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The production of the superoxide radical anion by the OH radical‐induced oxidation of trimethylamine in oxygenated aqueous solution. The kinetics of the hydrolysis of (hydroxymethyl)dimethylamine
Author(s) -
Das Suresh,
Schuchmann Man Nien,
Schuchmann HeinzPeter,
Sonntag Clemens Von
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
chemische berichte
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 0009-2940
DOI - 10.1002/cber.19871200311
Subject(s) - chemistry , dimethylamine , trimethylamine , formaldehyde , hydroxymethyl , aqueous solution , radiolysis , radical , photochemistry , medicinal chemistry , hydrogen peroxide , hydrolysis , methylamine , hydroxyl radical , organic chemistry
The radiolysis of trimethylamine in N 2 O/O 2 (4:1 v/v) saturated basic solutions eventually gives rise to dimethylamine, formaldehyde, and hydrogen peroxide. Pulse radiolysis using conductivity and optical detection permits the observation of the chemical transformations following the generation of the (dimethylamino)methyl radical from trimethylamine upon attack by the hydroxyl radical. The (dimethylamino)methyl radical reacts rapidly with oxygen ( k = 3.5×10 9 M −1 s −1 ) to give O 2 −1 and dimethylimonium, possibly via a short‐lived ( t 1/2 −6 s) peroxyl radical. The dimethylimonium ion adds OH – to form (hydroxymethyl)dimethylamine ( k =2.8×10 8 M −1 s −1 ). This is hydrolyzed to dimethylamine and formaldehyde hydrate ( k obs =4.0 ± 0.6 s −1 ). A mechanism incorporating these reactions is shown to be in good accordance with the experimental data in the pH range from 9 to 11.3.