Controlling parameters for radical cation fragmentation reactions: Origin of the intrinsic barrier

C—C bond cleavages of radical cations of 2-substituted benzothiazoline derivatives were investigated to determine the parameters controlling the fragmentation rate constants. In spite of the low oxidation potentials of the compounds, fragmentation rate constants greater than 1 × 106 s–1 could be achieved through weakening of the fragmenting bond by substituents that stabilize the radical fragment and exert steric crowding. A quantitative assessment of the relative roles of radical stabilization vs. steric effects to weaken the fragmenting C—C bond was achieved through DFT calculations. The calculated activation enthalpies matched reasonably well with the experimentally determined values. A thermokinetic analysis revealed that the fragmentations of benzothiazoline radical cations have relatively large intrinsic kinetic barriers, ascribed to the delocalized nature of the product radical and cation fragments. Interestingly, the same factors that lead to the large intrinsic barriers led, simultaneously, to large thermodynamic driving forces for the fragmentations, which should lead to lower activation barriers. These effects oppose each other kinetically and provide important insight into the design of fast radical ion fragmentation reactions.Key words: benzothiazoline, radical cation, fragmentation, steric effects, DFT.