Kinetics of the thermal isomerization of 1,1,2‐trimethylcyclopropane

The Arrhenius parameters for the gas phase, unimolecular structural isomerizations of 1,1,2‐trimethylcyclopropane to three isomeric methylpentenes and two dimethylbutenes have been determined over a wide range of temperatures, 688–1124 K, using both static and shock tube reactors. For the overall loss of reactant, E_a = 63.7 (± 0.5) kcal/mol and log₁₀ A = 15.28 (± 0.12). These values are higher by 2.6 kcal/mol and 0.7–0.8 than previously reported from experimental work or predicted from thermochemical calculations. E_a for the formation of trans‐4‐methyl‐2‐pentene is 1.5 kcal/mol higher than E_a for the formation of the cis isomer, which is identical to the E_a difference previously reported for the formation of trans‐ and cis‐2‐butene from methylcyclopropane. Substitution of methyl groups for hydrogen atoms on the cyclopropane ring is expected to weaken the C? C ring bonds, and it has been reported previously that activation energies for structural isomerizations of methylcyclopropanes do decrease substantially over the series cyclopropane > methylcyclopropane > 1,1‐ or 1,2‐dimethylcyclopropane. However, the present study shows that the trend does not continue beyond dimethylcyclopropane isomerization. Besides reductions in C? C bond energy, steric interactions may be increasingly important in determining the energy surface and conformational restrictions near the transition state in isomerizations of the more highly substituted methylcyclopropanes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 475–482, 2006     

Chemistry of trifluorostyrenes and their dimmers: 3. Solvent effect on the kinetic parameters of the thermal cyclodimerization of α, β, β-trifluorostyrene1

Rate constants for the thermal cyclodimerization of α, β, β-trifluorostyrene (TFS) were determined in six solvents at 393°K. The products of this reaction were mixtures of roughly equal amounts of cis-trans isomers. The rate constants in 3 solvents, were calculated according to Arrhenius equation. In n-hexane, log A = 6.02±0.18, E_a= 19.5±0.3 kcal.mol^?1; in glyme, logA = 5.31 ± 0.19, E_a= 18.0±0.3 kcal.mol^?1; in methanol, IogA=4.93±0.13, E_a=17.1±0.3 kcal mol^?1. All data are consistent with a stepwise radical mechanism, and our reaction in this solvent series obeys an isokinetic relationship, with β = 478°K.     

Gas-phase pyrolysis mechanism and kinetics of 3-chloroquadricyclane

The gas-phase pyrolysis of 3-chloroquadricyclane [1] was investigated over the temperature range 513–550 K at one atm in helium. The initial pyrolysis step is the isomerization of 3-chloroquadricyclane to 7-chloronorbornadiene (E_a=39.63±1.40 kcal/mole, log A=15.18±0.58). 7-chloronorbornadiene rearranges (623–660 K) to exclusively produce benzyl chloride (E_a=48.05±1.10 kcal/mole, log A=15.82±0.38). This two step mechanism affords fewer reactions than the unsubstituted quadricyclane system in the gas phase. The production of a benzene derivative from the chlorinated norbornadiene is a reaction pathway contained in the unsubstituted norbornadiene and other 7-substituted pyrolysis mechanisms. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetic study of the gas‐phase reaction of hydroxyl radical with CF3CH2OCH2CF3 using the laser photolysis–laser induced fluorescence method

The laser photolysis‐laser‐induced fluorescence method was used for measuring the kinetic parameters of the reaction of OH radicals with CF₃CH₂OCH₂CF₃ (2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl ether), in the temperature range of 298–365 K. The bimolecular rate coefficient at 298 K, k_II(298), was measured to be (1.47 ± 0.03) × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, and the temperature dependence of k_II was determined to be (4.5 ± 0.8) × 10^?12exp [?(1030 ± 60)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. The error quoted is 1σ of the linear regression of the respective plots. The rate coefficient at room temperature is very close to the average of the three previous measurements, whereas the values of E_a/R and the A‐factor are higher than the two previously reported values. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 519–525, 2010     

Solvent effects on the activation parameters of the reaction between an α‐tocopherol analogue and dpph•: The role of H‐bonded complexes

