Isotope Effects and the Question of Reaction Mechanisms: A study of the Tschugaeff Reaction

Abstract

Three simultaneous isotope effects have been determined for the Tschugaeff reaction, i.e., the thermal decomposition of an xanthate ester. The ratio of the rate constants, k32/k34, was found to be 1.009 for the thion sulphur atom and 1.002 for the thio-ether sulphur atom. The rate ratio k12/k13, for the xanthate carbon atom was found to have a value of 1.000. The findings of previous investigators of the Tschugaeff reaction had been consistent with either of two mechanisms. However, with the determination of the isotope effects referred to above, it has been possible to distinguish between the two possible mechanisms and to gain considerable information about the transition state of the Tschugaeff reaction. The measured isotope effects have been discussed in terms of Bigeleisen's isotopic rate equation. In addition, it has been possible to carry out theoretical calculations for each reaction mechanism by assuming an appropriate potential function and in this manner make the interpretation of the measured isotope effects more quantitative.