Steric interactions controlling the syn diastereofacial selectivity in the [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between acetonitrile oxide and 7-oxanorborn-5-en-2-ones: A molecular electron density theory study

A Molecular Electron Density Theory study of the zw-type 32CA reactions of acetonitrile oxide (NO) with two 7-oxanorborn-5-en-2-ones (ONBs) has been performed at the DFT B3LYP/6-31G(d) computational level. These cycloadditions proceed through one-step mechanisms with high activation energies and present low para regio and complete syn diastereofacial selectivities. While the non-polar character of these zw-type 32CA reactions, which is the consequence of the insufficient electrophilic activation of ONBs, according to the analysis of the conceptual DFT reactivity indices, accounts for the high activation energies, and low para regioselectivity, NCI topological analyses at the anti/syn pairs of para TSs reveal that the steric hindrance encountered between the NO framework and the ONB side containing the carbonyl group along the anti approach mode is responsible for the complete syn diastereofacial selectivity.