Kinetics of the gas‐phase elimination of α‐Bromophenylacetic acid under maximum inhibition

The gas phase elimination kinetics of the title compound was studied over the temperature range of 260.1–315.0°C and pressure range of 20–70 Torr. This elimination, in seasoned static reaction system and in the presence of at least fourfold of the free radical inhibitor toluene, is homogeneous, unimolecular and follows a first‐order rate law. The reaction yielded mainly benzaldehyde, CO, and HBr, and small amounts of benzylbromide and CO₂. The observed rate coefficients are expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: For benzaldehyde formation: log k₁ (s⁻¹) = (12.23 ± 0.26) − (164.9 ± 2.7) kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹ For benzylbromide formation: log k₁ (s⁻¹) = (13.82 ± 0.50) − (192.8 ± 5.5) kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹ The mechanisms are believed to proceed through a semi‐polar five‐membered cyclic transition state for the benzaldehyde formation, while a four‐centered cyclic transition state for benzylbromide formation. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 725–728, 1999     

The elimination kinetics and mechanisms of ethyl piperidine‐3‐carboxylate,ethyl 1‐methylpiperidine‐3‐carboxylate,and ethyl 3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)propionate in the gas phase

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of the above‐mentioned compounds were determined in a static reaction system over the temperature range of 369–450.3°C and pressure range of 29–103.5 Torr. The reactions are homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficients are given by the following Arrhenius expressions: ethyl 3‐(piperidin‐1‐yl) propionate, log k₁(s^?1) = (12.79 ± 0.16) ? (199.7 ± 2.0) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; ethyl 1‐methylpiperidine‐3‐carboxylate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.07 ± 0.12)–(212.8 ± 1.6) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; ethyl piperidine‐3‐carboxylate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.12 ± 0.13) ? (210.4 ± 1.7) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; and 3‐piperidine carboxylic acid, log k₁(s^?1) = (14.24 ± 0.17) ? (234.4 ± 2.2) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. The first step of decomposition of these esters is the formation of the corresponding carboxylic acids and ethylene through a concerted six‐membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism. The intermediate β‐amino acids decarboxylate as the α‐amino acids but in terms of a semipolar six‐membered cyclic transition state mechanism. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 106–114, 2006     

Kinetic and Mechanisms of the Homogeneous,Unimolecular Elimination of Phenyl Chloroformate and p‐Tolyl Chloroformate in the Gas Phase

The gas‐phase elimination of phenyl chloroformate gives chlorobenzene, 2‐chlorophenol, CO₂, and CO, whereasp‐tolyl chloroformate produces p‐chlorotoluene and 2‐chloro‐4‐methylphenol CO₂ and CO. The kinetic determination of phenyl chloroformate (440–480^oC, 60–110 Torr) and p‐tolyl chloroformate (430–480°C, 60–137 Torr) carried out in a deactivated static vessel, with the free radical inhibitor toluene always present, is homogeneous, unimolecular and follows a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficient is expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: Phenyl chloroformate: Formation of chlorobenzene, log k_I = (14.85 ± 0.38) – (260.4 ± 5.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; r = 0.9993 Formation of 2‐chlorophenol, log k_II = (12.76 ± 0.40) – (237.4 ± 5.6) kJ mol^?1(2.303RT)^?1; r = 0.9993 p‐Tolyl chloroformate: Formation of p‐chlorotoluene: log k_I = (14.35 ± 0.28) – (252.0 ± 1.5) kJ mol^–1 (2.303RT)^?1; r = 0.9993 Formation of 2‐chloro‐4‐methylphenol, log k_II = (12.81 ± 0.16) – (222.2 ± 0.9) kJ mol^?1(2.303RT)^–1; r = 0.9995 The estimation of the k_I values, which is the decarboxylation process in both substrates, suggests a mechanism involving an intramolecular nucleophilic displacement of the chlorine atom through a semipolar, concerted four‐membered cyclic transition state structure; whereas the k_II values, the decarbonylation in both substrates, imply an unusual migration of the chlorine atom to the aromatic ring through a semipolar, concerted five‐membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism. The bond polarization of the C–Cl, in the sense C^{δ+ …} Cl^δ?, appears to be the rate‐determining step of these elimination reactions.     

Steric factors in the gas phase elimination kinetics of ethyl N‐benzyl‐N‐cyclopropylcarbamate and ethyl diphenylcarbamate

The elimination kinetics of ethyl N‐benzyl‐N‐cyclopropylcarbamate and ethyl diphenylcarbamate were investigated over the temperature range of 349.9–440.0°C and the pressure range of 31–106 Torr. These reactions have been found to be homogeneous, unimolecular, and obey a first‐order rate law. The products are ethylene, carbon monoxide, and the corresponding secondary amine. The rate coefficient is expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: For ethyl N‐benzyl‐N‐cyclopropylcarbamate log k₁ (s^?1) = (12.94 ± 0.09) ? (198.5 ± 0.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1 For ethyl diphenylcarbamate log k₁ (s^?1) = (12.91 ± 0.18) ? (208.2 ± 2.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1 The presence of phenyl and bulky groups at the nitrogen atom of the ethylcarbamate showed a decrease in the rate of elimination. Steric factor may be operating during the process of decomposition of these substrates. These reactions appear to undergo a semipolar six‐membered cyclic transition type of mechanism.© 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 67–71, 2002     

The kinetics and mechanisms of methyl 2-bromopropionate and 2-bromopropionic acid pyrolyses under maximum inhibition

The kinetics of the gas phase pyrolyses of methyl 2-bromopropionate and 2-bromopropionic acid were studied in a seasoned, static reaction vessel and under maximum inhibition of the free radical suppressor toluene. The working temperature and pressure range was 310–430°C and 26.5–201.5 torr, respectively. The reactions proved to be homogeneous, unimolecular, and obeys a first-order rate law. The rate coefficients are expressible by the following equations: for methyl 2-bromopropionate, log k₁(s^?1) = (13.10 ± 0.34) ? (211.4 ± 4.4)kJ mol^?1(2.303RT)^?1; for 2-bromopropionic acid, log k₁(s^?1) = (12.41 ± 0.29) ? (180.3 ± 3.4)kJ mol^?1(2.303RT)^?1. The bromoacid yields acetaldehyde, CO and HBr. Because of this result, the mechanism is believed to proceed via a polar five-membered cyclic transition state.     

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.     

Evidence for a Rapid Degenerate Hetero‐Cope‐Type Rearrangement in [Cp*W(S)2S‐CH2‐CHCH2]

Treatment of the salt [PPh₄]⁺[Cp*W(S)₃]^? ( 6 ) with allyl bromide gave the neutral complex [Cp*W(S)₂S‐CH₂‐CH?CH₂] ( 7 ). The product 7 was characterized by an X‐ray crystal structure analysis. Complex 7 features dynamic NMR spectra that indicate a rapid allyl automerization process. From the analysis of the temperature‐dependent NMR spectra a Gibbs activation energy of ΔG^≠ (278 K)≈13.7±0.1 kcal mol^?1 was obtained [ΔH^≠≈10.4±0.1 kcal mol^?1; ΔS^≠≈?11.4 cal mol^?1 K^?1]. The DFT calculation identified an energetically unfavorable four‐membered transition state of the “forbidden” reaction and a favorable six‐membered transition state of the “Cope‐type” allyl rearrangement process at this transition‐metal complex core.     

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 of neutral amino acid decomposition in the gas phase. The elimination kinetics of N,N‐dimethylglycine ethyl ester,ethyl 1‐piperidineacetate,and N,N‐dimethylglycine

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of the ethyl ester of two α‐amino acid type of molecules have been determined over the temperature range of 360–430°C and pressure range of 26–86 Torr. The reactions, in a static reaction system, are homogeneous and unimolecular and obey a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficients are given by the following equations. For N,N‐dimethylglycine ethyl ester: log k₁(s^?1) = (13.01 ± 3.70) ? (202.3 ± 0.3)kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1 For ethyl 1‐piperidineacetate: log k₁(s^?1) = (12.91 ± 0.31) ? (204.4 ± 0.1)kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1 The decompositon of these esters leads to the formation of the corresponding α‐amino acid type of compound and ethylene. However, the amino acid intermediate, under the condition of the experiments, undergoes an extremely rapid decarboxylation process. Attempts to pyrolyze pure N,N‐dimethylglycine, which is the intermediate of dimethylglycine ethyl ester pyrolysis, was possible at only two temperatures, 300 and 310°C. The products are trimethylamine and CO₂. Assuming log A = 13.0 for a five‐centered cyclic transition‐state type of mechanism in gas‐phase reactions, it gives the following expression: log k₁(s^?1) = (13.0) ? (176.6)kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. The mechanism of these α‐amino acids differs from the decarbonylation elimination of 2‐substituted halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, phenoxy, and acetoxy carboxylic acids in the gas phase. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33:465–471, 2001     

Hydrogen bonding in the mixed HF/HCl dimer: Is it better to give or receive?

