Model Calculations of Isotope Effects. IV. Transition State Structures and the Question of Tunnelling in Proton Transfer Reactions

Model calculations of primary hydrogen isotope effects in proton transfer reactions are reported. The geometries and force fields of transition state models have been systematically varied with respect to both reactant-like and product-like character and to tight against loose character. The models include both hypothetical cut-off molecules and 2-nitropropane. Values of kH/kD greater than 17 are calculated for loose, symmetrical transition states in which the sum of the bond orders pertaining to the transferring proton is set at 0.6, and higher than normal values of (ED-EH) and ADIAH are also associated with such transition states. It is suggested that transition state looseness is a consequence of repulsive donor-acceptor steric interactions, and that several sets of experimental results which have hitherto been rationalized by the invocation of proton tunnelling may equally well be explained by postulating loose transition states.