The analysis of the activation parameters for the formal H‐atom transfer reaction between 2,2,5,7,8‐pentamethyl‐6‐chromanol (ChrOH) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (dpph^?) reveals that these parameters are effective probes of the actual reaction mechanism. Indeed, the A factors measured in various polar and apolar solvents are localized in three distinct domains according to whether the reaction occurs via outer‐sphere electron transfer (ET) from the anion ChrO^? or hydrogen atom transfer (HAT). For instance, A = 5.9 × 10⁵ M^?1 s^?1 and E_a = 2.5 kcal mol^?1 in cyclohexane where the reaction proceeds by HAT, whereas in methanol, ethanol, and their mixtures with water where there is a substantial ET contribution A > 10⁹ M^?1s^?1 and E_a > 7 kcal mol^?1. Interestingly, in nonhydroxylic polar solvents, A～ 10⁷ M^?1s^?1 and the E_a values reflect the H‐bond accepting ability of the solvent in agreement with the “standard” kinetic solvent effects on HAT reactions. Addition of small quantities of pyridine accelerates the reaction rates in these solvents. This suggests that the H‐bonded complex (ChrOH···Py) is able to react via intermolecular ET with dpph^?. It is known, in fact, that pyridine lowers the oxidation potential of phenols by ～0.5 V and the ΔG_ET of ChrOH + dpph^? consequently decreases by about 10 kcal mol^?1. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 524–531, 2012     

Arrhenius parameters for the reactions CH3. + C4H10 → CH4 + C4H9. and C2H5. + C4H10 → C2H6 + C4H9.

Study of n-butane pyrolysis at high temperature in a flow system allows measurement of the sum of the rate constants of the initiation reactions and of the Arrhenius parameters of the reactions Established data for k₁/k₂ allow estimation of k₁ for 951°K and this, with recent thermochemical data, yields the result log k_?1 (l.mole s^?1) = 8.5, in remarkable agreement with a recent measurement [20] but over si×ty times smaller than conventional assumption. The product k₃k₄ (l.²mole^?2s^?2) is found to be associated with the Arrhenius parameters log (A₃A₄) = 21.90 ± 0.6 and (E₃ + E₄) = 38.3 ± 2.7 kcal/mole. These values are much higher than would be e×pected on the basis of low temperature estimates. Independent evaluation gives log A₄ = 10.5 ± 0.4 (l.mole^?1s^?1) and E₄ = 20.1 ± 1.7 kcal/mole, hence log A₃ = 11.4 ± 0.8 (l.mole^?1s^?1) and E₃ = 18.2 ± 3.2 kcal/mole. These values are shown to be entirely consistent with a wide range of results from pyrolytic studies, and it is argued that they further confirm the view that Arrhenius plots for alkyl radical–alkane metathetical reactions are strongly curved, in part due to tunneling and, appreciably, to other as yet unidentified effects. Since there is published evidence that metathetical reactions involving hydrogen atoms show even greater curvature, it is suggested that this may be a characteristic of many metathetical reactions.     

Reactivity ratios of styrene and methyl methacrylate at 90°C

From the conversion–composition data of Gruber and Elias, the reactivity ratios of styrene (M₁) and methyl methacrylate (M₂) were calculated to be r₁ = 0.55 ± 0.02 and r₂ = 0.58 ± 0.06 at 90°C. The least-squares method was then used on these and literature values at other temperatures to obtain the Arrhenius expressions: In r₁ = 0.04736 – (235.45/T), and ln r₂ = 0.1183 – (285.36/T). Using literature values for the homopolymerization steps, A₁₁ = 2.2 × 10⁷l./mole-sec., E₁₁ = 7.8 kcal./mole, and A₂₂ = 0.51 × 10⁷ l./mole-sec.^?1, E₂₂ = 6.3 kcal./mole, activation energies and frequency factors were then calculated for the cross-polymerization steps: A₁₂ = 2.1 × 10⁷ l./mole-sec., E₁₂ = 7.3 kcal./mole, and A₂₁ = 0.45 × 10⁷ l./mole-sec., E₂₁ = 5.7 kcal./mole.     

