| Abstract: | The kinetics of the gas phase isomerization of 1-chloro-4-bromobicyclo[2.2.0]hexane to 2-chloro-5-bromohexa-1,5-diene have been measured in a static system over the temperature range of 135–215°C, with a variation in the total pressure from 0.6 to 400 torr. For these conditions the rate constants are well represented by the Arrhenius equation:  where θ = 2.303RT kcal/mole. Transition state estimates for the biradical mechanism for the isomerization of bicyclo[2.2.0]hexanes are shown to be in good agreement with these Arrhenius parameters. By comparison of the activation energy with that for the isomerization of bicyclo[2.2.0]hexane and 1,4-dichlorobicyclo[2.2.0]hexane, the radical stabilization energy of an α-bromine atom is shown to be 1.0 ± 1.8 kcal/mole. Rates are also reported in the liquid phase at temperatures of 155°C and 175°C with diphenyl ether, nitrobenzene, and dimethylsulfoxide as solvents. The observed rate constants are all faster (by a factor of 1.1–1.7) than those measured in the gas phase and display no correlation between rate and solvent polarity. |
