The mechanisms of the homogeneus,unimolecular elimination kinetics of ethyl 4-chlorobutyrate and 4-chlorobutyric acid in the gas phase

Ethyl 4-chlorobutyrate, which is reexamined, pyrolyzes at 350–410°C to ethylene, butyrolactone, and HCl. Under the reaction conditions, the primary product 4-chlorobutyric acid is responsible for the formation of γ-butyrolactone and HCl. In seasoned vessels, and in the presence of a free-radical inhibitor, the ester elimination is homogeneous, unimolecular, and follows a first-order rate law. For initial pressures from 69–147 Torr, the rate is given by the following Arrhenius expression: log k₁(s^?1) = (12.21 ± 0.26) ? (197.6 ± 3.3) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The rates and product formation differ from the previous work on the chloroester pyrolysis. 4-Chlorobutyric acid, an intermediate product of the above substrate, was also pyrolyzed at 279–330°C with initial pressure within the range of 78–187 Torr. This reaction, which yields γ-butyrolactone and HCl, is also homogeneous, unimolecular, and obeys a first-order rate law. The rate coefficient, is given by the following Arrhenius equation: log k₁(s^?1) = (12.28 ± 0.41) ? (172.0 ± 4.6) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The pyrolysis of ethyl chlorobutyrate proceeds by the normal mechanism of ester elimination. However, the intermediate 4-chlorobutyric acid was found to yield butyrolactone through anchimeric assistance of the COOH group and by an intimate ion pair-type of mechanism. Additional evidence of cyclic product and neighboring group participation is described and presented.     

The elimination kinetics of secondary Alkyl Bromides in the gas phase

Elimination kinetics of 2-bromohexane and 2-bromo-4-methylpentane in the gas phase were examined over the temperature range of 310–360°C and pressure range of 46–213 torr. The reactionsin seasoned, static reaction vessels, and in the presence of the free radical inhibitor cyclohexene, are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow first order rate laws. The overall rate coefficients are described by the following Arrhenius equations: For 2-bromohexane, log??₁(s^?1) = (13.08 ± 0.70) ? (185.7 ± 8.2) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; for 2-bromo-4-methylpentane, log??₁(s^?1) = (13.08 ± 0.33) ? (183.4 ± 3.8) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The electron releasing effect of alkyl groups influences the overall elimination rates. The olefin products isomerize in the presence of HBr gas until an equilibrium mixture is reached.     

The elimination kinetics of 2-bromo-3-methylbutyric acid in the gas phase

The kinetics of 2-bromo-3-methylbutyric acid in the gas phase was studied over the temperature range of 309.3–357.0°C and pressure range of 15.5–100.0 torr. This process, in seasoned static reaction vessels and in the presence of the free radical inhibitor cyclohexene, is homogeneous, unimolecular, and follows first-order rate law. The observed rate coefficients are represented by the following Arrhenius equations: log k₁(s^?1) = (12.72 ± 0.25) ? (181.8 ± 2.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The primary products are isobutyraldehyde, CO, and HBr. The polar five-membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism appears to be preferred in the dehydrohalogenation process of α-haloacids in the gas phase. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The mechanism in the elimination kinetics of 2-chloropropionic acid in the gas phase

The elimination kinetics of 2-chloropropionic acid have been studied over the temperature range of 320–370.2°C and pressure range of 79–218.5 torr. The reaction in seasoned vessel and in the presence of the free radical suppressor cyclohexene, is homogeneous, unimolecular, and obeys a first-order rate law. The dehydrochlorination products are acetaldehyde and carbon monoxide. The rate coefficient is expressed by the following Arrhenius equation: log k₁(s^?1) = (12.53 ± 0.43) – (186.9 ± 5.1) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The hydrogen atom of the carboxylic COOH appears to assist readily the leaving chloride ion in the transition state, suggesting an intimate ion pair mechanism operating in this reaction.     