Kinetics of the gas-phase thermal decomposition of 3-bromopropene

The thermal decomposition of 3-bromopropene was investigated in the temperature range 568.2–653.2 K and pressures between 14–64 Torr in static Pyrex reaction vessel. The reaction was shown to be homogeneous gas reaction of the first order with more than 60% conversion. For the overall reaction, E _a = 153.67 ± 6.70 kJ mol^?1, and logA (A, s^?1) = 9.46 ± 0.57. Two mechanisms, dehydrohalogenation molecular elimination and C-Br bond fission are discussed, both of which account for the observed kinetics and products of decomposition. To interpret the fall-off behaviour, RRKM/ME calculations were adopted and the pressure dependent rate constants were calculated at collision efficiency of 0.25. From the pressure dependence study and RRKM calculations, it can be deduced that we are at the high-pressure limit.     

Comparative study of kinetics isomerization of substituted polyacetylene (Cl,F and I): Ab initio and DFT calculations

Ab initio and DFT methods were used to investigate the interconversions of substituted polyacetylene conformers C₁₀H₆X₆ (X=F, Cl and I) in the vapour phase. The rates of this geometrical isomerization have been calculated and the Arrhenius parameters evaluated. In the case of unsubstituted polyacetylene as the reference, the B3LYP Arrhenius parameters obtained are A₁=2.99 × 10¹⁷ s^–1 and E_a=17.30 kcal mol^–1. The values of the equilibrium constant for the reaction have also been determined at various temperatures between 300 and 500 K and the value of the energies change calculated. The results also suggest that the straightforward kinetics characterizing the majority of substituted polyacetylene isomerizations above 300 K. The isomerization energies are positive and the barrier heights ΔE_barrier are expected to be sensitive for the magnitude of halogens effects. According to geometries features the Cis → Trans isomerization in the gas phase occurs by a rotational mechanism.     

THE PHOTOEXCITED TRIPLET STATE OF TETRAPHENYL CHLORIN, MAGNESIUM TETRAPHENYL PORPHYRIN AND WHOLE CELLS OF CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDI. A LIGHT MODULATION-EPR STUDY

Abstract— The photoexcited triplet states of frozen solutions of tetraphenyl chlorin (TPC), magnesium tetraphenyl porphyrin (MgTPP) and whole cells of Chlamydomonas reinhardi have been studied by light modulation-EPR spectroscopy. The porphyrins were chosen to be studied as model compounds for chlorophyll molecules, From EPR spectra the zero field splitting parameters (ZFS) were calculated. For TPC, |D| = 0.0364 ± 0.0002 cm^-1, |E| = 0.0063 ± 0.0002 cm^-1. For MgTPP, |D| = 0.0310 ± 0.0002 cm^-1. For chloroplasts, |D| = 0.0280 ± 0.0004 cm^-1, |E| = 0.0032 ± 0.0004 cm^-1. In all compounds studied, except MgTPP, electron spin polarization (ESP) was observed. From the analysis of the kinetic curves at each canonical orientation we evaluated the spin lattice relaxation rate W, the depopulation rate constants k_p, and the ratio between the population rate constants, A_p, at zero magnetic field. For TPC in ethanol-toluene (5:1) k_x= (0.70 ± 0.10) × 10³ s^-1, k_y= (0.40 ± 0.07) × 10³ s^-1, k_x= (0.24 ± 0.05) × 10³ s^-1; A_x:A_y:A_z? 1.0:0.6:0.4; W= (2.60 ± 0.40) × 10³ s^-1. For MgTPP, only the total decay rate constant, k_T, was calculated: (1.5 ± 0.2) × 10 s^-1 in n-octane and (4.8 ± 0.8) × 10 s^-1 in ethanol. The results for TPC and MgTPP are compared to those reported previously for chlorophyll. It is concluded that the dynamics of the photoexcited triplet state in chlorophylls are mainly governed by the chlorin macrocycle. From the EPR spectrum and ZFS parameters of chloroplasts, we propose that both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are the main constituents of the EPR spectrum. From the analysis of the kinetic curves we obtain separately the kinetic parameters for chlorophylls a and b, k^a_x= (1.30 ± 0.20) × 10³ s^-1, k^a_y;= (0.85 ± 0.15) × 10³ s^-1k^a_x= (0.32 ± 0.05) × 10³ s^-1; A^a_x:A^a_y:A^a_z? 1.0:0.7:0.2; W^a= (1.20 ± 0.20) × 10³ s^-1; k^b_x= (0.56 ± 0.09) × 10³ s^-1, k^b_y= (0.30 ± 0.04) × 10³ s^-1, k^b_z= (0.06 ± 0.01) × 10³ s^-1; A^b_x:A^b_y:A^b_x? 1.0:0.6:0.1; W^b= (5.00 ± 0.80) × 10³ s^-1. These results are very close to those found separately for chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b oligomers in vitro.     

