Application of the variable oxygen probe to determine the π-electron donor ability of the alkyne group

Abstract

Eight ester and ether derivatives of propargyl alcohol with varying electron demand were structurally characterised using low temperature X-ray crystallography, these were combined with seven derivatives obtained from the Cambridge Structural Database. Variable oxygen probe analysis of these derivatives provided evidence that the ethynyl substituent is a relatively weak π-electron donor, and is a slightly less effective donor than the C-C bond of an ethyl substituent.