DFT Study of substituent effects of 2‐substituted alkyl ethyl methylcarbonates in homogeneous,unimolecular gas phase elimination kinetics

Theoretical studies on the gas phase elimination of 2‐substituted alkyl ethyl methylcarbonates were performed at the B3LYP/6‐31G* and B3LYP/6‐31+G** level of theory. The results of these calculations provide additional evidence that the mechanism of carbonates with a C_β H bond proceeds through a concerted nonsynchronous six‐membered cyclic transition state to produce methylcarbonic acid and the corresponding olefin. The unstable intermediate, methylcarbonic acid, rapidly decomposes through a four‐membered cyclic transition state to methanol and carbon dioxide. The correlation of the logarithm of theoretical rate coefficients against Hancock's steric parameters E gave an approximate straight line (δ = 0.30, r = 0.996 at 400°C). An additional fact is that when experimental log k_re.l is plotted against the theoretical log k_re.l. for 2‐alkyl ethyl methylcarbonates an approximate straight line (r = 0.997 at 400°C) is obtained. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 184–193, 2006     

The mechanism of the elimination kinetics of 2-bromo-2-butene in the gas phase

The kinetics of the gas phase elimination of 2-bromo-2-butene were determined in a static system over the temperature range of 340–380°C and pressure range of 37–134 torr. The reaction in seasoned vessels, even in the presence of a free radical inhibitor, is catalyzed by hydrogen bromide. Under maximum catalysis of HBr, the kinetics were found to be of order 1.0. The reaction, when maximally catalyzed with HBr, appears to undergo a molecular elimination of HBr which follows first-order kinetics. The products are 1,2-butadiene and hydrogen bromide. The rate coefficients. under maximum catalysis, are given by the Arrhenius equation log ??₁(s^?1) = (13.57 ± 0.56) ? (200.4 ± 6.8) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The catalyzed pyrolysis of 2-bromo-2-butene appears to proceed through a six-membered cyclic transition-state type of mechanism.     

Thermochemical kinetics of nitrogen compounds. V. The unimolecular thermal decomposition of diallylamine in the gas phase

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of diallylamine to propylene and prop-2-enaldimine have been studied in the gas phase in presence of an excess of methylamine over the temperature range of 532.7 to 615.6°K, using a static reaction system. Methylamine reacted with the unstable primary product prop-2-enaldimine, forming the thermally stable N-methyl prop-2-enaldimine. First-order rate constants, based on the internal standard technique, fit the Arrhenius relationship log k(s^?1) = (11.04 ± 0.13) ? (37.11 ± 0.33 kcal/mole)/2.303 RT. They were independent on the initial total pressure (46–340 torr), the initial pressure of diallylamine (9.2–65 torr), or methylamine as well as the conversion attained. Despite an apparent surface sensitivity, the reaction is essentially homogeneous in nature as demonstrated by experiments carried out in a packed reaction vessel. The observed activation parameters for the title reaction together with those observed earlier for triallylamine and allylcyclohexylamine are consistent with the proposed concerted reaction mechanism involving a cyclic 6-center transition state. The observed substituent effects suggest a nonsynchronous mode of bond breaking and bond formation.     

Maximally inhibited gas phase elimination kinetics of methyl 3-bromopropionate

The gas phase elimination of methyl 3-bromopropionate has been studied in a static system and in vessels seasoned with allyl bromide. The reaction is autocatalyzed by HBr. However, under maximum inhibition with propene, the reaction obeys first order kinetics and is a homogeneous unimolecular elimination. The products are methyl acrylate and hydrogen bromide. The observed rate coefficients are represented by the Arrhenius equation: log k₁ (s^–1)=(12.94±0.46)–(214.5±6.0) kJ/mol/2.303 RT in the temperature range 400.1–449.9 °C and pressure range 49–98 Torr. The pyrolysis of methyl 3-bromopropionate is 3.5 times faster than that of ethyl bromide. This significant difference may be attributed to the greater acidity of the -hydrogen in 3-bromopropionate compared to that in ethyl bromide.

