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Kinetics and mechanism of phosgenation of aliphatic alcohols. V. Quantum-chemical investigation of the mechanism of the reaction of phosgene with methanol

Journal Article · · J. Org. Chem. USSR (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
OSTI ID:5887396

Analysis of maps of the molecular electrostatic potential of phosgene showed that attack by methanol as nucleophile at the phosgene carbon atom takes place preferentially not in the plane of the molecule (the S/sub N/2 mechanism) but in a direction perpendicular to the COCl/sub 2/ plane (an AE addition-elimination mechanism). A fragment of the potential energy surface for the reaction of phosgene with methanol was calculated by the MNDO method. The reaction takes place by an AE-like mechanism through a late transition state, which represents a four-membered ring. There is not local minimum at a point corresponding to a tetrahedral intermediate, and this is explained by the absence of factors which stabilize it.

Research Organization:
D.I. Mendeleev Moscow Chemical Technology Institute (USSR)
OSTI ID:
5887396
Journal Information:
J. Org. Chem. USSR (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: J. Org. Chem. USSR (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 23:11; ISSN JOCYA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English