Date Approved
2014
Date Posted
4-16-2014
Degree Type
Campus Only Senior Honors Thesis
Department or School
Chemistry
First Advisor
Prof. Maria C. Milletti
Second Advisor
Prof. Hedeel Guy Evans
Third Advisor
Prof. Steve Pernecky
Abstract
Density functional methods are used to determine the energies of stationary points on the reaction pathways and activation barriers for an aza-Cope Mannich tandem reaction converting an oxazolidine into a pyrrolidine. Several steps in the reaction mechanism are examined to determine where stereoselectivity can be eroded. Specifically, we investigate the initial oxazolidine ring opening step, the aza-Cope rearrangement step and the C-C bond rotations that can occur prior to or following the aza-Cope rearrangement. The results of the calculations suggest that using a sterically-demanding chiral catalyst does not lead to selectivity toward one of two oxazolidine stereoisomers. In addition, this chiral catalyst does not prevent erosion of stereospecificity through C-C bond rotation in the iminium cation intermediates. Finally, in the presence of an achiral Lewis acid, when the oxazolidine substrate includes an isopropyl protecting group at the nitrogen center and a secondary carbinol carbon, activation barriers to C-C bond rotations that interconvert among stereoisomers are also sufficiently low to prevent stereoselectivity.
Recommended Citation
Dewyer, Amanda Lee, "Computational study of an aza-Cope Mannich tandem reaction leading to pyrrolidine products under various conditions" (2014). Senior Honors Theses and Projects. 388.
https://commons.emich.edu/honors/388