Application of force field calculations—III: Conformational isomerism and dynamic gearing in ethanes with many alkyl substituents. EFF calculations and dynamic NMR measurements

Abstract

Force-field calculations and dynamic NMR measurements of symmetrical 1,2-dialkyl-1,1,2,2-tetramethylethanes where the alkyl group is methyl, ethyl, isobutyl, neopentyl, isopropyl, cyclohexyl, or t-butyl are reported. There is usually slightly less than one third of the population in the anti-conformation, slightly more than two thirds in gauche conformations but the t-butyl compound adopts only the anti-conformation. Barriers to rotation vary markedly between 8.1 and 13.8kcal/mol, being lower for secondary alkyl groups than for primary alkyl groups. Calculations suggest that rotation about the central bond and rotation of the secondary alkyl group, by taking place in a concerted fashion, produce several rotational itineraries of similar energies. The low barrier is thus due to a favourable entropy effect.