Base-induced decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxides in the gas phase. Part 3. Kinetics and dynamics in HO- + CH3OOH, C2H5OOH, and tert-C4H9OOH reactions.
The E(CO)2 elimination reactions of alkyl hydroperoxides proceed via abstraction of an alpha-hydrogen by a base: X(-) + R(1)R(2)HCOOH --> HX + R(1)R(2)C=O + HO(-). Efficiencies and product distributions for the reactions of the hydroxide anion with methyl, ethyl, and tert-butyl hydroperoxides are studied in the gas phase. On the basis of experiments using three isotopic analogues, HO(-) + CH3OOH, HO(-) + CD3OOH, and H(18)O(-) + CH3OOH, the overall intrinsic reaction efficiency is determined to be 80% or greater. The E(CO)2 decomposition is facile for these methylperoxide reactions, and predominates over competing proton transfer at the hydroperoxide moiety. The CH3CH2OOH reaction displays a similar E(CO)2 reactivity, whereas proton transfer and the formation of HOO(-) are the exclusive pathways observed for (CH3)3COOH, which has no alpha-hydrogen. All results are consistent with the E(CO)2 mechanism, transition state structure, and reaction energy diagrams calculated using the hybrid density functional B3LYP approach. Isotope labeling for HO(-) + CH3OOH also reveals some interaction between H2O and HO(-) within the E(CO)2 product complex [H2O...CH2=O...HO(-)]. There is little evidence, however, for the formation of the most exothermic products H2O + CH2(OH)O(-), which would arise from nucleophilic condensation of CH2=O and HO(-). The results suggest that the product dynamics are not totally statistical but are rather direct after the E(CO)2 transition state. The larger HO(-) + CH3CH2OOH system displays more statistical behavior during complex dissociation.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado and JILA, University of Colorado and National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. Shuji.Kato@colorado.edu
Shuji
S
Kato
G Barney
GB
Ellison
Veronica M
VM
Bierbaum
Stephen J
SJ
Blanksby