The transition structures for the epoxidations of
ethylene by performic acid, dioxirane, oxaziridine, and
peroxynitrous acid have been located with density functional theory
methods using the Becke3LYP functional and
6-31G* basis set. All of the epoxidations have spiro transition
states; those with performic acid and dioxirane are
early and involve synchronous oxygen transfer, while those with
oxaziridine and peroxynitrous acid are later with
asynchronous oxygen transfer. The results from Becke3LYP/6-31G*
theory are compared with MP2/6-31G* literature
values. Substitution on ethylene by methoxy, methyl, vinyl, and
cyano groups changes the transition state geometries
toward asynchronous spiro structures. The activation energies are
lowered by all substituents except the cyano
group in reactions of performic acid and dioxirane. Experimental
stereoselectivities are rationalized by using transition
structure models based upon these transition structures.