Zur Kenntnis organischerLewis-Säuren, 36.Cis—trans-Gleichgewichte und Konformationen von 2,(x)-Dialkyl-1-dicyanomethylencyclohexanen. Wahlweise einfache Darstellung dercis- odertrans-Formen

Abstract

Knoevenagel condensation of malononitrile withcis- andtrans-2,5-dimethylcyclohexanone (1 c and1 t, respectively) leads to2 c and2 t, respectively, and withtrans-1-decalone to4 t. The equilibria2 c⇌2 t and4 c⇌4 t have been determined as well as, by means of 270-MHz-¹H-NMR, the conformations of these four compounds. The dicyanomethylene group is found to induce axial positions of neighbouring alkyl residues on the cyclohexane ring (or when this is impossible, as in the case of4 t, the twist form of the cyclohexane ring). This results in a strong predominance of thecis isomers in the equilibria2 c⇌2 t and4 c⇌4 t whereas thetrans isomers strongly predominate in the equilibria among the starting ketones. This situation allows the optional preparation of2 c or2 t, and of4 c or4 t, from the more stable starting ketone (or ketone mixture). The free conformational energy of the distorted twist form of4 t amounts to 17 kJ/mol.