“…The electrophilicity indices of 1a and 1b have very low values, ω = 0.75 eV and ω = 0.89 eV, respectively, while they are increased in the 2-substituted cyclobut-2-enones from 2-methoxyto 2-cyano-, from ω= 1.43 eV to ω = 2.55 eV, respectively, with the latter being classified as a strong electrophile [18]. The polar character of a cycloaddition process can be predicted using the electrophilicity difference of the reaction pair, Δω [19]. In this sense, the electrophilicity difference between 2c and 1a is 1.79 eV, which indicates a larger polar character for this cycloaddition, while the small Δω between, 1a and 2d, 0.73eV, shows a low polar character of the cycloaddition reaction and is thus classified as a pericyclic process.…”