ABSTRACT
Various disparate experimental results are explained by the hypothesis that reactions of anionic nucleophiles with allylic halides are generally S(N)2. The S(N)2' reactions that do occur proceed generally with anti stereochemistry. Reactions with ion pair nucleophiles occur preferentially as S(N)2' reactions with syn stereochemistry. This hypothesis is consistent with a variety of computations at the HF, B3LYP, mPW1PW91 and MP2 levels with the 6-31+G(d) basis set of reactions of Li and Na fluoride and chloride with allyl halides and 4-halo-2-pentenes. Solvation is considered by a combination of coordination of dimethyl ether to the lithium and sodium cations and "dielectric solvation" with a polarized continuum model.
ABSTRACT
An ab initio study of ionic and ion pair displacement reactions involving allylic systems has been carried out at the RHF/6-31+G* level. The geometries and natural charges show the absence of conjugative stabilization in the ionic transition states, thus differing from traditional explanations. The high reactivity of allyl halides is explained by electrostatic polarization of the double bond. Substituent effects were also studied; in general, electron-withdrawing groups lower the barriers of the ionic S(N)2 reactions but increase the barriers of the ion pair reactions. The allylic reactions are compared with related benzylic systems. Hammett correlations give rho of opposite sign for the ionic and ion pair displacement reactions, in agreement with some experimental results.