Kinetics of the mercury(II)‐catalyzed substitution of coordinated cyanide ion in hexacyanoruthenate(II) by nitroso‐R‐salt

The kinetics and mechanism of Hg²⁺‐catalyzed substitution of cyanide ion in an octahedral hexacyanoruthenate(II) complex by nitroso‐R‐salt have been studied spectrophotometrically at 525 nm (λ_max of the purple‐red–colored complex). The reaction conditions were: temperature = 45.0 ± 0.1°C, pH = 7.00 ± 0.02, and ionic strength (I) = 0.1 M (KCl). The reaction exhibited a first‐order dependence on [nitroso‐R‐salt] and a variable order dependence on [Ru(CN)₆^4?]. The initial rates were obtained from slopes of absorbance versus time plots. The rate of reaction was found to initially increase linearly with [nitroso‐R‐salt], and finally decrease at [nitroso‐R‐salt] = 3.50 × 10^?4 M. The effects of variation of pH, ionic strength, concentration of catalyst, and temperature on the reaction rate were also studied and explained in detail. The values of k₂ and activation parameters for catalyzed reaction were found to be 7.68 × 10^?4 s^?1 and E_a = 49.56 ± 0.091 kJ mol^?1, ΔH^≠ = 46.91 ± 0.036 kJ mol^?1, ΔS^≠ = ?234.13 ± 1.12 J K^?1 mol^?1, respectively. These activation parameters along with other experimental observations supported the solvent assisted interchange dissociative (I_d) mechanism for the reaction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 215–226, 2009     

Propagation rate coefficients of isobornyl acrylate,tert‐butyl acrylate and 1‐ethoxyethyl acrylate: A high frequency PLP‐SEC study

Pulsed laser polymerization (PLP) coupled to size exclusion chromatography (SEC) is considered to be the most accurate and reliable technique for the determination of absolute propagation rate coefficients, k_p. Herein, k_p data as a function of temperature were determined via PLP‐SEC for three acrylate monomers that are of particular synthetic interest (e.g., for the generation of amphiphilic block copolymers). The high‐T_g monomer isobornyl acrylate (iBoA) as well as the precursor monomers for the synthesis of hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid), tert‐butyl acrylate (tBuA), and 1‐ethoxyethyl acrylate (EEA) were investigated with respect to their propagation rate coefficient in a wide temperature range. By application of a 500 Hz laser repetition rate, data could be obtained up to a temperature of 80 °C. To arrive at absolute values for k_p, the Mark‐Houwink parameters of the polymers have been determined via on‐line light scattering and viscosimetry measurements. These read: K = 5.00 × 10⁵ dL g⁻¹, a = 0.75 (piBoA), K = 19.7 × 10⁵ dL g⁻¹, a = 0.66 (ptBA) and K = 1.53 × 10⁵ dL g⁻¹, a = 0.85 (pEEA). The bulky iBoA monomer shows the lowest propagation rate coefficient among the three monomers, while EEA is the fastest. The activation energies and Arrhenius factors read: (iBoA): log(A/L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 7.05 and E_A = 17.0 kJ mol⁻¹; (tBuA): log(A/L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 7.28 and E_A = 17.5 kJ mol⁻¹ and (EEA): log(A/L mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) = 6.80 and E_A = 13.8 kJ mol⁻¹. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6641–6654, 2009     

