Are one-step aromatic nucleophilic substitutions of non-activated benzenes concerted processes?

Domingo L.R.; Ríos-Gutiérrez M.; Chamorro E.; Pérez P.

Abstract

Aromatic nucleophilic substitution (SNAr) reactions of non-electrophilically activated benzenes have been studied within the Molecular Electron Density Theory (MEDT) at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d) computational level. These reactions, taking place through a one-step mechanism, present a high activation Gibbs free energy, Delta G(not equal) = 31.0 kcal mol(-1), which decreases to 22.1 kcal mol(-1) in the intramolecular process. A topological analysis of the electron localisation function along the reaction paths permits establishing the non-concerted nature of these SNAr reactions. A series of unstable structures, with similar electronic structures to those of Meisenheimer intermediates, are characterised. The present MEDT study makes it possible to establish that even these one-step SNAr reactions involving only two single bonds are non-concerted processes.

Más información

Título según WOS: Are one-step aromatic nucleophilic substitutions of non-activated benzenes concerted processes?
Título según SCOPUS: Are one-step aromatic nucleophilic substitutions of non-activated benzenes concerted processes?
Título de la Revista: ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
Volumen: 17
Número: 35
Editorial: ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
Fecha de publicación: 2019
Página de inicio: 8185
Página final: 8193
Idioma: English
DOI:

10.1039/c9ob01589b

Notas: ISI, SCOPUS