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Title: Theoretical determination of molecular structure and conformation. 18. On the formation of epoxides during the ozonolysis of alkenes

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00272a036· OSTI ID:5532873

The reaction of carbonyl oxide (CH/sub 2/OO) and ethylene has been investigated by ab initio techniques. According to theoretical results, carbonyl oxide can act as an oxygen-transfer agent, thus leading to epoxide and aldehyde: C/sub 2/H/sub 4/ + CH/sub 2/OO ..-->.. CH/sub 2/OCH/sub 2/ + CH/sub 2/O. The calculated transition-state energies of the various epoxidation modes are 4-8 kcal/mol, which are comparable to activation energies of cycloaddition (cycloreversion) reactions encountered in the ozonolysis of alkenes. Epoxidation of alkene by carbonyl oxide is best described as a S/sub N/2 reaction on the terminal oxygen atom of carbonyl oxide. The preferred collision mode of the O-transfer reaction can be rationalized on the basis of frontier orbital interactions. Apart from epoxidation, carbonyl oxide can add to ethylene, yielding 1,2-dioxolane. The energy requirements of the cycloaddition are equivalent to those of the epoxidation. However, 1,2-dioxolanes will only be observed under normal ozonolysis conditions if the excess energy generated in the cycloaddition reaction is readily dissipated. Otherwise, 1,2-dioxolanes will immediately decompose, again yielding, among other products, epoxides.

Research Organization:
Universitaet Koeln, West Germany
OSTI ID:
5532873
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Vol. 108:12
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English