Secondary deuterium isotope effects on both rate and product determining steps in the thermolysis of 4-methylene-1-pyrazoline

The secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effect in the thermolysis of 4-methylene-1-pyrazoline and four of its deuterated isomers has been studied. The value of δΔG≠/n is 142 cal mol−1 if it is a single C—N cleavage process or 71 cal mol−1 if it is a concerted rupture of two C—N bonds. The product distributions can only be rationalized in terms of a mechanism involving a rate determining C—N bond rupture to form a diazenyl diradical intermediate which then can close to methylenecyclopropanes by three possible modes. This requires a secondary isotope effect in the product determining step of 1.33 ± 0.05, for the rotation of CH2 (CD2) out of the plane of the allylic radical in the intermediate.