Secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effects on the thermolysis of 1-pyrazolines

Abstract

Secondary kinetic isotope effects on four deuterated 1-pyrazolines support the formation of a trimethylene intermediate during gas phase thermolysis. Calculation of cyclization relative rate constants for the trimethylene intermediates reveals that substitution of hydrogen by deuterium has no effect when the terminal methylenes are substituted, but the rate constants are decreased when the central methylene's hydrogens are substituted. Explanations are advanced for all of the observed effects.