Cycloreversion of the CO2 trimer: a paradigmatic pseudopericyclic [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. Issue 2 (7th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Villar López, Roberto; Nieto Faza, Olalla; Matito, Eduard; López, Carlos Silva
• Is Part Of: Organic & biomolecular chemistry. Volume 15:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 435
• Page End: 441
• Publication Date: 2016-12-07
• Subjects: Chemistry, Organic -- Periodicals; Bioorganic chemistry -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical organic -- Periodicals; 547
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ob02288j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-0520

Abstract

Abstract : Very recently, the CO2 trimer has been experimentally synthesized, isolated and characterized. Abstract : Very recently, the CO2 trimer has been experimentally synthesized, isolated and characterized. This process opens new ways for the withdrawal and storage of this greenhouse gas. The trimer is reported to be stable up to −40 °C, with a lifetime of about 40 min at this temperature. At these or under harsher thermal conditions it reverts to the three monomers. The mechanism of this reaction has been theoretically studied and the electronic character of the associated transition state has been analyzed from a variety of perspectives (energetic, magnetic, electron localization and delocalization functions) which indicate that it has paradigmatic pseudopericyclic character. To allow for a comparative study, the isoelectronic fragmentations of cyclohexane into three units of ethylene and of benzene into three units of acetylene have been included in this work. The study of a similar series of formally forbidden-four-centered [2 + 2] cycloreversions confirmed the pseudopericyclic nature of these reactions when the CO2 dimer or trimer is involved.