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Mechanism of the Cannizzaro reaction

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00507a023· OSTI ID:6195518
An ultimate technique for disqualifying compounds suspected of being intermediates is illustrated by the use of isotope dilution to prove that benzyl benzoate is not an intermediate in the Cannizzaro reaction of 0.5 M benzaldehyde-p-t (tritium labeled) with 0.25 M sodium hydroxide in 74% methanol to 26% water at 100/sup 0/C. The adduct from hydroxide ion and two molecules of benzaldehyde that was thought to rearrange to benzyl benzoate could alternatively rearrange directly to the products, benzoate ion and benzyl alcohol. However, this mechanism also is disproved because methoxide ion acting instead of hydroxide ion should lead to zenzyl methyl ether, but less than 1% is found. Two other mechanisms involving a proton transfer concerted with the hydride transfer are disproved by the k/sub D/sub 2/O//k/sub H/sub 2/O/ isotope effect of 1.9. The rate-determining steps can be represented by two hydride transfer reactions to C/sub 6/H/sub 5/CHO, from the adduct from HO/sup -/ + C/sub 6/H/sub 5/CHO and from the adduct from CH/sub 3/O/sup -/ + C/sub 6/H/sub 5/CHO, or, equivalently, by two termolecular reactions, HO/sup -/ + 2C/sub 6/H/sub 5/CHO and CH/sub 3/O/sup -/ + 2C/sub 6/H/sub 5/CHO. 8 tables.
Research Organization:
Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, Cambridge
OSTI ID:
6195518
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 101:13; ISSN JACSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English