SN2 and SN2′ reaction dynamics of cyclopropenyl chloride with halide ion A direct ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) study
Direct ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) calculations have been carried out for the reaction of cyclopropenyl chloride with halide ion (F) (F + (CH)3Cl → F(CH)3 + Cl) in gas phase. Both SN2 and SN2′ channels were found as product channels. These channels are strongly dependent on the collision angle of F to the target (CH)3Cl molecule. The collision at one of the carbon atoms of the C=C double bond leads to the SN2′ reaction channel; whereas the collision at the methylene carbon atom leads to the SN2 reaction channel. The reactions proceed via a direct mechanism without long-lived complexes. The reaction mechanism is discussed on the basis of the theoretical results.Key words: SN2 reaction, direct ab initio molecular dynamics, halogen exchange, reaction mechanism.