DFT study the interaction of β‐cyclodextrin with benzyl azide and phenyl acetylene in synthesis of 1,2,3‐triazoles

The phenyl acetylene and benzyl azide cycloaddition reaction in water in the presence of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) as a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) can get a better yield in a shorter time. The interaction between β‐CD and phenyl acetylene or benzyl azide plays an important role in this reaction. This paper studies the complexes of β‐CD with phenyl acetylene and benzyl azide using density functional theory (DFT) method. In order to find out the orientations of guests in the cavity of β‐CD, binding energy and deformation energy are investigated, and the calculated results are confirmed by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹HNMR). The data from single point energy indicate that the inclusion complexes can improve the solubilities of phenyl acetylene and benzyl azide in water. The ¹³C and ¹⁵N spectra show that the most obvious variation concentrates on C₆ and C₈ of phenyl acetylene and N₁₅ of benzyl azide in complexes. Mulliken charge and frontier orbital are employed for revealing the charge distribution. The effect of β‐CD is discussed in terms of the calculated parameters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanistic study on Mo(CO)6‐catalyzed intramolecular [2 + 2] or [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of 5‐allenyl‐1‐ynes

By means of density functional theory, the Mo(CO)₆‐catalyzed intramolecular [2 + 2] or [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition reaction of 5‐allenyl‐1‐ynes was investigated. All the intermediates and transition states were optimized completely at B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level (LANL2DZ(f) for Mo). Calculations indicate that the complexation of 5‐allenyl‐1‐ynes with Mo(CO)₆ occurred preferentially at the triple bond to give the complex M1 and then the complexation with the distal double bond of the allenes generates the complex M5 . In this reaction, Mo(CO)₆‐catalyzed intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition is more favorable than [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition. The reaction pathway Mo(CO)₆ + R → M5 → T7 → M12 → M13 → T11 → M18 → P4 is the most favorable one, and the most dominant product predicted theoretically is P4 . The solvation effect is remarkable, and it decreases the reaction energy barriers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Local structural order in carbonic acid polymorphs: Raman and FT‐IR spectroscopy

Two different polymorphs of carbonic acid, α‐ and β‐H₂CO₃, were identified and characterized using infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) previously. Our attempts to determine the crystal structures of these two polymorphs using powder and thin‐film X‐ray diffraction techniques have failed so far. Here, we report the Raman spectrum of the α‐polymorph, compare it with its FT‐IR spectrum and present band assignments in line with our work on the β‐polymorph [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 48 (2009) 2690–2694]. The Raman spectra also contain information in the wavenumber range ∼90–400 cm⁻¹, which was not accessible by FT‐IR spectroscopy in the previous work. While the α‐polymorph shows Raman and IR bands at similar positions over the whole accessible range, the rule of mutual exclusion is obeyed for the β‐polymorph. This suggests that there is a center of inversion in the basic building block of β‐H₂CO₃ whereas there is none in α‐H₂CO₃. Thus, as the basic motif in the crystal structure we suggest the cyclic carbonic acid dimer containing a center of inversion in case of β‐H₂CO₃ and a catemer chain or a sheet‐like structure based on carbonic acid dimers not containing a center of inversion in case of α‐H₂CO₃. This hypothesis is strengthened when comparing Raman active lattice modes at < 400 cm⁻¹ with the calculated Raman spectra for different dimers. In particular, the intense band at 192 cm⁻¹ in β‐H₂CO₃ can be explained by the inter‐dimer stretching mode of the centrosymmetric RC(OHO)₂ CR entity with ROH. The same entity can be found in gas‐phase formic acid (RH) and in β‐oxalic acid (RCOOH) and produces an intense Raman active band at a very similar wavenumber. The absence of this band in α‐H₂CO₃ confirms that the difference to β‐H₂CO₃ is found in the local coordination environment and/or monomer conformation rather than on the long range. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

