Positioning solvolyses within the SN2‐SN1 and SN3‐SN2 spectrum of reaction mechanisms

A simple linear regression (Q equation) is devised to position solvolyses within the established S_N2‐S_N1 spectrum of solvolysis mechanisms. Using 2‐adamantyl tosylate as the S_N1 model and methyl tosylate as the S_N2 model, the equation is applied to solvolyses of ethyl, allyl, secondary alkyl and a range of substituted benzyl and benzoyl tosylates. Using 1‐adamantyl chloride as the S_N1 model and methyl tosylate as the S_N2 model, the equation is applied to solvolyses of substituted benzoyl chlorides in weakly nucleophilic media. In some instances, direct correlations with methyl tosylate were employed. Grunwald–Winstein l values and kinetic solvent isotope effects are also used to locate solvolyses within the spectrum of mechanisms. Product selectivities (S) for solvolyses at 50 °C of p‐nitrobenzyl tosylate in binary mixtures of alcohol–water and of alcohol–ethanol for five alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1‐propanol and 2‐propanol and t‐butanol) are reported and show the expected order of solvent nucleophilicity (RCH₂OH > R₂CHOH > R₃COH). The data support the original assignments establishing the N_OTs scale of solvent nucleophilicity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Substituent effects on the formation of sulfonyl cations from sulfonyl chlorides: comparisons of solvolysis kinetic data with calculated gas phase energies

Suitable theoretical methods are validated for organosulfur compounds using experimental data for gas phase enthalpies of formation, proton affinities (PA) and heterolytic bond dissociation enthalpies (HBDEs). From enthalpies of chloride anion transfers from neutral chlorides to acyl, sulfonyl or cumyl cations in the gas phase, it is calculated that (i) similar aromatic substituent effects are expected for heterolyses of acyl, sulfonyl and cumyl chlorides; (ii) HBDEs for loss of chloride increase by over 70 kcal mol^?1 from 4‐MeOC₆H₄COCl to SO₂Cl₂. Rate constants for solvolyses of 4‐Z‐substituted arenesulfonyl chlorides (Z = OMe, Me, H, Cl, NO₂) in 97% w/w 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE)–water are reported. Substituent effects are smaller than observed for identical solvolyses of acyl and cumyl chlorides, and are much smaller than those predicted theoretically for gas phase unimolecular heterolysis (explained by variable amounts of nucleophilic solvent assistance). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A DFT study of transition structures and reactivity in solvolyses of tert‐butyl chloride,cumyl chlorides,and benzyl chlorides

DFT computations were performed on the S_N1 and S_N2 solvolyses of substituted cumyl chlorides and benzyl chlorides in ethanol and water, by increasing stepwise the C? Cl distance and by optimization. The total energy increases with the increase in the Cl? C distance in S_N1 reactions, while free energy of activation pass through maximum. To validate the results, the calculated free energies of activation were compared with data obtained by kinetic measurements. The structural parameters of the transition states were correlated with the Hammett substituent constants and compared with the data of hydrolyses of tert‐butyl chloride and methyl chloride, which proceed with known mechanisms. Conclusions on the mechanisms of the reactions were driven from the effect of substituents on free energies of activation. Cumyl chlorides substituted with electron‐donating (e‐d) groups solvolyze with S_N1 mechanism, while the reactions of substrates that bear electron‐withdrawing groups proceed with weak nucleophilic assistance of the solvent. Benzyl chlorides hydrolyze through an S_N2 pathway except those derivatives that have strongly e‐d groups, where the reaction has S_N1 character, but a weak nucleophilic assistance of the water should also be taken into consideration. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rate and product studies with 2‐adamantyl fluoroformate under solvolytic conditions

The specific rates of solvolysis of 2‐adamantyl fluoroformate have been measured at 25.0 °C in 20 pure and binary solvents. These are well correlated using the extended Grunwald–Winstein equation, with incorporation of the N_T solvent nucleophilicity scale and the Y_Cl solvent ionizing power scale. The sensitivities (l = 2.15 ± 0.17 and m = 0.95 ± 0.07) toward the changes in solvent nucleophilicity and solvent ionizing power, and the k_F/k_Cl values are very similar to those previously observed for solvolyses of n‐octyl fluoroformate, consistent with the addition step of an addition‐elimination pathway being rate‐determining. For aqueous ethanol, measurement of the product ratio allowed selectivity values (S) to be determined. The results are compared with those reported earlier for 2‐adamantyl chloroformate and mechanistic conclusions are drawn. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Correlation of the rates of solvolysis of diphenylphosphinyl chloride using an extended form of the Grunwald–Winstein equation

