The mechanism of the elimination kinetics of 2-bromo-2-butene in the gas phase

The kinetics of the gas phase elimination of 2-bromo-2-butene were determined in a static system over the temperature range of 340–380°C and pressure range of 37–134 torr. The reaction in seasoned vessels, even in the presence of a free radical inhibitor, is catalyzed by hydrogen bromide. Under maximum catalysis of HBr, the kinetics were found to be of order 1.0. The reaction, when maximally catalyzed with HBr, appears to undergo a molecular elimination of HBr which follows first-order kinetics. The products are 1,2-butadiene and hydrogen bromide. The rate coefficients. under maximum catalysis, are given by the Arrhenius equation log ??₁(s^?1) = (13.57 ± 0.56) ? (200.4 ± 6.8) kJ mol^?1 (2.303RT)^?1. The catalyzed pyrolysis of 2-bromo-2-butene appears to proceed through a six-membered cyclic transition-state type of mechanism.