Alkali‐Metal Ion Catalysis and Inhibition in SNAr Displacement: Relative Stabilization of Ground State and Transition State Determines Catalysis and Inhibition in SNAr Reactivity

We report here the first observation of alkali‐metal ion catalysis and inhibition in S_NAr reactions. The plot of k_obsd versus [alkali‐metal ethoxide] exhibits downward curvature for the reactions of 1‐(4‐nitrophenoxy)‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene with EtOLi, EtONa, and EtOK, but upward curvature for the corresponding reaction with EtOK in the presence of 18‐crown‐6‐ether (18C6). Dissection of k_obsd into the second‐order rate constants for the reactions with the dissociated EtO^? and the ion‐paired EtOM (i.e., k and k_EtOM, respectively) has revealed that the reactivity increases in the order EtOLi<EtONa<EtOK<EtO^?<EtOK/18C6. This indicates that the reaction is inhibited by Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ ions but is catalyzed by 18C6 K⁺ ion. The reactions of 1‐(Y‐substituted‐phenoxy)‐2,4‐dinitrobenzenes have been proposed to proceed through a stepwise mechanism, in which expulsion of the leaving group occurs after the rate‐determining step based on the kinetic result that σ^o constants exhibit a much better Hammett correlation than σ^? constants. Alkali‐metal ion catalysis or inhibition has been discussed in terms of differential stabilization of ground‐state and transition‐state complexes through a qualitative energy profile. A π‐complexed transition‐state structure is proposed to account for the kinetic results.     

2–Butoxyethanol and benzyl alcohol reactions with the nitrate radical: Rate coefficients and gas‐phase products

The bimolecular rate coefficients k and k were measured using the relative rate technique at (297 ± 3) K and 1 atmosphere total pressure. Values of (2.7 ± 0.7) and (4.0 ± 1.0) × 10^?15 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were observed for k and k, respectively. In addition, the products of 2‐butoxyethanol + NO₃^? and benzyl alcohol + NO₃^? gas‐phase reactions were investigated. Derivatizing agents O‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine and N, O‐bis (trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) were used to identify the reaction products. For 2‐butoxyethanol + NO₃^? reaction: hydroxyacetaldehyde, 3‐hydroxypropanal, 4‐hydroxybutanal, butoxyacetaldehyde, and 4‐(2‐oxoethoxy)butan‐2‐yl nitrate were the derivatized products observed. For the benzyl alcohol + NO₃^? reaction: benzaldehyde ((C₆H₅)C(?O)H) was the only derivatized product observed. Negative chemical ionization was used to identify the following nitrate products: [(2‐butoxyethoxy)(oxido)amino]oxidanide and benzyl nitrate, for 2‐butoxyethanol + NO₃^? and benzyl alcohol + NO₃^?, respectively. The elucidation of these products was facilitated by mass spectrometry of the derivatized reaction products coupled with a plausible 2‐butoxyethanol or benzyl alcohol + NO₃^? reaction mechanisms based on previously published volatile organic compound + NO₃^? gas‐phase mechanisms. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

1 This article is a U.S. Government work and, as such, is in the public domain of the United States of America.

© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 778–788, 2012     

Rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of nitrate radicals with geraniol,citronellol, and dihydromyrcenol

Terpenes and terpene alcohols are prevalent compounds found in a wide variety of consumer products including soaps, flavorings, perfumes, and air fresheners used in the indoor environment. Knowing the reaction rate of these chemicals with the nitrate radical is an important factor in determining their fate indoors. In this study, the bimolecular rate constants of k (16.6 ± 4.2) × 10^?12, k (12.1 ± 3) × 10^?12, and k (2.3 ± 0.6) × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were measured using the relative rate technique for the reaction of the nitrate radical (NO₃?) with 2,6‐dimethyl‐2,6‐octadien‐8‐ol (geraniol), 3,7‐dimethyl‐6‐octen‐1‐ol (citronellol), and 2,6‐dimethyl‐7‐octen‐2‐ol (dihydromyrcenol) at (297 ± 3) K and 1 atmosphere total pressure. Using the geraniol, citronellol, or dihydromyrcenol + NO₃? rate constants reported here, pseudo‐first‐order rate lifetimes (k′) of 1.5, 1.1, and 0.002 h^?1 were determined, respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 669–675, 2010     

