SOLVENT EFFECTS ON OZONOLYSIS REACTION INTERMEDIATES

Solvent effects on relative stability, electronic and molecular struct ure of ozonolysis reaction intermediates are analyzed with the help of ab initio MP2/6-31+G* calculations. A continuum model is employed to account for solute-solvent electrostatic interactions. The results sh ow that there are large effects on the structure and relative stabilit y of carbonyl oxide by substantially favoring its zwitterionic charact er, A complex formed by carbonyl oxide and formaldehyde is shown to be stable in the gas phase and in solution, This complex can be involved in solvent cage reactions leading to secondary ozonides, Thermodynami cally, primary ozonide decomposition is favored by the solvent. (C) 19 97 Elsevier Science B.V.