Regioselective organocatalysis: a theoretical prediction of the selective rate acceleration of the SN2 reaction between an acetate ion and primary alkyl chlorides in DMSO solution.

High level ab initio calculations, including the solvent effect through a continuum solvation model, predict that 1,4-benzenedimethanol is able to catalyse the S(N)2 reaction between an acetate ion and primary alkyl chlorides in dimethyl sulfoxide solution. The catalysis takes place through two selective hydrogen bonds to the transition state. However, for secondary alkyl chlorides the catalysis is not effective due to steric repulsion and desolvation. This effect induces regioselective control of S(N)2 esterification reactions.