Reaction of Chlorosulfonyl Isocyanate with Fluorosubstituted Alkenes: Evidence of a Concerted Pathway

Concerted reactions are indicated for the electrophilic addition of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate with monofluoroalkenes. A vinyl fluorine atom on an alkene raises the energy of a stepwise transition state more than the energy of the competing concerted pathway. This energy shift induces CSI to react with monofluoroalkenes by a one-step process. The low reactivity of CSI with monofluoroalkenes, stereospecific reactions, the absence of 2:1 uracil products with neat fluoroalkenes, and quantum chemical calculations support a concerted pathway.