On the Ambiphilic Reactivity of Geometrically Constrained Phosphorus(III) and Arsenic(III) Compounds: Insights into Their Interaction with Ionic Substrates

The ambiphilic nature of geometrically constrained Group 15 complexes bearing the N,N‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐phenolate)amide pincer ligand (ONO^3?) is explored. Despite their differing reactivity towards nucleophilic substrates with polarised element–hydrogen bonds (e.g., NH₃), both the phosphorus(III), P(ONO) ( 1 a ), and arsenic(III), As(ONO) ( 1 b ), compounds exhibit similar reactivity towards charged nucleophiles and electrophiles. Reactions of 1 a and 1 b with KOtBu or KNPh₂ afford anionic complexes in which the nucleophilic anion associates with the pnictogen centre ([(tBuO)Pn(ONO)]^? (Pn=P ( 2 a ), As ( 2 b )) and [(Ph₂N)Pn(ONO)]^? (Pn=P ( 3 a ), As ( 3 b )). Compound 2 a can subsequently be reacted with a proton source or benzylbromide to afford the phosphorus(V) compounds (tBuO)HP(ONO) ( 4 a ) and (tBuO)BzP(ONO) ( 5 a ), respectively, whereas analogous arsenic(V) compounds are inaccessible. Electrophilic substrates, such as HOTf and MeOTf, preferentially associate with the nitrogen atom of the ligand backbone of both 1 a and 1 b , giving rise to cationic species that can be rationalised as either ammonium salts or as amine‐stabilised phosphenium or arsenium complexes ([Pn{ON(H)O}]⁺ (Pn=P ( 6 a ), As ( 6 b )) and [Pn{ON(Me)O}]⁺ (Pn=P ( 7 a ), As ( 7 b )). Reaction of 1 a with an acid bearing a nucleophilic counteranion (such as HCl) gives rise to a phosphorus(V) compound HPCl(ONO) ( 8 a ), whereas the analogous reaction with 1 b results in the addition of HCl across one of the As?O bonds to afford ClAs{(H)ONO} ( 8 b ). Functionalisation at both the pnictogen centre and the ligand backbone is also possible by reaction of 7 a / 7 b with KOtBu, which affords the neutral species (tBuO)Pn{ON(Me)O} (Pn=P ( 9 a ), As ( 9 b )). The ambiphilic reactivity of these geometrically constrained complexes allows some insight into the mechanism of reactivity of 1 a towards small molecules, such as ammonia and water.     

Nucleophilic Substitution at Phosphorus Centers (SN2@P)

We have studied the characteristics of archetypal model systems for bimolecular nucleophilic substitution at phosphorus (S_N2@P) and, for comparison, at carbon (S_N2@C) and silicon (S_N2@Si) centers. In our studies, we applied the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) of density functional theory (DFT) at the OLYP/TZ2P level. Our model systems cover nucleophilic substitution at carbon in X^?+CH₃Y (S_N2@C), at silicon in X^?+SiH₃Y (S_N2@Si), at tricoordinate phosphorus in X^?+PH₂Y (S_N2@P3), and at tetracoordinate phosphorus in X^?+POH₂Y (S_N2@P4). The main feature of going from S_N2@C to S_N2@P is the loss of the characteristic double‐well potential energy surface (PES) involving a transition state [X? CH₃? Y]^? and the occurrence of a single‐well PES with a stable transition complex, namely, [X? PH₂? Y]^? or [X? POH₂? Y]^?. The differences between S_N2@P3 and S_N2@P4 are relatively small. We explored both the symmetric and asymmetric (i.e. X, Y=Cl, OH) S_N2 reactions in our model systems, the competition between backside and frontside pathways, and the dependence of the reactions on the conformation of the reactants. Furthermore, we studied the effect, on the symmetric and asymmetric S_N2@P3 and S_N2@P4 reactions, of replacing hydrogen substituents at the phosphorus centers by chlorine and fluorine in the model systems X^?+PR₂Y and X^?+POR₂Y, with R=Cl, F. An interesting phenomenon is the occurrence of a triple‐well PES not only in the symmetric, but also in the asymmetric S_N2@P4 reactions of X^?+POCl₂? Y.     