β‐Elimination of an aziridine to an allylic amine: a mechanistic study

The base‐induced rearrangement of aziridines has been examined using a combination of calculations and experiment. The calculations show that the substituent on nitrogen is a critical feature that greatly affects the favorability of both α‐deprotonation, and β‐elimination to form an allylic amine. Experiments were carried out to determine whether E2‐like rearrangement to the allylic amine with lithium diisopropyl amide (LDA) is possible. N‐tosyl aziridines were found to deprotonate on the tosyl group, preventing further reaction. A variety of N‐benzenesulfonyl aziridines having both α‐ and β‐protons decomposed when treated with LDA in either tetrahydrofuran or hexamethylphosphoramide. However, when α‐protons were not present, allylic amine was formed, presumably via β‐elimination. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorption of chlorophenol on the Cu(1 1 1) surface: A first-principles density functional theory study

The interaction between a 2-chlorophenol (C₆H₄OHCl) molecule and the Cu(1 1 1) surface has been investigated using density functional theory as an initial step in gaining a better understanding of the catalyzed formation of dioxin compounds on a clean copper surface. The 2-chlorophenol molecule is found to form several weakly bonded, horizontally and vertically oriented configurations. Dissociative modes have also been investigated. For the latter, the formation of phenyl and benzyne fragments is found to be more energetically favourable than the formation of 2-chlorophenoxy radicals.     

Reversible formation of aryloxenium ions from the corresponding quinols under acidic conditions

Quinols, 1, are products of the hydration of O‐aryloxenium ions, 2, and N‐arylnitrenium ions, 3, and they are being investigated for medical uses. Under acidic conditions (pH 1–3) kinetics and products of Br^– trapping demonstrate that 1a, 4‐phenyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2,5‐cyclohexadienone, and 1b, 4‐p‐tolyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2,5‐cyclohexadienone, generate the corresponding oxenium ions 2a and 2b, respectively, as steady‐state intermediates. Formation and trapping of the oxenium ions occurs in competition with the acid catalyzed dienone–phenol rearrangement. Because oxenium ion formation is reversible, the ion can only be detected by trapping with a nucleophile. Br^– is an efficient trap under acidic conditions because, unlike N₃^–, it is not protonated under those conditions. Attempts to detect the oxenium ions 2a and 2b at pH 4.6 and 7.1 with N₃^– were unsuccessful indicating that oxenium ion formation only occurs under acidic conditions. The oxenium ion 2c could not be detected under acidic conditions from the quinol 1c, 4‐(benzothiazol‐2‐yl)‐4‐hydroxy‐2,5‐cyclohexadienone, by Br^– trapping methods, even though this ion can be detected during hydrolysis of the corresponding ester, 4c. Although the benzothiazol‐2‐yl group is a resonance electron donor that is capable of stabilizing an O‐aryloxenium ion, it is also a strong inductive electron withdrawing group that hinders the formation of 2c from 1c by decreasing the extent of protonation of 1c to generate 1cH⁺ and by destabilizing the transition state for ionization of 1cH⁺. Generation of an oxenium ion from the corresponding quinol is feasible under acidic conditions as long as the 4‐substituent of the quinol is both a resonance and inductive electron donor. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical and experimental studies on stability of the C‐ON bond in new ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamines

Three new ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamines derived from 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) were prepared: N‐(1‐phenylpropyloxy)‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐4‐one, 1‐phenyl‐1‐(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinoxy)propanone, 1‐phenyl‐1‐(4‐oxo‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidinoxy)propanone. The rate constants of C‐ON bonds homolysis in the synthesized alkoxyamines were determined over a range of temperatures via nitroxide‐exchange experiments using HPLC to monitor the concentration. The Arrhenius parameters of homolysis for the investigated alkoxyamines were determined (lnA, E_a). Homolytic bond dissociation energies (BDE) of the C‐ON bond in the synthesized compounds were determined from quantum‐mechanical calculations at the B3‐LYP/6‐31G(d) and BMK/6‐311+G(3df,2p) levels. Ketone functionalization of the alkyl fragment of alkoxyamine in β position dramatically increases the rate constant of homolysis (by a factor of ca. 500 at the temperature of 363 K) suggesting that the new ketone functionalized N‐alkoxyamines should be effective as C‐radical precursor and unimolecular initiators in NMRP at lower temperatures than the alkoxyamines applied earlier. The analyses of natural bond, frontal orbitals and spin distribution indicated that the decrease in the strength of C‐ON bonds in ketone fuctionalized alkoxyamines in the alkyl fragment predominantly originates from a substantially smaller HOMO–LUMO gap and more delocalized spin density in leaving alkyl radicals as compared with unfunctionalized alkoxyamines. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Potential Energy Surface for Oxidation of Indenyl C<Subscript>9</Subscript>H<Subscript>7</Subscript>

Ab initio calculations were performed to obtain local energy extrema, including an effect of reagents, intermediates, and reaction products on the potential energy surface for the C₉H₇+O₂ reaction, playing a significant role in oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at combustion conditions. The final products, determined as a result of the calculations are styrenyl radical C₈H₇+CO₂, ortho-vinyl phenyl radical C₈H₇+CO₂ and 1-H-inden-1-one C₉H₆O+OH, which is predicted to be the prevailing reaction product.     

Reactivity of 2‐aryl‐1,3‐dithiane anions towards neopentyl,neophyl and phenyl iodides. New evidence for an SRN1 mechanism

The reactions of 2‐(4‐Z‐phenyl)‐1,3‐dithiane anions (Z = H, OMe, Cl, CN) with neopentyl, neophyl and phenyl iodides were studied in DMSO, taking into consideration the effect of the Z substituent on the dithiane anions reactivity as well as on the product distribution. These substitution reactions proceed by an S_RN1 mechanism with radicals and radical anions as intermediates. Two competitive pathways are possible for the radical anion of the substitution product, namely electron transfer (ET) to the substrate giving the substitution product and C–S bond fragmentation to yield a distonic radical anion. ET is the main pathway for the reactions between dithiane anions bearing electron‐donor substituents and neopentyl or its analogue iodides affording the substitution products in moderate yields (41–53%). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of gas‐phase decarbonylation of α‐methyl‐trans‐cinamaldehyde and E‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentenal under homogeneous catalysis of hydrogen chloride

The kinetics of the gas‐phase elimination of α‐methyl‐trans‐cinamaldehyde catalyzed by HCl in the temperature range of 399.0–438.7 °C, and the pressure range of 38–165 Torr is a homogeneous, molecular, pseudo first‐order process and undergoing a parallel reaction to produce via (A) α‐methylstyrene and CO gas and via (B) β‐methylstyrene and CO gas. The decomposition of substrate E‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentenal was performed in the temperature range of 370.0–410.0 °C and the pressure range of 44–150 Torr also undergoing a molecular, pseudo first‐order reaction gives E‐2‐pentene and CO gas. These reactions were carried out in a static system seasoned reactions vessels and in the presence of toluene free radical inhibitor. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius expressions:

• Products formation from α‐methyl‐trans‐cinamaldehyde
• α‐methylstyrene :
• β‐methylstyrene :
• Products formation from E‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentenal
• E‐2‐pentene :

The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for the thermal decomposition of α‐methyl‐trans‐cinamaldehyde suggest that via (A) proceeds through a bicyclic transition state type of mechanism to yield α‐methylstyrene and carbon monoxide, whereas via (B) through a five‐membered cyclic transition state to give β‐methylstyrene and carbon monoxide. However, the elimination of E‐2‐methyl‐2‐pentenal occurs by way of a concerted cyclic five‐membered transition state mechanism producing E‐2‐pentene and carbon monoxide. The present results support that uncatalyzed α‐β‐unsaturated aldehydes decarbonylate through a three‐membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational Dynamics and Heat Capacity of Trans‐1,4‐Polyisoprene (α‐Form)

Vibrational dynamics of the α‐polymorphic form of trans‐1‐4‐polyisoprene is described using Higg's method and the Urey‐Bradley force field. Characteristic features of dispersion profiles such as repulsion and bunching are reported. A comparison with the β‐form is presented and possible reasons for variation in heat capacity are discussed.     

