Theoretical studies on the C-H bond insertion reaction of carbenes with ethers(IV) - Insertion reaction of CX2(X=H, F, Cl) with benzyl methyl ether

The C-H bond insertion reactions between benzyl methyl ether and CX2(X=H, F , Cl) have been studied by using density functional theory at B3LYP/6-31G i c level, The potential barriers for the C-H bond insertions in methyl group of benzyl methyl ether are 123.3 kJ/mol(X=CI) and 240.4 kJ/mol (X=F), and those in benzyl group are 37.5 kJ/mol(X=Cl) and 112.2 kJ/mol(X=F) respectiv ely, No potential barriers are present in both the insertion reactions with methylene group, The C-H bond insertion reactions between benzyl methyl et her and CX2(X=H,F, Cl) take place primarily at alpha -carbon of the benzyl group and the phenyl group promotes the C-H bond insertion by carbene at it s neighboring alpha -carbon more easily.