A CASPT2 and CASSCF approach to the cycloaddition of ketene and imine: a new mechanistic scheme of the Staudinger reaction.

We report a new theoretical study of the mechanism of the parent Staudinger reaction between ketene and formaldimine. This mechanism, in contrast with previously reported computational studies, involves the formation of two different intermediates, gauche and trans, which can be interconnected on the potential energy surface depending upon reaction conditions. This novel CASPT2/CASSCF mechanistic scheme may be considered a new starting point to rationalize stereochemical outcome and solvent effects in these reactions.