Can Aromaticity of Fused Aromatic Ring in 1,3-Pentadiene Modulate its Reactivity towards [1,5]-Halo Shift? - A DFT Study

In (Z)-1,3-pentadienes, [1,5]-H migration is suprafacially allowed while fluorine shift in this system takes place by a Contra Hoffmann antarafacial pathway for which aromaticity is the driving force. If aromaticity of the transition structure (TS) can drive a reaction towards a disallowed pathway as found in the case of fluorine, the role of aromatic ring annealed to (Z)-1,3-pentadienes in determining the reaction pathway and barrier is worth noting. Hence, the combined role of aromaticity of transition state and the loss in aromaticity of the annealed ring has been explored during the [1,5]-X (X = H, F, Cl, Br) shifts in aromatic (benzene/naphthalene) annealed 1,3-pentadiene system. Notable correlations between various aromaticity index NICS(0,1) with activation barriers show that aromaticity of transition structure in pericyclic reaction can drive the stereochemical course of a reaction. The distinct effect of fluorine to other halogens is the antara migration while the other halogens (Cl & Br) prefer supramode.

Reactions of an Aluminium(I) Reagent with 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,5-Dienes: Dearomatisation, Reversibility, and a Pericyclic Mechanism

The reactions of an aluminium(I) reagent with a series of 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,5-dienes are reported. In the case of 1,3-dienes the reaction occurs by a pericyclic reaction mechanism, specifically a cheletropic cycloaddition, to form aluminocyclopentene containing products. This mechanism has been interrogated by stereochemical experiments and DFT calculations. The stereochemical experiments show that the (4+1) cycloaddition follows a suprafacial topology, while calculations support a concerted albeit asynchronous pathway in which the transition state demonstrates aromatic character. Remarkably, the substrate scope of the (4+1) cycloaddition includes dienes that are either in part, or entirely, contained within aromatic rings. In these cases, reactions occur with dearomatisation of the substrate and can be reversible. In the case of 1,2- or 1,5-dienes complementary reactivity is observed; the orthogonal nature of the C=C π-bonds (1,2-diene) and the homoconjugated system (1,5-diene) both disfavour a (4+1) cycloaddition. Rather, reaction pathways are determined by an initial (2+1) cycloaddition to form an aluminocyclopropane intermediate which can in turn undergo insertion of a further C=C π-bond leading to complex organometallic products that incorporate fused hydrocarbon rings.

Reactions of an Aluminium(I) Reagent with 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,5-Dienes: Dearomatisation, Reversibility, and a Pericyclic Mechanism

The reactions of an aluminium(I) reagent with a series of 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,5-dienes are reported. In the case of 1,3-dienes the reaction occurs by a pericyclic reaction mechanism, specifically a cheletropic cycloaddition, to form aluminocyclopentene containing products. This mechanism has been interrogated by stereochemical experiments and DFT calculations. The stereochemical experiments show that the (4+1) cycloaddition follows a suprafacial topology, while calculations support a concerted albeit asynchronous pathway in which the transition state demonstrates aromatic character. Remarkably, the substrate scope of the (4+1) cycloaddition includes dienes that are either in part, or entirely, contained within aromatic rings. In these cases, reactions occur with dearomatisation of the substrate and can be reversible. In the case of 1,2- or 1,5-dienes complementary reactivity is observed; the orthogonal nature of the C=C π-bonds (1,2-diene) and the homoconjugated system (1,5-diene) both disfavour a (4+1) cycloaddition. Rather, reaction pathways are determined by an initial (2+1) cycloaddition to form an aluminocyclopropane intermediate which can in turn undergo insertion of a further C=C π-bond leading to complex organometallic products that incorporate fused hydrocarbon rings.