6533b820fe1ef96bd127a651
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Potential energy surface for the decomposition of mandelic acid
M. T. PicherLuis R. DomingoJuan AndrésGabriel ChuchaniVicent S. Safontsubject
chemistry.chemical_compoundOxygen atomNucleophilechemistryAb initio quantum chemistry methodsComputational chemistryPotential energy surfaceGeneral Physics and AstronomyPhysical and Theoretical ChemistryRing (chemistry)Mandelic acidDecompositiondescription
Abstract The decomposition of mandelic acid has been studied by ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G ∗∗ level. Three competitive reaction pathways have been characterized, two are stepwise processes with the formation of an α-lactone intermediate, achieved by the nucleophilic attack of either the carbonylic oxygen atom (mechanism A) or the hydroxylic oxygen atom (mechanism B) of the carboxyl group, followed by a ring opening; the third pathway (mechanism C) is a one-step process. The calculated rate coefficient agrees with experimental data. The decomposition is energetically favourable along mechanism A.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997-08-01 |