Electronic Properties of Triazoles. Experimental and Computational Determination of Carbocation and Radical-Stabilizing Properties

Three fluorobenzenes substituted with meta-triazole groups have been prepared, and 19F chemical shifts indicate that these triazole groups are all inductively electron-withdrawing in character, with the 1,5-triazole being the most electron-withdrawing. σ+ values for these three triazoles have also been determined from solvolysis rates of substituted cumyl trifluoroacetates. When substituted in the para-position, the 1,4 and the 2,4-triazoles are cation-stabilizing, whereas the 1,5-triazole is carbocation-destabilizing. γ+ values indicate that the 1,4 triazole group is cation-stabilizing relative to the phenyl group, albeit the 1,5 triazole is significantly destabilizing relative to phenyl. These studies all suggest that the 1,5-triazole group exerts a strong electron-withdrawing effect on carbocations that is not offset by a resonance effect. The three triazole groups all enhance the methylenecyclopropane rearrangement rate and are therefore radical stabilizers. The smallest stabilizing effect is seen for the 1,5-triazole, and this is attributed to the triazole group being twisted out of conjugation in the developing benzylic radical. Finally, the anionic triazole group is the most effective radical-stabilizing group. Computational studies indicate that these triazole groups all stabilize benzylic radicals by a spin delocalization mechanism.