Mechanisms of SNi Reactions. The Kinetics of the Decomposition of Aralkyl Carbonates
Keyword(s):
Ion Pair
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Anisylic phenyl carbonates decomposed at elevated temperatures to give CO2 and the corresponding anisylic phenyl esters. The decomposition follows first order kinetics very similar to those found for alkyl chloroformates. The decompositions involve the heterolysis of the aralkyl oxygen bond followed by the breakdown of the subsequent ion pair via a cyclic mechanism. The dependence of the decomposition rates on the nature of the solvent and structural changes of the starting carbonates is discussed.