Kinetic characterization of a transient reaction by degeneration of the precursor mechanism: Application to the synthesis of 3,4‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0]‐ non‐2‐ene

The rate of the oxidation of N ‐amino‐3‐azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane by chloramine has been studied by GC and HPLC between pH 10.5 and 13.5. The second‐order reaction exhibits specific acid catalysis. The formation of N , N ′‐azo‐3‐azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane or 3,4‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non‐2‐ene is pH, concentration, and temperature dependent. In alkaline media, the exclusive formation of 3,4‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non‐2‐ene is observed. Kinetic studies show that the oxidation of N ‐amino‐3‐azabicyclo[3.3.0]octane by chloramine is a multistep process with the initial formation of a diazene‐type intermediate, which is converted by hydroxide ions into 3,4‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non‐2‐ene. Because it was not possible to follow the rate of change of the intermediate concentration, to determine the kinetics of 3,4‐diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non‐2‐ene formation, a procedure based on the degeneration of the precursor process was adopted. An appropriate mathematical treatment allowed a quantitative interpretation of all the phenomena observed over the given pH interval. The activation parameters were determined. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 327–338, 2006