The thermal isomerization of 1. 2-dimethyl cyclo propane II. Structural isomerization

Abstract
This isomerization has been investigated between 434 and 475 °C. In this temperature range, in an ‘aged’ reaction vessel, the structural isomerization from either cis or trans 1. 2-dimethyl cyclo propane occurs as a unimolecular transformation which is slower than the reversible cis-trans isomerization. The products of the reaction are 2-methylbut-1-ene, 2-methylbut-2-ene and cis and trans pent-2-ene. The rates of formation of these compounds have been measured and the Arrhenius parameters evaluated. The rate equations for the formation of 2-methylbut-1-ene and 2-methylbut-2-ene are k ∞ = 10 13.93 exp(-61900/ RT ) S -1 and 10 14.08 exp (-62300/ RT ) S -1 respectively and are the same for their production from either the cis or the trans dimethyl cyclo propane. The pent-2-enes are formed more rapidly from cis 1. 2-dimethy cyclo propane than from the trans compound. From cis 1.2-dimethyl cyclo propane cis and trans pent-2-ene are formed at rates given by the equations k ∞ = 10 13.92 exp (-61400/ RT )s -1 and 10 13.96 exp (-61200/ RT )s -1 , respectively. From trans 1.2-dimethyl cyclo propane the rate equations are k ∞ = 10 14.40 exp (-63600/ RT )s -1 and 10 14.30 exp (-62900/ RT )s -1 . The possible mechanisms for both the geometrical and structural isomerizations have been discussed and it has been concluded than an ‘expanded ring’ transition state gives a satis­factory explanation of the results obtained. It is also suggested that this strengthens the case for a similar mechanism in the case of the isomerization of cyclo propane. Gas chromato­graphy, by means of a katharometer detector with electronic integration, has been used throughout and has been developed to give a precision of ±0.5% in the analysis of the reaction mixtures.

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