Strain energy effects in the gas-phase elimination reactions of cycloalkyl chlorides

Abstract

The gas-phase thermal decompositions of cycloheptyl and cyclo-octyl chloride in a ‘seasoned’ reaction vessel are homogeneous and unimolecular. Rate constants for their elimination of hydrogen chloride are given by the equations k₇= 10^{12·01 ± 0·17} exp –[43,620 ± 240]/RT s^–1 and k₈= 10^{11·88 ± 0·22} exp –[42,380 ± 340]/RT s^–1. The relationship between these Arrhenius parameters and the difference in strain energy between the cycloalkanes and cycloalkenes is discussed.