Electron impact studies. Part 119. The nature of the transition state for loss of keten from quinone acetate molecular anions. A kinetic isotope effect study

Abstract

A combination of relative rates of reaction, primary deuterium isotope effects, and kinetic energy release values (for metastable decompositions) suggests that the unimolecular elimination of keten from quinone acetate radical anions proceeds via a rate-determining step which possibly involves hydrogen atom transfer to a phenoxide radical centre. The reaction is ‘endothermic’, i.e. the unsymmetrical transition state resembles the product of the reaction.