Proton transfer solvent effect

When this probability is equal to 1 (uniform concentration), the reaction is of pseudo-first order. This is the case, for example, in photoinduced proton transfer in aqueous solutions from an excited acid M (=AH ) (see Section 4.5) M is always within the encounter distance with a water molecule acting as a proton acceptor, and thus proton transfer occurs effectively according to a unimolecular process. This is also the case of photoinduced electron transfer in aniline or its derivatives as solvents an excited acceptor is always in the vicinity of an aniline molecule as an electron donor. In both cases, the excited-state reaction occurs under non-diffusive conditions and is of pseudo-first order. 

Figure A3.8.3 Quantum activation free energy curves calculated for the model A-H-A proton transfer reaction described 45. The frill line is for the classical limit of the proton transfer solute in isolation, while the other curves are for different fully quantized cases. The rigid curves were calculated by keeping the A-A distance fixed. An important feature here is the direct effect of the solvent activation process on both the solvated rigid and flexible solute curves. Another feature is the effect of a fluctuating A-A distance which both lowers the activation free energy and reduces the influence of the solvent. The latter feature enliances the rate by a factor of 20 over the rigid case.

Barbara P F, Walker G C and Smith T P 1992 Vibrational modes and the dynamic solvent effect in electron and proton transfer Science 256 975-81... 

The details of proton-transfer processes can also be probed by examination of solvent isotope effects, for example, by comparing the rates of a reaction in H2O versus D2O. The solvent isotope effect can be either normal or inverse, depending on the nature of the proton-transfer process in the reaction mechanism. D3O+ is a stronger acid than H3O+. As a result, reactants in D2O solution are somewhat more extensively protonated than in H2O at identical acid concentration. A reaction that involves a rapid equilibrium protonation will proceed faster in D2O than in H2O because of the higher concentration of the protonated reactant. On the other hand, if proton transfer is part of the rate-determining step, the reaction will be faster in H2O than in D2O because of the normal primary kinetic isotope effect of the type considered in Section 4.5. 

In the El mechanism, the leaving group has completely ionized before C—H bond breaking occurs. The direction of the elimination therefore depends on the structure of the carbocation and the identity of the base involved in the proton transfer that follows C—X heterolysis. Because of the relatively high energy of the carbocation intermediate, quite weak bases can effect proton removal. The solvent m often serve this function. The counterion formed in the ionization step may also act as the proton acceptor ... 

In analyzing the behavior of these types of tetrahedral intermediates, it should be kept in mind that proton-transfer reactions are usually fast relative to other steps. This circumstance permits the possibility that a minor species in equilibrium with the major species may be the major intermediate. Detailed studies of kinetics, solvent isotope effects, and the nature of catalysis are the best tools for investigating the various possibilities. 

This variation from the ester hydrolysis mechanism also reflects the poorer leaving ability of amide ions as compared to alkoxide ions. The evidence for the involvement of the dianion comes from kinetic studies and from solvent isotope effects, which suggest that a rate-limiting proton transfer is involved. The reaction is also higher than first-order in hydroxide ion under these circumstances, which is consistent with the dianion mechanism. 

For this type of reaction the value of the solvent deuterium isotope effect is often a conclusive argument for the proposed mechanism 16). Rate measurements of 1 in acetic acid-acetate buffers in light and heavy water resulted in an isotope effect ktiiO lkozo of 2.5, and A oac/ doac of 9. A ratedetermining proton transfer to the /3-carbon atom of the enamine has been proposed and accounts for the experimental results I6-18 Eq. (5). 

Even without a cage effect, the entropy effect will be somewhat more favorable for ortho reaction when hydrogen bonding to an azine-nitrogen atom generates the necessary nucleophile. The possibility of proton transfers between the solvent molecules (MeOH) near the reaction site and the more distant MeO is expected to produce a favorable increase (relative to other solvents) in the entropy of activation, which can reinforce the effect of a favorable point of... 

Proton Transfers in More Concentrated Solutions. In discussing ions in solution, one of our major interests has been the ionic environment and the problem of disentangling characteristic and intrinsic ionic properties from the effects that result from a change of environment. We have discussed the change of temperature, and more than once we have examined the effect of changing from one solvent to another. In this chapter we shall consider a change of environment of another kind. 

The kinetic data based on the demonstration of specific acid catalysis in buffers, solvent isotope effects and acidity functions all support mechanisms where the proton-transfers are fast. It is possible to write equations which accommodate these facts together with the first-order dependence on hydrazo-compound and the concurrent first and second-order dependence on acidity. These are... 

This scheme requires a rate-determining (second) proton-transfer, against which there is considerable experimental evidence in the form of specific-acid catalysis, the solvent isotope effect and the hg dependence discussed earlier. Further, application of the steady-state principle to the 7i-complex mechanism results in a rate equation of the form... 

A very useful example of treating solvent effects is provided by considering the proton transfer reaction... 

Fischer, M. Wan, P. Nonlinear solvent water effects in the excited-state (formal) intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in m-hydroxy-1,1-diaryl alkenes efficient formation of m-quinone methides. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 4555-4562. 

Wei, D., Salahub, D. R., 1994, Hydrated Proton Clusters and Solvent Effects on the Proton Transfer Barrier ... 

These experiments demonstrate the importance of proton transfer processes during hole transfer through DNA. S. Steenken has already remarked that a proton shift between the G C bases stabilizes the positive charge [23]. If such a proton shift is coupled with the hole shift, a deuterium isotope effect should arise. Actually, H/D isotope effects are described by V. Shafiro-vich, M.D. Sevilla as well as H.H. Thorp in their articles of this volume. Experiments with our assay [22] also demonstrate (Fig. 16) that hole transfer in protonated DNA (H20 as solvent) is three times more efficient than in deuterated DNA (D20 as solvent). If this reflects a primary isotope effect, it shows that the charge transfer is coupled with a proton transfer. 

Attack by eCN is slow (rate-limiting), while proton transfer from HCN or a protic solvent, e.g. HzO, is rapid. The effect of the structure of the carbonyl compound on the position of equilibrium in cyanohydrin formation has already been referred to (p. 206) it is a preparative proposition with aldehydes, and with simple aliphatic and cyclic ketones, but is poor for ArCOR, and does not take place at all with ArCOAr. With ArCHO the benzoin reaction (p. 231) may compete with cyanohydrin formation with C=C—C=0, 1,4-addition may compete (cf. p. 200). 

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