Kinetic studies on the thermal cis-trans isomerization of 1, 3-diphenyltriazene in aqueous solution. Effects Of acids and bases

The thermal cis-to-trans isomerization of 1,3-diphenyltriazene (DPT) has been investigated in buffered aqueous solutions by means of laser-flash photolysis techniques. The cis-to-trans isomerization process is found to be catalyzed by general acids and general bases as a result of acid/base-promoted 1,3-prototropic rearrangements. Acid catalysis is attributed to rate-limiting proton transfer to the nitrogen-nitrogen double bond of cis-DPT, whereas base catalysis is attributed to rate-limiting base-promoted ionization of the amino nitrogen of cis-DPT leading to the isomerization. In addition, a process ascribed to the interconversion of cis rotamers through hindered rotation around the nitrogen-nitrogen single bond is also observed; at high pH this process becomes rate-limiting.