Reactivity of dpph• in the oxidation of catechol and catechin

A kinetic study of the reduction of pyrocatechol and catechin by dpph^? radical has been carried out in various ratios of CH₃OH/H₂O mixed solvent at pH 5.5–7.5, μ = 0.10 M [(n‐Bu)₄N]ClO₄, and T = 25°C. The rate constants of oxidation in aqueous solvent, k, were obtained from the extrapolation of the linear plots of the specific rate constants k vs. % H₂O plots at each pH value. A linear relationship between k and 1/[H⁺] was observed for both flavonoids with k = k₁K_a1/[H⁺], where K_a1 was the first acid dissociation constant on the catechol ring and k₁ is the rate constant of the oxidation of the mononegative species HX^?. The values of k₁ obtained from the slopes of the plots are (8.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁵ and (6.1 ± 0.1) × 10⁵ M^?1 s^?1 for pyrocatechol and catechin, respectively. The analysis of the reaction on the basis of Marcus theory for an outer‐sphere electron transfer reaction yielded a value of 3.7 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the self‐exchange rate constant of dpph^?/dpphH couple. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 147–153, 2011     

Couloamperometry. A fast kinetic technique for halogenations. I. Bromination rate constants of highly reactive enol ethers

A new couloamperometric apparatus has been designed to extend the range of this kinetic technique to the measurement of very high rate constants, 10⁸M^?1s^?1, by using TFCR-EXSEL conditions (TFCR—very low reactant concentration; EXSEL—salt excess), which give half-lives of a few seconds for very fast second-order reactions. Very low faradaic currents, in the nanoampere range for halogens, corresponding to very low reactant concentrations of 10^?8–10^?9M, are measured selectively by compensating the eddy currents, principally the residual and the induced currents. When the electroactive species is bromine, the concentration is demonstrated to be linearly related to the limiting reduction current in the very low concentration range. The upper limit of this technique for bromination is at present 3 × 10⁸M^?1s^?1. The method is applied to the kinetic study of highly reactive enol ethers EtO-C(R) = CH-R′, where R and R′ are H or Me. A value of 2.2 × 10⁸M^?1s^?1 is obtained for k, the rate constant for free bromine addition to EtO-CH = CH₂, by extrapolating the kinetic bromide ion effects to [Br^?] = 0. An α-methyl effect (k_α-Me/k_H)_EtO of 15 is found; this is a small decrease in the methyl effect compared to the marked increase in the double bond reactivity. For the enol acetate MeCOO-CH = CH₂, whose rate constant is 6 × 10²M^?1s^?1, (k_α-Me/k_H)_OCOMe is 21. The dependence of substituent effects on reactivity is discussed in terms of the Hammond effect on the transition state position and of charge delocalization by group G of olefins G-CH = CH₂.     

Experimental versus theoretical evidence for the rate‐limiting steps in uncatalyzed and H+‐ and HO−‐catalyzed hydrolysis of the amide bond

Recent theoretical studies of the alkaline hydrolysis of the amide bond have indicated that the nucleophilic attack of the hydroxide ion at the carbonyl carbon of the amide group is rate limiting. This is shown to be inconsistent with a large amount of experimental observations where the expulsion of the leaving group has been shown to be rate limiting. A kinetic approach has been described, which allows us to diagnose whether the pH‐independent/uncatalyzed hydrolysis of amides involves (a) both the uncatalyzed water reaction (k_w) and H⁺‐ (k_H) and HO^?‐catalyzed (k_OH) water reaction, (b) only the k_w reaction, or (c) only the k + k_OH reaction. The analysis described in this critical review does not favor the recent theoretical claims of the absence of the water reaction in the pH‐independent/uncatalyzed hydrolysis of formamide and urea. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 599–611, 2009     

