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Carbon-13 and oxygen-18 kinetic isotope effects on methanolysis of p-nitrostyrene oxide

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00267a033· OSTI ID:5334040

Kinetic isotope effects for the acid- and base-catalyzed methanolysis of (epoxide-/sup 18/O)- and (8-/sup 13/C)-p-nitrostyrene oxide have been measured at 30.0/sup 0/. In acid 94.7% of the reaction occurs at the benzylic carbon, while in base 83.5% occurs at the primary carbon (C(8)). In base the isotope effects kappa/sub 16//kappa/sub 1/( and kappa/sub 1/''/kappa /sub 1/number were 1.035 +/- 0.013 and 1.082 +/- 0.012, while in acid they were 1.012 +/- 0.011 and 0.995 +/- 0.012, respectively. These data complement previously determined deuterium isotope effects for the reaction in base. They suggest a late transition state in base with considerable ring opening via an S/sub N/2 mechanism. However, in acid, the data suggest a somewhat earlier transition state with less ring opening and weaker bonding to the nucleophile than in base.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence
OSTI ID:
5334040
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 108:7; ISSN JACSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English