title: Active Role of Hydrogen Bonds in Rupe and Meyer-Schuster Rearrangements.
abstract: Rupe and Meyer-Schuster rearrangements for the R2C(OH) [Formula: see text] C⋮C [Formula: see text] H + H3O(+) and (H2O)9 model (R = methyl and phenyl groups) have been investigated by the use of density functional theory calculations. In the substrate R2C(OH) [Formula: see text] C⋮CH catalyzed by H3O(+)(H2O), three reaction channels, the two rearrangements and SN (nucleophilic substitution), were predicted by the frontier molecular orbital theory. The SN (the OH-group exchange) path was found to have a large activation energy. For 2-methylbut-3-yn-2-ol (R = Me), the Rupe rearrangement has been found to be much more favorable than the Meyer-Schuster rearrangement. For 1,1-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-ol (R = Ph), the occurrence of Meyer-Schuster rearrangement is very likely with the small activation energy. Both rearrangements do not involve the carbonium ion intermediates. However, the calculated geometries of the first transition state are carbonium-ion-like. Dehydration and hydration may occur via the intermolecular proton relay along the hydrogen-bond chains. Minimal models were proposed to represent reaction mechanisms of both rearrangements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Nara University of Education, Takabatake-cho, Nara 630-8528, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Nara University of Education, Takabatake-cho, Nara 630-8528, Japan.
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsuchida
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Nara University of Education, Takabatake-cho, Nara 630-8528, Japan.
authors.forename: Shoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamazaki