Radicals 2a Research Articles

Kristalline Anionen auf Basis klassischer N‐Heterocyclischer Carbene

AbstractDie ersten stabilen Anionen K[SIPrBp] (4 a‐K) und K[IPrBp] (4 b‐K) (SIPrBp=BpC{N(Dipp)CH2}2, IPrBp=BpC{N(Dipp)CH}2; Bp=4‐PhC6H4; Dipp=2,6‐iPr2C6H3), die von klassischen N‐heterocyclischen Carbenen (NHCs) abgeleitet sind (d. h. SIPr und IPr), wurden als violette kristalline Feststoffe isoliert. 4 a‐K und 4 b‐K wurden durch die Reduktion der neutralen Radikale [SIPrBp] (3 a) bzw. [IPrBp] (3 b) mit KC8 hergestellt. Die Radikale 3 a und 3 b sowie [Me‐IPrBp] (3 c) (Me−IPrBp=BpC{N(Dipp)CMe}2) liegen als kristalline Feststoffe vor, wenn die entsprechenden 1,3‐Imidazoli(ni)umbromide (SIPrBp)Br (2 a), (IPrBp)Br (2 b) und (Me‐IPrBp)Br (2 c) mit KC8 umgesetzt werden. Die Cyclovoltammogramme von 2 a–2 c zeigen zwei reversible Ein‐Elektronen‐Redoxprozesse im Bereich von −0.5 bis −2.5 V, die den Radikalen 3 a–3 c und den Anionen (4 a–4 c)− entsprechen. Quantenchemische Berechnungen deuten auf einen geschlossenschaligen Singulett‐Grundzustand für (4 a–4 c)− mit einer Singulett‐Triplett‐Energielücke von 17–24 kcal mol−1 hin.

Electrochemical switching fluorescence emission in rhodamine derivatives

Three rhodamine derivatives exhibiting electrofluorochromic properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV–Vis/fluorescence spectroelectrochemistry. Rhodamine 101 (Rh101, compound 1) was used as a reference model. In compound 2, the carboxylate anion of Rh101 was replaced by an alkyne moiety to allow further functionalization. The compound 3 was prepared from 2 by conversion of the alkyne to a triazole group bearing an alkyl chain with an alcohol function. These three rhodamine derivatives exhibited similar electrochemical behaviors. Their mono-electronic reductions produced the corresponding radical species which were stable on the time-scale of cyclic voltammetry. Additional reduction of electrogenerated radicals produced unstable anions which underwent subsequent chemical reaction, most likely protonation. Based on cyclic voltammetry investigations, absorption and fluorescence spectroelectrochemistry were then performed on compounds 1, 2, 3 and their parent reduced radicals 1a, 2a, 3a. UV–Vis spectroelectrochemistry, combined with TD-DFT calculation, confirmed the formation of radicals upon mono-electronic reduction of starting rhodamines. Fluorescence spectroelectrochemistry showed that, contrary to their parent molecules, electrogenerated radicals were non-fluorescent. Electrochemical fluorescence extinction was successfully achieved with all studied compounds. Moreover, compound 1 underwent on/off switching between fluorescent and non-fluorescent states repeatedly. Also, recovery of fluorescence in compound 3 was observed, which open interesting opportunities for the development of versatile rhodamine-based probes.

B-Centered Reactivity of Persistent P-Stabilized Boryl Radicals

A new P-stabilized boryl radical [iPr2P(naph)BMes]• 2a was obtained by reduction of the corresponding phosphino-bromoborane 1a with Na(Hg). The persistent radical 2a has been characterized by EPR, and its structure has been thoroughly studied by DFT. The corresponding Gomberg-type dimer has been analyzed by NMR and XRD, and the Gibbs free energy associated with the dimerization process has been evaluated by VT EPR. The replacement of the Ph substituents at phosphorus for iPr groups has a slight but noticeable impact: it increases the spin density at boron and favors the radical over its Gomberg-type dimer. An original cross-coupling product between 2a and the trityl radical Ph3C• has also been authenticated crystallographically. The P-stabilized boryl radicals 2a,b are readily trapped by TEMPO to give the corresponding B–O adducts 3a,b (naphthyl-bridged phosphine-boranes without P → B interaction). The reaction of 2a,b with Ph3CCl substantiates their ability to participate in halogen transfer reactions.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of paeonol analogues in the murine model of complete Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis

A new series of paeonol alkyl ether analogues were synthesized and confirmed with IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS spectra. They have shown anti-inflammatory activities by scavenging mediator of free radicals and inhibiting lipid mediator of inflammation on complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in mice. The in vitro and in vivo scavenging ability of free radicals was determined by using chemical analysis and commercial assay kits, respectively. The in vivo inhibiting lipid mediator of inflammation was examined by ELISA. Our results indicated that the substitution of the hydrogen in hydroxyl group at C2 position of paeonol 1 by short carbon chain, in the presence or absence of bromo atom at C5 position, decreased its scavenging ability on radicals (3a or 4a vs 1), while the long alkyl substitution (Cn>14) increased the activity. Compared with 3a or 4a, scavenging abilities of 3a–h or 4a–h gradually increased following the length elongation of alkyl carbon chain. Compounds 3h and 4h showed great scavenging ability on OH, O2−, DPPH, ATBS+ and MDA, and good promotion on T-AOC and SOD. The results of the in vivo inhibiting lipid mediator of inflammation also demonstrated that 3h, 4h exhibited substantial inhibition on enzyme activity of COX-2, PGE2. Therefore, 3h and 4h have great potential to be the novel anti-inflammatory drug candidates for the therapy of arthritis.

Reactions of a Stable Phosphinyl Radical with Stable Aminoxyl Radicals

Abstract Reaction of stable phosphinyl radical 1a with AZADO gave aminoxyphosphine 3 as the primary product by selective radical coupling at −40 °C. Compound 3 decomposed to phosphorane 4, silyl phosphinate 5, and aminophosphine 6 at room temperature. The molecular structures of 4–6 were determined by X-ray structural analysis. The homolytic N–O bond cleavage of 3 and the subsequent silyl migration of the resulting phosphinoyl radical 7 would be key steps in the reaction.

Pyridyl- and Pyridylperoxy Radicals – A Matrix Isolation Study

The three isomeric pyridyl radicals 2a–c were synthesised using flash vacuum pyrolysis in combination with matrix isolation and characterised by infrared spectroscopy. The IR spectra are in good agreement with spectra calculated using density functional theory methods. The reaction of the pyridyl radicals 2 with molecular oxygen leads to the formation of the corresponding pyridylperoxy radicals 3a–c. The peroxy radicals 3 are photolabile, and irradiation results in syn–anti isomerisation of 3a and 3b and ring expansion of all three isomers of 3.

Bisdithiazolyl Radical Spin Ladders

A series of four bisdithiazolyl radicals 1a-d (R(1) = Pr, Bu, Pn, Hx; R(2) = F) has been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structure of 1a (R(1) = Pr) belongs to the tetragonal space group P42(1)m and consists of slipped π-stack arrays of undimerized radicals packed about 4 centers running along the z-direction, an arrangement identical to that found for 1 (R(1) = Et; R(2) = F). With increasing chain length of the R(1) substituent, an isomorphous set 1b-d is generated. All three compounds crystallize in the P2(1)/c space group and consist of pairs of radical π-stacks locked together by strong intermolecular F···S' bridges to create spin ladder arrays. The slipped π-stack alignment of radicals produces close S···S' interactions which serve as the "rungs" of a spin ladder, and the long chain alkyl substituents (R(1)) serve as buffers which separate the ladders from each other laterally. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that 1a behaves as an antiferromagnetically coupled Curie-Weiss paramagnet, the behavior of which may be modeled as a weakly coupled AFM chain. Stronger antiferromagnetic coupling is observed in 1b-d, such that the Curie-Weiss fit is no longer applicable. Analysis of the full data range (T = 2-300 K) is consistent with the Johnston strong-leg spin ladder model. The origin of the magnetic behavior across the series has been explored with broken-symmetry Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations of individual pairwise exchange energies. These confirm that strong antiferromagnetic interactions are present within the ladder "legs" and "rungs", with only very weak magnetic exchange between the ladders.

Single-Component Charge-Transfer Crystals Based on Spin-Carrying TCNQ (7,7,8,8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane) Derivatives

Three TCNQ derivatives carrying nitroxide radicals (3a–3c) were prepared and were found to form single-component charge-transfer (CT) complexes by self-assembly, in which outer nitroxide groups of a couple of different molecules work as donors and the inner TCNQ unit of another molecule as an acceptor. While the CT interactions found for the TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxy) derivative 3a and the PROXYL (2,2,5,5-tetramethylpirrolidin-1-oxy) derivative 3b are point-to-face fashion between the oxygen atom of each nitroxide group and the six-membered ring of inner TCNQ unit, the CT interactions found for the PO (2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-pyrrolin-1-oxy) derivative 3c are point-to-point contacts between the oxygen atoms of outer nitroxide groups and the carbon atoms of a couple of cyano groups.

Dual Reactivity of a Stable Zwitterionic N-Heterocyclic Silylene and Its Carbene Complex Probed with Muonium

The reactivity of the multifunctional cyclic silylene 4 and its carbene complex 5 have been investigated by a combination of muon spin spectroscopy and computation. The free radicals formed by muonium (Mu) addition to 4 were identified, showing that there are two dominant sites of free radical attack: on the Si atom and on the exocyclic methylene carbon. Reaction of muonium with 5 also produced two radicals, but with markedly different hyperfine constants. For both compounds avoided level-crossing resonance spectra and calculation of hyperfine constants show that one of the radicals results from Mu addition to the methylene group, yielding radicals 4a and 5a. Each contains a muoniated methyl group, −CH2Mu, which undergoes restricted rotation with respect to the plane of the ring. For 4 the second product is readily assigned as the muoniated silyl radical 4b, on the grounds of its high muon hyperfine constant (716 MHz). The second product from 5 shows instead a very small coupling constant, 19 MHz, assigna...

Structural and pH Dependence of Excited State PCET Reactions Involving Reductive Quenching of the MLCT Excited State of [RuII(bpy)2(bpz)]2+ by Hydroquinones

The proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reaction between the bpz-based photoexcited (3)MLCT state of [Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(bpz)](2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, bpz = 2,2'-bipyrazine) and a series of substituted hydroquinones (H(2)Q) has been studied by transient absorption (TA) and time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectroscopy at X-band. When the reaction is carried out in a CH(3)CN/H(2)O mixed solvent system with unsubstituted hydroquinone, the neutral semiquinone radical (4a) and its conjugate base, the semiquinone radical anion (4b), are both observed. Variation of the acid strength in the solvent mixture allows the acid/base dependence of the PCET reaction to be investigated. In solutions with very low acid concentrations, TREPR spectra exclusively derived from radical anion 4b are observed, while at very high acid concentrations, the spectrum is assigned to the protonated structure 4a. At intermediate acid concentrations, either a superposition of spectra is observed (slow exchange between 4a and 4b) or substantial broadening in the TREPR spectrum is observed (fast exchange between 4a and 4b). Variation of substituents on the H(2)Q ring substantially alter this acid/base dependence and provide a means to investigate electronic effects on both the ET and PT components of the PCET process. The TA results suggest a change in mechanism from PCET to direct ET quenching in strongly basic solutions and with electron withdrawing groups on the H(2)Q ring system. Changing the ligand on the Ru complex also alters the acid/base dependence of the TREPR spectra through a series of complex equilibria between protonated and deprotonated hydroquinone radicals and anions. The relative intensities of the signals from radical 4a versus 4b can be rationalized quantitatively in terms of these equilibria and the relevant pK(a) values. An observed equilibrium deuterium isotope effect supports the conclusion that the post-PCET HQ(•)/Q(•-) equilibrium is the most important in determining the 4a/4b ratio at early delay times.

Rate constants for cyclizations of α-hydroxy radical clocks

The 1-hydroxy-1-methyl-6,6-diphenyl-5-hexenyl radical (4a) and the 1-hydroxy-1-methyl-7,7-diphenyl-6-heptenyl radical (4b) were prepared from the corresponding PTOC esters (anhydrides of a carboxylic acid and N-hydroxypyridine-2-thione). The key step in the synthetic method for the precursors was a coupling reaction of the respective carboxylic acids with the thiohydroxamic acid, which was conducted for ca. 5 min and followed rapidly by chromatography. Rate constants for cyclizations of radicals 4a and 4b in acetonitrile and in THF were measured directly between -30 and 60 °C by laser flash photolysis methods. The Arrhenius functions in acetonitrile are log k = 9.9-2.6/2.303RT and log k = 8.9-4.4/2.303RT (kcal mol(-1)) for 4a and 4b, respectively. Rate constants for cyclizations at room temperature of 9 × 10(7) s(-1) and 4 × 10(5) s(-1) are somewhat larger than the rate constants for cyclizations of analogous alkyl radicals. Crude rate constants at room temperature for H-atom trapping of 4a by thiophenol and 4b by t-butylthiol were k(T) = 1.2 × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) and k(T) = 2 × 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), respectively, which are modestly larger than rate constants for reactions of alkyl radicals with the same trapping agents.

Hysteretic Spin Crossover between a Bisdithiazolyl Radical and Its Hypervalent σ-Dimer

The bisdithiazolyl radical 1a is dimorphic, existing in two distinct molecular and crystal modifications. The α-phase crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4̅2(1)m and consists of π-stacked radicals, tightly clustered about 4̅ points and running parallel to c. The β-phase belongs to the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c and, at ambient temperature and pressure, is composed of π-stacked dimers in which the radicals are linked laterally by hypervalent four-center six-electron S···S-S···S σ-bonds. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility χ measurements confirm that α-1a behaves as a Curie-Weiss paramagnet; the low-temperature variations in χ can be modeled in terms of a 1D Heisenberg chain of weakly coupled AFM S = (1)/(2) centers. The dimeric phase β-1a is essentially diamagnetic up to 380 K. Above this temperature there is a sharp hysteretic (T↑= 380 K, T↓ = 375 K) increase in χ and χT. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis of β-1a at 393 K has established that the phase transition corresponds to a dimer-to-radical conversion in which the hypervalent S···S-S···S σ-bond is cleaved. Variable-temperature and -pressure conductivity measurements indicate that α-1a behaves as a Mott insulator, but the ambient-temperature conductivity σ(RT) increases from near 10(-7) S cm(-1) at 0.5 GPa to near 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 5 GPa. The value of σ(RT) for β-1a (near 10(-4) S cm(-1) at 0.5 GPa) initially decreases with pressure as the phase change takes place, but beyond 1.5 GPa this trend reverses, and σ(RT) increases in a manner which parallels the behavior of α-1a. These changes in conductivity of β-1a are interpreted in terms of a pressure-induced dimer-to-radical phase change. High-pressure, ambient-temperature powder diffraction analysis of β-1a confirms such a transition between 0.65 and 0.98 GPa and establishes that the structural change involves rupture of the dimer in a manner akin to that observed at high temperature and ambient pressure. The response of the S···S-S···S σ-bond in β-1a to heat and pressure is compared to that of related dimers possessing S···Se-Se···S σ-bonds.

ChemInform Abstract: Polar Effects in Halogen Abstraction Reactions of Alkyl Radicals.

In a series of structurally similar alkyl radicals 1a–c the tertiary 1,1-dimethyl-5-hexenyl radical 1c reacts 30 times faster with carbon tetrachloride than the primary 5-hexenyl radical 1a. The reactivity of the secondary 1-methyl-5-hexenyl radical 1b aligns itself in between the primary and the tertiary radical 1a and 1c. The results indicate that the increasing nucleophilicity of the alkyl radicals is the major factor contributing to the reactivity.

ChemInform Abstract: Pyrolysis and Photolysis of 1-Aroylamino-4,5-diaryl-1,2,3-triazoles: Generation and Thermal Transformations of 4,5-Diaryl-1,2,3-triazolyl Radicals.

The pyrolysis of 1-aroylamino-4,5-diphenyl-1,2,3-triazoles 1 yields, pressumably via the 4,5-diphenyl-1,2,3-triazolyl radical (2a), 2,3-diphenyl-2H-azirine (11a) and 2-aryl-4,5-diphenylimidazoles 14 as the major products. Upon irradiation 1-benzoylamino-4,5-diphenyl-1,2,3-triazole (1a) gives 4,5-diphenyl-1 (2)H-1,2,3-triazole (4a) via the 1,2,3-triazolyl radical 2a, together with benzamide (5a) and 1,2-bisbenzoylhydrazine (6a). Products 5a and 6a result from the benzoylamino radical 3a by hydrogen atom abstraction and dimerization respectively.