A kinetic study of the gas‐phase reactions of OIO with NO,NO2, and Cl2

The kinetics of iodine dioxide (OIO) reactions with nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and molecular chlorine (Cl₂) are studied in the gas‐phase by cavity ring‐down spectroscopy. The absorption spectrum of OIO is monitored after the laser photodissociation, 266 or 355 nm, of the gaseous mixture, CH₂I₂/O₂/N₂, which generates OIO through a series of reactions. The second‐order rate constant of the reaction OIO + NO is determined to be (4.8 ± 0.9) × 10^?12 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 under 30 Torr of N₂ diluent at 298 K. We have also measured upper limits for the second‐order rate constants of OIO with NO₂ and Cl₂ to be k < 6 × 10^?14 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 and k < 8 × 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1, respectively. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 688–693, 2007     

Solubility and hydrolysis of HCFC‐22 (CHF2Cl): Upward revision of rate constants for aqueous reactions of CHF2Cl with OH− at elevated temperature

Henry's law constants of CHF₂Cl in water at temperature T in K, K_H(T) in M atm^?1, were determined to be ln(K_H(T))=?(11.1±1.5)+((2290±500)/T) at 313–363 K by means of a phase ratio variation headspace method. The temperature‐dependent rate constants for aqueous reactions of CHF₂Cl with OH^?, k(T) in M^?1 s^?1, were also determined to be 3.7×10¹³exp(?(11, 200/T)) at 313–353 K, by considering the gas–water equilibrium, the aqueous reaction at room temperature, and liquid‐phase diffusion control. The liquid‐phase diffusion control was approximated with a one‐dimensional diffusion first‐order irreversible chemical reaction model. The k(T) value we determined is 10 times (at 353 K) or 3 times (at 313 K) as large as the value reported (R. C. Downing, Fluorocarbon Refrigerants Handbook, Prentice Hall: Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1988). This upward revision of k(T) indicates that the removal efficiency of CHF₂Cl directly through the hydrolysis (CHF₂Cl + OH^?) is higher than previously expected at temperatures, such as 353 K, relevant to wet flue gas cleaning systems for ozone‐destruction substance‐destruction facilities. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 639–647, 2011     

Alkali metal ion catalysis and inhibition in nucleophilic displacement reactions at phosphorus centers: ethyl and methyl paraoxon and ethyl and methyl parathion

We report on the ethanolysis of the P=O and P=S compounds ethyl and methyl paraoxon (1a and 1b) and ethyl and methyl parathion (2a and 2b). Plots of spectrophotometrically measured rate constants, kobsd versus [MOEt], the alkali ethoxide concentration, show distinct upward and downward curvatures, pointing to the importance of ion-pairing phenomena and a differential reactivity of free ions and ion pairs. Three types of reactivity and selectivity patterns have been discerned: (1) For the P=O compounds 1a and 1b, LiOEt > NaOEt > KOEt > EtO-; (2) for the P=S compound 2a, KOEt > EtO- > NaOEt > LiOEt; (3) for P=S, 2b, 18C6-crown-complexed KOEt > KOEt = EtO(-) > NaOEt > LiOEt. These selectivity patterns are characteristic of both catalysis and inhibition by alkali-metal cations depending on the nature of the electrophilic center, P=O vs P=S, and the metal cation. Ground-state (GS) vs transition-state (TS) stabilization energies shed light on the catalytic and inhibitory tendencies. The unprecedented catalytic behavior of crowned-K(+) for the reaction of 2b is noteworthy. Modeling reveals an extreme steric interaction for the reaction of 2a with crowned-K(+), which is responsible for the absence of catalysis in this system. Overall, P=O exhibits greater reactivity than P=S, increasing from 50- to 60-fold with free EtO(-) and up to 2000-fold with LiOEt, reflecting an intrinsic P=O vs P=S reactivity difference (thio effect). The origin of reactivity and selectivity differences in these systems is discussed on the basis of competing electrostatic effects and solvational requirements as function of anionic electric field strength and cation size (Eisenman's theory).     