The specific rates of solvolysis of diphenylphosphinyl chloride ( 1 ) have been measured at 25.0 °C in 30 solvents. For six representative solvents, studies were made at several temperatures and activation parameters determined. These were used to calculate a value at 25.0 °C in 100% 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE) from values at higher temperatures. The 31 solvents gave a reasonable extended Grunwald–Winstein plot, correlation coefficient (R) of 0.920, which improved to 0.956 when the four TFE–ethanol points were excluded. The sensitivities (l and m) were similar to those obtained for dimethyl phosphorochloridate and phosphorochloridothionate and for N,N,N′,N′‐ tetramethyldiamidophosphorochloridate. As with the three previously studied solvolyses, an S_N2 pathway is proposed for the solvolyses of 1 . Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Concerted SN2 mechanism for the hydrolysis of acid chlorides: comparisons of reactivities calculated by the density functional theory with experimental data

DFT computations have been performed in acetone and water solvents in order to investigate the mechanism of hydrolysis of acid chlorides. Acetyl chloride and chloroacetyl chloride hydrolyze via concerted, one‐step S_N2 mechanism, with the attack of water at the sp² hybridized carbon atom of the C?O group, and the transition state (TS) has distorted tetrahedral geometry. Solvent molecules act as general base and general acid catalysts. The TS of chloroacetyl chloride is tighter and less polar than the TS of acetyl chloride. The structure of the S_N2 TS for the hydrolysis of benzoyl chlorides changes with the substituents and the solvent. Tight and loose TSs are formed for substrates bearing electron withdrawing (e‐w) and electron donating (e‐d) groups, respectively. In acetone, only the e‐w effect of the substituents increase the reactivity of the substrates, and the change of the structure of the TSs with the substituents is small. In water, polar and very loose TSs are formed in the reactions of benzoyl chlorides bearing e‐d substituents, and the rate enhancing effect of both e‐d and e‐w groups can be computed at higher level of theory. Calculated reactivities and the changes of the structure of the TSs with substituents and solvent are in accordance with the results of kinetic studies. In S_N2 nucleophilic substitutions late/early TSs are formed if the attacking reagent is poorer/better nucleophile than the leaving group, and loose/tight TSs are formed for substrates bearing e‐d/e‐w substituents and in protic/aprotic solvents. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvatochromic dipolarity micro‐sensor behaviour in binary solvent systems of the (water + ionic liquid) type: application of preferential solvation model and linear solvation energy relationships

The type of specific intermolecular and interionic interactions that are established when an ionic liquid is dissolved in water was here analysed. The study of the solvatochromic response of dipolarity micro‐sensors based on Reichardt E_T(30) and Kamlet–Abboud–Taft solvent scales and the application of the solvent exchange model confirmed the formation of different intersolvent complexes in binary mixtures of (water + [C₄mim] [BF₄]/[Br]) type. These complexes provide H‐bond or electron pairs to the polar network, respectively. Moreover, for 4‐methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride hydrolysis reaction in the (water + [C₄mim] [BF₄]) system, a higher inhibition (13 times) on the k_obs values was observed. Multiple linear regression analysis that allows confirming the solvent effect upon the reactive system is due to the hydrogen‐bond donor properties of intersolvent complex formed. Then, the correlation between two different solvent‐dependent processes proved to be successful. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rate and product studies in the solvolyses of methanesulfonic anhydride and a comparison with methanesulfonyl chloride solvolyses

The specific rates of solvolysis of methanesulfonic anhydride have been measured conductometrically at ?10 °C in 41 solvents. Use of the extended Grunwald–Winstein equation, with the N_T scale of solvent nucleophilicity and the Y_OTs scale of solvent ionizing power, leads to sensitivity to changes in solvent nucleophilicity (? value) of 0.95 and a sensitivity to changes in solvent ionizing power (m value) of 0.61, with a multiple correlation coefficient (R) of 0.973. Product selectivity values (S) in binary hydroxylic solvents favor alcohol attack in EtOH–H₂O (a value of 1.2 in 90% EtOH rising to 4.0 in 40% EtOH) and in MeOH–H₂O (a value of 3.7 in 90% MeOH rising to 6.0 in 50% MeOH). In 2,2,2,‐trifluoroethanol–H₂O, the S values are much lower at about 0.1. Entropy of activation values are appreciably negative. Literature values for the specific rates of solvolysis of methanesulfonyl chloride have been extended to fluoroalcohol‐containing solvents (titrimetric method) and, at 45.0 °C, for an overall 43 solvents values are obtained (using N_T and Y_C1 scales) of 1.20 for ? and of 0.52 for m (R = 0.969). It is proposed that both substrates solvolyze by an S_N2 pathway. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of N‐alkoxybenzimidoyl azides and their reactions in electrophilic media

