Relative thermodynamic stabilities of isomeric alkyl allyl and alkyl (Z)-propenyl ethers

The relative thermodynamic stabilities of ten allyl ethers (ROCH₂CH=CH₂) and the corresponding isomeric (Z)-propenyl ethers (where R is an alkyl group, or a methoxysubstituted alkyl group) have been determined by chemical equilibration in DMSO solution with t-BuOK as catalyst. From the variation of the equilibrium constant with temperature, the values of the thermodynamic parameters ΔGΘ, ΔHΘ and ΔSΘ of isomerization at 298.15 K were evaluated. The propenyl ethers are highly favored at equilibrium, the values of both ΔGΘ and ΔHΘ for the allyl → propenyl reaction being ca. ?18 to ?25 kJ mol^?1. The favor of the propenyl ethers is increased by bulky alkyl substituents, and decreased by methoxy-substituted alkyl groups. In most cases the entropy contribution is negligible; however, for R = (MeO)₂CH and R = (MeO)₃C the values of ΔSΘ are ca. ?5 J K^?1 mol^?1.