Effects on the Reactivity by Changing the Electrophilic Center from CO to CS: Contrasting Reactivity of Hydroxide,p‐Chlorophenoxide,and Butan‐2,3‐dione Monoximate in DMSO/H2O Mixtures

Second‐order rate constants have been measured spectrophotometrically for the reactions of O‐p‐nitrophenyl thionobenzoate ( 1 , PNPTB) with HO^?, butan‐2,3‐dione monoximate (Ox^?, α‐nucleophile), and p‐chlorophenoxide (p‐ClPhO^?, normal nucleophile) in DMSO/H₂O of varying mixtures at (25.0±0.1) °C. Reactivity of these nucleophiles significantly increases with increasing DMSO content. HO^? is less reactive than p‐ClPhO^? toward 1 up to 70 mol % DMSO although HO^? is over six pK_a units more basic in these media. Ox^? is more reactive than p‐ClPhO^? in all media studied, indicating that the α‐effect is in effect. The magnitude of the α‐effect (i.e., k/k_p) increases with the DMSO content up to 50 mol % DMSO and decreases beyond that point. However, the dependency of the α‐effect profile on the solvent for reactions of 1 contrasts to that reported previously for the corresponding reactions of p‐nitrophenyl benzoate ( 2 , PNPB); reactions of 1 result in much smaller α‐effects than those of 2 . Breakdown of the α‐effect into ground‐state (GS) and transition‐state (TS) effects shows that the GS effect is not responsible for the α‐effect across the solvent mixtures. The role of the solvent has been discussed on the basis of the bell‐shaped α‐effect profiles found in the current study as well as in our previous studies, that is, a GS effect in the H₂O‐rich region through H‐bonding interactions and a TS effect in the DMSO‐rich media through mutual polarizability interactions.     

Metal Complexes with Macrocyclic Ligands. Part XLIV Kinetics of the Cu2+ incorporation into a macrocyclic ligand conjugated to proteins: Model studies for the d‘post-labeling’ technique

The kinetics of the Cu²⁺ complexation by macrocycles 1 (4-[(l,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradec-1-yl)methyl]-benzoic acid) and 2 (N-propyl-4-[(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradec-1-yl)methyl]-benzamide) as well as by macrocycle 1 conjugated to bovine serum albumin (bsa) and to ribonuclease A (rnase) were studied by stopped flow techniques. For 1 and 2 , the kinetics were followed in the mM range monitoring the d-d* absorption band of the Cu²⁺ complex. From the pH dependence of k_obs, the rate law is v = [Cu²⁺] (k_LH[LH] + k[LH₂]), where k_LH and k are the bimolecular rate constants for Cu²⁺ with the diprotonated (LH₂) and monoprotonated (LH₁) form of the ligand, respectively. The values are k = 1.7( 1 ) M^?1s^?1 and k_LH = 2.3(1) 10⁵ M^?1s^?1 for 1 , and k, = 0.28(9) M^?1s^?1 and k_LH = 2.0(1) 10⁵ M^?1s^?1 for 2. The kinetics of the Cu²⁺ incorporation into 1,2 and 1 conjugated to bsa and rnase, i.e., 3 and 4 , respectively, were also followed using nitroso-R salt as a metal indicator in the μM range, i.e., under conditions typical for the ‘post-labeling’ technique to give radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies. In these cases, the reaction takes place between the 1:1 complex of Cu²⁺ with nitroso-R-salt and the macrocycle. At pH 6.5, the rates are very similar to each other indicating that the complexation properties of the macrocycle attached to a protein are not very different from those of the free ligand under comparable conditions.     

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.     

