Abstract
The reaction between CrO2Cl2 and ethylene leading to the formation of epoxide and chlorohydrin precursors or directly to 1,2-dichloroethane has been studied by density functional theory. The formation of the epoxide precursor (Cl2(O)Cr-OC2H4) was found to take place via a [3+2] addition of ethylene to two Cr=O bonds followed by rearrangement of the five-membered diol to the epoxide product. The alternative mechanisms involving a direct addition of oxygen to ethylene or the [2+2] addition of the olefin to a Cr=O bond were found to have much higher activation energies. The formation of the chlorohydrin precursor (Cl(O)Cr-OCH2=CHCl) was found to take place via a [3+2] addition to one Cr—Cl and one Cr=O bond. Pathways involving initial [2+2] addition to a Cr—Cl or Cr=O bond had much higher activation barriers. The generation of 1,2-dichloroethane is highly unfavorable with an endothermicity of 44.7 kcal/mol and an even higher activation barrier. It is suggested that the formation of epoxide and chlorohydrin from the respective precursors requires the addition of H2O.Key words: reaction mechanisms, epoxide, oxidation of ethylene, chromyl chloride, DFT.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.