Relative Rates of Isomerization of Cyclopropane and Cyclopropane-t1

Abstract

The relative rates of isomerization of cyclopropane and monotritiated cyclopropane have been determined in the temperature range of 447° to 555°C. The ratio of the rate constants for the two reactions can be fitted by the equation: $${\mathrm{k/k}}^{\prime }\text{=0.63±0.02\hspace{0.17em}}\exp \text{(825±60/RT).}$$ The marked increase in the temperature‐independent term upon tritium substitution is discussed in terms of Slater's unimolecular reaction rate theory and Eyring's absolute reaction rate theory. The possibility of classical vibration coupling causing the observed effect is suggested.