Double proton transfer in crystals of 1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a] pyrimidine (hppH): 13C and 15N CPMAS NMR study of (hppH)2

In this paper, we report an example of intermolecular solid‐state proton transfer in the bicyclic guanidine, hppH. A combination of X‐ray crystallography, CPMAS NMR (¹³C and ¹⁵N) and theoretical calculations allows us to determine that a double proton transfer takes place in the (hppH)₂ dimer with an activation energy of about 50 kJ mol^?1. According to the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) calculations, the double proton transfer occurs non‐symmetrically through a zwitterion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Catalysis by hydrogen chloride in the gas‐phase elimination kinetics of 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol and 3‐methyl‐1‐buten‐3‐ol

A homogeneous, molecular, gas‐phase elimination kinetics of 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol and 3‐methyl‐1‐ buten‐3‐ol catalyzed by hydrogen chloride in the temperature range 325–386 °C and pressure range 34–149 torr are described. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius equations: for 2‐phenyl‐2‐propanol log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.01 ± 0.31) ? (109.5 ± 2.8) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1 and for 3‐methyl‐1‐buten‐3‐ol log k₁ (s^?1) = (11.50 ± 0.18) ? (116.5 ± 1.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. Electron delocalization of the CH₂?CH and C₆H₅ appears to be an important effect in the rate enhancement of acid catalyzed tertiary alcohols in the gas phase. A concerted six‐member cyclic transition state type of mechanism appears to be, as described before, a rational interpretation for the dehydration process of these substrates. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

First‐principle calculations of optical properties of monolayer arsenene and antimonene allotropes

Recently a stable monolayer of antimony in buckled honeycomb structure called antimonene was successfully grown on 3D topological insulator Bi₂Te₃ and Sb₂Te₃, which displays novel semiconducting properties. By first‐principle calculations, we systematically investigate the electronic and optical properties of α‐ and β‐allotropes of monolayer arsenene/antimonene. The obtained electronic structures reveal that the direct band gap of α‐arsenene/antimonene is much smaller than the indirect band gap of their β‐counterpart, respectively. Significant absorption is observed in α‐antimonene, which can be used as a broad saturable absorber. For β‐arsenene/antimonene, the reflectivity is low and the absorption is negligible in the visible region when the polarization along the out‐plane direction, indicating that β‐arsenene/antimonene are polarizationally transparent materials.

     

Vibrational and reorientational dynamics,crystal structure and solid–solid phase transition studies in [Ca(H2O)6]Cl2 supported by theoretical (DFT) calculations

[Ca(H₂O)₆]Cl₂ between 93 and 300 K possesses two solid phases. One phase transition (PT) of the first‐order type at = 218.0 K (on heating) and = 208.0 K (on cooling) was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal hysteresis of this PT (10 K), as well as the heat flow anomaly sharpness, suggests that the detected PT is a first‐order one. The entropy change value [ΔS ≈ 8.5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ ≈ Rln(2.8)] associated with the observed PT suggests a moderate degree of molecular dynamical disorder of the high‐temperature phase. The temperature dependencies of the full width at half maximum values of the infrared band are due to ρ(H₂O)A₂ mode (at 205 cm⁻¹), and two Raman bands are arising from τ(H₂O)E and τ(H₂O)A₁ modes (at ca. 410 and 682 cm⁻¹, respectively), suggesting that the observed PT is associated with a sudden change of speed of the H₂O reorientational motions. The estimated mean value of activation energy for the reorientation of the H₂O ligands in the high‐temperature phase is ca. 11.4 kJ mol⁻¹ from Raman spectroscopy and 11.9 kJ mol⁻¹ from infrared spectroscopy. X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction measurement and spectroscopic studies (infrared, Raman and inelastic neutron scattering) also confirm that [Ca(H₂O)₆]Cl₂ includes two sets of differently bonded H₂O molecules. Ab initio calculations of the complete unit cell of one molecule of calcium chloride with a different number of water molecules (2, 4 and 6) have also been carried out. A comparison of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR), Fourier Transform Raman Scattering (FT‐RS) and inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopies results with periodic density functional theory calculations was used to provide a complete assignment of the vibrational spectra of [Ca(H₂O)₆]Cl₂. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vibrational spectra of rhombohedral TeO3 compared to those of ReO3‐like proto‐phase and α‐TeO2 (paratellurite): lattice dynamic and crystal chemistry aspects

