Ionized bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene: A twisted olefinic radical cation showing vibronic coupling

Clark T (2002)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2002

Journal

Publisher: Wiley-VCH Verlag

Book Volume: 8

Pages Range: 1074-1081

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1002/1521-3765(20020301)8:5<1074::AID-CHEM1074>3.0.CO;2-K

Abstract

The bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene radical cation (1(.+)) exhibits matrix ESR spectra that have two very different types of gamma-exo hydrogens (those hydrogens formally in a W-plan with the alkene pi bond), a(2H) about 16.9 G and a(2H) about 1.9 G, instead of the four equivalent hydrogens as would be the case in an untwisted C-2 structure. Moreover, deuterium substitution showed that the vinyl ESR splitting is not resolved (and under about 3.5 G); this is also a result of the twist. Enantiomerization of the C-2 structures is rapid on the ESR timescale above 110 K (barrier estimated at 2.0 kcal mol(-1)). Density functional theory calculations estimate the twist angle at the double bond to be 11-12 degrees and the barrier as 1.2-2.0 kcal mol(-1). Single-configuration restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) calculations at all levels that were tried give untwisted C-2 structures for 1(.+), while RHF calculations that include configuration interactions (CI) demonstrate that this system undergoes twisting because of a pseudo Jahn-Teller effect (PJTE). Significantly, twisting does not occur until the sigma-orbital of the predicted symmetry is included in the CI active space. UHF calculations at all levels that include electron correlation (even semiempirical) predict twisting at the alkene pi bond because they allow the filled a and the P hole of the SOMO to have different geometries. The 2,3-dimethylbicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene radical cation (2(.+)) is twisted significantly less than 1(.+), but has a similar temperature for maximum line broadening. Neither the 2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane radical cation (3(.+)) nor its 2,3dimethyl-2,3-diaza analogue (5(.+)) shows any evidence of twisting. Calculations show that the orbital energy gap between the SOMO and PJTE-active orbitals for 3(.+) is too large for sigificant PJTE stabilization to occur.

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How to cite

APA:

Clark, T. (2002). Ionized bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene: A twisted olefinic radical cation showing vibronic coupling. Chemistry - A European Journal, 8(5), 1074-1081. https://doi.org/10.1002/1521-3765(20020301)8:5<1074::AID-CHEM1074>3.0.CO;2-K

MLA:

Clark, Timothy. "Ionized bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene: A twisted olefinic radical cation showing vibronic coupling." Chemistry - A European Journal 8.5 (2002): 1074-1081.

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