Absolute rate constants for the addition of hydroxymethyl radicals to alkenes in methanol solution

Absolute rate constants and their temperature dependencies were determined for the addition of hydroxymethyl radicals (CH₂OH) to 20 mono- or 1,1-disubstituted alkenes (CH₂ = CXY) in methanol by time-resolved electron spin resonance spectroscopy. With the alkene substituents the rate constants at 298 K (k₂₉₈) vary from 180 M^?1s^?1 (ethyl vinylether) to 2.1 middot; 10⁶ M^?1s^?1 (acrolein). The frequency factors obey log A/M^?1s^?1 = 8.1 ± 0.1, whereas the activation energies (E_a) range from 11.6 kJ/mol (methacrylonitrile) to 35.7 kJ/mol (ethyl vinylether). As shown by good correlations with the alkene electron affinities (EA), log k₂₉₈/M^?1s^?1 = 5.57 + 1.53 · EA/eV (R² = 0.820) and E_a = 15.86 ? 7.38 · EA/eV (R² = 0.773), hydroxymethyl is a nucleophilic radical, and its addition rates are strongly influenced by polar effects. No apparent correlation was found between E_a or log k₂₉₈ with the overall reaction enthalpy. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

O‐Nucleophilicity of Hydroxamate Ions for Cleavage of Carboxylate and Phosphate Esters in Cationic Micelles

The nucleophilic reactivities of hydroxamate ( HA^? ) ions of the structure RCONHO^? [R = CH₃ (acetohydroxamate, AHA^? ), C₆H₅ (benzohydroxamate, BHA^? ), 2‐OHC₆H₄ (salicylhydroxamate, SHA^? ), and 4‐CH₃OC₆H₄ (4‐methoxbenzohydroxamate, MBHA^? )] for the hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenyl benzoate ( PNPB ), tris(3‐nitrophenyl) phosphate ( TRIS ), and bis(2,4‐dinitrophenyl) phosphate ( BDNPP ) have been examined kinetically. Over the pH range of 6.7–11.4, the α‐nucleophile ( HA^? ) accelerates deacylation of PNPB and dephosphorylation of TRIS (in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelle, 2.0 × 10^?3 M). The salicylhydroxamate ion encountered effective catalysis than AHA^? , BHA^? , and MBHA^? ions. The monoanionic SHA^? and dianionic SA^2? forms of salicylhydroxamic acid are the reactive species. The hydroxamic acid concentration–dependent critical micelle concentration (cmc) and fractional ionization constant ( α ) and of CTAB provide qualitative information for the micellar incorporation of the hydroxamate ion. The ab initio calculations performed on the hydroxamate ions at restricted Hartree–Fock using the 6‐311G (d,p) basis set revealed the O‐nucleophilicity of hydroxamate ions toward C=O and P=O centers. On the basis of ab initio calculation, it has been concluded that hydroxamic acids can exist into E‐amide and Z‐amide forms. The large stable amide or imide anions of hydroxamate are strong nucleophilic for the esterolytic cleavage of carboxylate and phosphate esters.     

Rate constants for the addition of the 2-hydroxy-2-propyl radical to alkenes in solution

Absolute rate constants for the addition of the 2-hydroxy-2-propyl radical to 18 substituted alkenes (CH₂ = CXY) were determined at (296 ± 1) K in 2-propanol by time-resolved electronspin-resonance spectroscopy. With alkene substitution the rate constants vary by more than 6 orders of magnitude. For 3,3-dimethyl-but-1-ene the temperature dependence is given by log k/M^?1 · s^?1 = 6.4 minus;; 19.1/Θ where Θ = 2.303 RT in kJ/mol^?1. As shown by a good correlation with the alkene electron affinities, log k₂₉₆/M^?1 · s^?1 = 6.46 + 1.71 · EA/eV (r = 0.930), 2-hydroxy-2-propyl is a very nucleophilic radical, and its addition rates are highly governed by polar effects. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of para‐chlorophenyl aryl chlorophosphates with anilines in acetonitrile

The kinetics and mechanism of the nucleophilic substitution reactions of p‐chlorophenyl aryl chlorophosphates ( 2 ) with anilines are investigated in acetonitrile at 55°C. Relatively large magnitudes of ρ_X and β_X values are indicative of a large degree of bond making in the TS. Smaller magnitudes of ρ_X (0.20 for X = H) and ρ_XY (?0.30) than those for the corresponding reactions with phenyl aryl chlorophosphates ( 1 ) (ρ_X = 0.54 for X = H and ρ_XY = ?1.31) are interpreted to indicate partial electron loss, or shunt, towards the electron acceptor equatorial ligand (p‐ClC₆H₄O‐) in the bipyramidal pentacoordinated transition state. The inverse secondary kinetic isotope effects (k_H/k_D = 0.64–0.87) involving deuterated aniline (ND₂C₆H₄X) nucleophiles, and small ΔH^? and large negative ΔS^? are obtained. These results are consistent with a concerted nucleophilic substitution mechanism. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 632–637, 2002     

