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Kinetic hydrogen isotope effects in the concerted mechanism for the hydrolysis of acetals, ketals, and ortho esters

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00490a043· OSTI ID:6425868
 [1];
  1. Southwest State Univ., Marshall, MN

The hydrolysis of many ortho esters, and some acetals and ketals, is general acid catalyzed, and in some examples these generate linear Bronsted plots over substantial ranges of catalyst acidity. This suggests that the reaction coordinate is primarily a reorganization of heavy atoms since proton transfer from one oxygen to another has been shown to generate strongly curved Bronsted plots. However, the isotopic fractionation factor for the catalytically active proton in these transition states is substantially less than 1.0; in several examples it is less than 0.5. Such values have been thought to require that the reaction coordinate be largely a motion of the hydrogen giving the low fractionation factor. This dilemma has been resolved by the observation and rationalization of fractionation factors as low as 0.28 for stable, hydrogen bridge-bonded complexes, AHA/sup -/. A similar, bounded coordinate is now suggested for the catalytically active protons in question. This permits the reaction coordinate to be pictured. 3 figures, 2 tables.

OSTI ID:
6425868
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 100:22; ISSN JACSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English