Antiaromaticity Gain Activates Tropone and Nonbenzenoid Aromatics as Normal-Electron-Demand Diels-Alder Dienes.

ABSTRACT: We propose a carbonyl umpolung strategy for activating tropone as a normal-electron-demand Diels-Alder diene. Tropone has low reactivity for Diels-Alder reactions because of its [4n+2] π-aromaticity. Conversion of the carbonyl group into a hydrazone ion (═N-NR^-) reverses the polarity of the exocyclic double bond, increases the [4n] ring π-antiaromaticity, and raises the HOMO energy. Computed gas-phase activation free energies for a Diels-Alder reaction with maleimide suggest a billion-fold rate increase when the tropone C═O is replaced by ═N-NR^- (R = H or SO₂CH₃). Other nonbenzenoid aromatics can be activated as normal-electron-demand Diels-Alder dienes in the same way.

SUBMITTER: Karas LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8124018 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature