Catalysis of Anilide Ethanolysis by Barium- and Strontium-Ethoxide Pairs and Their Complexes with 18-Crown-6

The metal-bound ethoxide species that are quantitatively formed upon mixing equimolar amounts of Me4NOEt and alkaline-earth (Ba, Sr) metal salt in ethanol solution are more reactive than free ethoxide in the cleavage of simple activated amides (e.g. N-methyl-2,2,2-trifluoroacetanilide) lacking any donor group for binding to the metal ion. It is suggested that a metal-coordinated solvent molecule acts as a general acid catalyst for expulsion of the aniline leaving group in the ratel determining step. The position of the proton in the transition state is strongly dependent upon structural variations in the aniline portion, as suggested by the magnitude of kinetic solvent isotope effects. Enhanced catalysis is observed upon addition of equimolar amounts of 18-crown-6, which is tentatively interpreted on the basis of the notion that ion pairing is weakened upon cation binding to a crown ether. Important differences concerning metal ion effects in amide vs ester cleavage are pointed out and discussed on the basis of results obtained upon structural modifications of the substrates.