Abstract
A density functional theoretical (DFT) study is presented, implicating a 1 O2 oxidation process to reach a dihydrobenzofuran from the reaction of the natural homoallylic alcohol, glycocitrine. Our results predict an interconversion between glycocitrine and an iso-hydroperoxide intermediate [R(H)O+ -O- ] that provides a key path in the chemistry which then follows. Formations of allylic hydroperoxides are unlikely from a 1 O2 'ene' reaction. Instead, the dihydrobenzofuran arises by 1 O2 oxidation facilitated by a 16° curvature of the glycocitrine ring imposed by a pyramidal N-methyl group. This curvature facilitates the formation of the iso-hydroperoxide, which is analogous to the iso species CH2 I+ -I- and CHI2 + -I- formed by UV photolysis of CH2 I2 and CHI3 . The iso-hydroperoxide is also structurally reminiscent of carbonyl oxides (R2 C=O+ -O- ) formed in the reaction of carbenes and oxygen. Our DFT results point to intermolecular process, in which the iso-hydroperoxide's fate relates to O-transfer and H2 O dehydration reactions for new insight into the biosynthesis of dihydrobenzofuran natural products.
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