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Extent of charge transfer in the photoreduction of phenyl ketones by alkylbenzenes

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00284a041· OSTI ID:7004365

Rate constants for triplet-state reaction of various ring-substituted benzophenones (BPs), acetophenones (APs), and ..cap alpha..,..cap alpha..,..cap alpha..-trifluoroacetophenones (TFAs) with toluene and p-xylene have been determined by a combination of flash kinetics, steady-state quenching, and quantum yield measurements. The relative amounts of primary and tertiary radicals formed by reaction of the same ketones with p-cymene have also been measured. For all three types of ketones, rate constants correlate well with triplet ketone reduction potentials. The magnitude of the kinetic isotope effects observed with toluene-d/sub 8/ and p-xylene-d/sub 10/ diminishes as the ketones become easier to reduce. All of the ketone triplets react with alkylbenzenes primarily by a charge-transfer mechanism, with the rate-determining step changing from complexation to hydrogen transfer as the ketones become harder to reduce. The least reactive AP triplets probably react significantly via simple hydrogen atom abstraction as well. Those ketones with n,..pi..* lowest triplets (all BPs and some APs) react with p-cymene to give primary/tertiary radical ratios that vary no more than a factor of 2 from the 0.40 value displayed by tert-butoxy radicals; those with ..pi..,..pi..* lowest triplets (TFAs and some APs) give ratios that favor primary radicals and that vary by an order of magnitude with the triplet ketone reduction potential. The variation in cymene product ratios reflects different orientations for attack on cymene by n,..pi..* and ..pi..,..pi..* triplets and differing degrees of partial electron transfer within the exciplexes, which are not tight radical ion pairs.

Research Organization:
Michigan State Univ., East Lansing
OSTI ID:
7004365
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 108:24; ISSN JACSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English