This chapter uncovers the geometrical requirements for reactions on saturated and unsaturated carbons in both acyclic and cyclic systems with the related stereochemical features. The nucleophilic attacks in S N 2 and S N 2 processes, involving the necessary geometrical requirements, are discussed. The resonance-driven activation of cyclopropane is of much significance in synthetic chemistry. The mode of activation and its consequences on product profile are amply reasoned. The S N 2-originated 1,2-migration within geometrical constraints of the reactant and neighboring group participation under solvolysis conditions have been explained with emphasis on product distribution. The activation of oxirane by Lewis acid, followed by rearrangement under stereochemical effect, is discussed. Given the suitable geometrical disposition of substituents and functional groups in a given molecule, several 1,2migrations can take place in tandem to generate fascinating skeletons. This chemistry has been described with examples of the construction of several steroidal skeletons. Baldwin rules and the preferred exo-trig over endo-trig cyclization are demonstrated with examples using geometrical analysis. The stereoelectronically controlled addition reactions are also highlighted.
Inter-and Intramolecular Reactions on Saturated CarbonsThe concerted bond formation and bond cleavage in S N 2 reactions proceed with full stereoelectronic control. In transition structure 2 for the reaction, both the nucleophile and the leaving group are bonded to the central carbon atom, which has acquired an sp 2 character. One lobe of the p orbital on carbon overlaps with an incoming nucleophile and the other with the leaving group. Since the nucleophile approaches the carbon from the direction opposite to the leaving group, the result is Walden inversion or inversion of configuration. The reaction is, thus, controlled by electronic effects that impose certain geometrical restraints on the TS structure.