On the Thermodynamic Control of Ring Opening of 4-Substituted 1,3,3-Tris-Carbethoxycyclobutene and the Role of the C-3 Substituent in Masking the Kinetic Torquoselectivity

The predominant transformations of 4-methyl- and 4-phenyl-1,3,3-tris-carbethoxycyclobutenes to s-trans-trans-1,1,3-tris-carbethoxy-4-methyl- and 4-phenyl-1,3-butadienes, respectively, proceed through a pathway entailing heterolytic cleavage of s_C3C4 bond rather than the usual four-electron conrotatory ring opening. The adventitious or in situ generated halogen acid catalyzes the reaction by either protonation of one of the two ester groups on C3 and, thus, weakening s_C3C4 bond to allow its heterolytic cleavage and formation of a stable cation or protonation followed by halide ion attack in S_N2 manner on the methyl/phenyl-bearing carbon. Reorganization of the cation species formed in the former event and elimination of the elements of halogen acid from the halo-species formed in the latter event generate the observed product. The nucleophilic attack of DMSO to bring about heterolytic S_N2 cleavage of s_C3C4 bond is also discussed.