Synthesis and in situ transformation of PST-1: a potassium gallosilicate natrolite with a high Ga content

The synthetic details of a novel potassium gallosilicate natrolite with Si/Ga = 1.28, denoted PST-1, are described. The presence of K(+) and Ga with well-defined levels of concentration in the synthesis mixture is essential for directing its crystallisation. PST-1 transforms rapidly into TNU-6 under hydrothermal conditions, behaviour that contrasts sharply with its very high thermal and hydrothermal stability, which is unusual for a material of such a high Ga content. These stability issues are discussed and rationalized based on chemical composition, likely violations of Loewenstein's rule and the temperature of dehydration of as-made K-PST-1. The crystal structure of TNU-6 has been resolved through the combined use of synchrotron X-ray and electron diffraction data; it has the BaFeGaO(4) structure type with an additional radical 3a x radical 3a "GeAlO(4)" superstructure that arises from tilting of some of the tetrahedral units in all of the 6-rings.

Thermal conversion of a pyridine-bridged bisdithiazolyl radical to a zwitterionic bisdithiazolopyridone

The methoxy-substituted bis-1,2,3-dithiazolyl radical 4a thermally decomposes to afford the zwitterionic bis-1,2,3-dithiazolopyridone 5a; EPR spectroscopic analysis indicates a rearrangement of the radical prior to loss of the methyl group.

Isostructural Bis-1,2,3-Thiaselenazolyl Dimers

Reduction of the N-methylated bis-1,2,3-thiaselenazolylium salts [2a,b,c][OTf] (with R(1) = Me and R(2) = H (2a), F (2b), Me (2c)) affords the corresponding bis-1,2,3-thiaselenazolyl radicals 2a,b,c. The radicals crystallize as centrosymmetric Se-Se sigma-bonded dimers [2a,b,c](2), in which an intramolecular Se-S bond of the radical is cleaved and replaced by an intermolecular Se-Se bond. The crystal structures of the three dimers are isomorphous, all belonging to the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, and consist of interpenetrating, cross-braced, slipped pi-stack arrays laced together by numerous short intermolecular Se-N' and Se-S' contacts. In the solid state the dimers are diamagnetic, and behave as small band gap semiconductors with a room temperature conductivity sigma(RT) near 10(-6) S cm(-1). Application of pressure leads to a dramatic increase in conductivity for all three compounds. At 5 GPa the value of sigma(RT) ranges from near 10(-1) S cm(-1) for [2c](2) to 1 S cm(-1) for [2b](2) and 10(1) S cm(-1) for [2a](2). Comparison of the three crystal structures suggests that the compressibility of [2a](2), and hence the response of its conductivity to pressure, is superior to that of [2b,c](2).

Heavy Atom Analogues of 1,2,3-Dithiazolylium Salts: Preparation, Structures and Redox Chemistry

Synthetic routes to salts of the benzo[1,2,3]thiatellurazolylium cation [2c](+) and its selenium analogue [2b](+) are described. Access to the cation frameworks involves the intermediacy of N,N,S-trisilylated 2-aminobenzenethiol. The latter reacts smoothly with selenium and tellurium halides ECl4 (E = Se, Te) to afford the desired heterocyclic benzo cations [2b](+) and [2c](+) as their chloride salts. Anion exchange provides the corresponding GaCl4(-), OTf(-) and TeCl5(-) salts of [2c](+), all of which have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. While the gallate salts of the sulfur and selenium cations [2a](+) and [2b](+) crystallize as ion-paired cations and anions, salts of [2c](+) adopt solid-state structures that display strong association of the cations via short intermolecular Te-N' bonds. However, crystallization of [2c](+) salts in dichloroethane in the presence of GaCl3 leads to cleavage of the dimers and the formation of a Lewis acid adduct at nitrogen. Reduction of the benzo cations [2a,b](+) affords the respective radicals 2a,b, both of which have been characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Attempts to generate the corresponding radical 2c have been unsuccessful, although a material of nominally correct elemental composition can be generated by chemical reduction. The energetics of association of [2a,b,c](+) in solution has been probed by means of density functional theory calculations using the polarized continuum model. The results suggest that the dimeric nature of the Te-centered cation is retained in solution. The strength of the interaction is, however, less than in N-alkylated tellurodiazolylium salts.

