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Mechanism of reactions of N-(methoxymethyl)-N,N-dimethylanilinium ions with nucleophilic reagents

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00542a021· OSTI ID:6861702

The prediction that the oxocarbonium ion derived from formaldehyde should have a lifetime of approximately 10/sup -15/ s that gives rise to an enforced preassociation or concerted reaction mechanism has been tested by examining the reactions of N-(methoxymethyl)-N,N-dimethylanilinium ions in water in the presence of added nucleophilic reagents. These compounds undergo well-behaved second-order reactions with nucleophiles and give the amount of substitution product that is expected from the rate increase in the presence of nucleophile. Structure-reactivity correlations exhibit behavior intermediate between that expected for S/sub N/2 (Swain-Scott) and carbonium ion (N/sup +/) reactions. The small values of s = 0.3 and ..beta../sub nuc/ = 0.14 and large values of ..beta../sub lg/ = -0.7 to -0.9 indicate a transition state that can be described either as an open transition state for S/sub N/2 displacement or as an oxocarbonium ion that is stabilized by weak interactions with the entering and leaving groups. Secondary ..cap alpha..-deuterium isotope effects for the second-order reactions range from (k/sub H//k/sub D/)/D = 0.99 for fluoride ion to 1.18 for iodide ion. Solvolysis and the second-order reaction with n-propylamine exhibit values of ..delta..S/sup + +/ = -1.2 and -2.1 cal K/sup -1/ mol/sup -1/, respectively, and display similar changes in rate in mixed water-alcohol solvents. It is suggested that the lifetime of the carbonium ion species in the presence of nucleophiles is so short that the reaction mechanism must be concerted.

Research Organization:
Brandeis Univ., Waltham, MA
OSTI ID:
6861702
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 102:22; ISSN JACSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English