Carbon-13 kinetic isotope effects in the decarbonylations of lactic acid containing13C at the natural abundance level

The¹³C kinetic isotope fractionation in the decarbonylation of lactic acid of natural isotopic composition by sulfuric acid has been studied in the temperature range of 20–80°C. The¹³C₍₁₎ isotope separation in the decarbonylation of lactic acid by concentrated sulfuric acid depends strongly on the temperature above 40°C. Below this temperature the¹³C isotope effect in the decarbonylation of lactic acid by concentrated sulfuric acid is normal similarly as has been found inthe decarbonylation of lactic 1-¹⁴C] acid. The experimental values of k(¹²C)/k(¹³C) ratios of isotopic rate constants for¹²C and¹³C are close to, but slightly higher than theoretical¹³C-kinetic isotope effects calculated (neglecting tunneling) under the asumption that the C₍₁₎-OH bond is broken in the rate-controlling step of the dehydration reaction. Dilution of concentrated sulfuric acid with water up to 1.4 molar (H₂O)/(H₂SO₄) ratio caused the increase of the¹³C isotope fractionation from 1.0273 found in concentrated sulfuric acid at 80.5°C to 1.0536±0.0008 (at 80.6°C). A discussion of the abnormally high temperature dependence of¹⁴C and¹³C isotope fractionation in this reaction and the discussion of the problem of relative¹⁴C/¹³C kinetic isotope effects is given.