A new general route to N‐alkoxybenzimidoyl azides [ArC(N₃)=NOR] from a reaction of N‐alkoxybenzimidoyl bromide [ArC(Br)=NOR] with sodium azide in DMSO is described. These reactions result in the Z‐geometric configuration. These compounds show a moderate degree of thermal stability as assessed by differential scanning calorimetry, and lack reactivity in traditional 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition ‘click’ reactions. Upon exposure to electrophilic compounds (trifluoroacetic acid or acetyl chloride), these azide compounds can react by two pathways: a Schmidt‐type rearrangement to form an N‐alkoxyurea or an isomerization–cyclization reaction pathway to form an N‐alkoxytetrazole. The route of the reaction has no dependence on solvent polarity and appears to depend upon the electrophile (H⁺ vs. CH₃CO⁺): reaction of the azide with trifluoroacetic acid results predominantly in the urea; reaction with acetyl chloride results solely in the tetrazole. Calculations indicate that the urea product is thermodynamically favored over the tetrazole product. They also indicate that both reaction conditions result in an equilibration between the starting azide and the tetrazole with the tetrazole being the major component in this equilibrium mixture. The fact that the azide also undergoes a Schmidt‐type rearrangement to form an N‐alkoxyurea when treated with trifluoroacetic acid appears to indicate that the barrier for aromatic ring migration is lower in the protonated azide produced on reaction with trifluoroacetic acid than in the acetylated azide produced on reaction with acetyl chloride. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nucleophilic substitution reactions promoted by oligoethylene glycols: a mechanistic study of ion‐pair SN2 processes facilitated by Lewis base

We present a mechanistic study for nucleophilic substitution (S_N2) reactions facilitated by multifunctional n‐oligoethylene glycols (n‐oligoEGs) using alkali metal salts MX (M⁺ = Cs⁺, K⁺, X^– = F^–, Br^–, I^–, CN^–) as nucleophilic agents. Density functional theory method is employed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of the S_N2 reaction. We found that the nucleophiles react as ion pairs, whose metal cation is ‘coordinated’ by the oxygen atoms in oligoEGs acting as Lewis base to reduce the unfavorable electrostatic effects of M⁺ on X^–. The two terminal hydroxyl (?OH) function as ‘anchors’ to collect the nucleophile and the substrate in an ideal configuration for the reaction. Calculated barriers of the reactions are in excellent agreement with all experimentally observed trends of S_N2 yields obtained by using various metal cations, nucleophiles and oligoEGs. The reaction barriers are calculated to decrease from triEG to pentaEG, in agreement with the experimentally observed order of efficiency (triEG < tetraEG < pentaEG). The observed relative efficiency of the metal cations Cs⁺ versus K⁺ is also nicely demonstrated (larger [better] barrier [efficiency] for Cs⁺ than for K⁺). We also examine the effects of the nucleophiles (F^–, Br^–, I^–, CN^–), finding that the magnitudes of reaction barriers are F^– > CN^– > Br^– > I^–, elucidating the observation that the yield was lowest for F^–. It is suggested that the role of oxygen atoms in the promoters is equivalent to that of –OH group in bulky alcohols (tert‐butyl or amyl‐alcohol) for S_N2 fluorination reactions previously studied in our lab. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics study of a Diels‐Alder reaction in mixtures of an ionic liquid with molecular solvents

The second‐order rate constants for cycloaddition reaction of cyclopentadiene with naphthoquinone were determined spectrophotometrically in various compositions of 1‐(1‐butyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium terafluoroborate ([bmim]BF₄) with water and methanol at 25 °C. Rate constants of the reaction in pure solvents are in the order of water > [bmim]BF₄ > methanol. Rate constants of the reaction decrease sharply with mole fraction of the ionic liquid in aqueous solutions and increase slightly to a maximum in alcoholic mixtures. Multi‐parameter correlation of logk₂ versus solute–solvent interaction parameters demonstrated that solvophobicity parameter (Sp), hydrogen‐bond donor acidity (α) and hydrogen‐bond acceptor basicity (β) of media are the main factors influencing the reaction rate constant. The proposed three‐parameter model shows that the reaction rate constant increases with Sp, α and β parameters. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvent nucleophilicities of hexafluoroisopropanol/water mixtures

