In order to understand the stabilization properties of dicobalt hexacarbonyl complexed compounds, it is important to study the effects of various substituents on carbocation stability. Compounds that are complexed with dicobalt hexacarbonyl are used successfully in the cyclization of alkynes. Their use is especially beneficial in the synthesis of seven memembered rings containing an alkyne.
It is theorized that due to the Inductive Effect, sp2 hybridized carbons will destabilize these cations more than sp3 hybridized carbons. By running Nicholas competition reactions with phenyl and butyl substituted compounds, the product that is favoured can be said to have a more stable carbocation.
Employing Gibbs free energy calculations of variously substituted compounds and their corresponding carbocation we will determine which reactions are the most favourable.
The reactions will be monitored by 1H NMR in order to determine which was formed in majority. Computational calculations will also be conducted in our to determine the effects of various substituents. Employing Gibbs free energy calculations of variously substituted compounds and their corresponding carbocation will determine which reactions are the most favourable.