DOI

This report demonstrates the successful application of electrostatic surface potential distribution analysis for evaluating the relative catalytic activity of a series of azolium-based halogen bond donors. A strong correlation (R2> 0.97) was observed between the positive electrostatic potential of the σ-hole on the halogen atom and the Gibbs free energy of activation of the model reactions (i.e., halogen abstraction and carbonyl activation). The predictive ability of the applied approach was confirmed experimentally. It was also determined that the catalytic activity of azolium-based halogen bond donors was generally governed by the structure of the azolium cycle, whereas the substituents on the heterocycle had a limited impact on the activity. Ultimately, this study highlighted four of the most promising azolium halogen bond donors, which are expected to exhibit high catalytic activity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7611-7620
Number of pages11
JournalOrganic & biomolecular chemistry
Volume19
Issue number35
Early online date29 Jul 2021
DOIs
StatePublished - 21 Sep 2021

    Research areas

  • HETEROCYCLIC CARBENE COMPLEXES, ASYMMETRIC ORGANOCATALYSIS, BRONSTED ACID, SALTS, SUBSTITUENT, ACTIVATION, ELEMENTS

    Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

ID: 84853936