摘要:
The rate of isomerization of cis- to trans-cinnamic acid in water at 195-degrees-C was monitored as a function of added nucleophile. The expected nucleophile addition products were not observed but could be synthesized and, when subjected to the reaction conditions, rapidly converted to trans-cinnamic acid. Deuterium labeling studies indicated that proton abstraction was not the rate-determining step, that the alpha-deuterium of alpha,beta-dideuterio-cis-cinnamic acid was rapidly exchanged for an alpha-hydrogen atom without loss of the cis geometry, and that some direct isomerization of cis- to trans-cinnamic acid occurred without the loss of vinyl deuterium atoms. The isomerization appears to involve an addition-elimination mechanism in the case of HO- and HS- ions, with the former more effective. Anthrahydroquinone ion was quite effective, meaning that it was a superior nucleophile or was promoting reactions by another mechanism (possibly electron transfer chemistry). The results have bearing on the rate-determining step in one of the delignification mechanisms occurring during the pulping of wood.