Hot atom chemistry / Halogen atom substitutions / Stereochemistry
SummaryThe stereochemical consequences of recoil ^®Cl-for-X (X = Br, Cl, F) atom substitutions in (2S, 3R)-dl-and (2S, 3S)-dlbromofluorobutanes (BFB's) and in (2S, 3R)-dl-and (2S, 3S)dl-chlorofluorobutanes (CFB's) were investigated in the gas phase as a function of kinetic energy moderator concentration. Results from exothermic ^®Cl-for-Br substitutions in the BPH stereoisomers revealed that the reaction stereochemistry changed from predominant retention of configuration to predominant Inversion of configuration with increasing kinetic energy moderator concentration. An inspection of individual yields revealed that the Channel for Inversion product formation was insensitive to moderator concentration, while the Channel for retention product formation decreased in importance as the moderator concentration was increased. In contrast, results from thermoneutral '®Cl-for-Cl and endothermic ^®Cl-for-F substitutions in the CFB stereoisomers revealed that reaction stereochemistry for both cases was insensitive to changes in the moderator concentration. An inspection of the individual product yields from both reactions revealed that the Channels for retention and Inversion product formation exhibited the same dependence on moderator concentration. Both Channels decreased in importance as the moderator concentration was increased.