Theoretical study of the mechanism of high-pressure induced 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azides with electron-deficient olefins

The high-pressure induced 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of azides with electron-deficient olefins have been studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) method. The results derived from the theoretical calculations indicate that the concerted mechanism is both kinetically and thermodynamically preferred to the stepwise one. The experimental observation, which high-pressure could induce the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, is also reproduced by present computations. In addition, the solvent effects on the stability of the products and transition states are taken into account.