Structural effects of different NH-acids and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates on the kinetic parameters of stable phosphorus ylids: a mechanistic investigation

Kinetic studies were made of the reactions between triphenylphosphine 1 and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates 2, in the presence of NH-acids, such as benzotriazole, 5-methylbenzotriazole or 5-chlorobenzotriazole 3 (as a protic/nucleophilic reagent). To determine the kinetic parameters of the reactions, they were monitored by UV spectrophotometry. Useful information was obtained from studies of the effect of solvent, structure of reactants (dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and NH-acids) and also concentration of reactants on the reaction rates. First and third steps (k2, k3) of all reactions were recognized as a rate determining and fast steps, respectively. Proposed mechanism was confirmed on the basis of experimental data.