| Abstract: | The specific rate constants for the alkaline hydrolysis of formamide were determined in a series of acetone-water mixtures ranging from 0.0% to 70% by weight of the organic solvent and at different temperature, 25°–50°. The rate was found to be larger in water. Addition of acetone appears to cause a change in the solvent structure as concluded from the variation of log k with either 1/D or logH2O]. The reactivity of the reactants and the activated state seems to be affected differently by a change in the solvent structure. The magnitude of such effect should be considered separately on both the reactants and the activated state in order to account for the increase of the rate as the dielectric constant of the medium is increased. |
