Theoretical investigation on the reaction mechanism of aryl alcohols and p-Toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide catalyzed by InCl3

Abstract The reaction mechanism of aryl alcohols and TosMIC ( p -Toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide) catalyzed by InCl 3 has been investigated by density functional theory (DFT). The geometries of reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products have been optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. The vibration analysis has been performed to demonstrate the authenticity of transition states. The reaction processes are also confirmed by the changes of charge density at bond-forming critical point which analyzed by the atoms in molecules (AIM) theory. In addition, the nature bond orbital (NBO) analysis is carried out to discuss the bond nature and orbital interactions of the species in the reactions. Compared with that of the reaction without catalyst, the activation energy of that with InCl 3 decreases by 339.55 kJ mol −1 . Thus, the present computational results indicate that InCl 3 is an effective catalyst.