Hypoiodite reaction: kinetic study of the reaction of 1,1-diphenyl-ethylene with mercury(II) oxide–iodine

Abstract

Rate studies and product analyses for the reactions of 1,1-diphenylethylene, 1,1-diphenylethylene oxide, and 2-iodo-1,1-diphenylethanol with mercury(II) oxide–iodine have shown that the reaction with the olefin is a combination of parallel steps which produce 2,2-diphenylvinyl iodide and 2-iodo-1,1-diphenylethyl hypoiodite and a consecutive reaction of 2-iodo-1,1-diphenylethyl hypoiodite, which produces phenylacetophenone. The consecutive reaction, however, only takes place after the reaction solution is depleted of olefin, which, itis suggested, stabilizes the iodo-hypoiodite.