Ion-molecule complexes in 1,2 alkyl shifts

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00154a010

The internal return of neutral leaving groups was studied in rearrangements of polycyclic systems (2-norpinyl → 2-norbornyl, endo- → exo-tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2.6]dec-8-yl, bicyclo[3.2.0]hept-2-yl → 7-norbornyl, and 4-protoadamantyl → 2-adamantyl). Acid catalysis was applied to ¹⁸O-labeled alcohols in aqueous organic solvents, to alcohols in methanol, and to ethers R-O-R′ in alcohols R″-OH. The leaving group was found to attack the migration origin in competition with solvent molecules. Return:exchange ratios were obtained from product distributions, either directly or by kinetic simulation (in cases of partial exchange prior to rearrangement). If departure and return of the leaving group occur on the same side of the carbon framework, return:exchange ratios ranging from 1 to 11.5 were observed. Less internal return was found for bridged than for open carbocations. Migration of the departing molecule to the opposite face (exo ? endo) or to a β carbon is a minor process (return:exchange ～ 0.1), in accordance with previous reports on inverting displacements and allylic 1,3 shifts. These data are rationalized in terms of short-lived ion-molecule (ion-dipole) complexes whose collapse competes with ligand exchange.