First‐order rate constants k₁ for the trapping of various donor‐ and acceptor‐substituted benzhydrylium ions in mixtures of 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol (HFIP) and water ranging from 50 to 99% HFIP (w/w) were determined by laser flash photolytic generation of benzhydrylium ions from benzhydryl triarylphosphonium salts in these solvents. From these rate constants, we derived the solvent‐specific reactivity parameters N₁ and s_N for HFIP/water mixtures as defined by the linear free energy relationship lg k₁(20 °C) = s_N(N₁ + E). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvent network at the transition state in the solvolysis of hindered sulfonyl compounds

Alcoholysis rates of unhindered benzenesulfonyl chlorides (X‐ArSO₂Cl, X = H‐; 4‐Br‐; 4‐Me‐) are similar in methanol; the same behavior is also observed in ethanol, whereas the reactivity order in iso‐propanol is 4 Me‐ < H‐ < 4‐Br‐. On the other hand, alcoholysis of sterically hindered arenesulfonyl chlorides (X‐ArSO₂Cl) (X = 2,4,6‐Me₃‐3‐NO₂‐; 2,6‐Me₂‐4‐tBu‐; 2,4,6‐Me₃‐; 2,3,5,6‐Me₄‐; 2,4,6‐iPr₃‐; 2,4‐Me₂‐; 2,4,6‐(OMe)₃‐) in all studied alcohols show a significant increase in reactivity, the so‐called positive steric effect. Most of the substrates showed a reaction order b ~ 2 with respect to the nucleophile in methanol and ethanol, and b ~ 3 in iso‐propanol. The correlation between reactivity and the Kirkwood function (1/ξ) gives negative sensitivity (U) for all systems. All substrates showed high sensitivity to media nucleophilicity that depends on Σσ_X. Obtained results suggest the alcoholysis of benzenesulfonyl chlorides proceeds through S_N2 mechanism where the transition state (TS) involves the participation of 2–3 alcohol molecules; such a TS can be cyclic, in the case of unbranched alcohols, or linear, for alcohols with bulkier hydrocarbon groups like iso‐propanol. To include the number of alcohol molecules playing such a role in the TS, the following terminology is proposed: cS_N2s_n for S_N2 reactions involving n solvent molecules in a cyclic (c) TS, where “s” stands for the solvent and “n” is either the closest integer or half‐integer to the reaction order relative to the solvent or, in computational studies, the proposed number of solvent molecules taking part in the TS, whereas S_N2s_n is proposed when the TS is not cyclic. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvolytic reactivity of pyridinium ions

The leaving group abilities of pyridine, 4‐methylpyridine, and 4‐chloropyridine in S_N1 solvolytic reactions have been determined by analyzing the rate constants of X,Y‐substituted benzhydrylpyridinium salts obtained in various solvents. By applying the linear free energy relationship equation, log k = s_f (E_f + N_f), the nucleofuge specific parameters of 4‐substituted pyridine have been extracted. Because of solvation in the reactant ground state, the reactivity (nucleofugality, N_f) of a given pyridine decreases as the polarity of the solvent increases. High slope parameters (s_f > 1) may be due to the spread of the energy levels of the benzhydrylium ion/pyridine pair intermediates in comparison to benzhydrylium ion/chloride pairs (s_f ≈ 1). Because of slow heterolysis step of pyridinium salts in various solvents, some are stable under normal conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of microheterogeneity of CF3CH2OH–H2O mixed solvent on reactions of carbocations from 1,2,2,3‐tetramethyl‐1,2‐dihydroquinoline

Carbocations are key intermediates in many important organic reactions. The remarkable effect of the solvent composition on the kinetic parameters of the carbocation decay and product composition was found in the photolysis of 1,2,2,3‐tetramethyl‐1,2‐dihydroquinoline ( 1 ) in 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE)–H₂O mixtures. The rate constant of the intermediate carbocation decay has a maximum, and the activation energy is minimal in the TFE–H₂O mixture 3 : 7 (v/v). In the steady‐state photolysis, products of oligomerization of 1 with n up to 8 and their adducts with TFE and H₂O were identified at this solvent composition. The results were rationalized in terms of TFE clustering in aqueous mixtures, with the maximum of cluster formation at 30 vol % TFE. The clusters form a pseudo‐phase, in which the molecules of 1 are concentrated and the carbocations are generated. TFE, H₂O and 1 compete in the combination reaction with the photogenerated carbocation to afford the products. This effect was not observed for 1,2,2,4‐tetramethyl‐1,2‐dihydroquinoline ( 2 ), the isomer of 1 , due to steric hindrance at C(4) carbon atom of the heterocycle, the active site of the intermediate carbocation, which makes impossible for the carbocation from 2 to react further with 2 . Thus, the kinetic parameters and the product composition in the photolysis of 1 in TFE–H₂O mixtures reflect the changes in the microstructure of the binary solvent. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The importance of the ortho effect in the solvolyses of 2,6‐difluorobenzoyl chloride

