An Efficient Methyltrioxorhenium(VII)-Catalyzed Transformation of Hydrotrioxides (ROOOH) into Dihydrogen Trioxide (HOOOH)

Dihydrogen trioxide (HOOOH) is formed nearly quantitatively in the low-temperature (-70 degrees C) methyltrioxorhenium(VII) (MTO)-catalyzed transformation of silyl hydrotrioxides (R3SiOOOH), and some acetal hydrotrioxides, in various solvents, as confirmed by H-1, and O-17 NMR spectroscopy. The calculated energetics (B3LYP) for the catalytic cycle, using H3SiOOOH as a model system, is consistent with the experimentally observed activation energy (9.5 +/- 2.0 kcal/mol) and a small kinetic solvent isotope effect (k(H2O)/k(D2O) = 1.1 +/- 0.1), indicating an initial concerted reaction between the silyl hydrotrioxide and MTO in the rate-determining step. With the addition of water in the next step, the intermediate undergoes a a-bond metathesis reaction to break the Re-OOOH bond and form HOOOH, together with the second dihydroxy intermediate. The final step in the catalytic cycle involves a second, catalytic water that lowers the barrier to form H3SiOH and MTO.