An Adjusted Model for Simple 1,2-Dyotropic Reactions. Ab Initio MO and VB Considerations

With an adjusted model, we reconsider simple 1,2-dyotropic reactions with the introduction of a concept based on the intramolecular dynamics of a tetrahedron (van ’t Hoff modeling). In fact the dyotropic reactions are strongly related to conversions originated from neighbouring group participation or anchimeric assistance, defined as the interaction of a center with a lone pair of electrons in an atom and the electrons present in aδor π bond. The researchful 1,2-dyotropic reactions, based on the 1,2-interchange of halogens, methyl and hydrogen taking place in a concerted fashion, are in competition with the two-step reaction in which the neighbouring group participation or anchimeric assistance comes to full expression by ionic dissociation of the other exchangeable (halogen) atom. As to be expected there is an essential difference between halogen or methyl exchange regarding the number of electrons participating in the transition state. This aspect becomes evident in the geometries of the corresponding transition state geometries. In this paper we refer to ab initio MO calculations and VB considerations. We consider the 1,2-halogen exchange as a combination of two SN2 reactions each containing four electrons. The van ’t Hoff dynamics appears a useful model in order to illustrate the computations in a straightforward manner.