---

3- , . HBr . . . , , : log k₁ (^–1)=(12,94±0,46)–(214,5±6,0) ·^–1/2,303 RT 400,1–449,9°C 49–98 . - 3,5 , . - - .

     

The effect of ring size on the gas phase elimination kinetics of cycloalkyl acetates

The rates of elimination of seven cycloalkyl acetates containing between 5 and 15 ring carbons have been determined in a static system over a temperature range 280–370°C and a pressure range 35–234 torr. The unimolecular reactions, carried out in the presence of the inhibitor cyclohexene, are homogeneous in seasoned vessels and follow a first-order rate law. The rate coefficients are exemplified by that found for cyclopentyl acetate: The sequence of relative rates is analogous to that found in most solution reactions of these compounds. The contribution of ring strain to energy barriers of these compounds is described.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the unimolecular elimination of 2,2-diethoxypropane and 1,1-diethoxycyclohexane in the gas phase: experimental and theoretical study

The gas-phase thermal elimination of 2,2-diethoxypropane was found to give ethanol, acetone, and ethylene, while 1,1-diethoxycyclohexane yielded 1-ethoxycyclohexene and ethanol. The kinetics determinations were carried out, with the reaction vessels deactivated with allyl bromide, and the presence of the free radical suppressor cyclohexene and toluene. Temperature and pressure ranges were 240.1-358.3 °C and 38-102 Torr. The elimination reactions are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first-order rate law. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius equations: for 2,2-diethoxypropane, log k(1) (s(-1)) = (13.04 ± 0.07) - (186.6 ± 0.8) kJ mol(-1) (2.303RT)(-1); for the intermediate 2-ethoxypropene, log k(1) (s(-1)) = (13.36 ± 0.33) - (188.8 ± 3.4) kJ mol(-1) (2.303RT)(-1); and for 1,1-diethoxycyclohexane, log k = (14.02 ± 0.11) - (176.6 ± 1.1) kJ mol(-1) (2.303RT)(-1). Theoretical calculations of these reactions using DFT methods B3LYP, MPW1PW91, and PBEPBE, with 6-31G(d,p) and 6-31++G(d,p) basis set, demonstrated that the elimination of 2,2-diethoxypropane and 1,1-diethoxycyclohexane proceeds through a concerted nonsynchronous four-membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism. The rate-determining factor in these reactions is the elongation of the C-O bond. The intermediate product of 2,2-diethoxypropane elimination, that is, 2-ethoxypropene, further decomposes through a concerted cyclic six-membered cyclic transition state mechanism.     

MP2 study of substituent effects of 2-substituted alkyl ethyl methylcarbamates in homogeneous, unimolecular gas phase elimination reaction

Møller-Plesset MP2/6-31G method was used to examine the gas-phase elimination of 2-substituted alkyl ethyl N,N-dimethylcarbamates. The results of these calculations support a concerted non-synchronous six-membered cyclic transition state mechanism for carbamates containing a C_β–H bond at the alkyl side of the ester. These substrates produce the N,N-dimethylcarbamic acid and the corresponding olefin. The unstable intermediate, N,N-dimethylcarbamic acid, rapidly decomposes through a four-membered cyclic transition state to dimethylamine and CO₂ gas. Correlation of the logarithm of theoretical rate coefficients against original Taft's σ* values gave an approximate straight line (ρ*=−1.39, r=0.9558 at 360 °C). In addition to this fact, when log k_rel is plotted against the theoretical log k_rel for 2-substituted ethyl N,N-dimethylcarbamates a reasonable straight line (r=0.9919 at 360 °C) is obtained, suggesting similar mechanism.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the homogeneous,unimolecular gas‐phase elimination kinetics of 2‐furoic acid

