MECHANISM FOR THE OXIDATION OF IMINES (SCHIFF-BASES) WITH PEROXY ACIDS - ABINITIO MOLECULAR-ORBITAL STUDY

The reaction of peroxyformic acid with methyleneimine has been studied by using STO-2G and STO-4G. Various plausible transition states presumably involved in a one-step mechanism and adducts involved in a two-step mechanism have been investigated. The formation of the corresponding oxaziridine is predicted to take place in a two-step process via an adduct intermediate resembling B. The transition state for the formation of the latter most probably resembles the one represented as 4. The results are consistent with recently available experimental evidence. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.