Hyperconjugative deuterium isotope effects on the redox decomposition of hydroxymercurated 2-butenes in an aqueous solution

Abstract The relative magnitude of the isotope effects of the deuterium atoms at the positions hyperconjugative to α- and β-carbons has been determined for the title reaction by monitoring the reaction of 2-butene-1,1,1,3-d4 by PMR. On the basis of our results, the cation character in the transition state is concluded for both of the carbons, in support of the structure proposed previously.