Nucleophilic substitution at phosphorus: stereochemistry and mechanisms

This review is devoted to the stereochemistry of nucleophilic substitution reactions at phosphorus. The study of the reactions of phosphoryl group transfer is important for biological and molecular chemistry. The stereochemistry and mechanisms of S_N1(P) monomolecular and S_N2(P) bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reactions of organophosphorus compounds are discussed. It has been shown that hydrolysis of many natural phosphates proceeds according to the monomolecular S_N1(P) mechanism via the formation of metaphosphate intermediate (PO₃^?). S_N2(P) nucleophilic substitution at chiral trivalent or pentavalent phosphorus compounds proceeds via the formation of penta-coordinated transition state or pentacoordinate intermediate.     

Preparation and crystal structure of the Copper Silicon Polyphosphide Cu4SiP8

The new compound Cu₄SiP₈ was prepared by solid state reaction of the elemental components. It crystallizes with a new structure type, which was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data: I4₁/a, a = 1 218.6(2) pm, c = 573.2(2) pm, Z = 8, R = 0.023 for 970 structure factors and 31 variable parameters. Tetrahedral SiP₄ groups are linked via additional phosphorus atoms to a three-dimensionally infinite silicon phosphorus network, accommodating Cu₂ pairs with octahedral phosphorus coordination as is known for the closely related structure of CuP₂. Using oxidation numbers the compound may be rationalized by the formula (Cu⁺¹)₄Si⁺⁴(P⁰)₄(P^?2)₄ in agreement with the Zintl-Klemm concept.     

Absolute Rate Constants for the Addition of Benzyl (PhĊH2) and Cumyl (PhĊMe2) Radicals to Alkenes in Solution

Absolute rate constants and their temperature dependence were determined by time-resolved electron spin resonance for the addition of the radicals Ph?H₂ and Ph?Me₂ to a variety of alkenes in toluene solution. To vinyl monomers CH₂=CXY, Ph?H₂ adds at the unsubstituted C-atom with rate constants ranging from 14 M ^?1S ^?1 (ethoxyethene) to 6.7 · 10³ M ^?1S ^?1 (4-vinylpyridine) at 296 K, and the frequency factors are in the narrow range of log (A/M ^?1S ^?1) = 8.6 ± 0.3, whereas the activation energy varies with the substituents from ca. 51 kJ/mol to ca. 26 kJ/mol. The rate constants and the activation energies increase both with increasing exothermicity of the reaction and with increasing electron affinity of the alkenes and are mainly controlled by the reaction enthalpy, but are markedly influenced also by nucleophilic polar effects for electron-deficient substrates. For 1,2-disubstituted and trisubstituted alkenes, the rate constants are affected by additional steric substituent effects. To acrylate and styrenes, Ph?Me₂ adds with rate constants similar to those of Ph?H₂, and the reactivity is controlled by the same factors. A comparison with relative-rate data shows that reaction enthalpy and polar effects also dominate the copolymerization behavior of the styrene propagation radical.     

Mapping the Interactions of I2, I., I−, and I+ with Alkynes and Their Roles in Iodocyclizations

A combination of experiment and theory has been used to explore the mechanisms by which molecular iodine (I₂) and iodonium ions (I⁺) activate alkynes towards iodocyclization. Also included in the analysis are the roles of atomic iodine (I ^. ) and iodide ion (I^?) in mediating the competing addition of I₂ to the alkyne. These studies show that I₂ forms a bridged I₂–alkyne complex, in which both alkyne carbons are activated towards nucleophilic attack, even for quite polarized alkynes. By contrast, I⁺ gives unsymmetrical, open iodovinyl cations, in which only one carbon is activated toward nucleophilic attack, especially for polarized alkynes. Addition of I₂ to alkynes competes with iodocyclization, but is reversible. This fact, together with the capacity of I₂ to activate both alkyne carbons towards nucleophilic attack, makes I₂ the reagent of choice (superior to iodonium reagents) for iodocyclizations of resistant substrates. The differences in the nature of the activated intermediate formed with I₂ versus I⁺ can also be exploited to accomplish reagent‐controlled 5‐exo/6‐endo‐divergent iodocyclizations.     

