ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 33, Number 1
JKCSEZ 33(1)
February 20, 1989 

The rate constants of the nucleophilic addition reaction of 3-mercaptopropionic acid to the β,β-diethoxycarbonylstryene derivatives (H, p-OCH3, 3,4,5-(OCH3)3, 3,4-methylenedioxy) were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, and rate equation which could be applied over a wide pH range was obtained. On the basis of pH-rate profile and the presence of general base catalysis, a plausible mechanism of this addition reaction was propound:Below pH 6.0 the reaction was initiated by the addition of neutral 3-mercaptopropionic acid molecule, and in the range of pH 6.0∼8.0, a neutral 3-mercaptopropionic acid molecule and a sulfide anion competitively attacked to the double bond. Above pH 8.0, the reaction proceeded through the addition of a sulfide anion.