The ClH⋯FH and FH⋯ClH configurations of the mixed HF/HCl dimer (where the donor⋯acceptor notation indicates the directionality of the hydrogen bond) as well as the transition state connecting the two configurations have been optimized using MP2 and CCSD(T) with correlation consistent basis sets as large as aug‐cc‐pV(5 + d)Z. Harmonic vibrational frequencies confirmed that both configurations correspond to minima and that the transition state has exactly one imaginary frequency. In addition, anharmonic vibrational frequencies computed with second‐order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2) are within 6 cm⁻¹ of the available experimental values and deviate by no more than 4 cm⁻¹ for the complexation induced HF frequency shifts. The CCSD(T) electronic energies obtained with the largest basis set indicate that the barrier height is 0.40 kcal mol⁻¹ and the FH⋯ClH configuration lies 0.19 kcal mol⁻¹ below the ClH⋯FH configuration. While only modestly attenuating the barrier height, the inclusion of either the harmonic or anharmonic zero‐point vibrational energy effectively makes both minima isoenergetic, with the ClH⋯FH configuration being lower by only 0.03 kcal mol⁻¹. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The gas-phase elimination kinetics of 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid and 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid

The elimination kinetics of the title compounds have been examined over the temperature range of 270–320°C and pressure range of 19–117 torr. The reactions, carried out in seasoned vessels, with the free-radical suppressor toluene always present, are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first-order rate law. The products of 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid are 2-butanone, CO, and H₂O; while of 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid are 3-pentanone, CO, and H₂O. The rate coefficient is expressed by the following Arrhenius equation: for 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid, log k₁(s^?1 = (12.87 ± 0.19) ? (171.2 ± 2.1) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1; and for 2-ethyl 2-hydroxybutyric acid, log k₁s^?1) = (12.13 ± 0.34) ? (159.4 ± 3.7) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1. Augmentation of alkyl bulkiness at the 2-position of the 2-hydroxycarboxylic acids showed an increase in the rate of dehydration. The electron release of alkyl groups, rather than steric acceleration, appears to enhance the pyrolysis decomposition of these substrates. These reactions are believed to proceed through a semi-polar five-membered cyclic transition type of mechanism. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Experimental and Computational Study of the Thermal Decomposition of 3‐Methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol in m‐Xylene Solution

An experimental study of the thermal decomposition of a β‐hydroxy alkene, 3‐methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol, in m‐xylene solution, has been carried out at five different temperatures in the range of 513.15–563.15 K. The temperature dependence of the rate constants for the decomposition of this compound in the corresponding Arrhenius equation is given by ln k (s^?1) = (25.65 ± 1.52) ? (17,944 ± 814) (kJ·mol^?1)·T^?1. A computational study has been carried out at the M05–2X/6–31+G(d,p) level of theory to calculate the rate constants and the activation parameters by the classical transition state theory. There is a good agreement between the experimental and calculated rate constants and activation Gibbs energies. The bonding characteristics of reactant, transition state, and products have been investigated by the natural bond orbital analysis, which provides the natural atomic charges and the Wiberg bond indices. Based on the results obtained, the mechanism proposed is a one‐step process proceeding through a six‐membered cyclic transition state, being a concerted and slightly asynchronous process. The results have been compared with those obtained previously by us (Struct Chem 2013, 24, 1811–1816) for the thermal decomposition of 3‐buten‐1‐ol, in m‐xylene solution. We can conclude that in the compound studied in this work, 3‐methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol, the effect of substitution at position 3 by a weakly activating CH₃ group is the stabilization of the transition state formed in the reaction and therefore a small increase in the rate of thermal decomposition.     