Carbonyldinitrosyltris(fluorosulfato)tungstate(II) and ‐Molybdate(II) Anions: Synthesis,Spectroscopy, and Density Functional Theory Calculations

Carbonyldinitrosyltris(fluorosulfato)tungstate(II) and ‐molybdate‐(II) anions, [fac‐M(CO)(NO)₂(SO₃F)₃]^? (M=W, Mo), which are novel weakly coordinating anions that contain a metal carbonyl/nitrosyl moiety, have been generated in fluorosulfonic acid and completely characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR, and Raman spectroscopy as well as ESI mass spectrometry. ESI MS measurements performed for the first time on a superacidic solution system unambiguously reveal the formation of the monoanionic, mononuclear W and Mo complexes formulated as [M(CO)(NO)₂(SO₃F)₃]^? (M=W, Mo). Multinuclear NMR spectroscopic studies at natural abundance and ¹³C and ¹⁵N enrichment clearly indicate the presence of one CO ligand, two equivalent NO ligands, and two types of nonequivalent SO₃F^? groups in a 2:1 ratio. The IR and Raman spectra reveal that the two equivalent NO ligands have a cis conformation, thus indicating a fac structure. Density functional calculations at the B3LYP level of theory predict that these anions have a singlet ground state (¹A′) with a C_s symmetry along with C–O and N–O vibrational frequencies that are in agreement with the experimental observations. Mulliken population analysis shows that the monovalent negative charge is dispersed on the bulky sphere, the surface of which is covered by all the negatively charged O and F atoms with charge densities much lower than SO₃F^?, suggesting that [fac‐M(CO)(NO)₂(SO₃F)₃]^? (M=W, Mo) are weakly nucleophilic and poorly coordinating anions.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 172. Existenz und Charakterisierung des Pentaphosphacyclopentadienid-Anions,P5−, des Tetraphosphacyclopentadienid-Ions,P4CH−, und des Triphosphacyclobutenid-Ions,P3CH2−

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 172. Existence and Characterization of the Pentaphosphacyclopentadienide Anion, P₅^?, the Tetraphosphacyclopentadienide Ion, P₄CH^?, and the Triphosphacyclobutenide Ion, P₃CH₂^? The pentaphosphacyclopentadienide anion, P₅^? ( 1 ), the tetraphosphacyclopentadienide ion, P₄CH^?( 2 ), and the triphosphacyclobutenide ion, P₃CH₂^?( 3 ), are formed besides other polyphosphides by the nucleophilic cleavage of white phosphorus with sodium in diglyme. 1 also results from the reaction of lithium dihydrogenphosphide with white phosphorus and can be obtained pure in the form of a LiP₅ solution after separating the other products. The common structural feature of 1, 2 , and 3 are rings with unsubstituted P atoms of coordination number 2 that are stabilized by mesomerism.     

Studies of Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions of p‐Nitrophenyl Acetate with Some Dihydroxamate Ions in Cationic Micellar Media

Pseudo‐first‐order rate constants have been determined for the nucleophilic substitution reactions of p‐nitrophenyl acetate with oxalo, malono, and succinodihydroxamate ions (^?ONHC(O)(CH₂)_nC(O)NHO^?) in phosphate buffer (pH=7.9) at 27°C. The rate data of the reaction revealed that the nucleophilic reactivity sequence of these hydroxamate ions is generally ODHA>MDHA>SDHA. The k_obs value increases upon addition of cationic surfactants to the reaction medium which is typical behavior of micelle‐assisted bimolecular reactions. The pseudo‐phase ion exchange model has been successfully applied to determine binding constant.     

Amine catalysis in phosphoryl transfer from 2,4-dinitrophenyl phosphate in aprotic and protic solvents

Reactions of tetra-n-butylammonium 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrogen phosphate, (ArPH)^?(R₄N)⁺, in aprotic and protic solvents, in the absence and in the presence of alcohols or water, ROH, are compared with analogous reactions of the salt in the presence of hindered and unhindered amines, e.g. diisopropylethyl amine and quinuclidine. Similar studies are performed with the acid, ArPH₂, in the presence of variable amounts of amines. The release of phenol and the fate of the phosphorus compounds are followed by ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectrometry. In the absence of free unhindered amine, reactions of the monoanion are relatively slow, sensitive to steric hindrance in the alcohol, and incapable of producing t-butyl phosphate from t-butanol; reactions of the dianion are relatively fast, insensitive to steric hindrance in the alcohol, and produce t-butyl phosphate. In the presence of free unhindered amine, reactions of the monoanion are relatively fast but still sensitive to steric hindrance in the alcohol, and hence do not produce t-butyl phosphate. The intermediate CH(CH₂CH₂)₃⁺NP(O)(OH)O^? is detected in the presence of quinuclidine. Reactions of the dianion in the presence of unhindered amines are analogous to those observed in the presence of hindered amines. The uncatalyzed and the nucleophilic amine-catalyzed reactions of the monoanion are assumed to proceed via oxyphosphorane, P(5), intermediates. The dianion reactions, which are not susceptible to nucleophilic catalysis, are assumed to proceed via the monomeric metaphosphate ion intermediate, PO₃^?. Significant effects related to solvent properties are observed in these reactions.     