Isomerization of n-hexyl and s-octyl radicals by 1,5 and 1,4 intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer reactions

n-Hexyl and s-octyl radical isomerizations by intramolecular hydrogen atom shift have been studied in the presence of high methyl radical concentration where isomerized alkyl radicals reacted predominantly by combination and disproportionation reactions with methyl radicals. By assuming the rate coefficient of 1-hexyl radical recombination to be equal to that of ethyl self-combination, the rate coefficient of log(k₁/s^?1) = (9.5 ± 0.3) – (11.6 ± 0.3) kcal mol^?1/RT ln 10 has been derived for the 6sp isomerization of n-hexyl radicals, 1-hexyl → 2-hexyl (1). Investigation of s-octyl radical isomerization was complicated by fast interconversion between 3-octyl, 2-octyl, and 4-octyl radicals. Use of the methyl trapping technique and systematic variation of methyl radical concentration made possible the determination of log(k₂/s^?1) = (9.4 ± 0.7) ? (11.2 ± 1.0) kcal mol^?1/RT ln 10 for the 6ss isomerization of 3-octyl and the estimation of log(k₃/s^?1) = 10.5–17 kcal mol^?1/RT ln 10 for the 5ss isomerization of 2-octyl radicals, where 3-octyl → 2-octyl (2), and 2-octyl → 4-octyl (3).     

Addition–fragmentation chain transfer: Molecular weight distributions and retardation in the system methyl methacrylate/methyl α‐(bromomethyl)acrylate

A detailed investigation of addition–fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) in the free‐radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of methyl α‐(bromomethyl)acrylate (MBMA) was carried out to elucidate mechanistic details with efficient macromonomer synthesis as an underlying goal. Advanced modeling techniques were used in connection with the experimental work. Curve fitting of simulated and experimental molecular weight distributions with respect to the rate coefficient for addition of propagating radicals to MBMA (k_add) over 60–120 °C resulted in E_add = 21.7 kJ mol^?1 and A_add = 2.18 × 10⁶ M^?1 s^?1 and a very weak temperature dependence of the chain‐transfer constant (E_add ≈ E_p). The rate coefficient for fragmentation of adduct radicals at 60 °C was estimated as k_f ≈ 39 s^?1 on the basis of experimental data of the MMA conversion and the concentration of 2‐carbomethoxy‐2‐propenyl end groups. The approach developed is generic and can be applied to any AFCT system in which copolymerization does not occur and in which the resulting unsaturated end groups do not undergo further reactions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2640–2650, 2004     

Mechanism of the Thermal Z⇌E Isomerization of a Stable Silene; Experiment and Theory

The E and Z geometric isomers of a stable silene (tBu₂MeSi)(tBuMe₂Si)Si=CH(1‐Ad) ( 1 ) were synthesized and characterized spectroscopically. The thermal Z to E isomerization of 1 was studied both experimentally and computationally using DFT methods. The measured activation parameters for the 1Z ? 1E isomerization are: E_a=24.4 kcal mol^?1, ΔH^≠=23.7 kcal mol^?1, ΔS^≠=?13.2 e.u. Based on comparison of the experimental and DFT calculated (at BP86‐D3BJ/def2‐TZVP(‐f)//BP86‐D3BJ/def2‐TZVP(‐f)) activation parameters, the Z?E isomerization of 1 proceeds through an unusual (unprecedented for alkenes) migration–rotation–migration mechanism (via a silylene intermediate), rather than through the classic rotation mechanism common for alkenes.     

Physicochemical Properties of Oosporein,the Major Secreted Metabolite of the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria brongniartii

Oosporein ( 1 ) is the major secondary metabolite excreted by Beauveria brongniartii (Sacc. ) Petch (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae), an entomopathogenic fungus infesting the larvae of Melolontha melolontha L. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae; common European cockchafer). Physicochemical parameters were established to allow a better understanding of the spatiotemporal distribution of this marker substance in the environment. i) The dependence of the oosporein solubility (C_s) from proton concentration and temperature was assessed. Oosporein is a rather strong organic acid. The basal solubility of oosporein (Cequation/tex2gif-inf-2.gif in aqueous citrate/HCl buffer at pH 1.23) was found to be 24.8±0.3 μM . The pK_a of the first deprotonation step was determined to be 2.42±0.02. A nonlinear van't Hoff equation was established for the temperature dependency of the oosporein solubility (lnC_s=a+bT^?1+clnT, with a=?123.3, b=2678.9, and c=19.5). ii) A second and third deprotonation step was found in Britton–Robinson‐buffered aqueous solution. The associated pK_a values were determined as 6.79±0.08 and 9.19±0.03. iii) The stability of oosporein at different pH values and temperatures was addressed. Oosporein degraded quickly under moderate alkaline conditions and with increased temperatures. The half‐life dropped below 20 h at pH≥8.0 and T≥43°. The analysis of the Arrhenius plot allowed to calculate the activation energies (E_a) as 102±17 (pH 6), 100±5 (pH 8), and 91±6 kJ/mol (pH 10). iiii) The octanol/water partition coefficient (P_O) and its pH dependence were also determined. The distribution coefficient (D_O) for oosporein at pH 1.2 was found to be 53.7±4.1 (logD_O=1.73±0.03). The partition coefficient P_O for undissociated oosporein was calculated as 56.6 (logP_O=1.75). From the physicochemical properties, it can be concluded that oosporein can hardly be adsorbed by organisms.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the thermal decomposition of methyl isocyanate

