Ab Initio Molecular Orbital Study of Reactivity of Active Alkyl Groups. IV. Nitrosation of Acyclic Carbonyl Compound with Methyl Nitrite via “Open-Chain” Transition State

Abstract

The mechanism of the nitrosation of enolate anion of acetone [CH₃COCH₂]^- (1) with methyl nitrite CH₃ONO (2) via an “open-chain” transition state without Na⁺ in the C-N bond formation process was studied by the ab initio MO method. The complex [CH₃COCH₂NO(OCH₃)]^- (C-II) was first formed from the adduct (C-I) of 1 and 2 through the transition state (TS1). Finally, E-1-hydroxyimino-2-oxo-propane CH₃COCH=NOH (3E), together with Z-form (3Z), was obtained by way of the elimination process. It has become apparent that 3E is formed when C-II-A is produced in the C-N bond formation process.