The face selectivity of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of 4-butyloxycarbonyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine 1-oxide

A study of the stereo- and face selectivity of the cycloaddition reactions of a series of mono- and disubstituted alkenes with 4-butyloxycarbonyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine 1-oxide has been carried out. Rate constants for the cycloaddition of the nitrone to methyl acrylate, styrene, and methyl methacrylate have been determined at various temperatures by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The activation parameters indicate the concerted nature of the reaction. The 4-substituted nitrone is found to be more reactive than its unsubstituted counterpart 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine 1-oxide. The addition reactions have displayed a very high degree of face selectivity (9:1), and those reactions in micellar media are found to be very efficient. Conformational analysis and peracid-induced ring opening of a cycloadduct has been carried out to give second-generation cyclic nitrones.