enolates de β-cétoesters: conformations et stabilités des formes dissociées
The problem of the conformation of β-ketoester enolates has been investigated through 1H nmr studies and through conductimetrie studies. We have compared the dissociative properties of the K+ enolates of acyclic β-ketoesters which can a priori adopt any possible ZE, ZZ, EE, or EZ conformations and of hemicyclic β-ketoesters (2-carbethoxycyclopentanone, 2-acetyl γ-butyrolactone) in which geometrical constraints excluded some of them. The results lead to the conclusion that the EE conformation is more stable than either the ZZ or EZ ones. Confirmation of this point, which implies that the acyclic dissociated enolates exist in the EE conformation, is afforded by 1H nmr spectroscopy. Those experimental results have been complemented with abinitio STO-3G calculations performed on the methyl formylacetate anion and on the formylacetone anion (the diketonic analog). The method of conductimétrie titration by cryptand (2,2,2) used for the determination of the dissociation coefficient of K+ enolates in DMSO is discussed in some detail.