Gas‐Phase Photodissociation of CH3CHBrCOCl at 248 nm: Detection of Molecular Fragments by Time‐Resolved FT‐IR Spectroscopy

By employing time‐resolved Fourier transform infrared emission spectroscopy, the fragments HCl (v=1–3), HBr (v=1), and CO (v=1‐3) are detected in one‐photon dissociation of 2‐bromopropionyl chloride (CH₃CHBrCOCl) at 248 nm. Ar gas is added to induce internal conversion and to enhance the fragment yields. The time‐resolved high‐resolution spectra of HCl and CO were analyzed to determine the rovibrational energy deposition of 10.0±0.2 and 7.4±0.6 kcal mol^?1, respectively, while the rotational energy in HBr is evaluated to be 0.9±0.1 kcal mol^?1. The branching ratio of HCl(v>0)/HBr(v>0) is estimated to be 1:0.53. The bond selectivity of halide formation in the photolysis follows the same trend as the halogen atom elimination. The probability of HCl contribution from a hot Cl reaction with the precursor is negligible according to the measurements of HCl amount by adding an active reagent, Br₂, in the system. The HCl elimination channel under Ar addition is verified to be slower by two orders of magnitude than the Cl elimination channel. With the aid of ab initio calculations, the observed fragments are dissociated from the hot ground state CH₃CHBrCOCl. A two‐body dissociation channel is favored leading to either HCl+CH₃CBrCO or HBr+CH₂CHCOCl, in which the CH₃CBrCO moiety may further undergo secondary dissociation to release CO.     

Thermochemistry and Kinetics of the Thermal Decomposition of 1‐Chlorohexane

A theoretical kinetic study of the thermal decomposition of 1‐chlorohexane in gas phase between 600 and 1000 K was performed. Transition‐state theory and unimolecular reaction rate theory were combined with molecular information provided by quantum chemical calculations. Particularly, the B3LYP, BMK, M05–2X, and M06–2X formulations of the density functional theory (DFT) and the high‐level ab initio methods G3B3 and G4 were employed. The possible reaction channels for the thermal decomposition of 1‐chlorohexane were investigated, and the reaction takes place through the elimination of HCl with the formation of 1‐hexene. The derived high‐pressure limit rate coefficients are k _∞(600–1000 K) = (8 ± 5) × 10¹³ exp[‐((56.7 ± 0.4) kcal mol⁻¹/RT )] s⁻¹. The pressure effect over the reaction was analyzed from the calculation of the low‐pressure limit rate coefficients and the falloff curves. In addition, the standard enthalpies of formation at 298 K of −46.9 ± 1.5 kcal mol⁻¹ for 1‐chlorohexane and 5.8 ± 1.5 kcal mol⁻¹ for C₆H₁₃ radical were derived from isodesmic and isogiric reactions at high levels of theory.     

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.     

Time‐Resolved Thermodynamic Profile upon Photoexcitation of a Nitrospiropyran in Cycloalkanes and of the Corresponding Merocyanine in Aqueous Solutions

The photoconversion of 2′,3′‐dihydro‐6‐nitro‐1′,3′,3′‐trimethylspiro[2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2,2′‐indole] ( Sp ) to its open merocyanine form ( Mc ) in a series of aerated cycloalkanes (cyclopentane, cyclohexane, and trans‐ and cis‐decalin) and of the protonated merocyanine ( McH ⁺ ) to Sp in aqueous solution were studied by laser‐induced optoacoustic spectroscopy (LIOAS). The +(11±2) ml mol⁻¹ expansion determined for the ring closure is due to deprotonation of McH ⁺ plus the reaction of the ejected proton with the monoanion of malonic acid (added to stabilize Mc ), an intrinsic expansion and a small electrostriction term. The energy difference between Sp and initial McH ⁺ is (282±110) kJ mol⁻¹. An intrinsic contraction of −(47±15) ml mol⁻¹ occurs upon ring opening, forming triplet ³Mc in the cycloalkanes, whereas no volume change was detected for the ³Mc to Mc relaxation. Electrostriction decreases the ³Mc energy, (165±18) kJ mol⁻¹, to 135 kJ mol⁻¹. The difference in the values of the ring‐opening ( Sp to Mc ) reaction enthalpy in cycloalkanes as derived from the temperature dependence of the Sp ⇌ Mc equilibrium, (29±8) kJ mol⁻¹, and from the LIOAS data, −(9±25) kJ mol⁻¹, is due to the formation of Mc‐Sp aggregates during steady‐state measurements. The Sp ‐sensitized singlet molecular oxygen, O₂(¹Δ_g), quantum yield (average Φ_Δ=0.58±0.03) derived from the near‐IR emission of O₂(¹Δ_g), was taken as a measure of Mc production in the cycloalkanes. These solvents, albeit troublesome in their handling, provide an additional series for the determination of structural volume changes in nonaqueous media, besides the alkanes already used.     

