Predominant ortho-substitution in the gas-phase attack of the t-butyl cation on m-xylene
Abstract
The gas-phase attack of radiolytically formed t-butyl cation on m-xylene yields over 65% of the 1,3-dimethyl-4-t-butyl isomer under conditions favouring kinetic control of products, while a significant proportion of 1,3-dimethyl-5-t-butylbenzene is formed as the pressure is lowered from 760 to 20 Torr.