Probing the Structural and Electronic Effects on the Origin of π-Facial Stereoselectivity in 1-Methylphosphole 1-Oxide Cycloadditions and Cyclodimerization

[Image: see text] We have examined the π-facial stereoselectivity in the Diels–Alder reactions of phosphole oxides computationally. The experimentally observed syn-cycloadditions have been rationalized with the Cieplak model and distortion–interaction model. The natural bond orbital analysis suggests that the hyperconjugative interactions are energetically preferred between the antiperiplanar methyl group present in the −P=O unit and the developing incipient (−C–C−) bond in syn-adducts in accordance with the Cieplak model. The distortion–interaction analysis carried out for syn and anti transition states of Diels–Alder reactions of 1-substituted phosphole 1-oxide with different dienophiles reveals that the syn selectivity is favored by distortions and interaction energies compared with the anti selectivity. The formation of a syn adduct is also stabilized by the π(CC)–σ*(PO) orbital interaction, and the repulsive n−π interaction destabilizes the anti adduct that leads to the 7.0 kcal/mol thermodynamic preference for the former adduct. Furthermore, the distortion–interaction model rationalizes the formation of stereospecific products in these Diels–Alder reactions, which however is not explicable with the much-debated Cieplak model.