Radiation-Induced Gas-Phase Concurrent Dealkylation and Isomerization of ρ-Cymene

Abstract

D₃⁺ ions, produced by deuterium γ-radiolysis, were allowed to react with gaseous p-cymene (p-isopropyltoluene ). The reaction leads to the formation of excited arenium ions, which, if not stabilized by collision, undergo predominantly dealkylation and, alternatively, isomerization. Dealkylation is favoured with respect to isomerization by an increase in substrate concentration, these results showing that dealkylation requires a lower activation energy.