Polar Effects in Halogen Abstraction Reactions of Alkyl Radicals

Abstract

AbstractIn a series of structurally similar alkyl radicals 1a–c the tertiary 1,1‐dimethyl‐5‐hexenyl radical 1c reacts 30 times faster with carbon tetrachloride than the primary 5‐hexenyl radical 1a. The reactivity of the secondary 1‐methyl‐5‐hexenyl radical 1b aligns itself in between the primary and the tertiary radical 1a and 1c. The results indicate that the increasing nucleophilicity of the alkyl radicals is the major factor contributing to the reactivity.