Push-pull nitronates in the [3+2] cycloaddition with nitroethylene: Molecular Electron Density Theory study

Abstract

The structure and the participation of the N-methoxy-N-[bis(methoxycarbonyl)methylene]amine N-oxide as model push-pull nitronate 1 with nitroethylene 2 in [3 + 2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction have been analyzed within the Molecular Electron Density Theory (MEDT) using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP(PCM)/6-31G(d) level. Topological analysis of the Electron Localization Function (ELF) of nitronate 1 reveals that this compound has pseudoradical center, while the conceptual DFT reactivity indices characterizes this three-atom-component (TAC) as a strong electrophile. The analyzed 32CA reaction takes place through a one-step mechanism. A Bonding Evolution Theory (BET) study of the more favorable reaction path associated with the 32CA reaction of nitronate 1 with nitroethylene 2 indicates that it is associated with a non-concerted two-stage one-step mechanism, in which the activation energy is mainly related with to the initial formation of the O3–C4 single bond. In the case of this reaction, an additional mechanism with formation of intermediate 7 is also found.