On the Dynamics of the Carbon-Bromine Bond Dissociation in the 1-Bromo-2-Methylnaphthalene Radical Anion

This paper studies the mechanism of electrochemically induced carbon-bromine dissociation in 1-Br-2-methylnaphalene in the reduction regime. In particular, the bond dissociation of the relevant radical anion is disassembled at a molecular level, exploiting quantum mechanical calculations including steady-state, equilibrium and dissociation dynamics via dynamic reaction coordinate (DRC) calculations. DRC is a molecular-dynamic-based calculation relying on an ab initio potential surface. This is to achieve a detailed picture of the dissociation process in an elementary molecular detail. From a thermodynamic point of view, all the reaction paths examined are energetically feasible. The obtained results suggest that the carbon halogen bond dissociates following the first electron uptake follow a stepwise mechanism. Indeed, the formation of the bromide anion and an organic radical occurs. The latter reacts to form a binaphthalene intrinsically chiral dimer. This paper is respectfully dedicated to Professors Anny Jutand and Christian Amatore for their outstanding contribution in the field of electrochemical catalysis and electrosynthesis.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the mechanism of electrochemically induced carbon-bromine dissociation in 1-Br-2-methylnaphalene under reduction conditions. Quantum mechanical calculations reveal that the dissociation of the carbon-halogen bond occurs in a stepwise manner, leading to the formation of a bromide anion and an organic radical.