Deuterium kinetic isotope effects in homogeneous decatungstate catalyzed photooxygenation of 1,1-diphenylethane and 9-methyl-9H-fluorene:: evidence for a hydrogen abstraction mechanism

The homogeneous decatungstate W10O324- catalyzed photo oxygenation of 1,1-diphenylethane and 9-methyl-9H-fluorene has been studied mechanistically. The primary and P-secondary kinetic isotope effects provide strong evidence for a stepwise mechanism, with a hydrogen atom abstraction in the rate-determining step. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.