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Non-classical ionNon-classical ions in organic chemistry are a special type of carbonium ions displaying delocalization of sigma bonds in 3-center-2-electron bonds of bridged systems [1]. The term non-classical ion was first used by J.D. Roberts in 1951 [2] [3] in relation to the properties of cyclobutyl cations but the actual ions were first described by S. Winstein in 1949 in order to explain the reactivity of certain norbornyl compounds [4]. Additional recommended knowledgeThe compounds in question are exo-norbornyl brosylate 1 and its endo isomer 3 in scheme 1 and the reaction is solvolysis or acylation with the potassium salt of acetic acid in acetic acid. A key observation is that in this nucleophilic displacement both isomers give the same reaction product an exo-acetate 2. Also the reaction rate for the exo-reaction is 350 times the reaction rate for the endo reaction or a cyclohexyl control reaction In a related experiment both enantiomers 1 and 2 of the exo-brosylate on solvolysis give the same racemic reaction product (scheme 2). The optical activity of the reaction disappears at the same reaction rate as that of the solvolysis. These observations are explained by invoking a non-classical ion 3 in scheme 3 as a reactive intermediate as the initial reaction product of both endo 1 and exo isomer 2. This ion is formed when sigma electrons in the C1-C6 bond assist by neighbouring group participation with the expulsion of the leaving group and now the positive charge residing on C1 is delocalized on C2 as well. The formation of the carbocation is the slow rate determining step. In this reaction step the exo leaving group is better positioned in relation to C1 than the endo leaving group and this explains the markedly difference in reactivity. The C2 carbon atom in the intermediate is pentavalent and therefore a carbonium ion. The ion is also symmetrical which is more obvious in the equivalent structure 3b. This symmetry explains the observed racemization. In classical resonance treatment the ion 3 can be regarded as a hybrid of resonance structures 3.1 through 3.3 with a full positive charge on C2, C6 and C7.
Solid-state NMR analysis was possible at temperatures as low as 5 kelvins [6] at which temperature all positions are assumed to be frozen. One of the two signals visible in the spectrum corresponded to the identical C1 and C2 carbon atoms. See also
References
Categories: Reactive intermediates | Physical organic chemistry |
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Non-classical_ion". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia. |