Interfacial Synthesis,Vol. Ill,Recent Advances,Charles E. Carraher,Jr. and Jack Preston,editors, Marcel Dekker,Inc., New York and Basel, 1982, $65.00

Hydrolyses of p‐nitrophenyl picolinate (PNPP) and p‐nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA) mediated by the micellar catalytic systems of two types of cationic surfactants [cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), Gemini dimethylene‐1,2‐bis(cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) (16‐2‐16, 2Br^?)] were investigated spectrophotometrically in the pH range of 7.0–9.0 and 25°C. Also, the effects of several kinds of additives, such as ethanol, cyclodextrins (CDs), on the hydrolytic reactions of PNPP and PNPA were studied systematically. It is noteworthy that: (1) double chain Gemini surfactant micellar system enhanced the hydrolyses of carboxylic acid esters notably compared with single chain surfactant (CTAB) micellar solutions under the same reaction conditions; (2) the apparent rate constants (k _obsd) of PNPP and PNPA hydrolyses increased with the increasing in pH values of reaction media; (3) as additives, ethanol has effect on both PNPP and PNPA hydrolyses, and moreover, the k _obsd for hydrolyses decreased with the increasing contents of ethanol (≤5%) at 25°C and pH 9.00; (4) the presence of CDs [α‐cyclodextrin (α‐CD), β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD), γ‐cyclodextrin (γ‐CD)], as additives, showed different effects on PNPP and PNPA hydrolyses in different reaction systems.     

Gas‐phase reaction of Cl with dimethyl sulfide: Temperature and oxygen partial pressure dependence of the rate coefficient

The kinetics of the reaction of Cl atoms with dimethyl sulfide has been investigated using a relative rate technique. Experiments were performed with oxygen partial pressures of 0, 200, and 500 mbar at a total pressure of 1000 mbar (N₂ + O₂) over the temperature range 283–308 K in a 1080 L reactor using long path in situ Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy to monitor the reactants. The 254 nm photolysis of trichloroacetyl chloride was used as the Cl atom source. Three reference hydrocarbons, cyclohexane, n‐butane, and propene were employed. Good agreement was found between the rate coefficients determined using the different reference compounds. The rate coefficients were found to decrease with increasing temperature at constant O₂ pressure and increase moderately with increasing O₂ partial pressure at constant temperature. The temperature dependences of the Cl atom reaction with dimethyl sulfide for the three O₂ partial pressure investigated can be expressed by the simple Arrhenius expressions: k = (4.22 ± 1.78) × 10^?13 exp((1968 ± 379)/T), k = (5.42 ± 1.85) × 10^?13 exp((1946 ± 381)/T), and k = (6.90 ± 2.04) × 10^?13 exp((1912 ± 381)/T). The errors are a combination of the 2σ statistical errors from the kinetic data analysis plus an estimated systematic error that includes the error in the reference hydrocarbon. The mechanistic implications of the results are discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 66–73, 2005     

Aminolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl X-substituted benzoates and Y-substituted phenyl benzoates in MeCN: effect of the reaction medium on rate and mechanism

Second‐order rate constants (k_N) have been determined spectrophotometrically for the reactions of 2,4‐dinitrophenyl X‐substituted benzoates ( 1 a – f ) and Y‐substituted phenyl benzoates ( 2 a – h ) with a series of alicyclic secondary amines in MeCN at 25.0±0.1 °C. The k_N values are only slightly larger in MeCN than in H₂O, although the amines studied are approximately 8 pK_a units more basic in the aprotic solvent than in H₂O. The Yukawa–Tsuno plot for the aminolysis of 1 a – f is linear, indicating that the electronic nature of the substituent X in the nonleaving group does not affect the rate‐determining step (RDS) or reaction mechanism. The Hammett correlation with σ^? constants also exhibits good linearity with a large slope (ρ_Y=3.54) for the reactions of 2 a – h with piperidine, implying that the leaving‐group departure occurs at the rate‐determining step. Aminolysis of 2,4‐dinitrophenyl benzoate ( 1 c ) results in a linear Brønsted‐type plot with a β_nuc value of 0.40, suggesting that bond formation between the attacking amine and the carbonyl carbon atom of 1 c is little advanced in the transition state (TS). A concerted mechanism is proposed for the aminolysis of 1 a – f in MeCN. The medium change from H₂O to MeCN appears to force the reaction to proceed concertedly by decreasing the stability of the zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T^±) in aprotic solvent.     

