Steric Effects in Acid-Catalyzed Decomposition and Base-Catalyzed Cyclization of 1-(2-Alkoxycarbonylphenyl)-3-phenyltriazenes

Abstract

Eight derivatives of 1-(2-alkoxycarbonylphenyl)-3-phenyltriazene (R = methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, hexyl, and allyl) have been synthesized and their UV-VIS, IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectra measured. The NMR spectra have been interpreted in detail. The kinetics of acid-catalyzed decomposition and base-catalyzed cyclization of the title compounds have been measured in 52.1% w/w methanol at 25.0 °C. The unit reaction order has been verified and the cyclization product has been identified. The pH-profiles obtained have been used to calculate the catalytic rate constants kA (acid-catalyzed decomposition) and kB (base-catalyzed cyclization) of all the derivatives; the constants have been interpreted with regard to inductive and steric effects. The catalytic rate constant kA has been found to be independent of the substituents. The catalytic rate constant kB depends statistically significantly upon both inductive and steric effects, the sensitivity to the former being more significant. The experimental results and their interpretation confirm the base-catalyzed cyclization mechanism with formation of tetrahedral intermediate as the rate-limiting step.