The ortho effect of the chloro substituents in 2,6‐dichlorobenzoyl chloride sufficiently hindered attack on the acyl carbon such that an ionization mechanism was observed over the full range of solvents studied. We now compare this behavior with that of 2,6‐difluorobenzoyl chloride. The smaller fluoro substituents allow the dominant pathway to be addition–elimination (association–dissociation) in all solvents except those rich in fluoroalcohol, where ionization is dominant. Ranges of operation for both mechanisms had previously been observed for the parent benzoyl chloride but with a wider ionization range than for the 2,6‐difluoro derivative. This indicates that, relative to the parent, the electronic destabilizing influence of the fluorines on acyl cation formation outweighs the steric retardation to attack because of the presence of the two ortho‐fluorine atoms. An extended (two‐term) Grunwald–Winstein equation treatment of the solvolyses of 2,6‐difluorobenzoyl chloride is reported. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of the ortho effect in the solvolyses of dichlorobenzoyl chlorides

The ortho‐effect of substituents upon the kinetics of reactions taking place at a reaction center attached to an aromatic ring has long been a topic of interest. For benzoyl chloride solvolyses, it was shown by Bentley and coworkers that the 2,6‐dimethyl‐derivative followed an ionization pathway with characteristics very similar to those for the solvolyses of p‐methoxybenzoyl chloride. We have carried out a Grunwald–Winstein equation treatment of the solvolyses of 2,6‐dichlorobenzoyl chloride, with similar sized chlorines replacing the methyl groups but now with an overall electron‐withdrawing influence of the ortho‐substituents. In this way the reactivity is moderated and the study can be extended to the important fluoroalcohol‐containing solvents. For the 30 solvents studied, an ionization pathway with a moderate nucleophilic solvation component is indicated. For comparison purposes, the treatment has also been applied to the 2,4‐, 3,4‐, and 3,5‐dichloro‐ derivatives. For the 2,4‐dichloro‐derivative, the two reaction channels are clearly visible and the solvents included for each channel are consistent with their solvent properties. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lack of the neighboring group rate effect in solvolytic reactions that proceed via participation

In order to investigate the influence of solvent polarity on the rate effect of double bonds in reactions that proceed via an extended π‐participation mechanism, the solvolysis rates (k_U) of the benzyl chloride derivative 1 and tertiary chloride 2 that have doubly unsaturated side chains were measured in absolute ethanol, 80% v/v. aq. ethanol and 97% wt. aq. trifluoroethanol. The rates of the corresponding saturated analogs 1S and 2S (k_S) were measured in 80% aq. ethanol and 97% wt. aq. trifluoroethanol, while those in pure ethanol were calculated according to LFER equation log k = s_f (E_f + N_f). In solvents with moderate ionizing power (ethanol and 80% aq. ethanol) the expected rate effects were obtained (k_U/k_S>1), while in solvent with high ionizing power (2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol) absence of the rate effect was observed (k_U/k_S≈1), indicating that in the k_S process the solvation of the transition state is very important, while in k_Δ process the breaking of the C? Cl bond is not appreciably developed in the transition state and the solvent effect is marginal. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The leaving group dependence in the rates of solvolysis of 1,2‐diphenylethyl system

1,2‐Diphenylethyl chloride undergoes solvolysis by S_N1 mechanism in aqueous organic solvents. The α‐phenyl group of 1,2‐diphenylethyl chloride enters into conjugation with the developing carbocationic centre. The β‐phenyl group on the other hand was unable to extend its conjugation via neighbouring group participation due to steric inhibition of resonance in the formation of non‐classical carbocation. 1,2‐Diphenylethyl chloride thus behaves similar to 1‐phenylethyl chloride in its solvolysis pattern. The solvolytic rate studies of chloride and methanesulphonate of 1,2‐diphenylethyl alcohol in various aqueous organic solvents show that the dispersion observed in the Winstein–Grunwald plot is not due to a change in leaving group but due to the difference in solvation requirements of aromatic and aliphatic groups. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.