Cyclodimerization kinetics

Semiempirical and ab initio calculations were performed on the cyclodimerization of 1-methylphosphole oxide (86). The relative order of the values of the heat of formation for the transient states leading to the possible isomers (87-94) confirmed that the formation of the isomer prepared (87) is indeed favored to a high extent (Scheme 24) [67], The selectivity can be explained by steric reasons and kinetic factors. 

Of conrse, the cyclic cation-radical formed should be less stable than the alkene cation-radical (which contains a double bond that is favorable for the spin-charge scattering). However, the cation-radical product and corresponding nentral species are generated in a concerted process. The process involves simultaneous covalent bond formation and one-electron reduction of the cyclic product (Karki et al. 1997). Similar to other branched-chain processes, the cation-radical dimerization is characterized by an activation enthalpy that is not too high. These magnitudes are below 20 kJ mol for the pair of cyclohexadiene and trani-anethole (p-MeOCgH4CH=CHCHMe, Z-form Lorenz and Bauld 1987). It is clear that the cation-radical variant of cyclodimerization differs in its admirable kinetic relief. For cyclohexadiene and tran -anethole, catalytic factors are 10 and 10, respectively (Bauld et al. 1987). 

These cyclodimerization and cyclotrimerization reactions are catalyzed by low valent Ziegler-type Ni catalysts (139—144). Large ligands, such as tris-o-biphenylyl phosphite on nickel tend to favor cydooctadiene (COD) formation while smaller ligands favor the linear dimer, 1,3,7-octatriene. The dimer yield at 80°C and 101.3 kPa (1 atm) is 96%. The nickel catalyst can also be placed on a support so that it can be recycled (145). Many other type catalysts have been reported for this reaction (146). The linear 1,3,7-octatriene and its 1,3,6 isomer are also obtained by a Pd catalyzed dimerization (147—151). The kinetics of thermally induced dimerization to COD has also been studied (152). 

For cyclodimerization of fluoroalkenes to occur the alkencs must contain at least two geminal fluorine atoms, for example, tetrafluoroethene(l), trifluoroethenes, substituted trifluoroethenes, and l,l-dihalo-2.2-difluoroethene. These reactions require high temperatures and pressures. When the alkene is unsymmetrical. as in the case of l,l-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethene (3), two diflPerent orientations of addition can be envisaged to occur, hcad-to-head addition and head-to-tail addition,Generally, only the head-to-head adducts and not the head-to-tail adducts arc formed under kinetic control (Tabic 3, see also Houben-Wcyl, Vol. E17e, p85 however, see Table 3 and Houben-Weyl, Vol. 5/3. p 250 for rare examples of accompanying head-to-tail adducts). 

The kinetics of the ADMET reaction is not amenable to study by many traditional means, as these polymerizations are mostly conducted in bulk. The most effective way to measure the kinetics of the polymerization is to monitor the volume of evolved ethylene. This technique has been used to probe the difference in activity between [Mo] 2 and [Ru]l for ADMET polymerization of 1,9-decadiene [37]. At 26 °C in bulk monomer, [Mo] 2 promotes ADMET polymerization of 1,9-decadiene at a rate approximately 24 times that of [Ru]l. Additionally, [Mo] 2 polymerizes 1,5-hexadiene 1.7 times faster than 1,9-decadiene, while [Ru]l only cyclodimerizes 1,5-hexadiene to 1,5-cyclooctadiene. Monomers with coordinating functionality, specifically ethers and sulfides, were also investigated. Predictably, these monomers did not undergo polymerization as rapidly as hydrocarbon monomers however, this difference was dramatically more pronounced with [Ru]l than with [Mo]2. In fact, the dialkenyl sulfide monomers that were studied completely shut down the polymerization with [Ru]l, whereas the catalytic activity of [Mo]2 was only slightly lowered. This reduction in polymerization rate is most likely due to coordination of the heteroatom to the vacant coordination site of [Ru] 1, following phosphine dissociation. This reversible coordination of heteroatoms to the ruthenium complex likely occurs both intramolecularly and intermolecularly. Conversely, the steric bulk of the ligands in [Mo] 2 makes it less likely to intramolecularly form a coordinate complex, despite molybdenum being far more electrophilic than ruthenium. 

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