Investigation of the reaction mechanism of [4 + 2] cyclization of 2,3 dimethylbuta-1,3-diene to methylacrylate using the Michaelis-Menten equation

Abstract

The cycloaddition reaction between 2,3‑dimethylbuta-1,3-diene and methylacrylate proceeds by the second order kinetics. The rate constants increase with the increase in the excess of one of the reactants. The change in the effective rate constants is described by the Michaelis–Menten equation indicating that the reaction proceeds through the initial equilibrium stage of formation of a molecular complex stabilized by van der Waals interaction which then transforms into the product. The limiting stage of the reaction is established and its mechanism is suggested.