Stabilized and Destabilized Carbocations in the 1,6-Methano[10]annulene Series

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo035006w

2-Chloromethyl and 3-chloromethyl-1,6-methano[10]annulene systems solvolyze in methanol to give simple substitution products. Solvent effect studies and the special salt effect support the involvement of cationic intermediates stabilized by the 1,6-methano[10]annulene group. Rate data indicate that the degree of cation stabilization greatly exceeds that of naphthyl groups. B3LYP/6-31G* computational studies also suggest that the cationic intermediates are greatly stabilized by the 1,6-methano [10] annulene. By way of contrast to these findings, solvolytic and computational studies indicate that the 11-(1,6-methano[10]annulenyl) cation is a destabilized analogue of the cycloheptatrienyl cation. There are no favorable interactions with the annulene ring. Distortions from planarity prevent charge delocalization as in the analogous aromatic cycloheptatrienyl cation.