Abstract
Kinetic studies were made on the reaction of tetrahydrofuran (II) with N, N-dibromobenzenesulfonamide (I) and from the results, the reaction mechanism was proposed. Results on the first stage of the reaction, namely liberation of bromine can be explained by Eq. (2)-(4). I, which is excited by visible light, acts as a sensitizer. It seems that bromine is liberated from I and simultaneously a ylid-like oxonium ion (III) may be formed as a reactive intermediate. Results on the second stage, namely consumption of bromine can be explained by Eq. (9)-(16). The mechanism was found to involve chain processes starting with formation of an oxonium ion (IV) from III, and reaction of IV with bromine.
