Carbon-13 kinetic isotope effects in the decarbonylation of formic acid of natural isotopic composition in phosphoric acid media

The¹³C kinetic isotope effect (K.I.E.) in the decarbonylation of formic acid of natural isotopic composition in 85% orthophosphoric acid, in 100% H₃PO₄, and in pyrophosphoric acid has been measured in different temperature intervals ranging from 19 to 133 °C. In 85% H₃PO₄ the carbon-13 K.I.E. is determined by the fractionation of carbon isotopes expected for C–O bond rupture (k ₁₂/k ₁₃=1.0531 at 70°C). In 100% H₃PO₄ the¹³C K.I.E. indicates that C–H bond rupture is the major component of the reaction coordinate motion (thek ₁₂/k ₁₃ lay in the range of 1.026–1.017 over the range 30–70 °C). In pyrophosphoric acid the fractionation factor for¹³C equals 1.010 at 19 °C. Activation parameters for the decarbonylation of H¹²COOH in phosphoric acid media have been determined also and suggestions concerning the intimate mechanisms of decarbonylation of formic acid in dilute and concentrated phosphoric acids are made.