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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Theoretical study of degenerate Boulton-Katritzky rearrangements. Semiempirical and ab initio procedures

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Abstract A theoretical study of degenerate Boulton–Katritzky rearrangements concerning the anions of the 3-formylamino-1,2,4-oxadiazole, 3-formylmethyl-isoxazole and 3-hydroxy-iminomethyl-1,2,5-oxadiazole has been carried out by using semiempirical MNDO and ab initio Hartree–Fock procedures. Different transition structures and reactive pathways were obtained in the two cases. Semiempirical treatment shows asymmetrical transition states and non-concerted processes via symmetrical intermediates. By contrast, ab initio procedures describe concerted and synchronous processes involving symmetrically-located transition states. Some comments and criticisms on the theoretical treatment of these typical rearrangements of five-membered heterocycles are reported.