Mechanistic studies on phosphine-catalyzed [4 + 3] annulation of β′-acetoxy allenoate with 1C,3N-dinucleophile

The mechanism and role of catalyst on the PPh₃-catalyzed [4 + 3] annulation reaction have been systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT) method. Based on the calculations, the possible mechanism contains six steps: nucleophilic addition of PPh₃ to allenoate to give Z-configured intermediate, cleavage of CO bond for forming phosphonium diene, nucleophilic addition of phosphonium diene with anionic 1C,3N-dinucleophile, intramolecular [1], [5]-proton shift, ring-closure, and dissociation of catalyst. Non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis shows that the O⋯P interaction would be the key for leading to the Z-configured pathway more favorable and electron localization function (ELF) analysis indicates that the implication of PPh₃ can significantly lower the energy barrier involved in CO cleavage process, which mainly because the addition of PPh₃ reduces the electron density of CO bond and thus facilities the cleavage of CO bond. This theoretical study would provide some clues for understanding the role of catalyst in a catalytic reaction.