The 13C and D kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of CH4 with Cl

The kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of methane (CH₄) with Cl atoms are studied in a relative rate experiment at 298 ± 2 K and 1013 ± 10 mbar. The reaction rates of ¹³CH₄, ¹²CH₃D, ¹²CH₂D₂, ¹²CHD₃, and ¹²CD₄ with Cl radicals are measured relative to ¹²CH₄ in a smog chamber using long path FTIR detection. The experimental data are analyzed with a nonlinear least squares spectral fitting method using measured high‐resolution spectra as well as cross sections from the HITRAN database. The relative reaction rates of ¹²CH₄, ¹³CH₄, ¹²CH₃D, ¹²CH₂D₂, ¹²CHD₃, and ¹²CD₄ with Cl are determined as k/k = 1.06 ± 0.01, k/k = 1.47 ± 0.03, k/k = 2.45 ± 0.05, k/k = 4.7 ± 0.1, k/k = 14.7 ± 0.3. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 110–118, 2005     

Dynamics of the CH3 + OH reaction

We study dynamics of the CH₃ + OH reaction over the temperature range of 300–2500 K using a quasiclassical method for the potential energy composed of explicit forms of short‐range and long‐range interactions. The explicit potential energy used in the study gives minimum energy paths on potential energy surfaces showing barrier heights, channel energies, and van der Waals well, which are consistent with ab initio calculations. Approximately, 20% of CH₃ + OH collisions undergo OH dissociation in a direct‐mode mechanism on a subpicosecond scale (<50 fs) with the rate coefficient as high as ～10^?10 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1. Less than 10% leads to the formation of excited intermediates CH₃OH? with excess vibrational energies in CO and OH bonds. CH₃OH? stabilizes to CH₃OH, redissociates back to reactants, or forms one of various products after intramolecular energy redistribution via bond dissociation and formation on the time scale of 50–200 fs. The principal product is ¹CH₂ (k being ～10^?11), whereas ks for CH₂OH, CH₂O, and CH₃O are ～10^?12. The minor products are HCOH and CH₄ (k～10^?13). The total rate coefficient for CH₃ + OH → CH₃OH? → products is ～10^?11 and is weakly dependent on temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 455–466, 2011     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of the drug mephenesin by bis(hydrogenperiodato)argentate(III) complex anion

Mephenesin is being used as a central‐acting skeletal muscle relaxant. Oxidation of mephenesin by bis(hydrogenperiodato)argentate(III) complex anion, [Ag(HIO₆)₂]^5?, has been studied in aqueous alkaline medium. The major oxidation product of mephenesin has been identified as 3‐(2‐methylphenoxy)‐2‐ketone‐1‐propanol by mass spectrometry. An overall second‐order kinetics has been observed with first order in [Ag(III)] and [mephenesin]. The effects of [OH^?] and periodate concentration on the observed second‐order rate constants k′ have been analyzed, and accordingly an empirical expression has been deduced: k′ = (k_a + k_b[OH^?])K₁/{f([OH^?])[IO^?₄]_tot + K₁}, where [IO^?₄]_tot denotes the total concentration of periodate, k_a = (1.35 ± 0.14) × 10^?2M^?1s^?1 and k_b = 1.06 ± 0.01 M^?2s^?1 at 25.0°C, and ionic strength 0.30 M. Activation parameters associated with k_a and k_b have been calculated. A mechanism has been proposed to involve two pre‐equilibria, leading to formation of a periodato‐Ag(III)‐mephenesin complex. In the subsequent rate‐determining steps, this complex undergoes inner‐sphere electron transfer from the coordinated drug to the metal center by two paths: one path is independent of OH^? whereas the other is facilitated by a hydroxide ion. In the appendix, detailed discussion on the structure of the Ag(III) complex, reactive species, as well as pre‐equilibrium regarding the oxidant is provided. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 440–446, 2007     

