Studies in Trifluoromethanesulfonic Acid. 3. Kinetics and Mechanism of Transalkylation Reactions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00142a011

Rates of disproportionation of ethylbenzene and m-diethylbenzene have been measured in the solvent trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (triflic acid).Ethylbenzene disproportionates very rapidly, whereas m-diethylbenzene reacts at a conveniently measurable rate.The reactions obey first-order kinetics over a wide range of concentration, and the results are interpreted as involving ethyl transfer to the triflate anion followed by alkylation via the ethyl triflate formed.