The mechanism of the diastereoselection in the photosensitized [2 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction of ethylene to 5-alkoxy-2(5H)-furanones is investigated. The dependence of product ratio on the reaction temperature as well as on structural features of the enone system is measured. The structure dependent activation parameter differences (Delta Delta H-#, Delta Delta S-#) obtained by this method (modified Eyring plot) are used as a tool to characterize the stereoelectronic factors, which are responsible for the diastereoselection. In detail these factors involve: pyramidalization of the beta-carbon, homoanomeric effect, and the steric requirements of the alkoxy substituent in the relaxed ((3) pi pi*)-excited furanones.
The mechanism of the diastereoselection in the photosensitized [2 + 2]-cycloaddition reaction of ethylene to 5-alkoxy-2(5H)-furanones is investigated. The dependence of product ratio on the reaction temperature as well as on structural features of the enone system is measured. The structure dependent activation parameter differences (Delta Delta H-#, Delta Delta S-#) obtained by this method (modified Eyring plot) are used as a tool to characterize the stereoelectronic factors, which are responsible for the diastereoselection. In detail these factors involve: pyramidalization of the beta-carbon, homoanomeric effect, and the steric requirements of the alkoxy substituent in the relaxed ((3) pi pi*)-excited furanones.