Carbon-13 kinetic isotope effects in the decarbonylation of lactic acid of natural isotopic composition in phosphoric acid medium

The¹³C kinetic isotope effect fractionation in the decarbonylation of lactic acid (LA) of natural isotopic composition by concentrated phosphpric acids (PA) and by 85% H₃PO₄ has been studied in the temperature interval of 60–150°C. The values of the¹³C₍₁₎ isotope effects in the decarbonylation of lactic acid in 100% H₃PO₄, in pyrophosphoric acid and in more concentrated phosphoric acids are intermediate between the values calculated assuming that the C₍₁₎–OH bond is broken in the rate-controllin gstep of dehydration and those calculated for rupture of the carbon-carbon bond in the transition state. In the temperature interval of 90–130°C the experimental¹³C fractionation factors determined in concentrated PA approach quite closely the¹³C fractionation corresponding to C₍₂₎–C₍₁₎ bond scission. the¹³C₍₁₎ kinetic isotope effects in the decarbonylation of LA in 85% orthophosphoric acid in the temperature range of 110–150°C coincide with the¹³C isotope effects calculated assuming that the frequency corresponding to the C₍₁₎–OH vibration is lost in the transition state of decarbonylation. A change of the mechanism of decarbonylation of LA in going from concentrated PA medium to 85% H₃PO₄ has been suggested. A possible secondary¹⁸O and a primary¹⁸O kinetic isotope effect in decarbonylation of lactic acid in phosphoric acids media have been discussed, too.