Isomerization, alkenes thermal

Aromatic compounds such as toluene, xylene, and phenol can photosensitize cis-trans interconversion of simple alkenes. This is a case in which the sensitization process must be somewhat endothermic because of the energy relationships between the excited states of the alkene and the sensitizers. The photostationary state obtained under these conditions favors the less strained of the alkene isomers. The explanation for this effect can be summarized with reference to Fig. 13.12. Isomerization takes place through a twisted triplet state. This state is achieved by a combination of energy transfer Irom the sensitizer and thermal activation. Because the Z isomer is somewhat higher in energy, its requirement for activation to the excited state is somewhat less than for the E isomer. If it is also assumed that the excited state forms the Z- and -isomers with equal ease, the rate of... 

Dipolar [3 + 2] cycloadditions are one of the most important reactions for the formation of five-membered rings [68]. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction is frequently utihzed to obtain highly substituted pyrroHdines starting from imines and alkenes. Imines 98, obtained from a-amino esters and nitroalkenes 99, are mixed together in an open vessel microwave reactor to undergo 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to produce highly substituted nitroprolines esters 101 (Scheme 35) [69]. Imines derived from a-aminoesters are thermally isomerized by microwave irradiation to azomethine yhdes 100,... 

The other commonly quoted industrial photochemical process is the production of vitamin D3 involving a photochemical electrocyclic ring opening followed by a thermal 1,7-hydride shift (Scheme 7.2). This is a further example of a successful low quantum yield process in this case there is no viable thermal alternative. Vitamin A acetate has also been produced commercially using a photochemical isomerization process to convert a mixed tetra-alkene precursor to the all-trans form. 

More recently, a number of reports dealing with 1,3-sulfonyl shifts which proceed by other mechanisms have been published. For example, Baechler and coworkers suggested that the higher activation enthalpy observed for the isomerization of the deuterium labeled methallyl sulfone 72 in nitrobenzene at 150°C as compared to the corresponding sulfide, together with the positive entropy of activation may be taken as evidence for a homolytic dissociation mechanism (equation 44). A similar mechanism has also been suggested by Little and coworkers for the gas-phase thermal rearrangement of deuterium labelled allyl sec-butyl sulfone, which precedes its pyrolysis to alkene and sulfur dioxide. 

A variety of metal carbonyls upon sonication will catalyze the isomerization of 1-alkenes to the internal alkenes (J 8),(27). Initial turnover rates are as high as 100 mol alkene isonierized/mol of precatalyst/h, and represent rate enhancements of 1(P over thermal controls. The relative sonocatalytic and photocatalytic activities of these carbonyls are in general accord. A variety of terminal alkenes can be sonocatalytically isomerized. Increasing steric hindrance, however, significantly diminishes the observed rates. Alkenes without 6-hydrogens will not serve as substrates. 

In addition to cydocondensation reactions of the Paal-Knorr type, cycloaddition processes play a prominent role in the construction of pyrrole rings. Thus, 1,3-dipo-lar cycloadditions of azomethine ylides with alkene dipolarophiles are very important in the preparation of pyrroles. The group of de la Hoz has studied the micro-wave-induced thermal isomerization of imines, derived from a-aminoesters, to azomethine ylides (Scheme 6.185) [346]. In the presence of equimolar amounts of /i-nitrostyrenes, three isomeric pyrrolidines (nitroproline esters) were obtained under solvent-free conditions in 81-86% yield within 10-15 min at 110-120 °C through a [3+2] cycloaddition process. Interestingly, using classical heating in an oil bath (toluene reflux, 24 h), only two of the three isomers were observed. 

Isoforming A process for increasing the octane rating of thermally cracked gasolines by catalytic isomerization over silica/alumina. Terminal alkenes are thus converted to nonterminal alkenes. Developed by Standard Oil Company of Indiana in the 1940s. 

The flash vacuum pyrolysis of alkynes, arynes, and aryl radicals has been reviewed. A discussion of secondary reactions and rearrangements is included. The pyrolysis of cyclopentadienes has also been examined. The rates for the initial C—H bond fission and the decomposition of C-C5H5 have been calculated. A single-pulse shock study on the thermal decomposition of 1-pentyl radicals found alkene products that are formed by radical isomerization through 1,4- and 1,3-hydrogen migration to form 2- and 3-pentyl radicals. The pyrrolysis of f-butylbenzene in supercritical water was the subject of a report. ... 

It is the opinion of the present authors that isomerization of a tertiary alkyl radical to a primary radical as in the formation of II from I is improbable. The formation of IV is similarly unlikely. The cycliza-tion of V by intramolecular alkylation seems quite plausible however, equation 9 does not explain either the formation of V or its subsequent cyclization. The following mechanism has the advantages that, like the generally accepted free radical-initiated mechanisms, it postulates a chain reaction and that the intramolecular alkylation step is directly analogous to that proposed for thermal alkylation, namely addition of an alkyl radical to the double bond of the alkene (Frey and Hepp, 12). The method of formation of the chain initiator, R —, again is not critical since R —, merely starts the first cycle of the chain reaction it may be formed by decomposition of the isobutylene. 

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