Persistent Radicals of Trivalent Tin and Lead

In this report we present synthetic, crystallographic, and new electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic work that shows that the synthetic route leading to the recently reported, first persistent plumbyl radical *PbEbt3 (Ebt = ethylbis(trimethylsilyl)silyl), that is, the oxidation of the related PbEbt3-anion, was easily extended to the synthesis of other persistent molecular mononuclear radicals of lead and tin. At first, various novel solvates of homoleptic potassium metallates KSnHyp3 (4a), KPbHyp3 (3a), KSnEbt3 (4b), KPbIbt3 (3c), and KSnIbt3 (4c) (Hyp = tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl, Ibt = isopropylbis(trimethylsilyl)silyl), as well as some heteroleptic metallates, such as [Li(OEt2)2][Sn(n)BuHyp2] (3d), [Li(OEt2)2][Pb(n)BuHyp2] (4d), [Li(thf)4][PbPhHyp2] (3e), and [K(thf)7][PbHyp2{N(SiMe3)2}] (3f), were synthesized and crystallographically characterized. Through oxidation by tin(II) and lead(II) bis(trimethylsilyl)amides or the related 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxides, they had been oxidized to yield in most cases the corresponding radicals. Five novel persistent homoleptically substituted radicals, that is, *SnHyp3 (2a), *PbHyp3 (1a), *SnEbt3 (2b), *SnIbt3 (2c), and *PbIbt3 (1c), had been characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The stannyl radicals 2a and 2c as well as the plumbyl radical 1c were isolated as intensely colored crystalline compounds and had been characterized by X-ray diffraction. Persistent heteroleptically substituted radicals such as *PbHyp2Ph (1e) or *PbHyp2Et (1g) had also been generated, and some selected EPR data are given for comparison. The plumbyl radicals *PbR3 exhibit a clean monomolecular decay leading to the release of a temperature-dependent stationary concentration of branched silyl radicals. They may thus serve as tunable sources of these reactive species that may be utilized as reagents for mild radical silylations and/or as initiators for radical polymerizations. We present EPR-spectroscopic investigations for the new tin- and lead-containing compounds giving detailed insights into their electronic and geometric structure in solution, as well as structural studies on the crystalline state of the radicals, some of their anionic precursors, and some side-products.

The Carbon-Skeleton Rearrangement in Tropane Alkaloid Biosynthesis

High-level quantum chemistry calculations have been performed to examine the carbon-skeleton rearrangement of the tropane alkaloid littorine to hyoscyamine. Two pathways involving radical and carbocation intermediates have been investigated in this regard, namely, stepwise (or fragmentation-recombination) and concerted. The fragmentation products are calculated to be of high energy for both the radical- and carbocation-based mechanisms (136.3 and 170.9 kJ mol(-1), respectively). Similarly, the rearrangement barrier for the radical-based concerted pathway is calculated to be quite high (135.6 kJ mol(-1)). In contrast, the carbocation-based concerted pathway is found to be associated with a relatively low barrier (47.4 kJ mol(-1)). The ionization energy of the substrate-derived radical 3a is calculated to be 7.01 eV, suggesting that its oxidation to generate the substrate-derived carbocation 3b ought to be facile. In an attempt to investigate how an enzyme might modulate the rearrangement barriers, the separate and combined influences of partially protonating the migrating group and partially deprotonating the spectator OH group of the substrate were investigated. Such interactions can lead to significant reductions in the rearrangement barrier for both the radical- and carbocation-based concerted pathways, although the carbocation pathway continues to have significantly lower energy requirements. Also, the relatively high (gas-phase) acidity of the OH group of the product-related carbocation 4b indicates that the direct formation of hyoscyamine aldehyde (6) is a highly exothermic process. Although we would not wish to rule out alternative possibilities, our calculations suggest that a concerted rearrangement mechanism involving carbocations constitutes a viable low-energy pathway for the carbon-skeleton rearrangement in tropane alkaloid biosynthesis.