Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.120, No.23, 4059-4070, 2016
Experimental and Theoretical Electron Density Determination for Two Norbornene Derivatives: Topological Analysis Provides Insights on Reactivity
The electron density distribution of two substituted norbornene derivatives (cis-5-norbornene-endo-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride (1) and 7-oxabicylo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-exo-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride (2) has been determined from low-temperature (20 K) X-ray diffraction data and from DFT calculations with periodic boundary conditions. Topological analysis of the electron density is discussed with respect to exo-selective additions, the partial retro-Diels-Alder (rDA) character of the ground state, and intermolecular interaction energies.