The kinetics of gas-phase decomposition of methyl isocyanate have been investigated in the range of 427–548°C. Two decomposition routes are followed; the predominant one is a radical-chain process giving CO, H₂, and HCN as major products, which has an order of 1.5 and an Arrhenius equation given by log k(L^1/2/mol^1/2·s) = (13.12 ± 0.06) ? (56,450 ± 1670) cal/mol/2.303 RT. The minor route is the bimolecular formation of N,N′-dimethylcarbodiimide and CO₂, which from the low activation parameters E_a = 31.6 kcal, A = 10^5.30 L^1/2/mol^1/2·s, and the reaction order of 1.57 appears to be heterogeneous.     

Gas phase decomposition and isomerization reactions of 2-pentoxy radicals

The rate of decomposition of 2-pentoxy radical to acetaldehyde and n-propyl radical has been studied in the presence of NO in competition with nitrite formation at and above 200 kPa pressure over the temperature range of 363-413 K. The rate coefficient for the decomposition is given as log(k_la/s^?1) = (14.2 ± 0.4) - (13.8 ± 0.8) kcal mol^?1/RT ln 10. Isomerization of 2-pentoxy radical by 1,5-hydrogen shift has been investigated in the range 279–385 K in competition with the decomposition in a static system, with methyl radicals present in high concentration to ensure trapping of the isomerized free radicals. The rate coefficient for isomerization is given as log(k₃/s^?1) = (11.1 ± 0.7) - (9.5 ± 1.1) kcal mol^?1/RT ln 10. The implications of the results for atmospheric chemistry are discussed.     

Kinetics and mechanism of gas‐phase pyrolysis of N‐aryl‐3‐oxobutanamide ketoanilides,their 2‐arylhydrazono derivatives,and related compounds

Rates and products of reaction and Arrhenius activation parameters were determined for the gas‐phase thermolysis of 14 substrates of the title compounds using sealed pyrex reactor tubes and HPLC/UV‐VIS to monitor substrate pyrolysis. The 14 compounds under study are N‐phenyl‐3‐oxo‐ ( 1 ), N‐(p‐chlorophenyl)‐3‐oxo‐ ( 2 ), N‐(p‐methylphenyl)‐3‐oxo‐ ( 3 ), and N‐(p‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐oxobutanamide ( 4 ), in addition to (i) four substrates ( 5–8 ) obtained by the replacement of the pairs of methylene hydrogens at the 2‐position of compounds ( 1–4 ), each pair by a phenylhydrazono group; (ii) three arylhydrazono derivatives ( 9–11 ) in which Cl, CH₃, or OCH₃ groups are substituted at the para position of the phenylhydrazono moiety of compound 5 ; (iii) 3‐oxobutanamide (acetoacetamide, 12 ), N‐phenyl‐3‐oxo‐3‐phenylpropanamide ( 13 ), and N,N′‐diphenylpropanediamide ( 14 ). The reactions were conducted over 374–546 K temperature range, and the values of the Arrhenius log A(s^?1) and E_a(kJ mol^?1) of these reactions were, respectively, 12.0 ± 2.0 and 119.2 ± 17.0 for the ketoanilides ( 1–4, 12–14 ), and 13.0 ± 0.7 and 157.5 ± 8.6 for the arylhyrazono compounds ( 5–11 ). Kinetically, the arylhydrazono derivatives were found to be ca. 1.4 × 10³ to 5.7 × 10³ times less reactive than the parent ketoanilides. A mechanism is proposed to account for reaction products and to rationalize molecular reactivities. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 82–91, 2007