Treasures from the Free Radical Renaissance Period - Miscellaneous hexenyl radical kinetic data

Rate constant data and Arrhenius parameters have been determined for a series of substituted hexenyl radicals of differing electronic and steric demand. Electron-withdrawing groups (CF3, CO2Et) directly attached to the radical centre slighly accelerate 5-exo ring-closure (k(cis) + k(trans) similar to 2.1 x 10(5) s(-1) at 25 degrees) relative to donating groups (OMe; 1.6 x 10(5) s(-1) at 25 degrees). Sterically demanding groups (tert-Bu), as expected, slow the cyclization process (1 x 10(5) s(-1)). These observations are consistent with subtle changes in activation energy for 5-exo ring-closure. Interestingly, the nature of the solvent would appear to have a significant influence on this chemistry with the cis/trans stereoselectivity sometimes improved as the solvent polarity is increased. Except for the system containing the CF3 (electron-withdrawing) group which displays an increase in the cyclization/capture rate constant (k(c)/k(H)), a general decrease in the k(c)/k(H) ratio as solvent polarity is increased is noted; these changes have been speculated to arise mainly from changes in k(H) in the various solvents employed.