Kinetics of the gas‐phase reactions of cyclo‐CF2CFXCHXCHX – (X = H,F, Cl) with OH radicals at 253–328 K

Rate constants were determined for the reactions of OH radicals with halogenated cyclobutanes cyclo‐CF₂CF₂CHFCH₂? (k₁), trans‐cyclo‐CF₂CF₂CHClCHF? (k₂), cyclo‐CF₂CFClCH₂CH₂? (k₃), trans‐cyclo‐CF₂CFClCHClCH₂? (k₄), and cis‐cyclo‐CF₂CFClCHClCH₂? (k₅) by using a relative rate method. OH radicals were prepared by photolysis of ozone at a UV wavelength (254 nm) in 200 Torr of a sample reference H₂O? O₃? O₂? He gas mixture in an 11.5‐dm³ temperature‐controlled reaction chamber. Rate constants of k₁ = (5.52 ± 1.32) × 10^?13 exp[–(1050 ± 70)/T], k₂ = (3.37 ± 0.88) × 10^?13 exp[–(850 ± 80)/T], k₃ = (9.54 ± 4.34) × 10^?13 exp[–(1000 ± 140)/T], k₄ = (5.47 ± 0.90) × 10^?13 exp[–(720 ± 50)/T], and k₅ = (5.21 ± 0.88) × 10^?13 exp[–(630 ± 50)/T] cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1 were obtained at 253–328 K. The errors reported are ± 2 standard deviations, and represent precision only. Potential systematic errors associated with uncertainties in the reference rate constants could add an additional 10%–15% uncertainty to the uncertainty of k₁–k₅. The reactivity trends of these OH radical reactions were analyzed by using a collision theory–based kinetic equation. The rate constants k₁–k₅ as well as those of related halogenated cyclobutane analogues were found to be strongly correlated with their C? H bond dissociation enthalpies. We consider the dominant tropospheric loss process for the halogenated cyclobutanes studied here to be by reaction with the OH radicals, and atmospheric lifetimes of 3.2, 2.5, 1.5, 0.9, and 0.7 years are calculated for cyclo‐CF₂CF₂CHFCH₂? , trans‐cyclo‐CF₂CF₂CHClCHF? , cyclo‐CF₂CFClCH₂CH₂? , trans‐cyclo‐CF₂CFClCHClCH₂? , and cis‐cyclo‐CF₂CFClCHClCH₂? , respectively, by scaling from the lifetime of CH₃CCl₃. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 532–542, 2009     

Kinetics and mechanisms of substitution reactions with sulfur-containing nucleophiles in aqueous acid solutions. I—rates of reactions of some tetrahalopalladate (II) anions with thiourea and selenourea

The activation energy parameters for the reaction of PdX (X=Cl^?, Br^?) in aqueous halide acid solution with thiourea (tu) and selenourea (seu) have been determined. High rates of reaction parallel low enthalpies and appreciable negative entropy of activation. The rate law in each case simplifies to k_obs=k[L] where L=tu or seu, and only ligand-dependent rate constants are observed at 25°C. The ligand-dependent rate constants for the first identifiable step in the PdCl + X system is (9.1±0.1) × 10³ M^?1 sec^?1 and (4.5±0.1) × 10⁴ M^?1 sec^?1 for X=tu and seu, respectively, while for the PdBr + X system it is (2.0±0.1) × 10⁴ M^?1 sec^?1 and (9.0±0.1) × 10⁴ M^?1 sec^?1 for X=tu and seu, respectively.