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Dioxetane chemiluminescence. The effect of deuterium substitution on the thermal decomposition of trans-3,4-diphenyl-1,2-dioxetane

Journal Article · · J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00458a029· OSTI ID:7087552

trans-Diphenyl-1,2-dioxetane was prepared by cyclization of the corresponding ..beta..-bromohydroperoxide. Thermal decomposition of this compound proceeds with an activation energy of 23.6 +- 1.6 kcal/mol to yield benzaldehyde, 10 +- 2% of which was in an excited triplet state. The effects of replacement of a dioxetane ring proton with a deuterium were investigated. No detectable partitioning between electronically excited protio- and deuteriobenzaldehyde was detected. The secondary deuterium isotope effect on the rate of thermal decomposition of this dioxetane was found to be 1.01 +- 0.02. We suggest that the absence of an isotope effect is consistent with a stepwise decomposition for 1,2-dioxetanes.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Illinois, Urbana
OSTI ID:
7087552
Journal Information:
J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Chem. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 99:16; ISSN JACSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English