Deuterium isotope effect

Definition

The deuterium isotope effect in the context of organic chemistry, particularly during E2 reactions, is the observation that a reaction rate is altered when hydrogen (H) is replaced by its heavier isotope, deuterium (D). This effect can be utilized to explore reaction mechanisms, especially to distinguish between different types of nucleophilic substitution and elimination processes.

Related terms

E2 Reaction: An elimination reaction where a proton (hydrogen) is removed from one carbon atom while a leaving group (such as a halide) departs from an adjacent carbon atom simultaneously, leading to the formation of a double bond.

Hydrogen Isotope: Hydrogen has three isotopes (protium, deuterium, and tritium) differing in their number of neutrons; deuterium has one neutron making it heavier than protium which has none.

Reaction Mechanism: A detailed step-by-step description of how reactants are converted into products in a chemical reaction, including all intermediate stages and transitions states