Carbon Participation in the Solvolysis of 6-exo-substituted 2-exo- and 2-endo-Norbornyl p-Toluenesulfonates. Norbornanes part 5

The solvolysis rates and products of the 6-exo-substituted 2-exo- 1a - 1u , and 2-endo-norbornyl p-toluenesulfonates 2a - 2u , have been determined. In general, the rate constants for 1 and 2 (log k) correlate well with the inductive constants σ of the substitutents at C(6); however, their sensitivity to σ is much larger in the 2-exo-series 1 than in the 2-endo-series 2 . This differential transmission of polar effects is the cause of decreasing 2-exo/2-endo rate ratios from 2388 for R = t-C₄H₉ to 0.37 for R = Br, i. e. with increasing electron attraction by the substituent. The high sensitivity of the rate constants for the 2-exo-p-toluenesulfonates 1 to σ indicates an unusually strong inductive interaction between C(6) and the incipient cationic center at C(2). This interaction is ascribed to the participation of the pentacoordinate C(6)-atom, i. e. to 1,3-bridging, a consequence of steric hindrance of nucleophilic solvent participation in norbornanes. Donor substituents enhance 1,3-bridging, lead to faster reactions and to the formation of 2-exo substitution products. Conversely, acceptor substituents reduce 1,3-bridging, decrease rates and facilitate the formation of 2-endo substitution products. Graded 1,3-bridging is discussed in the light of Winstein's nonclassical ion concept.