Effects of Pressure and Isotopic Substitution on the Rate of Reaction of Coal with Tetralin

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00349a014

The molar activation volume for the reaction of coal with tetralin at 344 deg C is -27 +/-3 mL.This result suggests a transition state which is bimolecular and possibly ionic.It is inconsistent with hypothesis that the rate is controlled by homolysis of the coal molecule.The H/D kinetic isotope effect for the reaction of coal with tetralin containing deuterium at the α-positions is 2.1 +/-0.1 at 335 deg C.This result reinforces the conclusions based on the activation volume.