Reaction of Chlorosulfonyl Isocyanate (CSI) with Fluorosubstituted Alkenes: Evidence of a Concerted Pathway for Reaction of CSI with Fluorosubstituted Alkenes (Preprint)

Concerted reactions are indicated for the electrophilic addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate with monofluoroalkenes. A vinyl fluorine atom on an alkene raises the energy of a step-wise transition state more than the energy of the competing concerted pathway. This energy shift induces CSI to react with monofluoroalkenes by a one-step process. The low reactivity of CSI with monofluoroalkenes, stereospecific reactions, the absence of 2:1 uracil products with neat fluoroalkenes and quantum chemical calculations support a concerted pathway. Performed in collaboration with Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA; and the University of California, La Jolla, CA. Submitted for publication in the Journal of Organic Chemistry.