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Computational Studies on the Cyclization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Synthesis of Curved Aromatic Derivatives
Author(s) -
Buñuel Elena,
MarcoMartínez Juan,
DíazTendero Sergio,
Martín Fernando,
Alcamí Manuel,
Cárdenas Diego J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.200500345
Subject(s) - chemistry , homolysis , deprotonation , bond cleavage , dehydrogenation , photochemistry , dissociation (chemistry) , computational chemistry , reaction mechanism , aromaticity , ring (chemistry) , radical cyclization , aryne , medicinal chemistry , radical , organic chemistry , molecule , catalysis , ion
10.1002/cphc.200500345.abs Computational studies on the cyclization reactions of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were performed at the DFT level. Compounds C 26 H 14 and C 24 H 14 , which show the connectivity of C 60 fullerene fragments, were chosen as suitable models to study the formation of curved derivatives by six‐ or five‐membered ring formation, upon oxidation to their radical cations. Four possible pathways for the cyclization process were considered: a) initial CC bond formation to afford a curved derivative, followed by dehydrogenation; b) homolytic CH cleavage prior to cyclization; c) initial concerted H 2 elimination and subsequent cyclization; and d) deprotonation of the radical cations prior to cyclization. Computed reaction and activation energies for these reactions show that direct cyclization from radical cations (pathway a) is the lowest‐energy mechanism. The formation of five‐membered rings is somewhat more favourable than benzannulation. After new cycle formation, homolytic CH dissociation to afford the corresponding cations is the most favourable process. These cations react with H . without barrier to give H 2 . Intermediate deprotonations are strongly disfavoured. The relatively low activation energies compared with carbon cage rearrangements suggest that ionization of PAHs can be used for the tailored preparation of nonplanar derivatives from suitable precursors.