The reaction of methyl phenyl ketene and 1-phenyl ethanol - observation of a negative ethalpy of activation

Abstract

The unusual activation parameters of the reactions of aryl methyl ketenes and α-arylethanoles (Δ ≠=−0.9 to +0.3 kcal.mol −1; ΔS ≠=−68 to −71 e.u.) are interpreted by a two step mechanism via reversible formation of a small concentration of an intermediate addition complex.