[3+2] cycloadditions of nitroolefins have emerged as a selective and catalyst-free alternative for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles from azides. We describe mechanistic studies into the cycloaddition/rearomatization reaction sequence. DFT calculations revealed a rate-limiting cycloaddition step proceeding via an asynchronous TS with high kinetic selectivity for the 1,5-triazole. Kinetic studies reveal a second-order rate law, and 13 C kinetic isotopic effects at natural abundance were measured with a significant normal effect at the conjugated olefinic centers of 1.0158 and 1.0216 at the α and β-carbons of β-nitrostyrene. Distortion/interaction-activation strain and energy decomposition analyses revealed that the major regioisomeric pathway benefits from an earlier and less-distorted TS, while intermolecular interaction terms dominate the preference for 1,5- over 1,4-cycloadducts. In addition, the major regioisomer also has more favorable electrostatic and dispersion terms. Additionally, while static DFT calculations suggest a concerted but highly asynchronous Ei-type HNO2 elimination mechanism, quasiclassical direct-dynamics calculations reveal the existence of a dynamic intermediate.
Keywords: 13C KIE at natural abundance; [3+2] cycloaddition; distortion/interaction-activation strain analysis; nitroolefins; quasiclassical direct dynamics calculations.
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