Mechanistic aspects of reactions of triphenylphosphine with electron-deficient alkenes in acetic acid solution

Kinetic data provide evidence that proton transfer to the carbanion centre of a phosphonium zwitterion is the rate‐determining step in quarternization reactions of triphenylphosphine with electron‐deficient alkenes in acetic acid solution. This conclusion is based on the third‐order rate equation, the reactivity of the alkenes, and solvent isotope effects in deuteroacetic acid. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Kinetic data provide evidence that proton transfer to the carbanion centre of a phosphonium zwitterion is the rate‐determining step in quarternization reactions of triphenylphosphine with electron‐deficient alkenes in acetic acid solution. This conclusion is based on the third‐order rate equation, the reactivity of the alkenes, and solvent isotope effects in deuteroacetic acid.