%0 Journal Article %A DeChancie, Jason %A Acevedo, Orlando %A Evanseck, Jeffrey D. %D 2004 %T Density Functional Theory Determination of an Axial Gateway To Explain the Rate and Endo Selectivity Enhancement of Diels−Alder Reactions by Bis(oxazoline)-Cu(II) %U https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Density_Functional_Theory_Determination_of_an_Axial_Gateway_To_Explain_the_Rate_and_Endo_Selectivity_Enhancement_of_Diels_Alder_Reactions_by_Bis_oxazoline_Cu_II_/3338818 %R 10.1021/ja037702j.s001 %2 https://acs.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/5178034 %K density %K butyl C 2 %K substituent %K understanding %K Endo Selectivity Enhancement %K reactive metal center %K endo selectivity %K Density Functional Theory Determination %K Diel %K catalyst %K endo selectivity enhancements %X A novel conceptual model and unique understanding of rate and endo selectivity enhancements delivered by bis(oxazoline)-Cu(II) Lewis acid catalysts in the Diels−Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene and acrylate imide is presented. Despite previously reported kinetic and spectroscopic studies, the physical reasons for endo selectivity and rate enhancements remain poorly understood. Large-scale density functional calculations using Becke three-parameter density functional theory with the nonlocal correlation of Lee, Yang, and Parr and the 6-31G(d) basis set have been carried out for the first time to understand the geometric and energetic consequences of C2-substituent variation. The unique positioning of the tert-butyl C2-substituent with respect to the diene, referred to as the “axial gateway”, maintains the electrophilicity of the catalyst by shielding the reactive metal center from nucleophilic attack. The interplay between steric and electronic factors is crucial to understanding the observed enhanced rates and endo selectivity. %I ACS Publications