KINETIC ANALYSIS OF ALKANE POLYCHLORINATION WITH MOLECULAR CHLORINE. CHLORINE ATOM/MONOCHLORIDE GEMINATE PAIRS AND THE EFFECT OF REACTIVE 'CAGE WALLS' ON THE COMPETITION BETWEEN MONOCHLORIDE ROTATION AND CHLORINE ATOM ESCAPE.

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00219a028

The free-radical chlorination of alkanes produces polychlorides even at low conversions. These are formed by reaction of chlorine atom/monochloride (or dichloride) geminate pairs. This process has been studied in detail in various solvent systems, and a kinetic scheme has been proposed. Deviations from this scheme have been rationalized as being due to competition between monochloride rotation and reaction of the chlorine atom with reactive molecules in the 'cage walls' surrounding the chlorine atom/chloride geminate pair. Analysis of the dichloride products supports the suggestion that monochloride rotation is not completely 'free' within the lifetime of the geminate pair.