Photochemical Synthesis,Properties and X—Ray Crystal Structure of Tetrabutylammonium Dodecamolybdophosphate Heteropoly Blue

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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.     

Perfluoro and polyfluoroalkanesulfonic acid: XVII. Difluoromethyl perfluoroalkanesulfonates and their reactions

In contrast to R_FSO₃CH₂R(1)(R=hydrogen, alkyl and perfluoroalkyl) and R_FSO₃CF₂R_F′ (2), the reactions of difluoromethyl perfluoroalkanesulfonates RFSO₃CF₂H (3) With nucleophiles are more complicated. Halide inos, X^? (X = F, Cl, I) and ethanol only attack the alkoxyl carbon atom, cleaving the C? O bond to give HCF₂X (4) and HCF₂OEt (5) respectively. Other reagents such as RCO₂^? (R=CH₃, CF₃), C₆H₅S^? etc. can either attack the carbon or sulfur atom of 3 to give the corresponding products of C? O and S? O bond cleavages. More basic nucleophiles RO^? (R = C₆H₅, Et) mainly abstract the proton of the HCF₂ moiety to produce difluorocarbene. Ether and benzene, which can be alkylated by methyl perfluoroalkanesulfonate, do not react with 3 under similar conditions. The reaction rate of 3 with KF is much slower than that of 1 (R = H). All these data seem to indicate that the shielding effect caused by the two fluorine atoms on the methyl carbon in 3 prevents to some extent the nucleophilic attack on this carbon, but not so completely as in 2 due to the presence of a hydrogen atom.     

The retro-aldol mechanism in the pyrolysis kinetics of primary,secondary, and tertiary β-hydroxy ketones in the gas phase

The pyrolysis kinetics of primary, secondary, and tertiary β-hydroxy ketones have been studied in static seasoned vessels over the pressure range of 21–152 torr and the temperature range of 190°–260°C. These eliminations are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first-order rate law. The rate coefficients are expressed by the following equations: for 1-hydroxy-3-butanone, log k₁(s^?1) = (12.18 ± 0.39) ? (150.0 ± 3.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; for 4-hydroxy-2-pentanone, log k₁(s^?1) = (11.64 ± 0.28) ? (142.1 ± 2.7) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1; and for 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, log k₁(s^?1) = (11.36 ± 0.52) ? (133.4 ± 4.9) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The acid nature of the hydroxyl hydrogen is not determinant in rate enhancement, but important in assistance during elimination. However, methyl substitution at the hydroxyl carbon causes a small but significant increase in rates and, thus, appears to be the limiting factor in a retroaldol type of mechanism in these decompositions. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetic Study of Hydrogen–Deuterium Exchange of Glutamic Acid in Deuterated Hydrochloric Acid Solution

The kinetics of the hydrogen–deuterium (H–D) exchange at both the methine (alpha) and methylene (gamma) positions of glutamic acid in deuterated hydrochloric acid solution has been studied in the temperature range of 383–433 K by ¹H NMR detection. The reaction rates of H–D exchange at the two positions were described by applying multivariable linear regression (MLR) analysis and are determined as v = k[Glu]^3.3[D₃O⁺]^1.5 mol L^?1 h^?1 with k = 3.52 × 10¹⁶ × exp (–1.37 × 10⁵/RT) mol^?3.8 L h^?1 for the alpha position as well as v = k[Glu]^1.0[D₃O⁺]^0.45 mol L^?1 h^?1 with k = 1.77 × 10¹² × exp (–0.99 × 10⁵/RT) mol^?0.45 L h^?1 for the gamma position. The Arrhenius activation energy (E_a) at the gamma position is less than that at the alpha position, which implies that the deuteration reaction at the gamma position proceeded more easily.