Vibrational spectra of rhombohedral TeO₃ (r‐TeO₃) are analyzed along with those of ReO₃‐like proto‐phase (c‐TeO₃) and α‐TeO₂ (paratellurite), emphasizing their lattice dynamic and crystal chemistry aspects. It is shown that (1) r‐TeO₃ can be regarded as resulting from the condensation of a particular R‐point soft phonon of c‐TeO₃; (2) the Raman spectra of r‐TeO₃ and α‐TeO₂ are indicative of the two fundamentally different (from the crystal chemistry point of view) types of crystalline oxides, namely, framework‐type and island‐type, respectively. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Raman spectroscopy of the transition of α‐gallium oxyhydroxide to β‐gallium oxide nanorods

The thermo‐Raman spectra of synthesised α‐gallium oxyhydroxide nanorod prove that the transition of α‐gallium oxyhydroxide to β‐gallium oxide nanorods occurs above 350 °C but below 400 °C. Scanning electron microscopy proves that the morphology of the α‐gallium oxyhydroxide nanorods is retained upon calcination to β‐gallium oxide. X‐ray diffraction patterns show that the nanorods are α‐gallium oxyhydroxide converting upon calcination to β‐gallium oxide. Intense Raman bands are observed at 190, 262, 275, 430, 520, 605, and 695 cm⁻¹, which undergo a red shift of ∼5 cm⁻¹ upon heating to 350 °C. Upon thermal treatment above 350 °C, the Raman spectrum shows a significantly different pattern. Raman bands are observed at 155, 212, 280, 430, 570, and 685 cm⁻¹. The thermo‐Raman spectra are in harmony with the TG and DTG patterns, which show that the reaction of α‐gallium oxyhydroxide to β‐gallium oxide occurs at 365 °C. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) behavior of substituted propenoic acids used in heterogeneous catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation

The strength and geometry of adsorption of substituted propenoic acids on silver surface were studied by means of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) using silver sol. Based on their SERS behavior, two classes of phenylpropenoic acids studied were distinguished. The first class of propenoic acids (atropic acid, (E)‐2,3‐diphenylpropenoic acid, (E)‐2‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐phenylpropenoic acid, (E)‐2,3‐di‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)phenylpropenoic acid and (E)‐2‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)propenoic acid) has shown strong charge transfer (CT) effect. We suggest bidentate carboxyl bonded species based on the SERS enhanced bands of νCOO⁻ around 1394 cm⁻¹ and νC―C of the ―C―COO⁻ moiety at 951 cm⁻¹. In these series the plane of the α‐phenyl group (γCH out‐of‐plane vibrations at 850–700 cm⁻¹) is almost parallel to the silver surface, while the β‐phenyl group is in tilted position depending on the type and the position of substituent(s) showing strong SERS enhanced bands of νCC + βCH (in‐plane mode) at 1075 cm⁻¹, νCC (ring breathing mode, in‐plane) at 1000 cm⁻¹ and γCCC (out‐of‐plane mode) around 401 cm⁻¹. The other class of propenoic acids (cinnamic acid, (E)‐2‐phenyl‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)propenoic acid) has shown weak electromagnetic (EM) enhancement (CC bands is enhanced in cinnamic acid). In this case no significant carboxyl enhancement was observed, so we suggest that adsorbed species lie parallel to the surface. The two types of adsorption can be related to the dissociation ability of the carboxylic group. In the first case the carboxylic H dissociates, while in the second case it does not, as indicated also by the characteristic νCO band at 1686 cm⁻¹ in the FT‐Raman spectra of methanolic solutions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An EXAFS spectroscopic study of Am(III) complexation with lactate

