Alkenes, ozonolysis Criegee mechanism

Mechanism of Ozonolysis (Criegee mechanism) The initial step of the reaction involves a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of ozone to the alkene leading to the formation of the primary ozonide (molozonide or 1,2,3-trioxolane), which decomposes to give a carbonyl oxide and a carbonyl compound. The carbonyl oxides are similar to ozone in being 1,3-dipolar compounds and undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to the carbonyl compound with the reverse regio-chemistry, leading to a relatively stable secondary ozonide (1,2,4-trioxolane) (Scheme 5.47). 

One of the most important features of the ozonolysis reaction of alkenes is one in which ozone adds to the C=C bond to form a primary ozonide (1,2,3-trioxolane). The Criegee mechanism suggests that this unstable intermediate decomposes into a carbonyl compound and a carbonyl oxide that recombine to form a final isomeric ozonide (1,2,4-trioxolane). Direct spectroscopic evidence for a substituted carbonyl oxide has only recently been reported by Sander and coworkers for the NMR characterization of dimesityl carbonyl oxide. Kraka and coworkers have theoretically modeled dimesityl carbonyl oxide and confirmed the structural aspects reported by Sander and coworkers on the basis of NMR data. 

A thorough theoretical analysis of the Criegee mechanism for the ozonolysis of cis- and trans-symmetrical alkenes Rl IG—Cl IR has been performed by semiempirical AMI calculations <1997JOC2757>. The experimentally observed stereoselectivity for bulky groups (e.g., R = Bu ) is that from the m-alkene a cisltrans ratio of 7 3 is encountered while from a trans-alkene a 3 7 ratio for the cisltrans secondary ozonides resulted. With smaller R groups (e.g., R = Me) both as- and trans-alkenes lead preferentially to the trans secondary ozonide (Scheme 1). 

We shall conclude this Section with an example of solvent cage effects of ion-molecule recombination reactions as found in the ozonolysis of alkenes in nonpolar solvents [739, 740]. According to the Criegee mechanism [424], unsymmetrically... 

Fig. 8.3 Ozonolysis allows the cleavage of alkene double bonds. According to the Criegee mechanism the primary ozonide (POZ) is rapidly transformed into the more stable secondary ozonide (SOZ). Depending on the work-up, different products may be isolated. Oxidative work-up with hydrogen peroxide leads to carboxylic acids/ketones, while reductive work-up with either dimethyl sulfide or sodium borohydride gives aldehydes/ketones or alcohols, respectively...

Ozone plays a major role in the degradation of unsaturated VOCs in the troposphere, especially during night-time. The rate constants of the ozonolysis of a variety of alkenes have been reported [1]. However, in most instances the fate of the primary products of the ozonolysis is unknown, although the secondary reaction products are of crucial importance for the overall understanding of the alkene/ozone chemistry. The classical Criegee mechanism of the ozonolysis reaction involves the primary ozonide (POZ, 1,2,3-trioxolane), which cleaves to the Criegee intermediate (carbonyl O oxide) and a carbonyl compound [2, 3]. The secondary ozonide (SOZ, 1,2,4-trioxolane) is formed from these components in a [l,3]-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. 

The main results of our investigations are (i) The first step in the alkene/ozone reaction is the formation of a 7i-complex with absorptions in the near UV or visible range, (ii) At 50-70 K this complex reacts to the primary ozonide (POZ) and, depending on substituents, traces of the secondary ozonide (SOZ). (iii) No carbonyl oxide was observed under any conditions used in our ozonolysis experiments, (iv) Some of the partially oxidized products formed are not in accordance with the Criegee mechanism and thus alternative mechanisms have to be considered. 

The Criegee mechanism for the ozonolysis of alkenes (Figure 11.73) can be analyzed in terms of a series of three 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions. The addition of ozone to an alkene leads first to a 1,2,3-trioxacyclopentane structure known variously as an initial ozonide, primary ozonide, or molozonide,... 

The mechanism proposed by Criegee for the ozonolysis of alkenes <1975AGE745> considers an initial it-complex between the alkene and ozone which decays via a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition into a 1,2,3-trioxolane or primary ozonide, known also as the molozonide . These compounds are unstable, even at low temperatures, and due to cycloreversion decompose into a carbonyl fragment and a CO, which may recombine by another 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition step to form the more stable 1,2,4-trioxolane ( secondary ozonide or final ozonide (see also Section 6.06.2). 

Ethene, like other alkenes, reacts also with ozone in the atmosphere. The older work on ozone reactions has been reviewed by Leighton (1961) and by Bufalini and Altshuller (1965). More recent work has done much to clarify the principal reaction mechanisms involved. Criegee (1957, 1962, 1975), who had studied the ozonolysis of alkenes in solution, suggested that ozone adds to the C=C double bond, forming an unstable intermediate, which then decomposes toward a carbonyl compound and a zwitterion fragment, for example ... 

The mechanism of the ozonolysis reaction of alkenes has been investigated in the gas phase and solid state using matrix isolation spectroscopy. While alkene/ozone 7C-complexes and the primary ozonides are readily observed by IR und UV/vis spectroscopy, there is no direct spectroscopic evidence for the Criegee intermediate (carbonyl O oxide) in these reactions. However, these elusive species can be synthesized and characterized via the carbene/oxygen route. Comparison of experimental and calculated spectroscopic data allows for the prediction of the spectroscopic properties of carbonyl oxides which are not accessible by this method. 

The Criegee intermediate has been claimed to be of importance in tropospheric chemistry [4] but never been observed by direct spectroscopic methods in the ozonolysis reaction. The aims of our research were therefore (i) to provide spectroscopic (IR, UVA is) data of a variety of substituted carbonyl O oxides, (ii) to develop a theoretical model which allows the prediction of the spectra of carbonyl O oxides which are not accessible by laboratory studies, but might be of importance to tropospheric chemistry, and (iii) to elucidate the mechanism of the ozonolysis of alkenes and investigate the role of carbonyl O oxides in these reactions. 

The reaction of ozone and alkenes is sufficiently fast that it can compete with other removal processes and provide sinks for both ozone and alkenes in the troposphere. While kinetic data for a series of alkene/ozone reactions have been reported, not much is known about details of the reaction mechanisms, the role that carbonyl O oxides play, and the role that free radicals play in these processes. Our laboratory experiments provide the spectroscopic data (both infrared and UV/visible) that are important for the spectroscopic identification of Criegee intermediates in the troposphere. In addition, we were able to characterize secondary partially oxidized products (aldehydes, peroxides etc.) that are produced during the gas-phase ozonolysis. These products might lead to a net increase of ozone, if oxygen atoms are formed during their decomposition. 

By use of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy, it has been shown that the mechanism of ozonolysis of (Z)-3-methyl-2-pentene (mp) is similar to that for ozonolysis of simple alkenes. Indirect evidence for formation of one or both possible Criegee intermediates is presented. Eight fundamental vibrations of the c/s -isomer of the primary ozonide of mp are observed. UV irradiation led to the product arising from O atom addition to mp. Second-order rate coefficients for the ozonolysis of -butyl methacrylate, ethyl cro-tonate and vinyl propionate under atmospheric pressure have been determined and the effects of substituent groups on the overall rate coefficients have been analysed. Free energy relationships are presented and atmospheric lifetimes are discussed. ... 

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