The possibility of SN2 reactions at nitrogen. Catalytic hydrogen-deuterium exchange in a melt

In order to explain the H/sub 2/ and D/sub 2/ produced in the reaction of lithium deuteride and ammonium trifluoroacetate in a melt, an S/sub N/2-type reaction occurring at a quaternary nitrogen was previously proposed. Present experimental results indicate that the H/sub 2/ and D/sub 2/ result from catalytic isotope exchange of HD in a reaction which is highly dependent on melt conditions. (JSR)