Kinetics and Mechanism Study of the Substitution Reactions of the Chloride Ligand in Dichloro(5,10,15,20)‐tetraphenyl‐21H,23H‐porphinato)tin(IV) by Organic Bases in Dimethylformamide Solvent

Substitution reactions of a Cl⁻ ligand in [SnCl₂(tpp)] (tpp=5,10,15,20‐tetraphenyl‐21H,23H‐porphinato(2−)) by five organic bases i.e., butylamine (BuNH₂), sec‐butylamine (^sBuNH₂), tert‐butylamine (^tBuNH₂), dibutylamine (Bu₂NH), and tributylamine (Bu₃N), as entering nucleophile in dimethylformamide at I=0.1M (NaNO₃) and 30–55° were studied. The second‐order rate constants for the substitution of a Cl⁻ ligand were found to be (36.86±1.14)⋅10⁻³, (32.91±0.79)⋅10⁻³, (22.21±0.58)⋅10⁻³, (19.09±0.66)⋅10⁻³, and (1.36±0.08)⋅10⁻³ M ⁻¹s⁻¹ at 40° for BuNH₂, ^tBuNH₂, ^sBuNH₂, Bu₂NH, and Bu₃N, respectively. In a temperature‐dependence study, the activation parameters ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ for the reaction of [SnCl₂(tpp)] with the organic bases were determined as 38.61±4.79 kJ mol⁻¹ and −150.40±15.46 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for BuNH₂, 40.95±4.79 kJ mol⁻¹ and −143.75±15.46 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for ^tBuNH₂, 30.88±2.43 kJ mol⁻¹ and −179.00±7.82 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for ^sBuNH₂, 26.56±2.97 kJ mol⁻¹ and −194.05±9.39 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for Bu₂NH, and 39.37±2.25 kJ mol⁻¹ and −174.68±7.07 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Bu₃N. From the linear rate dependence on the concentration of the bases, the span of k₂ values, and the large negative values of the activation entropy, an associative (A) mechanism is deduced for the ligand substitution.     

Kinetics of the Gas‐Phase Elimination Reaction of Benzyl Chloroformate and Neopentyl Chloroformate

The gas‐phase eliminations of benzyl chloroformate (475–523 K, 31–103 Torr) and neopentyl chloroformate (563–622 K, 37–70 Torr), in a deactivated static reaction vessel, and in the presence of a free radical suppressor, are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first‐order rate law. The rate coefficients are expressed by the following Arrhenius equations: Benzyl chloroformate Neopentyl chloroformate Formation of neopentyl chloride: Formation of 2‐methylbutenes: The derived kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for benzyl chloroformate decomposition indicate the reaction proceeds through a concerted four‐membered cyclic transition state to give benzyl chloride and CO₂ gas. Neopentyl chloroformate undergoes a parallel reaction, where neopentyl chloride formation may arise from a polar‐concerted four‐membered cyclic transition state, whereas the mixture of olefins, 2‐methyl‐2‐butene, and 2‐methyl‐1‐butene appears to be produced from a carbene intermediate. This intermediate seems to be originated from a concerted five‐membered cyclic transition state of the neopentyl substrate.     

Theoretical and experimental studies of the diketene system: Product branching decomposition rate constants and energetics of isomers

The kinetics and mechanism for the thermal decomposition of diketene have been studied in the temperature range 510–603 K using highly diluted mixtures with Ar as a diluent. The concentrations of diketene, ketene, and CO₂ were measured by FTIR spectrometry using calibrated standard mixtures. Two reaction channels were identified. The rate constants for the formation of ketene (k₁) and CO₂ (k₂) have been determined and compared with the values predicted by the Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus (RRKM) theory for the branching reaction. The first-order rate constants, k₁ (s⁻¹) = 10^{15.74 ± 0.72} exp(−49.29 (kcal mol⁻¹) (±1.84)/RT) and k₂ (s⁻¹) = 10^{14.65 ± 0.87} exp(−49.01 (kcal mol⁻¹) (±2.22)/RT); the bulk of experimental data agree well with predicted results. The heats of formation of ketene, diketene, cyclobuta-1,3-dione, and cyclobuta-1,2-dione at 298 K computed from the G2M scheme are −11.1, −45.3, −43.6, and −40.3 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 580–590, 2007     

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