The pH dependence (1–7) of Am(III) complexation with lactate in aqueous solution is studied using extended X‐ray absorption fine‐structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Structural data (coordination numbers, Am—O and Am—C distances) of the formed Am(III)–lactate species are determined from the raw k³‐weighted Am L_III‐edge EXAFS spectra. Between pH 1 and pH 6, Am(III) speciation shifts continuously towards complexed species with increasing pH. At higher pH, the amount of complexed species decreases due to formation of hydroxo species. The coordination numbers and distances (3.41–3.43 Å) of the coordinating carbon atoms clearly point out that lactate is bound `side‐on' to Am(III) through both the carboxylic and the α‐hydroxy function of lactate. The experimentally determined coordination numbers are compared with speciation calculations on the basis of tabulated thermodynamic stability constants. Both EXAFS data and thermodynamic modelling are in very good agreement. The EXAFS spectra are also analyzed by iterative transformation factor analysis to further verify the determined Am(III) speciation and the used structural model.     

Steric effects on the mechanism of reaction of nucleophilic substitution of β‐substituted alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones with four secondary amines

The kinetics of the reaction of β‐substituted β‐alkoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones R¹O‐CR²?CH‐COCF₃ ( 1a – e ) [( 1a ), R¹?C₂H₅, R²?H; ( 1b ), R¹?R²?CH₃; ( 1c ), R¹?C₂H₅, R²?C₆H₅; ( 1d ), R¹?C₂H₅, R²?V^?pNO₂C₆H₄; ( 1e ), R¹?C₂H₅, R²?C(CH₃)₃] with four aliphatic amines ( 2a – d ) [( 2a ), (C₂H₅)₂NH; ( 2b ), (i‐C₃H₇)₂NH; ( 2c ), (CH₂)₅NH; ( 2d ), O(CH₂CH₂)₂NH] was studied in two aprotic solvents, hexane and acetonitrile. The least reactive stereoisomeric form of ( 1a – d ) was the most populated ( E‐s‐Z‐o‐Z ) form, whereas in ( 1e ), the more reactive form ( Z‐s‐Z‐o‐Z ) dominated. The reactions studied proceeded via common transition state formation whose decomposition occurred by ‘uncatalyzed’ and/or ‘catalyzed’ route. Shielding of the reaction centre by bulky β‐substituents lowered abruptly both k′ (‘uncatalyzed’ rate constant) and k″ (‘catalyzed’ rate constant) of this reaction. Bulky amines reduced k″ to a greater extent than k′ as a result of an additional steric retardation to the approach of the bulky amine to its ammonium ion in the transition state. An increase in the electron‐withdrawing ability of the β‐substituent increased ‘uncatalyzed’ k′ due to the acceleration of the initial nucleophile attack (k₁) and ‘uncatalyzed’ decomposition of transition state (k₂) via promoting electrophilic assistance (through transition state 8 ). The amine basicity determined the route of the reaction: the higher amine basicity, the higher k₃/k₂ ratio (a measure of the ‘catalyzed’ route contribution as compared to the ‘uncatalyzed’ process) was. ‘Uncatalyzed’ route predominated for all reactions; however in polar acetonitrile the contribution of the ‘catalyzed’ route was significant for amines with high pK_a and small bulk. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.