Special salt effect in monomolecular heterolysis reactions

Data on the special salt effect in monomolecular heterolysis reactions (Sn1, E1, solvolysis) are summarized and critically analyzed. The mechanisms suggested by Ingold, Winstein, Dannenberg, Okamoto, and the authors are discussed. The special salt effect is due to the effect of a salt on the contact ion pair of a substrate. Quadrupoles and ion triplets are formed. In the limiting step of the heterolysis, a contact ion pair interacts with a solvent cavity. Association of salts with a contact ion pair increases the lifetime of the cationoid and the probability of its contact with the solvent cavity. A spatially separated ion pair is formed, which rapidly transforms into a solvation-separated ion pair, which, also rapidly, yields reaction products.