Parabolic model of the concerted molecular decomposition of chloroalkanes

Abstract

The intersecting parabolas model (IPM) is used to analyze the measured kinetic parameters for the concerted molecular decomposition of chloroalkanes RCl to olefin and HCl. According to this model, the configuration of the transition state is formed by three atoms: C…H…Cl. The activation energy E and the rate constant k for 12 previously unstudied reactions of concerted molecular decomposition of RCl are calculated based on the enthalpy of reaction by using the IPM algorithms. The factors that influence the activation energy E for RCl decomposition are established: the enthalpy of reaction, energy of stabilization of radical R•, presence of a π bond adjacent to the reaction center, and dipole–dipole interaction for the decomposition of polychloroalkanes. The values of E and k for reverse reactions of addition of HCl to olefins are evaluated. The energy spectrum of partial activation energies for the concerted molecular decomposition of RCl is constructed.