The kinetics of the gas‐phase elimination kinetics of CO₂ from furoic acid was determined in a static system over the temperature range 415–455°C and pressure range 20–50 Torr. The products are furan and carbon dioxide. The reaction, which is carried out in vessels seasoned with allyl bromide and in the presence of the free‐radical suppressor toluene and/or propene, is homogeneous, unimolecular, and follows a first‐order rate law. The observed rate coefficient is expressed by the following Arrhenius equation: log k₁(s^?1) = (13.28 ± 0.16) ? (220.5 ± 2.1) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. Theoretical studies carried out at the B3LYP/6‐31++G** computational level suggest two possible mechanisms according to the kinetics and thermodynamic parameters calculated compared with experimental values. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 298–306, 2007     

Gas phase unimolecular 1,1-hydrogen elimination: Reaction mechanism and isotope effect

The mechanism of unimolecular 1,1-elimination of H₂ from carbocations has been investigated by the semiempirical MNDO method in view of its very good performances in the analogous elimination from H₂CO. Contrary to previous suggestions, the critical configuration obtained at the MNDO level is characterized by a reduced symmetry with respect to the reacting molecule and by a very short H? H distance. RRKM computations of the rate constants and isotope effect employing MNDO results for the activation energies and vibrational frequencies indicate also that the present, nonsynchronous mechanism is compatible with all the available experimental data.     

Interpretation paradoxes in unimolecular heterolysis kinetics

The rate constant of the first-order rate equation w = k[RX] that is derived from the variation of the reaction product concentration or determined by the verdazyl method characterizes the lifetime of the transition state or that of the solvent-separated ion pair rather than the heterolysis rate. The diffusion rate constant is equal to the dissociation rate constant of the contact ion pair and to the reverse of the lifetime of the solvent-separated ion pair: k _D ≈ k = 1/τ ≈ 10¹⁰ s⁻¹.     

The intimate ion pair mechanism in the maximally inhibited elimination kinetics of methyl 4-chlorobutyrate and methyl 5-chlorovalerate in the gas phase

The gas phase elimination of methyl 4-chlorobutyrate and methyl 5-chlorovalerate has been reexamined, in a static system and seasoned vessel, over the temperature range of 419.6–472.1°C and pressure range of 45–108 torr. The reactions, under maximum inhibition with propene, are homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first-order rate law. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius equations: for methyl 4-chlorobutyrate, log (k₁(s^?1) = (13.41 ± 0.60) - (226.8 ± 8.2) kJ/mol/2.303RT; and for methyl 5-chlorovalerate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.20 ± 0.02) - (227.6 ± 0.3) kJ / mol / 2.303RT. The pyrolysis rates are found to be about a half of the rates reported in a previous work. As already advanced, the carbomethoxy substituent appears to provide anchimeric assistance in the elimination process, where normal dehydrochlorination and lactone formation arise from an intimate ion pair type mechanism. The partial rates towards each of these products have been determined and reported.     

The thermochemical kinetics of retro- “ene” reactions of molecules with the general structure (allyl) XYH in the gas phase. IX. The thermal unimolecular decomposition of ethyallylether in the gas phase

The thermal decomposition of ethylallylether (EAE) has been studied in the gas phase over the temperature range of 560–648°K. Propylene and acetaldehyde are the only reaction products observed. The reaction is apparently homogeneous in nature and independent of the pressure of EAE and of added foreign gases. The experimetally determined first-order rate constants, using the internal standard technique, fit the Arrhenius relationship log k(s^?1) = 11.84 ± 0.29 ? (43.57 ± 0.77 kcal/mole)/2.303RT. Independently the same rate constants are obtained, based on the amounts of products formed. The observed activation parameters are in general agreement with expectations based on the concept of a 6-center 1,5-H-shift retro-“ene” reaction mechanism, and they agree with previous results obtained for the similar reactions involving alkylallylamines and olefins.     

