Stabilized and destabilized carbocations in the 1,6-methano[10]annulene series.
2-Chloromethyl and 3-chloromethyl-1,6-methano[10]annulene systems solvolyze in methanol to give simple substitution products. Solvent effect studies and the special salt effect support the involvement of cationic intermediates stabilized by the 1,6-methano[10]annulene group. Rate data indicate that the degree of cation stabilization greatly exceeds that of naphthyl groups. B3LYP/6-31G computational studies also suggest that the cationic intermediates are greatly stabilized by the 1,6-methano[10]annulene. By way of contrast to these findings, solvolytic and computational studies indicate that the 11-(1,6-methano[10]annulenyl) cation is a destabilized analogue of the cycloheptatrienyl cation. There are no favorable interactions with the annulene ring. Distortions from planarity prevent charge delocalization as in the analogous aromatic cycloheptatrienyl cation.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA. creary.1@nd.edu
Xavier
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Creary
Kevin
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Miller