An Electron Spin Resonance Study of Some Reactions of Pentafluorosulfuranyl (SF5)

A kinetic electron spin resonance study of the self-reaction of SF5 and a spectroscopic and kinetic e.s.r. study of the reaction of SF5 with 1,1-di-t-butylethylene are reported. This radical undergoes self-reaction by a second-order process and the rate constants are given by the Arrhenius equation log 2k1(M−1 s−1) = (10.3 ± 0.5) − (1.7 ± 0.5)/θ where θ = 2.303RT kcal mol−1. It adds to 1,1-di-t-butylethylene to give (t-Bu)2CCH2SF5 which decomposes by a first-order process with rate constants that obey the expression log k2(s−1) = (13 ± 0.4) − (10 ± 0.2)/θ. Both these rate constants are pertinent to kinetic studies of the photoinduced addition of SF5C1 to olefins.