The pyrolysis kinetics of 4-chloro-2-butanone in the gas phase

The rates of pyrolysis of 4-chloro-2-butanone in the gas phase have been determined in a static system seasoned with the products of decomposition of allyl bromide. The reaction is catalyzed by hydrogen chloride. Under maximum catalysis of HCl, the kinetics were found to be of order 1.5 in the substrate suggesting that a complex elimination is involved. The reaction, when maximally inhibited with propene, appears to undergo a unimolecular elimination and follows a first-order law kinetics. The products are methylvinyl ketone and hydrogen chloride. The kinetics have been measured over the temperature range of 402.0–424.4°C.The rate coefficients are given by the Arrhenius equation \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \log k_1 (\sec ^{ - 1}) = (13.67 \pm 0.69) - (225.2 \pm 8.6)\,{\rm kj}/{\rm mol}/2.303RT\angle $\end{document}. Thepyrolysis of 4-chloro-2-butanone is 31 times greater in rate than that of ethyl chloride at 440°C. This large difference in rate may be attributed to the -M effect of the acetyl substituent in the pyrolysis of the former halo compound.     

Pyrolysis kinetics of ethyl fluoroacetate in the gas phase

The kinetics of the gas phase pyrolysis of ethyl fluoroacetate have been measured over the temperature range of 340–365 °C and pressure range of 66–187 Torr. The reaction, in a static system seasoned with allyl bromide, and in the presence or absence of propene inhibitor, is homogeneous, unimolecular, and obeys a first-order rate law. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficients is given by the following Arrhenius equation: log k₁ (sec^–1)=(12.57±0.26)–(194.0±3.1 kJ/mol)/2.303 RT. The result of this work confirms that the sequence of the -halo substituent effects follows the order of their electronegativity differences.

---

340–365 °C 66–187 . , , , , . ; log k₁ (cek^–1)=(12,57±0,26) –(194,0±3,1) //2,303RT. - .

     

The kinetics and mechanisms of gas phase elimination of primary,secondary, and tertiary 2‐hydroxyalkylbenzenes

2‐Phenylethanol, racemic 1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol, and 2‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol have been pyrolyzed in a static system over the temperature range 449.3–490.6°C and pressure range 65–198 torr. The decomposition reactions of these alcohols in seasoned vessels are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first‐order rate law. The Arrhenius equations for the overall decomposition and partial rates of products formation were found as follows: for 2‐phenylethanol, overall rate log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.43−228.1 kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹, toluene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.97−249.2 kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹, styrene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.40−229.2 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, ethylbenzene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.96−253.2 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹; for 1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol, overall rate log k₁(s⁻¹)=13.03−233.5 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, toluene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=13.04−240.1 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, unsaturated hydrocarbons+indene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.19−224.3 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹; for 2‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol, overall rate log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.68−222.1 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, toluene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.65−222.9 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, phenylpropenes formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.27−226.2 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹. The overall decomposition rates of the 2‐hydroxyalkylbenzenes show a small but significant increase from primary to tertiary alcohol reactant. Two competitive eliminations are shown by each of the substrates: the dehydration process tends to decrease in relative importance from the primary to the tertiary alcohol substrate, while toluene formation increases. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 401–407, 1999     

The kinetics of the gas phase decomposition reactions of the hexafluoro-t-butoxy radical

Hexafluoro-t-butoxy radicals have been generated by reacting fluorine with hexafluoro-2-methyl isopropanol: Over the temperature range of 406–600 K the hexafluoro-t-butoxy radical decomposes exclusively by loss of a CF₃ radical [reaction (-2)] rather than by loss of a CH₃ radical [reaction (-1)]: (1) The limits of detectability of the product CF₃COCF₃, by gas-chromatographic analysis, place a lower limit on the ratio k_?2/k_-1 of ～80. The implications of this finding in relation to the reverse radical addition reactions to the carbonyl group are briefly discussed. A thermochemical kinetic calculation reveals a discrepancy in the kinetics and thermodynamics of the decomposition and formation reactions of the related t-butoxy radical: