Solvent effects on the cinnamoylation of n-propyl alcohol catalyzed by N-methylimidazole and 4-dimethylaminopyridine.

The kinetics of reaction of trans-cinnamic anhydride or trans-cinnamoyl chloride with n-propyl alcohol, catalyzed by N-methylimidazole or 4-dimethylaminopyridine, were studied spectrophotometrically at 25 degrees in methyl ethyl ketone, ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, and toluene. The acid chloride reacted in all solvents via the intermediate formation of the N-acyl catalyst, which underwent reaction with the alcohol catalyzed by another molecule of the base. The anhydride did not form the intermediate in any of the solvents, but underwent direct general base catalysis. The rate of the anhydride reactions was not sensitive to solvent polarity, whereas the rate of the chloride reactions tended to increase as the solvent polarity decreased. A kinetic analysis is given of the effect of ion-pair formation on the kinetics of acyl transfer in systems where the charged N-acyl catalyst intermediate is formed.