The base catalysed dimerisation of 2-methylpropenol. A MNDO SCF-MO model study of the reaction mechanism
Abstract
MNDO SCF-MO calculations predict the ene reaction between the alkoxide anion of propenol and ethene to occur by a stepwise mechanism in which initial hydrogen atom transfer is followed by carbon–carbon bond formation; with propenal as the enophile the reaction has a much smaller activation energy and proceeds with initial hydride transfer.