Theoretical study of the conformational and electrostatic properties of C4-monosubstituted 2-azetidinones

Abstract

The conformational preferences and electrostatic properties of 2-azetidinone, 4-(S)-methoxycarbonyl-2-azetidinone and 4-(R)-methyl-2-azetidinone have been studied in gas-phase, aqueous solution and CCl4 solution using quantum mechanical methods. Gas-phase calculations were performed at the ab initio HF, MP2, and MP4 levels and solvent effects were investigated using a self-consistent reaction-field procedure adapted to the AM1 Hamiltonian. An almost planar arrangement was adopted by theβ-lactam ring in the three cases, whereas the alkoxycarbonyl side group was found to display a large conformational flexibility. The effects of the different solvents on the electrostatic properties of the three compounds were investigated by following the changes in both molecular electrostatic potentials and induced dipole moments. The resulting electrostatic parameters were used as static reactivity indices to predict the response of the systems to the attack of nucleophilic reagents. Theoretical results were compared with experimental data available on the structure and properties ofβ-lactams. The validity of the method as a predicting tool was critically discussed.